Sleep apps for children—a critical view

A total of 573 sleep apps based on the above-described search strings were found. However, 88 of the apps (15.4%) were not specifically declared for children although the search was performed using the above-described strings.

Contents

Of these 573 sleep apps 226 (39.4%) apps contained lullabies (Fig. 1), 206 apps (35.9%) declared themselves to use sleep-oriented music, 44 apps (7.7%) used songs, 10 apps used rain noises for sleep help, 61 apps (10.6%) used meditation as sleep help (according to their description), 29 apps (5%) integrated sleep-related information, and 24 (4.2%) described themselves as assistants and help regarding sleep monitoring. Furthermore, 7 apps used mindfulness based strategies, 5 apps declared themselves as based on relaxation techniques, whereas only 3 apps (0.5%) used training strategies and further 7 apps (1.2%) were declared as sleep trainer.

Fig. 1figure1

Types of sleep apps for children

Valuation

Valuation scores varied between zero, 31 apps had one valuation, 283 apps (49.4%) had more than 100 valuation scores and 179 (31.2%) more than 1000 valuation scores with the highest based on 352,090 scores. For 72 no scores were available. The highest scores were 5, whereas the lowest score were given with 1 (n = 8). In all, 387 had a score between 4 and 5, and 38 apps had a score of 5. However, some of these were valuated by only one person (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2figure2

Frequency of valuation scores for the children sleep apps. (Note: higher scoring means better)

Installation frequencies

Some apps (n = 19) were installed more than 5,000,000 times—these were mostly sounds and/or music apps. However, for 226 apps no information regarding installation quote was available, 5 apps were installed more than 10 times, 10 apps were downloaded 100 times, 7 apps more than 500 times, 34 apps 1000 times, 12 apps more than 5000 times, 67 apps 10,000 times, 25 more than 50,000 times, 74 for 100,000 times, 30 more than 500,000 times, 60 for 1,000,000 times, 5 apps for more than 10,000,000 times (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3figure3

Frequency of installations for children sleep apps

Costs

For 220 apps (38.4%) no price was declared, 16 apps costed less than 1 €, 47 were cheaper than 2 €, 90 costed less than 5 €, further 12 less than 10 €. However, the most expensive app costed 349.99 €.

Qualitative analysis of the training apps (n = 7)“Raising Children”

The English speaking app “Raising Children” addresses different topics for helping parents to raise their children (e.g. breast feeding, sleep, infant interaction). With regard to sleep, it provides practical advice for different age groups (newborns, infants, crawlers, toddlers, 2‑year-olds, preschoolers, and primary school children). In general, it can be summarized that many aids are helpful for parents. However, it must be mentioned that some misleading information is also provided (e.g. that parents should decide for themselves whether their child falls asleep alone or with their help) which is not in line with the current recommendations. Or that “many babies need to be parented to sleep” with the help of rocking the child by the parents etc.

“Baby +”

Baby Plus is an app in which parents can record and log their child’s behaviour and developmental steps (e.g. height, sleep, meals). In the sleep section, the app enables parents to record their child’s sleep times. The app was originally developed for parents of 1‑year-old children, but can also be used beyond that. It further contains small text articles that provide various information (e.g. for a safe home environment for newborns).

“REMI—Babyphone, Sleep Trainer”

The app requires an additional device which is to place next to the infant’s bed and acts as a loudspeaker, alarm clock and lighting. Additional costs are 89 €.

“Sleeprate: Improve your sleep”

This app is more for adolescents and adults than for infants or children. The advertised sleep training program must be purchased for 95 € per year. Furthermore, without the additional program the app can only be used as a sleep tracker.

“Infant Sleep Info”

The app focuses on information about sleep safety to prevent sudden infants’ death syndrome (SIDS). Therefore the app provides knowledge about different sleeping positions and related risks as well as important parenting behaviour. Positively, the tone is neutral and non-judgmental which is important to improve parents’ acceptance especially when deadly dangers are displayed. A sleep log is integrated to monitor the infants sleep duration.

“baby sleep problems”

Although our study was completed over a period of 12 weeks—this app was no longer available at the time of qualitative research.

“Babywink”

This app is a detailed sleep assessment and training program. Prior to training, the parents have to have their baby’s sleep checked by a paediatrician to ensure that no other reason might be responsible for the child’s sleep difficulties. Furthermore, the sleep pattern of the child is assessed for 3 days. Afterwards a sleep training program tailored to the child’s and family’s needs is derived. They declare that the app is constructed on Michel Gradisars research; however, the babywink team is comprised of only engineers. The authors declared that the app might be for newborns but the ideal age is 6 months and more. Costs of the account is 49.98 US$ per year.

“Sleep Trainer”

This training is based on the Ferber method. Based on seven steps from feeding prior to bedtime up to checking after 15 min if the baby is crying, the steps are clearly described.

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