Baby monitors and how they work

Choosing a baby monitor can be confusing as there are so many different types on the market. If you decide to buy one, this page will help you pick what's right for you and your baby.

A baby is sleeping in a safer sleep position. They are on their back with a clear cot around them. They have dark hair and medium skin, and their arms are held up at either side of their head. They are sleeping.

Ar y dudalen hon

Monitorau babanod

Monitors can give you peace of mind but it’s important to be aware that there is no research showing they help prevent SIDS. Whether you choose to use a baby monitor or not, you should follow all our safer sleep advice to help you keep your baby as safe as possible. We have lots of resources available on how to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), helping you create the safest possible sleep environment for your baby.

Our recommendation is to stay in the same room as your baby while they sleep for the first six months, day or night. A monitor can never replace a parent or carer’s supervision of a baby.

An illustrated baby is sleeping. They have fair skin and wear a nappy. On their nappy is a movement monitor.

Movement monitors

Movement monitors work by picking up your baby’s movements, including the movement of their breathing. If no movement is detected for a period of time, usually 20 seconds, they sound an alarm.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and keep the monitor control unit out of your baby’s reach.

There are different types of movement monitors:

Skin contact monitors – a small sensor pad is held in contact with the baby’s abdomen by tape, and connected to the monitor with tubes. We recommend you stop using these after six months of age or when the baby can roll, reach and grasp. There’s a higher risk of accidents with wires and tubes with an active baby.
Mattress monitors – a large sensor pad is placed in the baby’s cot, usually on the base under the mattress, and connected to a monitor.
Skin contact clip-on monitors – a small plastic cordless monitor clips onto the baby’s nappy.

Other types of baby monitors

Some monitors measure heart rate, breathing rate and blood oxygen levels (using pulse oximetry), however we don’t include these types of monitors as part of our Care of Next Infant (CONI) programme.

Baby lying on their back, looking out through the slats of the cot.

How to choose a reputable baby monitor

We recommend that any baby monitor you buy has a certified medical device mark (CE or UKCA mark) if they are available for sale in the UK. These show that they have been tested for safety and meet standards for medical devices sold in the UK.

Many movement monitors are sold as “reassurance” monitors but are not certified as medical devices. We recommend using one which is classed as a medical device – look for “MD” or “medical device” on the manufacturer’s information or the packaging.

We can’t recommend or offer advice on specific baby monitors as we don’t carry out testing or research on products, but we hope this information helps you feel more confident in choosing a monitor.

What to do if the monitor alarm sounds

Make sure you know what to do if the alarm goes off on your baby monitor and share the plan with anyone else who may be caring for your baby.

1- Switch off the alarm and check your baby:

Look for movement of your baby’s chest and/or tummy to check they are breathing.
Place your cheek next to the baby’s face to see if you can feel or hear them breathing.
Try stimulating your baby by talking, blowing on or touching their face, or tickling the soles of their feet to see if they respond. Never shake your baby.

2 – If your baby doesn’t respond, dial 999 straight away and put your phone on speaker so the operator can talk you through what to do until professional help arrives.

3 – Seek medical advice if your baby does respond or you are worried about their health. Contact NHS 111, your midwife, doctor or health visitor.

Cwestiynau cyffredin

Can I use a movement monitor in a vehicle or a buggy/pram?

Fif you place a baby somewhere where there is other movement, the monitor can pick up movement that hasn’t come from the baby. This could give you false reassurance. Be aware of this if you are using the monitor anywhere where these is movement, such as a car or pram, or anywhere where the monitor could pick up vibrations, such as if you’re walking around the cot on certain flooring.

Which baby monitor is best?

Though parents and carers may find baby monitor’s reassuring, there’s no evidence that they help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This means the best monitor is the one that meets your needs the most.

With our work including our Care of Next Infant (CONI) programme, we tend to recommend simple movement monitors, such as mattress monitors, skin contact and skin contact clip-on monitors.

Remember, a baby monitor can give you peace of mind but can never replace a parent or carers’ supervision.

Do baby monitors need WiFi?

A dad is holding a very young baby on his shoulder. His hand is caressing the baby's back, and he's looking down at the baby.

Cofiwch

While there is no replacement for an adult being in the room with eich babi for the first six months, some parents find monitors reassuring, giving them peace of mind. Although we don’t recommend specific baby monitors, we hope this guide helps you make an informed decision that feels right for you and your baby.

Pob babi yn ddiogel. Pob teulu yn cael ei gefnogi.

Os oeddech chi'n teimlo bod y wybodaeth hon yn ddefnyddiol, ystyriwch yn rhoi heddiw i'n helpu ni i gyrraedd a helpu'r rhiant neu ofalwr nesaf, yn union fel chi. Bydd eich caredigrwydd yn:

Grymuswch deuluoedd gyda chyngor dibynadwy ar gadw eu babi yn ddiogel
Cefnogi teuluoedd sy'n galaru drwy ddyddiau tywyllaf eu bywydau
Ariannu ymchwil sy'n chwilio am atebion i farwolaethau sydyn ac annisgwyl babanod a phlant ifanc
Ewch â ni gam yn nes at fyd lle nad oes unrhyw fabi yn marw'n sydyn nac yn annisgwyl

Rhoddwch

Diogelwch babanod

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