A baby movement monitor or movement sensor mat offers parents of newborn babies peace of mind, as well as offering your baby a safe and secure sleeping environment.
Baby movement monitors and baby sensor pads for cots are an excellent safety device, helping your baby sleep safely in the first couple of years of their lives.
In this article, I’m going to look at the best baby movement montior you can buy (an all in one solution), as well as looking at what causes cot death (or Sudden Infants Death Syndrome), what measures you can put in place to reduce the risk of this happening to you and your family, and how we have managed to reduce the amount of babies dying of cot death substantially over the years.
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Table of Contents
What Is A Baby Movement Monitor?
Baby movement monitors and sensor pads are devices designed to monitor a baby’s movements and detect any irregularities or changes in movement patterns during sleep (including sudden shifts in sleeping position).
They often use sensor technology within a small mat or pad that is placed under the matress to track movements and provide alerts to parents or caregivers if anomolies are detected.
These monitors can alert parents if there is a prolonged period of no movement detected or if the baby’s movements are outside of the expected range. Some baby sensor movement monitors also feature additional functions such as audio or video monitoring, temperature sensing, or other features to enhance the monitoring experience.
For my wife and I, having a baby movement monitor was a game-changer.
My wife and I both severely lacked sleep in the first few months, even when our little one was asleep himself – such was the worry that he would manage to turn over and lie on his front, or a blanket would end up covering his mouth, we struggled to sleep with worry and anxiety.
And it’s a perfectly natural state for parents, especially new parents.
And then we were given a Angel Care baby sensor movement pad.
And everything changed.
Because that one device, that fitted snuggly under his mattress, meant that we got the peace of mind we needed to have some sort of half decent sleep when he was asleep (and yes – us as parents having a decent sleep is just as important as the sleep your baby gets!).
6x MORE LIKELY…
Babies who are put to sleep in their cot on their FRONT are 6x TIMES MORE AT RISK OF DEATH than babies placed on their BACK.
ACTION: Always put your baby to sleep on their back in their cot. If you check on them when they are asleep and you find they have somehow moved to their front, move them back onto their back, even if that means waking them.
What Is SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (otherwise known as ‘cot death’), is a term used to describe the sudden and enexpected death of an otherwise healthy baby during periods of sleep.
Sadly, even in these modern times we live in, the exact cause of SIDS is still unknown, but research suggests that it may result from a combination of factors. These factors can include physical factors (such as abnormalities in the brainstem that control breathing and arousal from sleep), environmental factors (such as sleeping on the stomach or soft bedding), and other risk factors (such as maternal smoking during pregnancy, premature birth, or low birth weight).
SIDS most commonly affects infants between the ages of one and four months old, with the peak incidence occurring between two and three months old.
It is important to note that SIDS is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning it is only given when no other cause of death can be determined after a thorough investigation, including an autopsy.
88% OF DEATHS…
88% of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome happens in babies aged 6 months and younger.
ACTION: Use a baby monitor in conjunction with a movement mat sensor which alarms when no movement is detected, and ensure your baby sleeps in the same room as you next to your bed in a cot, crib or moses basket. Sleeping in the same room as your baby reduces the risk of death by 50%.
SIDS Deaths 10 Year Data
The data table below shows the last 10 years of data I could find on the Office for National Statistics website, for sudden infant death syndrome in the United Kingdom.
The sad thing about this table, and every table I compile for this site, is that a lot of these deaths are entirely avoidable.
Here’s the table, up to and including 2020:
| Year | Number of Deaths |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 260 |
| 2012 | 247 |
| 2013 | 230 |
| 2014 | 226 |
| 2015 | 216 |
| 2016 | 219 |
| 2017 | 183 |
| 2018 | 176 |
| 2019 | 201 |
| 2020 | 184 |
The table does not make good reading for anyone, especially for the families involved.
But if there is anything ‘good’ at all to come from this table, if I can phrase it that way, is the fact that the numbers are showing a downward trajectory, meaning we as a society are getting better at preventing this from happening through the combined use of better awareness and understanding of it, as well as using technology like sleep movement monitors to assist us with detection and intervention.
