Is Owlet worth buying? All you need to know about Owlet Sock

There are scads of new baby gadgets in the market nowadays, making it difficult to decide which one is worth buying or unnecessary. Owlets are one of those best-selling products that might attract any parent, but is Owlet worth it?

Well, an Owlet can help you monitor your tiny tot, which can relax you. It enables you to sleep comfortably at night, understand your baby’s sleep pattern, and let them have a sound sleep. Yet, it depends on your convenience, and if you have a limited budget for baby shopping, then buying this is unnecessary. But if its suits your budget, we recommend you get an Owlet and have a wonderful experience with this itsy-bitsy gadget all day!

What is an Owlet & what comes along with it?

An Owlet is a stretchable colorful sock with a sensor attached to it that is tied around the baby’s foot while sleeping. This award-winning baby gear is quite popular among parents who have helped improve their baby’s sleep quality. Other benefits include monitoring alterations in the baby’s heart rate, breathing, or movement, all of which are sleep quality indicators.

You can keep tabs on your baby’s oxygen levels and heart rate through Owlet’s app installed on your phone anytime. This phenomenal baby gadget shows a sleep log that includes the baby’s sleep quality, how long they dozed off, how many times they aroused, etc., so you can ring in their ideal sleep routine. Additionally, it will notify you if the oxygen level or heart drops.

Moreover, the Owlet set includes the following:

Socks

Socks of three different sizes from 0-18 months, which you can change as the baby grows.

Base station

It is a significant part of the Owlet that can be stopple into the wall and connected to Wi-Fi. It will indicate to you what’s going on with the baby through the app, where you can see the live status or by blinking the light on the base.

Sensor

It monitors the heart and slips inside and out, making washing it easier whenever you want.

Owlet also includes charging cords, a quick setup guide, and, most importantly warranty.

What is the purpose of Owlet?

Owlet serves as peace of mind, especially for parents struggling with their and their baby’s sleep schedule. Sleep is the one main thing that gets badly interrupted once the baby arrives; you must watch them every minute, mainly at night when you crave sound sleep.

To prevent anxiety or stress, Owlet monitors your child and alerts you in case of any emergency, allowing you to sleep comfortably.

Difference between Owlet Dream Sock & Owlet Smart Sock

Owlet Dream Sock and Smart Sock are the primary and top-rated types of the Owlet. Despite Owlet Smart Sock providing real-time oxygen levels and heart rate vitals of your baby and being famous among most parents, particularly those with premature babies. Unfortunately, U.S. FDA (Food & Drug Administration) rejected it, which forced Owlet to discontinue its top-selling product.

Later, they came up with their Dream Sock, which also declared a success! The socks have some visible similarities like the 3rd generation of Smart Sock and Dream Sock look precisely the same. They both have a dual Velcro design and one strap that wraps around the ankle of your little one and fixes itself to the other side tightly. The sensors in both socks can be easily detached and charged in the base station.

So, exactly how do they differ from each other? Well, Smart Sock includes features that notify people about oxygen level and heart rate readings that do not lie inside the preset values. On the other hand, Dream Sock no longer sends alerts based on the mentioned vitals. Let us further highlight their features! Please note here we are differentiating Dream Sock with Smart Sock 3, as the first generation was discontinued.

Dream Sock

•  It helps in improving sleep habits.
•  Acknowledge well about how well and how long your newborn is sleeping.
•  Help them out in real time via sleep assist prompts.
•  Boosts better sleep for both parents and baby.
•  Prompts are built on SQI (Sleep Quality Indicators).
•  Offers a comfy fabric sock and advanced sensor technology.
•  Let parents integrate with Owlet Dream App to check their baby’s sleep history, status, and quality scores.

Smart Sock 3

• Track oxygen levels and heart rate.
•  Offers notifications for high or low heart rate readings and low oxygen levels.

Moreover, Owlet’s older version users can convert Smart socks to Dream socks.

Does AAP recommend using Owlet?

You must know that AAP does not suggest using such gadgets because, according to them, Owlet and other similar monitoring gears are not medical devices. They opposed using these devices for monitoring or diagnosing any medical condition. For example, parents keep blankets in the crib or bassinet and reassure themselves that the Owlet will notify them if the blanket covers the baby’s face and affects their oxygen level.

Dr. Rachel Moon from the AAP stated her concern about parents getting self-satisfaction by putting all their trust in the monitor that it will keep an eye on their baby and they are fine with not practicing safe sleep guidelines. She added that using any monitoring device is much more feasible than learning safe sleep, and if monitors stop working, they land into terrible trouble.

When should you & should not use the Owlet?

It depends on your preferences and your child’s health or medical condition. However, we have highlighted some caveats about using Owlet that you should know!

• First, you should avoid using Owlet as a medical device, especially if your baby has any medical condition that requires serious monitoring. It’s best to consult the doctor before opting for any such device, as it can give false readings.
•  Do not use it to validate unsafe sleep. Please follow basic safe sleep rules, and let them sleep without clutter, toys, extra blankets, etc.
•  Owlet can boost your anxiety. Despite helping to cope with the same, Owlet can increase pressure because instead of keeping a tab on the baby, parents become eager to check readings on the app.

However, you should use Owlet if you are looking for peace and know you will refrain from indulging in any of the above mentioned caveats. If you have the budget, then Owlet is worth buying, and you must go for it!

How to use the Owlet Sock & its app?

Using Owlet could be tricky initially, so the essential part is that tiny notch on the band, which secures the itsy-bitsy toe of your little munchkin. Once that’s connected, gently tie the rest of the sock around your baby’s ankle and Velcro. Next, switch on the device either by pressing the base station or from the app.

