The secret superpowers of sleep data

The secret superpowers of sleep data

Recent research confirmed that Nanit’s sleep and milestones data is highly accurate and reliable. Here’s how it helps parents.

It’s the end of the day, and you’ve just put your baby to bed. Already checking your Nanit app for details? Same! Has the baby rolled over? Is the nursery cool enough? How’s baby’s breathing? Forget TikTok… Nanit sleep data is the latest must-watch.

Now, recent research has confirmed that the data we find so fascinating as parents is also extremely reliable. 

A study published in October 2023 found that the algorithms Nanit uses to track sleep data are as accurate as devices commonly used in pediatric sleep research. Then, another study from earlier this year underlined those findings and took them a step further: Researchers asked 1,371 parents of infants aged 4 to 17 months who used the Nanit baby monitor to share their infants’ Nanit sleep metrics. The Nanit sleep data matched age trends from previous research gathered using clinical grade devices. Put simply: Nanit monitors—with their ability to track details like head and body positions, breathing, when a baby falls asleep, duration of sleep—function as accurately as tools designed specifically for scientific research. And in fact, the more recent study showed that Nanit algorithms were so good at their data-tracking job that they can also be used as a resource when in-person participation is difficult or when large amounts of data are needed.  

Why does this matter to parents? What are the benefits for us? There are several:

  1. You have access to scientific research quality data every day. This research adds to the growing body of evidence showing how accurate Nanit is at measuring sleep. So when you see details such as your baby seems to be sleeping longer or is moving more, know that you can trust the data. And you can confidently use these insights in conversations with your pediatrician or in changes you may want to make at home, for example, with your bedtime routine or adjusting the sound or temperature in your baby’s room.
  2. You can better support your baby. See a big change in your baby’s sleep patterns? They may be getting ready to do something new and exciting, like trying to stand! This study also revealed that babies who pull up to stand earlier than average (before eight months) sleep less at night. This tracks with other existing data that sleep disruptions often occur when a child achieves a big motor skills milestone (such as rolling over or standing). Knowing details like these—and having the ability to easily spot changes in your child’s sleep behaviors—lets you support their sleep in general. But it can be especially helpful during those tricky developmental times, when an extra nap or an earlier bedtime might be a game changer.
  3. More research leads to more sleep breakthroughs. The broad base of information available via Nanit allows scientists and other experts to conduct research faster and more efficiently. The result?  More rapid breakthroughs about children and sleep, which can help all of us get a better night’s rest.
The most important takeaway? In the long run, parents and families are the true beneficiaries of all this data as Nanit experts and other sleep researchers are better able to find reasons for various sleep behaviors and help families navigate the changes that their infants might be going through. The sleep insights can also offer peeks into the future, letting parents start to understand developmental milestones that may be just around the corner. Knowledge is power and in Nanit’s case, it’s a superpower that helps everyone rest easier. Literally.

Nanit is dedicated to delivering high-quality, reliable content for our readers. Our Parent Confidently articles are crafted by experienced parenting contributors and are firmly rooted in data and research. To ensure the accuracy and relevance of the content, all articles undergo a rigorous review process by our team of parenting experts. Additionally, our wellness-related content receives further scrutiny from Nanit Lab, our think tank of scientists, engineers, physicians, academic experts, and thought leaders.

Our primary objective is to furnish readers with the most current, trustworthy, and actionable information concerning a host of parenting topics. We strive to empower our readers to make informed decisions by offering comprehensive and respected insights.

In pursuit of transparency and credibility, our articles incorporate credible third-party sources, peer-reviewed studies, and abstracts. These sources are directly linked within the text or provided at the bottom of the articles to grant readers easy access to the source material.

CONTRIBUTORS

Natalie Barnett, PhD serves as VP of Clinical Research at Nanit. Natalie initiated sleep research collaborations at Nanit and in her current role, Natalie oversees collaborations with researchers at hospitals and universities around the world who use the Nanit camera to better understand pediatric sleep and leads the internal sleep and development research programs at Nanit. Natalie holds a Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of New England in Australia and a Postgraduate Certificate in Pediatric Sleep Science from the University of Western Australia. Natalie was an Assistant Professor in the Neurogenetics Unit at NYU School of Medicine prior to joining Nanit. Natalie is also the voice of Nanit's science-backed, personalized sleep tips delivered to users throughout their baby's first few years.

Mackenzie Sangster is on the Brand and Community team at Nanit. She supports content development and editing for Nanit’s Parent Confidently blog as well as other marketing initiatives. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her friends, cooking, being active, and using the Pro + Flex Duo to keep an eye on her fur-baby, Poppy!

Holly Hays is a contributor and writer for Nanit, channeling her years as a mama and former magazine editor to create fun, useful content for fellow busy, trying-to-do-their-best parents and caregivers. Holly has written for a wide range of brands and media outlets (Ergobaby, HGTV, Manhattan Toy Company, OXO), loves to cook and read mystery novels, and leans heavily on her two daughters to keep her up to date on all the latest slang.

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