Owlet Dream Sock Offers Monitoring for NICU Babies, But Potential for False Alarms Exists
A parent's experience with the $299 high-tech baby sock highlights its benefits for monitoring infants with respiratory issues, alongside the possibility of unnecessary alerts.
The Owlet Dream Sock Smart Baby Monitor, priced at $299, is designed to track an infant's pulse rate, oxygen levels, and sleep patterns, alerting parents in real-time to potential issues. This device has garnered attention, particularly among parents of premature or critically ill infants who have spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. babies are admitted to the NICU, often due to being preterm or ill. For parents, this can be a distressing experience, especially when preparing to bring a baby home who has been dependent on machines for vital functions.
The Owlet sock, which resembles a small gladiator sandal, fits snugly on a baby's foot and connects wirelessly to the Owlet Dream app on a parent's phone. It provides data on the baby's vitals, including sleep depth, which may offer insights not readily available in a hospital setting.
The device uses an electronic sensor to feed information to the app. The reviewer noted alerts when their daughter's oxygen levels dropped during feeding, prompting adjustments. The alarm is described as loud, designed to ensure prompt action. However, a significant downside is the potential for false alarms. The sock can trigger alerts if it's accidentally removed by the baby or if it moves out of range of its base reader.
These instances, while not indicating a critical breathing event, can be startling for new parents. The reviewer recalled accidentally triggering an alarm by taking the baby outside, causing the sock to go out of range. Pediatricians have also cautioned that parents might become overly focused on the app, potentially overreacting to minor fluctuations in a baby's stats.
Despite these potential drawbacks, the Owlet Dream Sock proved useful for the reviewer's twins, who had a history of NICU stays. The device was used until the babies consistently showed good numbers over several weeks. It is suggested to be particularly beneficial for infants with a history of respiratory issues or those adjusting to sleep routines, potentially easing some of the uncertainty that comes with newborn care.