You must be patient, as the app takes some time to open. Therefore, it’s better to choose the base station option. The Owlet app is relatively easy to use and sends notifications of the live readings from your newborn while the sock wraps their teensy-weensy ankle.

Please note that if you want to get informed about oxygen levels and heart rate, installing the Connected Care app is also good. Downloading both apps will be excellent.

If you need help downloading and using these apps, there are guides on the app itself. Simply open up the app and see step-to-step instructions. Trust us; it’s pretty easy!

Pros 

• Guaranteed peace of mind
•  Easy unpacking
•  Comfortable
•  Includes three sock sizes
•  Offers live data
•  Tells about sleep and health history
•  Simple and quick setup
•  Alerts for any errors through soft lullaby
•  Provide authentic instructions and tutorials

Cons 

• Overpriced
•  Assembling is time-consuming.
•  Requires to download another app to track sleep data and health history
•  Putting sensors can be difficult

Factors to consider while using an Owlet

You should remember These critical factors if you’ve bought a type of Owlet sock.

•  Do not consider it as a medical device.
•  Owlet is not used to cure, diagnose, prevent, or treat any health condition.
•  Perfect for babies from 1 month to 18 months of age.
•  This gadget is only meant to help you monitor your little one’s well-being.
•  Do not use Owlet if your doctor does not recommend it; instead, they asked you to use a pulse oximeter or the hospital’s apnea monitor.
• Stop using Owlet if you are using it as justification for dangerous sleeping habits.
•  Owlet is not an alternative to adult care.
•  Owlets can fit perfectly under a regular sock beside the skin, not too tightly.

Our takeaway

Undoubtedly, Owlet is loved by most parents nowadays, as it is an intelligent baby health monitor, which they desired for so many years. You don’t have to leave all the other stuff, sit, and watch if your baby is sleeping well or breathing. Owlet is here to do that job; you only need to check the base station or app for the status reports. It might not seem expensive to those with a budget to buy it, and it’s best for parents who have been using similar products or whose children have no health issues. However, Owlet is appropriate for new parents or parents with a baby having any health concerns.

Although, necessary to consider AAP’s recommendation and why they do not support the use of Owlet. But we don’t believe in excluding Owlet for this reason. Remember that you shouldn’t rely wholly and solely on such monitoring devices, and follow sleep instructions while using the Owlet.

FAQS 

Is the Owlet Worth It?

If you know your baby is not suffering from any health issue, or Owlet will not boost your anxiety and contribute to your peace of mind, we highly recommend it! It’s easy to use and must be a part of the best baby products list if you can manage it and are looking for some relaxation.

Which one to use, the Nanit or the Owlet?

Owlet and Nanit are among the most famous and best baby health monitors you must purchase. They both provide excellent, intelligent baby monitoring; however, they differ in terms of what you want to monitor.

Nanit can monitor babies’ breathing and provide tips for their well-being and sleep. Whereas, Owlet for best for parents who want detailed health data on their baby, as it tracks oxygen levels and heart rate. Overall, Owlet provides some accurate sleep data, and on the other hand, Nanit Insights uses sleep data and provide customized suggestions.

Is Owlet insured?

No, Owlet is not insured, but people having HSA or FSA plans can use funds to buy it. For that, they have to use Credit or Debit cards, which they generally use for paying medical expenses.

Can Owlet prevent SIDS?

No such evidence exists that Owlet prevents SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) in healthy newborns. Most importantly, parents of preemies and children who require severe oxygen levels or have breathing issues must follow their doctors’ recommendations. Please note that no baby monitors are available to reduce the risk of SIDS approved by the FDA.

Will the Owlet alert you if the baby’s oxygen level drops?

Unfortunately, Owlet does not alert or notify depending merely on oxygen level readings. Yet, the oxygen level is monitored as a principal sleep indicator and used in the sleep process to track the baby’s sleep status and quality. If tracked sleep indicators show that the baby is uneasy or requires help to get back to sleep, then Owlet Socks forwards a sleep assist reminder to the app and base station.

When should you stop using the Owlet?

It’s entirely your decision when to stop using Owlet socks! However, the Owlet manufacturers recommend using it once your baby weighs more than 40 pounds or gets 18 months old. However, most parents continue using Owlet socks till their child turns two years old. But it is essential to know that Owlet sock is best for children under 1 and 1.5 years. If you do not discontinue it at the suggested age, you might receive the wrong readings. Moreover, it won’t be adequately wrapped on your child’s foot, which can even stop circulation due to tightness.

Is Owlet warranted?

Owlet sock comes with a two-year warranty from the app setup date. But its sensors are covered under warranty if they accidentally get damaged.

Does Owlet sock have any hazardous long-term impact?

Use it per the instructions, and it won’t harm your baby.

Which age group is Owlet suitable for?

It depends on what Owlet version you are using. For instance, Owlet Smart Sock 3 is best for children up to 30 lbs. or 18 months old. In contrast, Owlet Smart Sock Plus is apt. for children up to 55 lbs. or five years old.

Can I wash the Owlet sock?

Yes, you can give a hand wash using a mild detergent regularly. Just remove any parts that have a chance of being damaged from washing. We recommend washing the fabric sock once a week, and after washing, let it air dry, as that’s how the product will keep performing well, lower the potential risk of skin irritation, and keep your tiny tot’s feet free from bacteria and healthy.

Does the Owlet sock work the same way with twins or multiples?

You will need a separate Owlet sock for each baby; however, with the newly updated Owlet app, you will be required to install it once and easily make multiple baby profiles of all the Owlet devices within one app.