Baby Breathing Monitor: HSA Eligibility

What is a baby breathing monitor?

While most parents are familiar with the traditional baby monitor that is placed in the child's room that can relay sounds of a baby waking up or crying, these products are not eligible for reimbursement through consumer-directed spending accounts as they do not have a direct medical purpose. However, new baby monitor developments in recent years have granted new medical utility to these devices, and one that has been embraced by doctors and parents alike is the baby breathing monitor.

A baby breathing monitor, also known as a baby movement monitor, is a device that typically either utilizes a sensor pad that is placed underneath the child's mattress or worn on the outside of the infant's diaper. The primary role of the device is to protect against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the leading cause of death among babies between 1 month and 1 year of age (Mayo Clinic). While no device should be expected to replace parental supervision, these devices can alert parents quickly if their child's heartbeat or breathing patterns begin to become irregular.

How does a baby breathing monitor work?

Through the use of a device that attaches onto the infants clothing during sleep or with a sensor pad underneath the child's mattress that can sense a child's movement based on his/her breathing patterns, a baby breathing monitor can give parents peace of mind that they will be alerted when an infant's breathing becomes irregular or stops altogether. These devices typically have wireless functionality that allow parents to carry around a second receiver that will sound an alarm when a child's breathing rate falls to a dangerous level (Safewise).

In most cases, choosing between an in-bed baby breathing monitor and one worn on the child is based on the infant's age, the setup of his/her crib, and whether they are viable for travel purposes. Overall, parents have embraced these devices as a means of providing an additional layer of protection against infant breathing issues, as well as giving them the freedom to perform tasks around the home without having to continually check on their infants during sleep.