Do breathing monitors prevent SIDS?
Short answer: Neither the NHS nor the Lullaby Trust lists a monitor among the steps that reduce SIDS risk. Follow safer-sleep advice and room share for at least the first 6 months.
Here is the detail behind that answer, taken from current UK guidance from the NHS and the Lullaby Trust.
Things to check
- Decide between audio, video and app-connected models.
- Keep cables well out of reach of the cot.
- A monitor does not replace safer-sleep advice or room sharing for the first 6 months.
What the guidance says
- The NHS advises placing your baby in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for every sleep, day and night, for at least the first 6 months.
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, in the feet-to-foot position (feet at the bottom of the cot, Moses basket or pram).
- No safety standard covers SIDS, so a product that meets a British Standard is not automatically safer for sleep.
Related questions
What is a baby monitor?
An audio or video device that lets you hear or see your baby from another room.
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Sources
- NHS: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (accessed 2026-10-21)
- The Lullaby Trust: Baby mattresses and bedding (accessed 2026-10-21)
General information only, not medical advice. Always follow your product's instructions. If you are worried about your baby, contact your GP, health visitor or 111. In an emergency, call 999.