Owlet Sleep Tracking: Accurate Or Not?

The accuracy of the Owlet sleep tracking device has been a topic of discussion among parents and reviewers. While some users have questioned the accuracy of the sleep data, others have found it to be reliable in tracking their baby's sleep patterns, oxygen levels, and heart rate. The device uses movement to determine if a baby is awake, which can lead to discrepancies if the baby moves a lot in their sleep. It is important to note that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend the use of such devices, as they are not considered medical devices and should not be used for diagnosing or monitoring medical conditions. However, some parents find the Owlet helpful for added peace of mind and stress relief. The device has received FDA approval and is marketed as providing medical-grade accuracy for health readings.

Accuracy of sleep data

The accuracy of the Owlet sleep-tracking device has been a topic of discussion among users, with varying experiences shared online. While some users have questioned the accuracy of the sleep data, others have found it to be reliable. It is important to note that the device is not intended to be used as a medical device for diagnosing or monitoring medical conditions.

In terms of sleep tracking, the Owlet uses movement to determine whether a baby is awake or asleep. This can lead to discrepancies in the data, as some babies move a lot in their sleep. As a result, the graphs may show multiple wakings during the night when the baby was actually sleeping restlessly. Therefore, it is recommended that parents also consider their baby's mood, observable waking amount, and overall sleep quality to assess their sleep accurately.

User experiences with the Owlet sleep-tracking feature vary. Some users have expressed concerns about the accuracy of the data, claiming that the graphs indicate their babies are awake when they are, in fact, sound asleep. Others have found the sleep data to be mostly accurate, aligning with their manual logs of their babies' sleep patterns. One user shared that their paediatrician confirmed the accuracy of the sleep cycles displayed by the Owlet.

It is worth noting that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend the use of these devices. The concern is that parents may become complacent and rely solely on the monitor instead of practising safe sleep guidelines. However, some users have found the Owlet to provide peace of mind and added reassurance while their babies sleep.

While the Owlet can provide insights into sleep patterns, it is important to remember that it is not a substitute for medical advice or safe sleep practices. If you have concerns about your baby's sleep or overall health, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional.

FDA approval

The Owlet Dream Sock is a baby sleep monitor that has been FDA-approved. It is designed to be worn on a baby's foot, similar to an Apple Watch or Fitbit, and tracks their sleep patterns, quality, and duration of sleep. It also measures sleep indicators such as heart rate, oxygen levels, movement, noise, room temperature, and humidity.

The Owlet Dream Sock was granted FDA clearance in 2023. It is the first over-the-counter, medical-grade pulse oximetry solution for infants that has been FDA-approved. The FDA clearance indicates that the sock has been validated against the gold standards of accuracy for pulse oximetry devices. This means that the device has been evaluated against the most accurate standards for devices that measure pulse oximetry, which is a measure of the oxygen saturation of the blood.

The Owlet Dream Sock provides caregivers with a deeper understanding of their infant’s safety and well-being through real-time health readings and timely notifications when their baby needs attention. It is intended for use with healthy infants between 1-18 months and weighing 6-30 pounds. The sock is designed with the baby's comfort in mind and comes in two sizes to ensure a snug and secure fit.

The connected Owlet Dream App allows caregivers to monitor their baby's health readings and trends, providing valuable insights into their infant's sleep habits and overall well-being. The app also enables caregivers to receive notifications when the baby's readings fall outside of preset ranges, such as a low pulse rate, high pulse rate, or low oxygen levels.

Peace of mind for parents

The Owlet sleep-tracking device is a source of peace of mind for parents, especially those who are anxious or have a child with health concerns. It provides insights into sleep patterns and predictions, helping parents understand their baby's sleep habits and make informed decisions about their sleep routines.

While the Owlet is not a medical device, it offers an additional layer of monitoring that can alert parents to potential issues. It tracks sleep activity, providing graphs of light sleep, deep sleep, and wakings. This information can help parents identify patterns and predict their baby's mood and overall well-being for the day. The device also monitors heart rate and oxygen levels, which can be crucial for families with specific health concerns, such as a history of febrile seizures.

The accuracy of the Owlet has been questioned by some users, who have noticed discrepancies between the data and their baby's actual sleep patterns. It is important to remember that the Owlet uses movement to determine if a baby is awake, which can lead to false indications of wakefulness if the baby moves a lot in their sleep. Therefore, parents should not solely rely on the Owlet's graphs but also consider their baby's observable behaviour and overall sleep quality.

Despite the mixed reviews on accuracy, the Owlet can still provide a sense of reassurance for parents. The device allows parents to keep an eye on their baby's health and sleep patterns, helping them make more informed decisions about their child's sleep and overall well-being. It is an investment that may be worth considering for parents seeking some peace of mind, especially during their baby's first year.

However, it is crucial to follow safe sleep practices and not become complacent due to the presence of a monitoring device. While the Owlet can provide valuable insights, it should be used as a tool to complement, not replace, safe sleep guidelines and medical advice.

Sleep-prediction insights

The Owlet Dream Sock is a sleep-tracking wearable device for babies and toddlers that goes on their foot. It provides sleep-prediction insights, helping to take the guesswork out of your little one's schedule. It is FDA-cleared and FSA/HSA-eligible.

The Owlet sock tracks sleep patterns, oxygen levels, and heart rate. It provides medical-grade accuracy on health readings and has sleep-prediction technology. The metrics are translated into sleep quality indicators in the Owlet Dream mobile app. The app gives you cool little graphs of light sleep, deep sleep, and wakings each morning.

While this is interesting and can give you basic insight into your baby’s patterns, you should not take the readings as completely accurate. The Owlet uses movement to determine if a baby is awake, and some babies move a lot while still deeply asleep. Sometimes this results in the graphs showing a lot of wakings during the night when perhaps the baby was just active while asleep. This can make parents worry that their baby is not getting the amount of sleep they need.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend the use of these devices. They are not considered medical devices, and the AAP does not want parents to use the Owlet to diagnose or monitor medical conditions. They also do not want parents to use the Owlet as a reason to use unsafe sleep practices.

Limitations of the device

The Owlet sleep-tracking device has several limitations that users should be aware of. Firstly, it is important to note that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend the use of these devices. While the device can provide added peace of mind for parents, it should not be relied upon as a medical device for diagnosing or monitoring medical conditions. There is a concern that parents may become complacent and rely solely on the device instead of practising safe sleep guidelines.

Another limitation of the Owlet device is that it may not always provide accurate sleep data. Some users have reported discrepancies between the data provided by the device and their observations of their baby's sleep. The Owlet uses movement to determine if a baby is awake, which can lead to false indications of wakings during the night if the baby is active while asleep. Therefore, it is recommended that parents use their baby's mood, observable waking amount, and overall sleep quality to assess their sleep habits, rather than solely relying on the Owlet device.

Additionally, the Owlet device may not be suitable for all babies, especially those who move around a lot during sleep. In some cases, sizing up the sock may improve the accuracy of the sleep tracking. Furthermore, the device may not accurately distinguish between light and deep sleep, which can impact the interpretation of sleep quality.

It is worth noting that the Owlet device is not the only option for sleep tracking. There are alternative devices on the market, such as wrist straps, pillow clips, and bedside monitors, which may offer different features and accuracy levels. It is essential to research and compare different devices to find the most suitable option for your needs.

Frequently asked questions