Parents may consider using a home monitoring system for their baby.
Monitors are not needed for most healthy babies and toddlers.
- No monitor has been proven to prevent sudden unexpected infant death.
- Some manufacturers falsely claim that their monitors prevent sudden infant death.
- For most families, use of a baby monitor is unnecessary.
- Health professionals may supply some parents with baby monitors.
- Remember if you choose to use a monitor, it does not replace the six safe sleep recommendations.
Types of available monitoring systems
Audio Monitors enable parents to hear noises from a baby’s room. They do not monitor breathing or sleeping position.
Movement Monitors record baby’s movement and alarm after a pause in movement of 15 to 20 seconds. These monitors do not detect obstructed breathing.
Heart and Breathing Monitors register chest movement and electrical activity of the heart with electrodes attached to the chest, or other parts of the body as a wearable device.
Oxygen Monitors are often used in hospitals but are rarely needed at home. Despite recent developments and improvements in these monitors, many false alarms are still reported.
Seek the advice of your doctor, paediatrician or child health nurse before purchasing and using a monitor.
Did you find this helpful?
Good job! Please give your positive feedback
How could we improve this post? Please Help us.
