Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Why not every measurement method provides certainty

Many baby wearables rely on blood oxygen measurement (SpO₂). While this works well in adult medicine, such as during exercise, it's problematic for newborns.

Although the causes are not fully understood, one thing is certain: regular monitoring of breathing, temperature and sleeping position can help identify critical situations early and minimize risks.

Many baby wearables rely on blood oxygen measurement (SpO₂). While this works well in adult medicine—for example, during exercise, for sleep apnea, or in the hospital—it's problematic for newborns.

Why SpO₂ measurement is often unreliable in babies

Blood oxygen saturation measures how much oxygen is bound to hemoglobin. This works in adults via a finger clip or wrist sensor, but is significantly more difficult in newborns or infants:
• Movements (e.g. fidgeting, kicking) interfere with the measurement
• Cold hands/feet affect blood circulation – the sensors measure inaccurately
• The SpO₂ value only falls late when the apnea has been present for a long time
False alarms unsettle parents – or in the worst case, a real emergency is recognized too late.

Therefore, many neonatologists and pediatricians emphasize that SpO₂ measurement alone is not a reliable indicator of breathing pauses in babies.

MARY by sticklett: The gentle but reliable alternative

The MARY by sticklett approach starts exactly where traditional measurement methods reach their limits – namely directly at the source: breathing.
The intelligent ladybug sensor is gently attached to the baby's chest and detects:
• the breathing movements on the chest – continuous and highly sensitive
• body temperature , for example to identify overheating as a risk factor
• the prone position, also a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome in newborns

and warns of unusually long pauses in breathing, temperature rise or unusual movement patterns

Why breathing movement is crucial

Breathing is a reflex controlled centrally by the brain that automatically responds to internal signals. In newborns, breathing occurs almost exclusively through the diaphragm muscle because the intercostal muscles are still weak.

This means that breathing is clearly visible on the chest and abdomen. However, especially in babies, this control is more sensitive and prone to disruption, which is why gentle, close-to-body breathing monitoring provides reassurance in case the baby suddenly forgets to breathe.

Breathing pauses in infants—so-called apneas—can be critical even after 20 seconds. The body reacts with a drop in oxygen levels, which isn't immediately reflected in the SpO₂ level. However, observing chest movement allows for immediate detection of this pause before the oxygen level drops.

Medical studies and recommendations from professional societies (e.g. AAP – American Academy of Pediatrics) confirm:
“Direct monitoring of respiratory movement is the most effective method for detecting central apneas in premature and newborn infants.”

Pediatricians and sleep medicine specialists therefore explicitly recommend systems that directly record breathing patterns rather than just observing secondary parameters such as blood oxygen.

Conclusion: Security begins with the right technology
Your baby's breathing is controlled by the brain, but in the first few months of life, this control can still be unstable. Breathing movement is the most direct and earliest sign that your baby is breathing or not.

Systems such as MARY by sticklett , which are attached directly to the chest and monitor the temperature, offer a modern and reliable solution.