Baby breathing – why breathing movement is so crucial

Breathing is one of the most important vital functions – and in humans, it is controlled by the brain, more precisely by the respiratory center in the brainstem. There, specialized nerve cells work automatically and continuously adjust the breathing rate to the body's needs – for example, when sleeping, crying, having a fever, or during physical activity.

In babies, especially in the first few months of life, this system is not yet fully developed. This can affect how babies breathe – and how stable this vital process is.

Breathing movements in babies

In newborns, breathing occurs almost exclusively via the diaphragm muscle, as the intercostal muscles are still weak.
That means:

• Breathing is clearly visible in the chest and abdomen.
• Babies breathe significantly faster than adults – approximately 30–50 breaths per minute (adults: 12–20).
• Breathing movements are often irregular: there are small pauses, brief fluttering or shallow breaths – this is usually normal, but can be worrying.

In rare cases (e.g., in premature babies or those with an immature respiratory center) , true pauses in breathing (apneas) can occur, in which the chest no longer rises – meaning there is no breathing movement.

Why SpO₂ measurement is not sufficient here

Pulse oximeters (SpO₂ measuring devices) detect how much oxygen is bound in the blood – but not whether the baby is breathing at all.
And that's precisely the problem: The oxygen level in the blood only drops with a delay, after breathing has already stopped.

• In babies, critical apnea cannot be detected immediately.
• SpO₂ sensors are sensitive to movement, cold, or poor blood circulation in the foot and arm – which is often the case in babies.

Therefore, SpO₂ values ​​are not a reliable early warning system for respiratory arrest.

Why MARY by Sticklett focuses on breathing movements

MARY by sticklett measures the baby's subtle breathing movements directly at the chest – where they physiologically originate.
This is crucial because:

• If no breathing movement is registered for a certain period of time, the system recognizes a potential risk.
• Parents are immediately warned via app – even before the oxygen level in the blood drops.
• In addition, MARY also records body temperature – important, as overheating is a known risk factor for SIDS.

This form of close-to-the-body, motion-sensitive monitoring is non-invasive, works reliably even during sleep, and gives parents what they need most: security – without the stress of constant control.