Movement Sensors

Mixed reviews for movement sensors

Movement sensor baby monitor systems are one of the more controversial products in the baby gear market. If you worry about the health of a seriously ill child -- or if you are concerned about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) -- a movement sensor might help to alleviate some of your fears. This type of monitor uses a motion-sensing pad that sounds an alert if your child doesn't move for 20 seconds. Movement monitors are often marketed as a preventative device for SIDS, but it's important to note that there's no evidence that using such a monitor will lessen this risk. Despite multiple studies over more than two decades, there's no evidence that using movement-sensing monitors prevents SIDS, according to an article in the American Academy of Pediatrics journal, Parenting.

In a more recent statement, the Committee on the Fetus and Newborn of the American Academy of Pediatrics said, "Do not use home monitors as a strategy to reduce the risk of SIDS... there is no evidence that use of such home monitors decreased the incidence of SIDS." Instead, the agency advises that only parents of certain at-risk premature babies have a qualified need for this equipment. Some reviewers are hesitant to recommend these products in light of the fact that highly respected medial associations claim that they do not work to prevent SIDS. In fact, "Baby Bargains" gives the top user-recommended Angelcare Movement Sensor with Sound Monitor a failing rating, saying, "If experts say it doesn't prevent SIDS, what is the point?" The book's authors also refuse to recommend similar products from the BabySense or BebeSounds brands. Despite this argument, thousands of parents say they appreciate the peace of mind they get from movement monitors.

The Angelcare Movement Sensor with Sound Monitor (*Est. $85) or the Angelcare Movement Sensor with Sound Monitor with Two Parent Units AC2012P (*Est. $120) include a motion-sensor pad that triggers an alarm if your baby doesn't move for 20 seconds. The Angelcare also has an audible alert that lets you hear each of your baby's movements. Professional testing of the movement sensors is lacking. However, hundreds of parents recommend the Angelcare Movement Sensor with Sound Monitor AC201 (*Est. $85). Several parents on Amazon.com remark on how well the monitor worked overall and even claim that it let them know when their child wasn't breathing, either due to their faces being muffled or to sleep apnea.

Many similar recommendations can be found for the Angelcare Movement Sensor monitors on Target.com and ToysRUs.com. The most common advantage parents cite in these user-written reviews is that the monitor gave them the peace of mind.

The Angelcare Deluxe Movement Sensor (*Est. $115) works the same way as the standard version, but with the addition of a night-light, a voice-activation feature and rechargeable batteries. This monitor also allows parents to monitor the nursery temperature remotely. It comes with two parent unit receivers. Some parents say these extras are nice, but at a little more than half the price, the basic Angelcare Movement Sensor with Sound Monitor (with one parent unit) receives just as good parent reviews overall; that's why name this version the Best Reviewed Movement Sensor.

Keep in mind that parents of older babies complain of false alarms when the babies roll off the sensor pad. However, the motion detection seems to work well for infants, and parents can adjust the sensitivity of the sensor pad to reduce the chance of false alarms.

While the Angelcare line is one of the more popular brands, BabySense also offers the BabySense Infant Movement Monitor (*Est. $130). Like the Angelcare, the BabySense monitor receives very positive user feedback, with parents noting that the product gives them peace of mind. Again, it is important to note that expert reviews of these products are lacking and many experts don't recommend movement monitors at all in light of opinions the American Academy of Pediatrics.