Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Original poster

Baby sleep and monitor - totally confused

29 replies

FourGreenElephants · 16/10/2026 11:04

Hi, I'm expecting my first baby.

Yes, I'm concerned about SIDS. We are quite low risk - no one smokes, no one drinks regularly, we will use next-to-me crib, but we know a low risk family where SIDS took their baby.

I'd like to understand how the baby monitors fit into this.
Intuitivelly, it sounds easy - monitor tries to wake the baby up (by noise) plus notifies parents to try to wake/resuscitate the baby.

The issue is - if you try to select one, every sellers and source tells you that they don't prevent SIDS/there is no evidence that they do prevent SIDS - both wordings are used at the lullaby trust research summary for monitors.
https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Monitors.pdf

So... would anyone know please how it fits together? Do they actually help or are they just an empty reassurance? Is it a lack of data or lack of results?

I'm aware that with next-to-me crib the choice is limited to skin contact ones, practically only the nappy clip or owlet.

I'm a bit disapppinted that lullaby trust refused to comment on owlet, but it seems it should work to the same level, they just don't like the potential information overload. Is this true?

I was wondering whether the owlet would potentially mitigate the risks associated with baby turning to their tummy in their sleep (as once their learn to turn, it will be impossible to turn them back every time), but it is hard to find some confirmation.

(My gemini failed spectacularly, getting stuck between how of course the monitors help and how they don't prevent SIDS)

Would anonyone know more please? Or maybe have a better links for me?

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Monitors.pdf

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Original poster
FourGreenElephants · 17/10/2026 20:50

BertieBotts · 17/10/2026 15:25

YY I agree I would not fight the battle if I had family trying to pressure me into buying one. It is highly unlikely to do any harm to the baby, especially if you're aware that using these monitors cannot "cancel out" other risk factors such as tummy sleeping, and as long as you buy a reputable brand, not some cheapo copy from amazon etc.

My only concern would be if, as I have, you have any tendency/markers/family history, etc, towards OCD or anxiety disorders, because I think it could be very easy to fall into a trap of feeling that you "need" the monitor for your baby to be safe and I would not want to end up ill. This is the harm that I think they can potentially cause.

That said. I did use a doppler during pregnancy, after 2x early losses. I made quite strict rules for myself - as soon as I could feel the baby moving, I packed the doppler away and stopped using it. I was only "allowed" to use it every other day leading up to 10 weeks. This was an attempt to prevent me obsessing over it and wanting to use it all the time. It was OK. It didn't exacerbate anything with these limits on it, and I got some reassurance/enjoyment from using it.

A suggestion for a limit for you: 2-4 months is thought to be the "peak" risk period for SIDS. Perhaps it might be worth having in the back of your mind the idea that you will stop using it after 4 months. Or just go with the flow - some people find that they get so many false alarms with these things that they get frustrated and stop using it.

Yes, that's the plan. Get one, be aware that it doesn't mitigate any specific known risk, and stop when it stops working for us, 4 months seems good.

As for the potential anxiety - I believe that the article and this thread are what I needed to avoid it. I originally thought that not using one would be a big mistake and irresponsible choice. Now I think that using one might be a small mistake (losing to marketing), but not doing any harm, so we will try to use it and see how it goes, but not freak out if we forget to bring it with us when sleeping elsewhere - it is the least important part of our safety setup.

OP posts:
ButtercupYellow26 · 17/10/2026 21:33

RandomUserName12345 · 16/10/2026 11:47

No monitor can 100% guarantee that a child will not die of SIDS. That's the truth.

What a reassuring comment for already anxious parents. Was it necessary?

ButtercupYellow26 · 17/10/2026 21:36

Iloveeverycat · 17/10/2026 16:23

The Lullaby trust states for the first 6 months baby is meant to be with you in the same room day and night so no need for a monitor.

Edited

Presumably you will sleep at the same time as baby so won't be watching over them 24/7.
A monitor is designed to alert you if baby stops breathing.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Babies & sleep Children's sleep Families General parenting
dementedpixie · 17/10/2026 23:26

ButtercupYellow26 · 17/10/2026 21:36

Presumably you will sleep at the same time as baby so won't be watching over them 24/7.
A monitor is designed to alert you if baby stops breathing.

Show quote history

The monitor i had when my kids were young didnt have the capacity to monitor breathing as it was just one that transmitted any sounds in the room e.g. crying, coughing, maybe being sick, etc.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread