Published by Actually Sleeping · Reviewed by Dr. Samantha Abrahamson, PharmD · Review policy · Updated 2026-11-10

Do I need a baby monitor, and what does the AAP say about wearable oxygen monitors?

A simple audio or video monitor is a convenience, not a safety device. The AAP says not to use home cardiorespiratory monitors as a way to reduce SIDS risk, and the NIH Safe to Sleep campaign says monitors that track heart rate, breathing or motion are not effective at detecting or preventing SIDS. Safe sleep practices are what lower risk.

What the AAP and NIH say

The AAP’s 2022 recommendations say: do not use home cardiorespiratory monitors as a strategy to reduce the risk of SIDS. Its parent site adds a warning that matters just as much: don’t let these devices give you a false sense of security. The AAP also advises against commercial devices that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS or other sleep-related deaths.

The NIH Safe to Sleep campaign says monitors that track a baby’s heart, breathing or motion are not effective at detecting or preventing SIDS, and are not recommended as a way to reduce that risk.

The main types of monitor

Type	What it does	Role in safety
Audio	Lets you hear your baby from another room	Convenience only
Video or Wi-Fi camera	Lets you see and hear your baby, often on your phone	Convenience only; mind the cord
Movement pad or clip-on motion sensor	Alarms if it stops detecting movement	Not a way to reduce SIDS risk, per NIH
Wearable sock or band with oxygen and heart rate	Reports readings to an app and alarms on certain values	Not a way to reduce SIDS risk, per AAP and NIH

If you are shopping for a monitor because nights are hard, the monitor will not change the nights. Actually Sleeping works on why your baby wakes, with a plan written for your baby.

What research found on consumer oxygen monitors

A 2018 study in JAMA tested two consumer pulse-oximetry baby monitors against a hospital monitor in 30 infants aged 0 to 6 months who were in hospital. One monitor never detected low oxygen. The other detected low oxygen in every infant who had it, but also showed normal readings during some of those episodes. The monitor that missed low oxygen also falsely showed a low heart rate in 14 babies whose real heart rate was normal. The authors urged caution about using data from these monitors in medical decisions.

Products and software change, so those exact results may not apply to every model sold today. The core point stands: a reading on an app is not a diagnosis, and no monitor replaces a safe sleep space.

False alarms and parent stress

The AAP’s page on home apnea monitors notes that they cause many false alarms, that the noise can make parents worry too much and lose sleep, and that one study found parents of monitored infants felt more depressed. If a device is keeping you awake checking an app, it is costing your family sleep without lowering your baby’s risk.

When a doctor prescribes a monitor

In rare cases, a doctor recommends a home monitor for a specific medical reason, for example a baby who needs home oxygen or has serious breathing problems. That is a medical device used under a care plan. It is different from a consumer product bought for peace of mind. If your baby was in the NICU or has a breathing condition, ask your pediatrician whether monitoring is needed.

Keeping a regular monitor safe

Keep cords away from the crib. The CPSC says never place corded cameras within three feet of a crib; cords can strangle infants and toddlers. Mount the camera on the wall or a high shelf.
The basics do the protecting: back to sleep, a firm flat surface with only a fitted sheet, room sharing for at least the first 6 months, no smoking, and no bed sharing.

A monitor watches the waking; it does not change it

Many parents upgrade monitors when nights are hard, hoping more data will explain the waking. A monitor can tell you that your baby woke. It cannot tell you why, and it cannot teach your baby to fall back asleep. Babies who wake many times a night usually need help to get back to sleep between sleep cycles, and that is the fixable part. It is what Actually Sleeping works on: a plan written for your baby by Dr. Sam, bootcamp-style coaching before the first night, and daily 1:1 check-ins. A video monitor can be useful during a plan, because you can see that your baby is safe and settling without opening the door. Parents describe the change in our 129 client video reviews.

If you are watching the monitor more than you are sleeping, book a free consultation with Actually Sleeping.

Want this fixed for your baby?

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Frequently asked

Does a smart sock prevent SIDS?

No device prevents SIDS. The AAP says not to use home cardiorespiratory monitors to reduce SIDS risk, and NIH Safe to Sleep says heart, breathing and motion monitors are not effective at detecting or preventing it.

Is it unsafe to use a wearable oxygen monitor?

The AAP’s concern is false reassurance: a parent relaxing safe-sleep rules because a device is on. If you use one, keep every safe-sleep practice in place and talk with your pediatrician about any reading that worries you.

Where should I put the baby monitor camera?

At least three feet from the crib, with cords out of reach. The CPSC warns that camera cords placed too close to a crib can strangle infants and toddlers. Wall or high-shelf mounting works well.

My baby was in the NICU. Should we have a monitor at home?

That is a medical question for your baby’s doctors. In some cases they prescribe a home monitor for specific breathing or heart concerns. A consumer monitor bought online is not a substitute for that decision.