Colin Snow
Sleep is an essential part of a child's development, and ensuring they get the right amount can be tricky. Sleep tracking devices can help parents understand their child's sleep patterns and make adjustments to their routines. There are various sleep trackers available, from wearable devices like the Oura Ring, Amazon Halo, Fitbit Ace, and Garmin Vivofit Jr. to non-wearable options such as the ResMed Personal Sleep Tracker and SleepIQ for Kids mattress. These trackers can provide insights into sleep quality, identify optimal bedtimes, and suggest ways to improve sleep habits. While some parents may find these tools beneficial, others may prefer a more flexible approach that allows for occasional late nights and prioritises a child's enjoyment. Ultimately, the decision to use sleep trackers depends on what makes a family comfortable, and they should not be seen as a replacement for medical advice or a paediatrician's guidance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wearable devices | Oura Ring, Fitbit Ace 2, Amazon Halo, Garmin Vívofit Jr. 2, Fitbit Ace Activity Tracker, X-Doria KidFit, Beautyrest, Withings Aura, SleepIQ for Kids, Sleep Cycle Kids |
| Non-wearable devices | ResMed Personal Sleep Tracker, Huckleberry app |
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What You'll Learn
Wearable sleep trackers for children
Fitbit Ace Activity Tracker
Fitbit is a well-known brand in the world of wearable fitness devices, and their Ace model is designed specifically for children. The Ace is a durable and colourful band suitable for ages eight and up. It tracks activity, steps, and sleep patterns, syncing with iOS and Android devices so parents can monitor their child's sleep and activity levels. The Fitbit Ace also includes fun features like badges that can be earned by completing activities, including going to bed on time. It retails for around $99.
Amazon Halo
The Amazon Halo is another popular option for sleep tracking. It provides insights into sleep patterns and can help parents understand the impact of bedtime routines on their child's overall mood and energy levels. The Halo also offers an activity tracking feature, allowing parents to see the correlation between sleep and daily physical activity.
Oura Ring
The Oura Ring is a stylish and discreet sleep-tracking device that measures heart rate and heart rate variability accurately. It uses infrared light beams to track heart rate during activity and rest, and its HRV measurements are 98.4% accurate when compared to an electrocardiogram. The Oura Ring can help identify trends in sleep patterns and provide guidance on improving sleep quality.
Garmin Vivofit Jr.
The Garmin Vivofit Jr. is a colourful and kid-friendly activity and sleep tracker. It offers similar features to the Fitbit Ace at a comparable price. The designs are fun and appealing to children, making it a great option for those seeking a visually appealing wearable tracker.
X-Doria KidFit
The X-Doria KidFit is a wearable watch-style sleep tracker designed for children aged five to 13. It is the lowest-priced sleep tracker on the market in this category, offering water resistance and a seven-day battery life.
These wearable sleep trackers can be valuable tools for parents seeking to understand their children's sleep patterns and make informed decisions about their bedtime routines. However, it is important to remember that sleep tracking should not be used to the extent that it takes away from a child's enjoyment or freedom, and parents should always prioritise their family's comfort and well-being.
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Non-wearable sleep trackers for children
If you are looking for a way to track your child's sleep without the use of a wearable device, there are a few non-invasive options available. These include:
Mattress Sensors
Also known as "nearables", these devices are placed near the child's bed or crib and can provide video monitoring and insights about night wakings. One example is the Withings Sleep Tracking Mat, a thin mat placed underneath the mattress, with built-in pneumatic and sound sensors to measure heart rate, respiratory rate, movement, snoring, and sleep cycles. The mat is powered through a USB cable and must be plugged in. The accompanying app allows for easy viewing of sleep data and automatically generates a sleep diary, including a sleep score for each night.
Mattress Covers
If you are looking for a more comprehensive solution, mattress covers, such as the Eight Sleep mattress cover, can provide similar tracking capabilities to the Withings Sleep Tracking Mat. However, it is important to note that this option may be more expensive.
It is worth noting that while these non-wearable sleep trackers can provide valuable insights into your child's sleep patterns, they may not always be completely accurate. Normal night wakings in toddlers occur at least 2 to 6 times per night, and their movement during sleep may be misinterpreted as being awake. Therefore, it is important to also consider your child's daytime functioning and mood as indicators of the quality and quantity of their sleep.
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Sleep-tracking apps for children
Sleep-tracking wearables and apps can help adults make positive lifestyle adjustments, but what about children?
There are several sleep-tracking apps for children available, which can be a great way to help your child get a good night's rest and improve their overall well-being. These apps can provide insights into your child's sleep patterns and quality, and some even offer personalized recommendations to help them sleep better.
- Sleep Cycle Kids: This app was launched by Sleep Cycle, a leading sleep-tracking application, in February 2023. It provides parents with tools to optimize their children's sleep, including an intelligent sleep schedule that adapts to each child's needs. It also helps parents determine the optimal bedtime and identify behaviours that may disrupt sleep.
- Huckleberry: This app offers personalized parenting support and custom sleep schedules based on your baby's age and patterns. It also provides science-backed guidance for common sleep challenges and allows you to track daily activities such as feeds, naps, and diaper changes.
- Baby Shusher: This app creates a rhythmic shushing noise to help newborns relax and fall asleep. It includes a timer feature and a sound equalizer that adjusts the volume according to your baby's cries.
