Baby Breathing Monitor: Take It or Leave It?

on July 21, 2009 at 11:45 AM

I got a baby monitor at my baby shower, but I've never used it since I'm wired to be on constant alert (which is another way of saying I don't get any sleep). Some people swear by monitors, like my friend whose first baby died of SIDS. Understandably, she thinks you can never be too careful so she bought the Snuza Halo Baby Monitor, which detects when a baby has stopped breathing. And that's the star of this week's take it or leave it.

Item: Snuza Halo Baby Movement Monitor

Cost: $189

What it does: You clip the monitor onto your baby's diaper and it monitors your baby's every movement. The sensor detects your baby's tummy movement (breathing) and a built-in "vibrating stimulator" gently wakes your baby 15 seconds after movement stops. If there is still no movement after 20 seconds an alarm will sound.

Pros: It doesn't just let you know if your baby is crying, it let's you know if your baby has stopped breathing. It's helpful for co-sleeping twins and multiples.

Cons: You may need another baby monitor or video monitor to make sure you hear it in another room.

What do you think?

About the author Suzanne Murray

is the Parenting & Political editor at The Stir/Moms Matter 2012.

Filed Under: take it or leave it

Comments (8)

aurorabunny

on Jul 21, 2009 at 1:49 PM

For that much money I would probably buy the Angel care monitor that fits on the mattress...that way you don't have to clip anything on your baby. When my son was a baby and had a stop-breathing episode from reflux I considered the Angel Care but decided not to. We have a really nice video monitor, I don't like the ones where you can't see them.

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Lia654

on Jul 21, 2009 at 2:53 PM

I actually bought one of these. I've found it really good. It comes with a DVD that shows you how to do CPR and rescue breathing, and also how to look after your child when they have fever. So far, it's worked really well. I had a niece die of SIDS, so I may be a bit more sensitive than other people, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Lanasmom

on Jul 21, 2009 at 3:24 PM

I'll leave it-- my baby doesn't sleep well enough as it is, i don't need something vibrating to wake him up--I just think these things instill fear in parents; Having a baby die from SIDS is terrible, but there is no evidence that these things prevent it in anyway.

littleredpony

on Jul 21, 2009 at 5:04 PM

I plan on getting the Angel Care monitor. Yes I am a little over protective and worry a bit much but after you have a child that died, it changes you. I don't care if someone thinks I'm nutty, I will feel better and sleep better myself with this. Chances are it is totally over kill but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

mjgreeley

on Jul 21, 2009 at 5:49 PM

I would have so taken this in a heart beat when I had my son. I had a daughter die in her sleep when she was 9 days old (not from SIDS) so when I had my son I begged the doctor for a sleep apena monitor but she refused saying that it was not medically necessary. I was going to pay for one out of pocket but to rent it was $300 a month so totally out of the question. I searched high and low for monitors like this that monitor but the closest place that sold it was about 4 hours away. The first few weeks of my sons life, my boyfriend and I stayed up in shifts watching our son sleep just to know that he was still alive. This monitor would have definetely came in handy for myself and probably still would seeing that my son is just turning 5 months in a few days.

on Jul 21, 2009 at 7:42 PM

For a parent who is worried about SIDS, I would say the money would be better spent on an all organic chemical free crib mattress or at least a good mattress wrap--the chemicals in most mattresses have been tied to SIDS in a BIG way. However I totally understand that after having that experience I'm sure any little bit of peace of mind you can get helps. I have heard from other moms that they have a lot of false alarms though (the Angel care monitors) and that might be kind of traumatic.

SarahCC1017

on Jul 21, 2009 at 11:11 PM

I didn't even know something like this existed! This is my first pregnancy and knowing me I'm going to be in my daughters room all the time while she is sleeping to check to see if she is breathing. I know I'm going to be overprotective and this product sounds like it's something to give me that extra reassurance so I don't have to be up all the time.