STACK #258 April 2026

TECH FEATURE

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Video baby monitors While the concept has been around since the ‘90s, video baby monitors now include high-definition cameras, night vision, and AI to detect movement, crying, or if baby’s face is covered, and some can even analyse sleep patterns, reporting back with phone alerts to parents.

The sleep wars

“Oh, my baby slept right through after two weeks”. You’ll meet – and likely hate - these people on your journey. Hearing that sentence will cause instant anxiety if your little one likes to party when it’s night-night time. Most of us have the stories of driving around in the dead of night for two hours straight, or marching on the spot for a thousand steps, just so baby sleeps. Solutions come thick and thin from those around you, from the helpful to the truly absurd (doing lunges for an hour might be good for babs, but you won’t be able to walk the following day). All babies and family situations are different, so what works for you might not work for somebody else. However, there are some tried and tested formulas worth trying before you head off to sleep school.

1. Follow a simple routine Newborns don’t follow strict schedules, but a consistent pattern helps. A short wind-down – feed, nappy change, cuddle - signals that sleep is coming. Total silence isn’t necessary. Gentle background noise (like white noise) can help babies settle and stay asleep longer. 3. Watch for wake windows Overtired babies are harder to settle. Newborns typically stay awake for 45–90 minutes before needing sleep again – miss that window, and things can become trickier. 4. Create a sleep-friendly space A dim, calm environment helps signal nighttime. Keep the room comfortable, reduce stimulation, and avoid bright lights during night wakes. 2. Don’t fear noise

Wearable health trackers Soft wearable devices, such as bands or socks, can monitor everything from heart rate to sleep cycles. If something is awry, the parent is alerted. Wearable breast pump You can never have enough hands in the quest to multitask, and a wearable breast pump is the perfect tool to help with the daily juggle. Automatic sterilisers You’ll undoubtedly hear the parenting veterans say, “When I was a mum, we had to boil everything on the stove,” but thankfully, technology has moved on.

5. Accept that broken sleep is normal

Newborn sleep is unpredictable. Frequent waking for feeds is completely normal in the early weeks, so flexibility (and patience) is key.

APRIL 2026

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