Baby Breathing Monitors
Baby Breathing Monitors So You Can Sleep Easy
A baby breath monitor (or simply a baby monitor) is a useful device that will help you and your baby sleep without any worries. This highly sensitive device monitors your baby’s breath – if it doesn’t detect any, or if it recognises an irregularity, it alerts the parents with a loud alarm. We’ll tell you which breathing monitor to pick and when it’s most helpful.
How Does a Breath Monitor Work?
The device monitors your baby’s breath through a special sensor which reads the breathing frequency from your child’s tiniest movements. As soon as the monitor detects no breathing for 20 seconds or a reduced number of inhales, the motion detector triggers a loud alarm that alerts the parents. The baby usually also reacts to the loud signal by taking another breath.
When Should You Use a Breath Monitor?
In general, a breath detector is great for new parents because it helps with the initial uncertainty and allows them to go to bed without worries, which is important during this stressful time. The device is also useful for premature babies or babies with health issues. If you’re not sure how long you should use a breath monitor, it’s usually recommended to stop using it between 6 months to 12 months of age. After your baby turns 1, they tend to move around more and a standard baby monitor will be more suitable.
How to Pick a Breathing Monitor?
If you decide to check your baby’s sleep using a breath sensor, focus on what specific type of sensor you want, important parameters of the device and any additional functions you might appreciate.
Types of Breath Monitors
Various types of monitors allow you to check on your baby throughout the day, even if they are outside of their cot. If your baby tends to vomit a little, you might want to also use the breath monitor during the day in the pram to prevent them from choking.
- Desktop baby monitor – A thin pad with a sensitive sensor is usually placed directly under the mattress in the cot or in the pram, which means it’s not in your baby’s way. However, if your baby gets off the pad, the breath monitor might signal a false alarm. You can prevent this by adding another pad to cover the entire space under the mattress. This type of monitor is not suitable for spring mattresses.
- Nappy-clip breathing monitor – A portable breath monitor that you clip directly to the nappy near the belly button so that it touches the belly. It’s also great for a stationary pram or cradle during the day. It’s a reliable wireless device, however older kids might find that it gets in their way and doesn’t work when they’re moving around.
- Baby monitor with a breath sensor – A useful 2-in-1 combination of a baby monitor and a breath sensor features a walkie-talkie. You can use this type of device longer than you would a standard breath monitor, plus it often comes with other features such as temperature monitoring, night vision and LCD monitor.
- Breath monitor for twins – A special type of desktop baby monitor which consists of the device itself and 2-4 pads. You’ll only need it if your babies have each their own cot.
Key Parameters When Choosing a Breath Monitor
- Monitor range – it should reach at least from the cot to your bed.
- Alarm – pay attention to how loud the signal is and whether you can adjust the volume.
- Monitor response – or how much time it takes from the moment the device recognises a problem to triggering the alarm (usually 20 seconds).
- Battery – find out what power supply the device runs on and whether it has a light that signals battery life.
- Size of the pad – important for deciding if the monitored surface is sufficiently large or needs to be expanded.
Useful Functions
- Vibrations – some devices also have vibrations which start before the alarm and usually nudge your baby enough that they take another breath.
- Control light – alerts you to any breathing irregularity.
- Memory – shows you breathing records from the last few hours.
- Additional sensors – detect room temperature, baby’s temperature or baby’s position.
- Phone app – some breath monitors can be paired with a smartphone via an app.
Find the best breath monitor today so you and your baby can sleep easy! Shop baby monitors, baby thermometers, nasal aspirators and other useful baby products at notino.co.uk.