It is natural for parents to become anxious about their baby’s health, even if it means fretting about their breathing pattern. By placing a breathing monitor near your baby, you can be assured that the little one is breathing normally. If you are not aware of what breathing monitors do or how they work, this MomJunction post can help you understand it. We also provide a list of the best baby breathing monitors.

What Is The Use Of Baby Breathing Monitors?

Newborns could have an irregular breathing pattern. This irregularity often worries parents because babies’ breathing pathways are small and easy to obstruct. Commonly, this irregularity in breathing is resolved within the first few months itself. However, for some babies, the issue does not resolve even after six months. This could be because of some medical condition and is common in premature babies. Doctors usually advise a breathing monitor to parents so they can be alerted each time the baby seems to breathe abnormally. A breathing monitor observes the baby’s breathing movements or patterns, and in case it does not capture any movement from the baby, it sounds an alarm.

7 Best Baby Breathing Monitors In 2022

1. Best Hypoallergenic: Snuza Hero (SE) Premium Baby Movement Monitor

This monitor is a tiny, lightweight device. Clip it to the baby’s diaper, and it monitors the baby’s abdominal movement. If it does not detect any movement for 15 seconds, it vibrates gently to move the baby. If the breathing does not resume within the next five seconds, it sets off a loud alarm to alert the parent or guardian. The cordless device is hypoallergenic and BPA-free. Have a look at this video to understand how the product works. Pros

Made of medical-grade silicone and plastic Easy to clip on to diapers Lightweight and portable Adjustable settings for convenience

Cons

Functions may be complicated for some May be slightly big

2. Best Snap-On: MonBaby Baby Breathing Movement Monitor

MonBaby’s monitor helps track your child’s breathing pattern while sleeping and informs you through audible alerts to your phone in case of any pause. The monitor offers real-time and historical graphs to track your child’s breathing movement over a long period. You will also know if your child changes positions while sleeping and rolls over on their stomach. Its patented snap-on design makes it easy to attach to any outfit or diaper. Pros

Bluetooth-enabled Near-zero radiation level Communication range of up to 50ft Optimized battery life

Cons

Works only if attached to the first layer of clothing App may shut off randomly

3. Best Contact-Free: Miku Smart Baby Monitor

Miku Pro smart breathing monitor gives you real-time updates and enables you to keep a check on your baby from anywhere through your smartphone. The camera focuses on the baby and sets off an alarm when it detects no movement. Its speakers enable two-way talk so you can hear every sound in the baby’s room and talk to the baby through the speaker.Click here to learn more about the baby monitor. Pros

Contact-free monitor Encrypted for safety Digital zoom with 1080p HD video Monitors nursery conditions Wireless design

Cons

App may not be user-friendly May disconnect frequently

4. Best Bluetooth Enabled: Sense-U Baby Monitor with Breathing Rollover Movement Temperature Sensors

Sense-U baby monitor lets you constantly monitor your baby through your smartphone. It not only notifies you of the baby’s breathing, but also alerts you when the baby sleeps on their stomach. It works on Bluetooth Low Energy (BT 4.0), which has a range of about 50ft and a negligible radiation level. It comes with a sensory chip that closely monitors your baby’s breathing and sends an alert to your phone in case of any abnormality. It also enables you to check your baby’s respiratory rate and temperature on your cell phone. Pros

Notifies if baby’s temperature levels changes Tracks the child’s sleeping position and breathing Displays humidity levels Can track room temperature

Cons

Does not support hotspot Wi-Fi from hotspots and 5G networks Clip may not be durable

5. Best Versatile: iBaby Smart Baby Breathing Monitor

Suitable for new parents, the iBaby breathing monitor is Wi-Fi-enabled and offers two-way audio, sleeping analytics, and crying/movement tracking. The versatile monitor does not cause discomfort to the child as they do not have to wear it. It offers real-time breathing and movement data that you can view from the app. Pros

Prompt alerts Night vision available Features a full HD 1080P baby camera Plays sweet lullabies

Cons

Connecting to smartphones may be challenging May not be easy to position it at the right angle

6. Best BPA-Free: Owlet Smart Sock + Cam – Heart Rate, Oxygen, Video & Audio – The Complete Baby Monitor Solution

This baby monitor system lets you keep a close watch on your baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels. The package includes a camera and a smart sock. The secure, encrypted Wi-Fi network allows you to watch your baby anytime, anywhere and the smart sock connects to the base station to alert in case the baby’s heart rate changes drastically. Its two speakers allow you to soothe your baby even from another room. Pros

Night vision enabled HD vision available Superior130° wide-angle 4X zoom Free of BPA, latex, and lead

Cons

May lose certain features during updates May disconnect often

7. Best Under-The-Mattress: New Babysense 7 – Under-The-Mattress Baby Movement Monitor

If clipping or tying a device to your baby makes you uncomfortable, try this under-the-mattress device. It is highly sensitive and notes every little movement of the baby on the mattress. It instantly sets off an alarm if it fails to detect any movement for 20 seconds or if the movement is slower than expected. The monitor is safe to use and is equipped with two sensor pads fitted to the crib. Pros

No-Wi-Fi Covers the entire crib area No direct contact with the infant Enhanced sensitivity Easy to install

Cons

Alarm may go off multiple times Movement sensor may not be sensitive

Factors To Consider Before Buying A Baby Breathing Monitor

Baby breathing monitoring devices are aplenty, but good breathing monitors are relatively less. So, when buying a breathing monitor, you may consider the following essential features in the device.

It should be highly sensitive to track the baby’s heart rate and breathing constantly. It should not make sounds that can disturb the baby’s sleep. It should capture other sounds the baby makes, like crying. It should be 100% accurate and not sound false alarms. It should meet the ASTM International F2951 safety standards. It should have a mechanism to indicate the draining of battery life.

Before you decide to buy a baby breathing monitor, you should also consider the following shortcomings of the device.

Shortcomings of Baby Breathing Monitors

Misconception: Baby breathing monitors are often perceived as life-saving devices, which is not entirely true. A baby breathing monitor cannot regulate the baby’s breathing or prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It can only alert the parents of any abnormality and help the parents to resuscitate the baby after the alarm.

False alarm: One of the most common problems with baby breathing monitors is false alarms. Doctors have indicated that it is normal for babies with irregular breathing patterns, to stop breathing for 20 seconds and then resume normally. So, monitors that set off at 20 seconds after detecting a lack of movement in babies can cause unnecessary and frequent panic for parents.

False sense of security: One of the main drawbacks of this device is that it cannot detect obstructive apnea, a condition in which the baby’s abdomen makes regular movements, but the air does not reach the lungs. It can be a fatal condition, and its parents should be aware of it.

Now that you have a fair idea of baby breathing monitors, let’s have a look at some of the best baby breathing monitors available online.

Why Trust MomJunction?

We understand how significant a breathing monitor is when you have a little one at home. So, we bring you this list of the best baby breathing monitors after checking the specifications of different products and customer feedback. We also bring you a buying guide to help you choose the right product. The breathing monitors mentioned on this list are easy to hold, lightweight, and suit your requirements. A baby breathing monitor may help you keep a tab on your baby, but it cannot do wonders. The device is only a parental aid. If you sense something wrong with your baby’s breathing patterns or have more questions about the device, then do not hesitate to speak to your baby’s pediatrician.

References:

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