Safe Sleep Technology
In the past few years there has been a flood of new products entering the baby sleep market, all claiming to keep your little one safe. These products include socks that monitor oxygen intake, video monitors that log baby’s every move, and mattresses that claim to be more breathable than the average crib mattress on the market. While there is nothing inherently “wrong” with these products, in my experience working with families I have found that at best they’re anxiety provoking and at worst encourage unsafe sleep practices.
What you actually need for safe sleep
At the end of the day (both literally and figuratively) the best way to keep your baby safe at night isn’t fancy gadgets aimed at scaring new parents, but simply following the ABC’s of safe sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that for the first year of life babies sleep alone, on their backs in a crib, bassinet, or a pack and play. Implementing these practices along with a simple video monitor or keeping them in your room will suffice to keep them safe and help to keep you from going insane from worry.
Problems to be on the lookout for
These “safe sleep” products are in no way dangerous to use, but the danger lies in relying on these products rather than the ABC’s of sleep to keep your little one safe. For example, a parent may feel comfortable allowing their baby to sleep unsupervised in a pillow because they have a breathing monitor. They may decide to lay their baby on their belly because they’re sleeping on a “breathable” mattress (pro-tip, all crib mattresses are breathable). These technologies are never a substitute for safe sleep guidelines and in fact there is no research to support them having ever saved a life.
The other concern we see with the rise of constant monitoring devices is a correlation in parental anxiety. It’s normal for parents to be worried about their baby, but when every move, roll, and breath are recorded it’s easy to fall down a rabbit hole. Obsession over your baby’s sleep can become all too easy when you have a record on your phone of every move. For most of human history if a baby was in their room and quiet, parents assumed the baby was sleeping. With the ability to be notified each time they wake, even if they aren’t upset or crying, we add an unnecessary level of worry to already one of the most stressful times in our lives.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day we all should make choices when it comes to parenting that give us the most confidence and comfort. If an oxygen monitor gives you peace of mind, then absolutely go ahead and use it, but know these expensive devices are in not a prerequisit to being a good parent.