Best Baby Movement Monitor (All in one Solution)
You may already have a newborn in your home, or you’re currently researching for the best baby monitor to buy for when your new baby arrives, and you may be thinking a standard baby monitor (with camera and base unit) will do.
But my question is simple: why buy a standard baby monitor, when for just a few extra pounds, you can buy an all in one kit that includes a baby movement alarm that will alarm and alert you immediately if no movement is detected?
To me, it’s a no brainer, and below, I’m going to recommend you the best baby movement monitor that you can buy in the UK, from a trusted and respected brand.
All In One Solution!
Angel Care 3-in-1 Overview
The Angel Care 3-in-1 baby monitor, camera and baby monitor sensor pad is a premium product from a trusted brand with an established reputation.
With that of course, comes a premium price tag.
There’s times and places on this site where I recommend products that are from lesser known, lesser trusted brands, but in this instance, I don’t recommend going down this route.
When it comes to your child’s safety, trusted brands that have a good reputation are going to be the clear winners here. There’s a time and a place for certain cheaper products to take place of more expensive, premium products.
But this is certainly not the time nor place.
So what do you get in this package? Here’s a quick breakdown of the products and features you will be buying for your newborn:
What You Get:
- Parent Unit Display (with lithium rechargeable battery)
- Nursery Unit Camera
- Wireless Movement Sensor Pad with non-contact SensAsure™ Technology
- Tabletop stand with removable wall mount metal ball (for Nursery Unit)
- 2x AC adaptors (Parent Unit & Nursery Unit)
- Instruction Manual
As you can see, there’s three pieces of kit here: The camera, the monitor that displays the video from the camera, and the movement sensor pad. Let’s go through them all individually and look at the features.
Camera
The camera can be set up using the wall mounted stand, or the table mounted stand. Fixtures are provided for both scenarios. The camera needs to be plugged in continuously, so there will need to be a plug socket near to where you intend to install the camera.
The camera itself is a pan and zoom camera – not a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera. Which means the camera can be remotely operated via the monitor screen to move left and right, and zoom in and out.
However, it cannot be used to move the camer up and down, instead, the camera needs to be positioned carefully to ensure the full image can be seen without the need to move it up and down.
The camera is easily manipulated by design to position the camera lens up and down (the camera is mounted on a magnetic ball and socket design), so it’s simply a case of positioning it manually to cover the area of the cot.
The camera also offers an in-built microphone, speakers and night vision (black and white).
Monitor Screen
The monitor (or parent unit), is the unit that displays a live video feed of your baby asleep in their cot, crib or moses basket.
It has a 4.3 inch colour LCD screen, with built in microphone and speakers, allowing two way communication between you and your baby. If they cry, you will hear them cry through the monitor.
You can also use the micrphone to talk to your baby, with the sound coming from the speaker in the camera.
The parent unit can also be plugged in, but as long as it is charged, can be taken off mains power and taken around the home with you – especially useful if you are doing other things in other rooms. The stand means you can stand it anywhere in your home for convenience.
There’s also an abundance of options and features with this monitor, with the ability to control the camera by zooming in and out, and moving left and right, altering volume up and down, bars to show a visual representation of sound (ike crying) and also shows information like room temperature (taken from the sensor on the camera).
Movement Monitor Sensor Pad
The movement sensor is designed to be placed underneath the matress, and is 100% non contact with your baby.
This is smaller than it looks, and is best placed not in the centre of the cot, but towards the end they are sleeping.
The sensor pad is thin, so won’t be felt when under the matress by your child.
This sensor needs to be plugged into a mains socket at all times, so again, there needs to be a plug socket in the vicinity of the cot. You can turn the movement sensor on and off either by the camera, or on the parent monitor.
The sensor is programmed to pick up two key things:
- Non movement for a period up to 20 seconds. On the 20 second mark, the parent unit will alarm.
