Motion Sensor Baby Safety Monitors
Can Motion Detectors Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?
The American SIDS Institute reports that 2,500 babies in America die from SIDS every year.
Motion sensor monitors can detect when a baby stops breathing. Unlike other safety baby monitors, motion detectors allow hands-off monitoring, sounding an alarm only if there is a problem. They cost over a hundred dollars, about as much as a baby video monitor. One popular brand is the BebeSounds by Angelcare.
How Motion Sensor Monitors Work
A sensor mat is placed under the bassinet or cot mattress. If no movement is detected for a certain amount of time, for example, 20 seconds, an alarm sounds on the remote (parent) receiver.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Baby Motion Sensor Monitors
The main advantage is that with a motion sensor, constant manual monitoring by parents is not required. The sensor can automatically detect problems even when the parents are sleeping.
Disadvantages are:
- Most sensor mats are small. Unless the baby is in a bassinet (the bassinet is placed on the sensor mat), it is possible for the baby to roll off the mat and generate a false alarm. Some units allow two mats to be linked together for better coverage.
- Sensor needs to be tested for each environment. Movement from a crib mobile or wind from an electric fan can cause enough movement to be detected by the sensor, causing the alarm to never sound. A few books approximating the weight of the baby can be used as a non-moving object to test the alarm.
- Motion detection can fail if the sensor mat is not placed on a hard board, or if the mattress is too thick.
An audio monitor is sometimes combined with the monitor.
- This is similar to a standard baby audio monitor.
- An audible tick can be generated when movement is detected, reassuring parents that the motion sensor is working.
- Separate volume controls for the alarm and the audio monitor would be convenient, but most if not all monitors have a single volume control.
Are Motion Sensors Effective in Preventing SIDS?
The American SIDS Institute website does not mention the use of motion sensor monitors as a method of reducing the risk of SIDS.
Motion sensors are sensitive enough to detect the motion caused by the baby breathing, and sound an alarm if no motion is detected. However manufacturers are careful to point out that their motion sensor monitors are not meant to prevent SIDS. One Angelcare instruction manual states that "This product is NOT a medical device designed to prevent cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)."
The likely reason for such reluctance to claim SIDS prevention capability is the difficulty of ensuring high reliability in a low cost consumer grade (not medical grade) product.
While the motion sensor can detect when a baby stops breathing (the Angelcare description for the same product states that it "will detect all of his movements – even the slightest breathing movements"), it doesn't mean that it will be able to do so reliably 100 percent of the time. This is especially true when environmental factors such as electric fans are considered. However it is better than no motion sensor at all.
Motion Sensor Baby Monitors Versus Audio and Video Monitors
Motion sensor monitors can be a good complement to either an audio or a video monitor. While not guaranteed, certified or even recommended for SIDS prevention, there seems to be little disadvantage in using one as long as it is not relied on 100 percent as the only method of looking after the baby's safety.
Parents of high-risk babies should check with their doctor before relying on consumer grade motion sensors.
Can Consumer Motion Sensors Prevent SIDS?
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