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Sleep analytics, paid plans and vital-sign claims: read these with care
Updated
Two different things get sold as smart monitoring. One is sleep analytics: a camera and app that log when your baby slept and woke. That is a record-keeping feature, and it often sits behind a paid plan. The other is vital-sign monitoring: products that claim to track heart rate, oxygen or breathing. The American Academy of Pediatrics says there is no evidence that consumer devices of that kind lower the risk of SIDS. The FDA warned in September 2025 that many infant vital-sign monitors sold over the counter have no FDA marketing authorization.
What the AAP says
The AAP's safe sleep guidance for parents says not to use home cardiorespiratory monitors as a way to reduce the risk of SIDS. On consumer wellness devices such as heart rate and pulse oximetry monitors, it says there is no evidence they decrease SIDS risk, and warns parents not to let them give a false sense of security. It adds that using one is fine if you want to, as long as it is not a substitute for the safe sleep guidelines.
What the FDA says
In a safety communication dated September 16, 2025, the FDA warned consumers about unauthorized infant monitors that claim to measure vital signs such as heart or pulse rate, oxygen saturation, breathing rate and body temperature. It said many such monitors sold over the counter have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety and effectiveness, that inaccurate readings can lead to unnecessary medical care, and that it recommends looking for an FDA-authorized device suited to your child's needs. It also said that any product marketed with claims to prevent or reduce the chance of SIDS or SUID has not been cleared or approved by the FDA for that use.
So some devices do have FDA authorization, and many do not. We are not able to tell you which device, if any, is right for your child. If a doctor has told you your baby needs monitoring, follow the doctor's advice on what to use. If no one has, ask your pediatrician before buying a product for that purpose.
Where the picks on this site stand
- Six of the seven picks are plain video and sound monitors. They show a picture, carry sound and report room temperature. They make no vital-sign claims on the listings we read.
- The Nanit adds sleep analytics. Its listing describes tracking of sleep duration and disturbances, with insights in a paid plan after a free trial. Nanit's help pages also list a breathing motion feature among those that work without a plan. The listing we read does not say whether that feature has FDA marketing authorization, and we have not checked the FDA's database for it. We include the Nanit as a camera and sleep log, not for that feature.
- The eufy Baby Monitor E21 listing talks up night-vision detail. Seeing more detail on a screen is not a medical measurement.
What a plan adds on the Nanit, and what works without one
| Without a plan, per Nanit | Needs the Insights plan, per Nanit |
|---|---|
| Live stream and nursery audio in the app, sound and motion notifications, two-way audio, nightlight and sounds, up to 2 parenting team members | Sleep status and sleep analytics, video clips and continuous recording, smart alerts such as cry detection, milestones |
We do not list plan fees, because they change. Check Nanit's site for the current terms before you count on a feature. The other six picks state no subscription on their listings, or have no app at all.
A calm way to think about it
A sleep log can be handy when you are tired and trying to spot a pattern. It is a diary that fills itself in. It is not a health check. If the numbers start to make you more anxious, not less, it is fine to turn them off and use the camera as a camera. For anything about your baby's health or breathing, your pediatrician is the right source. This page is general information, not medical advice.
Run your own home through the link checker, or compare all 7 picks on the roundup page.