- Fitbit Ace Activity Tracker: This adorable mini-Fitbit is designed for children aged eight and up. It tracks activity, steps, and sleep, syncing with iOS and Android devices so parents can monitor their child's sleep patterns and overall activity.
- Amazon Halo: This wearable device provides insights into your child's daily and nightly routines and sleep quality. It helps highlight the impact of less sleep on your child's mood and energy levels the next day.
- ResMed Personal Sleep Tracker: This non-wearable device sits next to the bed and tracks breathing, ambient noise, temperature, light, and more. It provides daily sleep scores on colourful charts for easy interpretation.
While these apps can provide valuable insights, it's important to remember that personal sleep tracking is still a developing science, and the apps may not always offer accurate readings or tailored advice. As a parent, use your discretion to determine what works best for your child's sleep and overall well-being.
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How to use sleep trackers to improve sleep
Sleep trackers can be a great way to gain insight into your sleep patterns and quality. They can help you identify trends and potential areas for improvement. Here are some tips on how to use sleep trackers to improve your sleep:
Choose the Right Tracker for You
Sleep trackers come in various forms, including wearable devices such as rings, wristbands, and smartwatches, as well as devices that clip onto your pillow or sit by your bedside. Consider factors like comfort, accuracy, ease of use, and the specific metrics you want to track. For example, the Oura Ring 4 is a stylish and lightweight option that monitors sleep and daily activities, while the Whoop 4.0 offers a compact design and enhanced tracking capabilities.
Establish a Consistent Routine
Use your sleep tracker consistently as part of your nightly routine. This will help you collect long-term data that reveals patterns and insights into what helps you sleep and what disrupts your rest. Make sure to follow the instructions for your specific device, ensuring it is securely attached or positioned for accurate tracking.
Track Your Sleep Environment and Habits
Many sleep trackers can measure environmental factors such as light and temperature, helping you identify ways to optimise your sleep environment. Additionally, some trackers allow you to log lifestyle factors such as caffeine consumption, eating schedules, and stress levels, which can impact your sleep quality.
Identify Trends and Make Adjustments
Review the data provided by your sleep tracker to identify trends and patterns. For example, you may find that your sleep improves when you reduce caffeine intake or establish a consistent bedtime routine. Sleep trackers often come with built-in coaching or recommendations to help you make positive changes.
Consult a Healthcare Professional
While sleep trackers can be a great tool, they should not replace professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your sleep or if adjustments to your habits do not help, consult a doctor or sleep specialist. They can help address any underlying issues and interpret your sleep tracker data in conjunction with other diagnostic tools.
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How to approach your child after a poor night's sleep
Tracking your child's sleep can be a great way to gain insight into their daily and nightly routines and sleep quality. It can help you understand the impact of sleep on their overall mood, energy levels, and cognitive function. After a poor night's sleep, here are some tips on how to approach your child:
Understand the Impact of Sleep:
Recognize that a lack of sleep can affect your child's mood, behaviour, and ability to engage in daily activities. They may be crankier, less energetic, and more easily irritated. Understanding this impact can help you be more patient and empathetic towards your child.
Create a Calm Environment:
Provide a quiet, calm, and comfortable space for your child to rest and recover. Keep the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. If necessary, use earplugs and a sleep mask to minimize distractions and enhance their comfort.
Stick to a Routine:
Maintain a consistent bedtime routine to help your child relax and prepare for sleep. This can include activities such as taking a warm bath, listening to soothing music, drinking chamomile tea, deep breathing, or light stretching. A predictable routine will help your child feel more secure and relaxed, even after a restless night.
Limit Naps:
While your child may be tired after a poor night's sleep, try to avoid daytime naps as they can disrupt their nighttime sleep even further. Instead, encourage them to get some exercise during the day, preferably earlier in the day to avoid disrupting their sleep. Exercise can help improve their sleep quality and tire them out for the next night.
Offer Reassurance and Support:
Let your child know that you understand their struggles with sleep. Reassure them that it's okay to have difficulty sleeping sometimes and that you are there to help. Offer words of encouragement and comfort to make them feel supported and loved.
Gradual Sleep Training:
If your child consistently struggles with falling asleep independently, consider gradual sleep training techniques. This involves taking small steps, such as moving from sitting next to their bed to moving the chair across the room over time. This helps your child develop self-soothing skills and reduces their reliance on your presence at bedtime.
Remember, it's important to tailor your approach to your child's unique needs and personality. What works for one child may not work for another. Be patient, consistent, and adaptable in your approach to help your child recover from a poor night's sleep.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several sleep-tracking devices available for children, including:
- Fitbit Ace 2 Activity Tracker
- Amazon Halo
- Garmin Vivofit Jr. 2
- Beautyrest
- X-Doria KidFit
- SleepIQ for Kids
- ResMed Personal Sleep Tracker
- Withings Aura
Here are some tips to help your child get better sleep:
- Establish a bedtime routine, such as reading to your child 20 minutes before bedtime.
- Limit screen time before bed, as the light from screens can stimulate the brain and decrease melatonin production.
- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends or during summer break.
- Consult with your paediatrician or a sleep specialist for personalized advice.
Tracking your child's sleep can provide insights into how their sleep patterns impact their daily energy levels, mood, and behaviour. It can also help you identify any sleep issues and make adjustments to their bedtime routine or sleep environment to improve their sleep quality. Additionally, understanding your child's sleep needs can help you optimize their sleep schedule, ensuring they get the recommended amount of sleep for their age.
