While most baby monitors offer an array of different features to help reassure you that your little one is okay when they're asleep, there's nothing that brings more peace of mind than the best baby breathing monitor.
Designed to measure the gentle movement of your baby breathing, these baby breathing monitors will alert parents to any unnatural pauses in that movement. There two ways in which your babies breathing can be monitored, either through oxygen levels or movement.
Best baby breathing monitors at a glance 2024:
• Nanit Pro: Buy here at Amazon.
• Owlet Smart Sock Baby Monitor 3: Buy here at John Lewis & Partners.
• Lollipop Baby Monitor with True Crying Detection: Buy here at Amazon.
• Snuza Hero MD Portable Baby Breathing Monitor: Buy here at Amazon.
1.
Nanit Pro
Best baby breathing monitor with breathing band
Description
With a wearable breathing band that works alongside the app to allow your to track your child's breathing, the Nanit Pro is a smart baby monitor device. It compiles all data directly to your smartphone in order to give you a breakdown of your child's sleep routine. Some of its key features include sound and motion alerts if it were to pick up on unusual breathing patterns, accessibility from devices and access to video history.
Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby, Hannah James says: "This is the best baby monitor I have ever seen or used. I do like it. It has so many smart features that others do not. The amount of reassurance and peace of mind this product brings is irrefutable. However, if it isn't within your budget, it is not a necessity. There are plenty of other baby monitors that work efficiently and will also allow you to check on your baby."
Read our full Nanit Pro review.
Pros
- Includes breathing analysis
- Sleep trends
- Encryption and security
Cons
- Can be difficult to set up
Best sock baby breathing monitor
www.johnlewis.com
Description
The Owlet Smart Sock tracks your baby's heart rate and oxygen levels all from your smartphone. You can feel assured and rest knowing that your baby's health is in safe hands. The smart device uses pulse oximetry, wrapped in a tiny sock, and notifies you immediately if their levels leave pre-set zones.
Kimberley says: "One of the features I loved about the Smart Sock was the fact I could check the app no matter where I was when leaving our little girl with relatives. It made the first night out leaving her so much more enjoyable. Also, I loved the feature that sees the base station glowing green to indicate all is well. It means that when I woke up in the night, I could just glance at it and was instantly reassured that my daughter was fine. As the product is in the premium price range, I love the fact that three different sock sizes are included. This means it will definitely last my little girl until she is 18 months old."
Read our full Owlet Smart Sock review.
Pros
- Huge monitoring capabilities
- Impressive battery life
- Simple to use
- Great for new parents
Cons
- Some mentioned the app could be better
Best baby breathing monitor with movement pad
Description
Angelcare AC527 3-in-1 SensAsure video monitor has an adjustable camera with pan and zoom functionality so you can see your baby close up. Its major selling point is that it comes with a wireless movement sensor pad, which sounds an alarm if no movement is detected from your baby after 20 seconds. You can also add a second sensor pad and see two children on one screen – great for siblings sharing a room.
Our mum tester, Rachel, says: "One of the most expensive monitors on the market but worth every penny. I love it! Despite the sophisticated design, it's surprisingly easy to set up. The sound quality is excellent, and the image is great, even at night. The wireless motion sensor mat is what makes this monitor stand out. It gave me real peace of mind."
Read our full Angelcare AC527 review.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Clear image quality
- Built-in thermometer
- Great for first-time parents
Cons
- Our mums would have liked to have seen a better and wider angle lens
Best baby breathing monitor using AI technology
Description
The Lollipop Baby Camera is designed for parents with newborns and toddlers. The bendable stem allows for easy setup and high flexibility for installation. Using AI technology, you'll also be able to view your baby's respiratory rate and sleeping position history, with no wearable sensors required.
Our mum tester, Amy, says: "You can place the camera anywhere at any angle. It's flexible and easy to place, and we have a big awkward cot! The quality from the camera to the phone is amazing, along with the sound. I'm able to play lullabies through the camera as well as talk to her when she wakes from a nap in the daytime. It notifies you when the baby is crying and records the crying overnight also so you can re-watch it."
Read our full Lollipop Baby Camera review.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Simple and modern design
- Contactless breathing monitor
Cons
- Subscription required to using breathing monitor features
Best certified medical baby breathing monitor
Description
The Snuza Hero easily clips onto your baby's nappy and will gently vibrate to wake them up after 15 seconds of no movement, and then will sound an alarm after 20 seconds of no breathing being detected. It's cordless and portable and helps to give parents peace of mind.
One review said: "Our child stopped breathing and as first time parents we then couldn’t sleep moving forward. So we bought this so we could try and sleep and this was a life saver for both us and him alarm works great. It's enough to wake ourselves and our dogs to any issues. Once your child start rolling around then take it off as it will go off a lot"
Pros
- Easily clips to baby's nappy
- Cordless and portable
- Certified medical device
Cons
- Might not be suitable when baby starts to roll
Best baby breathing monitor clip
Description
With advanced sensors to track abdominal movement, sleep positions and temperature, the Sense-U Smart Baby Monitor can help alert parents of any issues while your baby is asleep. Simply clip the sensor to your babies nappy and monitor everything through the app.
One review said: "This little smart baby monitoring device has become an indispensable part of my parenting journey. Its reliability, ease of use, and cutting-edge features have provided me with the peace of mind I need as a parent. While the initial investment might seem a bit steep, the value it brings to my daily life is immeasurable. If you’re a parent looking to enhance the safety and care of your baby, I wholeheartedly recommend giving this device a try."
Pros
- Rollover alert
- Tracks sleep positions
- Temperature alerts
Cons
- Some mentioned the app could do with some work
Do I need a baby breathing monitor?
While they're not compulsory, they can offer reassurance to parents that your baby is safe while they are asleep. If you already have a baby monitor, it's worth checking the features to see if it does have additional accessories that help to monitor baby's breathing.
If you are looking at some temporary reassurance, it could be worth buying a clip monitor alongside a more affordable baby monitor.
Are breathing monitors safe to use?
Breathing monitors are safe to use when used following the instructions of the product.
Do breathing monitors prevent SIDS?
According to the Lullaby Trust, there is no research evidence that breathing monitors can prevent SIDS. It does however, offer reassurance that you will be alerted if your baby was to stop moving or breathing.
Some benefits of using a monitor to track your baby's breathing is that they also offer additional tracking features. Some will monitor your baby's temperature and their sleep positions too.
Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.