Baby Sleep Monitors Have Little Evidence of Effectiveness

Baby Sleep Monitors Have Little Evidence of Effectiveness

In the past few years, parents have been attracted to at-home devices to monitor their infant’s vital signs during sleep, which are meant to offer reassurance by providing parents with continuous real-time data. Infant devices might measure, for example, respiratory rate, heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, and sleep quality. Beyond just crib cameras, some options include wearable socks, belts, and swaddles. There is virtually no guidance for providers on advising families about the devices or …

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AAP Cautions Against Use of Weighted Baby Blankets

AAP Cautions Against Use of Weighted Baby Blankets

Heavy, weighted blankets—marketed as comforting bedding indulgences for adults and even infants—are producing the latest word of caution among pediatricians and product safety experts. Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warned that weighted blankets should never be used for babies, and in a recent news article in the Washington Post, the chair of the AAP’s task force on sudden infant death syndrome cautioned that even a small amount of pressure on a newborn’s …

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