- Big shifts in movement. This could indicate your baby has moved position considerably, like onto their stomach for example.
Pros And Cons
Below are the pros and cons for the Angel Care baby monitor and movement monitor.
Pros
- All in one solution
- Easy installation
- No WIFI ensuring security
- Easy to use
Cons
- Battery life could be an issue for the parent monitor when not plugged in
- Possibility of false alarms
- Remote movement of camera can be fiddly
Other Measures To Reduce The Risk Of SIDS
Of course, having a baby sensor mat for a cot means that you will simply be alerted to the fact that no movement has been detected over a certain timeframe.
Having one of these devices is not the be all and end all of SIDS, and healthcare professionals and organisations, like the NHS for example, recommend following all of the guidance below to substantially reduce the risk of SIDS:
- Placing infants on their back to sleep: This reduces the risk compared to placing them on their stomach or side.
- Using a firm mattress and a tight-fitting crib sheet: Soft bedding, pillows, and stuffed toys should be avoided in the sleep area.
- Providing a safe sleep environment: The infant’s sleep area should be free from hazards such as loose cords, excessive bedding, or overheating.
- Avoiding exposure to smoke: Infants should be kept in a smoke-free environment, both during pregnancy and after birth. This includes non tobacco products such as vaping devices.
- Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding has been associated with a reduced risk of SIDS.
- Routine immunizations: Following the recommended immunization schedule can help protect infants from various illnesses that may increase the risk of SIDS.
It is important to note that while these measures can reduce the risk of SIDS, they do not guarantee prevention.
And that’s why a baby movement monitor or movement sensor mat can help, as it offers detection of non movement, which can alert you at the earliest possible moment so you can provide intervention.
If you have additional concerns about SIDS or your baby’s health, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional at the first opportunity.
And there will be many of these opportunities, including follow up appointments, health visitor checks, check ups and even weigh ins with your child’s red book – their personal child health record (PCHR). If you have any concerns, ask the healthcare professional and they will give you extra advice and reassurances.
3 BABIES A WEEK…
3 babies a week tragically lose their life due to SIDS.
ACTION: Use a baby monitor in conjunction with a movement mat sensor which alarms when no movement is detected, and ensure your baby sleeps in the same room as you next to your bed in a cot, crib or moses basket. Sleeping in the same room as your baby reduces the risk of death by 50%.
Summary
SIDS is now a rare occurrence when compared to darker periods of the 1970’s and 1980’s, and the risk of your baby dying of SIDS is low.
It’s even lower if you take some extra precautions, follow the correct advice and put measures into place to give you and your baby a safe and secure sleeping environment.
For your convenience, here is the recommended baby movement monitor for cots, cribs, moses baskets and snoozepods in the UK:
All In One Solution!
A baby movement mat or sensor pad is the ideal extra safety measure that will not only keep your baby fully monitored when sleeping, but will also give you peace of mind, enabling you to get some much needed, restful sleep yourself.
There is a far wider understanding of SIDS now, and there are multiple educational support packages aimed at teaching the dangers of SIDS to expectant parents, and this is provided through a variety of methods, such as antenatal classes, during health visitor visits, and during different stages of pregnancy with healthcare professionals.
An all in one solution, like the Angel Care 3-in-1 solution, comes fully recommended by myself, and will give you peace of mind that your baby is sleeping safely and securely.
Other Articles You May Like
Here’s a small selection of articles you may also like from this site:
- Kitchen Safety For Kids
- How To Prevent Children From Choking
- 16 Simple Ways To Improve Home Safety For Kids
- Best Child Safety Locks For Windows (UK Top 3)
Here’s the complete list of products and links mentioned on this page.
- Angel Care 3-In-1 (Amazon.co.uk)
Here’s the sources used for this article:
Questions & Comments
If you have a question or a comment on this article on the best baby movement monitor for baby safety, please use the comments box below.
I’ll try my best to reply to each and every one of your questions, comments and suggestions.
Stay Safe. Stay Secure.
