Check Up on Your Baby Without Disturbing Them

During the first six months of your baby's life it's logical to worry about their breathing patterns during sleep. Traditional baby monitors don't allow you to watch your baby and often aren't sensitive enough to pick up the sounds of baby's breathing (and, if they are, then they're too sensitive to the loud racket when baby wakes up!). Parents who are concerned about the risk of SIDS can purchase a breathing monitor which informs them when the baby's breathing pauses or stops for an abnormal amount of time. There is however no scientific evidence that using any type of monitor will prevent SIDS. The use of baby sleeping bags in place of blankets in the cot can help reduce the risk of SIDS.

Baby sleeping bags are a type of wearable blanket with holes for the arms and neck and a zipper closure. They're designed to keep babies warm without the use of loose blankets. Baby sleeping bags are affordable and are available in a variety of colours, fabrics and designs. They are helpful in the prevention of SIDS as they delay the baby rolling into the high risk tummy position and the correct size sleeping bag ensures that the baby's face and head stays uncovered during sleep.

Most baby monitors will sound an alarm after the baby's breathing has stopped for ten or twenty seconds; you can change this setting on the monitor itself. The system consists of a sensor either in a pad that goes beneath the mattress or as a small disc to be taped to the infant, attached to an alarm box (the main unit). Some models include a wireless receiver so that you can monitor the baby's breathing from another room or while moving around the house. Each breath your baby takes is marked with a beep or a flashing light and if the baby ceases breathing for ten or twenty seconds a loud alarm will sound.

Development of the Breathing Monitor

The breathing monitor was developed originally during SIDS research in an effort to uncover the true cause of SIDS. Researchers Viera Scheibner and Leif Karlsson believed cot death was due to prolonged episodes of sleep apnea in small infants. While breathing monitors alone cannot prevent the likelihood of SIDS they can at least alert you in case of an emergency.

Similarly, baby sleeping bags were invented during SIDS research. Baby sleeping bags have been shown to reduce the chances of cot death as they frequently prevent infants from rolling over in their sleep, conveniently replace loose blankets with a "fixed" source of warmth and promote the practice of putting infants to sleep on their backs. Baby sleeping bags are available in many stores and can be found in styles and textures ranging from sturdy cotton to luxurious alpaca. It's best to have two to four baby sleeping bags so you'll always have one clean when you need it.

Do You Need a Breathing Monitor?

A breathing monitor is only an alarm system and in no way prevents an incident of sleep apnea or SIDS from occurring. If you've previously lost a child to cot death or if you're very concerned about it a breathing monitor can be a valuable source of peace of mind. The best prevention against SIDS is to lay your baby on its back to sleep with face uncovered, avoid loose bedding by using a baby sleeping bag, avoid exposure to tobacco smoke, remove all toys from the cot and keep your infant in a bassinet or moses cradle in your room until six months of age for easier checking.