High-tech baby monitoring becoming a growing trend for new parents

Everywhere you turn these days it seems people are wearing fitness trackers to monitor their health. But this trend isn't just for adults anymore, there is also a growing trend of digital baby trackers.

Mara Castro experiences the joys of being a parent.

"Being a new mom is awesome, exhausting, and amazing at the same time."

But along with that excitement can come anxiety about wondering how your newborn is doing-- especially when put to bed. That's why Castro uses a special wearable monitor to check on baby Jackson.

"It measures the temperature in the room and also detects motion or sound."

It is just one of a new wave of wearable technology to track your newborn's health. One item used is a baby sock with a monitor to check heart rate and oxygen levels. Also, another piece of tech is an ankle band that monitors heart rate, temperature, motion, position, and more. And you know those newborn onesies? One says it tracks breathing, body position, temperature, and other things. Each device alerting your smartphone if something seems off.

Dr. Barbara Pena has mixed thoughts about this form of digital parenting.

"Some parents may find peace of mind while using these products and they may find it helpful to have data that they can go back to when speaking to their pediatrician."

But on the other hand, Dr. Pena said parents should not be playing doctor.

"Some of the information they receive they might not know what to do with it. Parents shouldn't be playing doctors."

Plus Dr. Pena warns technology isn't always fool proof. So she recommends good old-fashioned monitoring by parents themselves.

"If the baby does not look well they should take them to the pediatrician or to the emergency department."

Even with monitors, Castro said she also checks baby herself.

"I check on Jackson when he's sleeping probably about four or five times before I go to bed."

And that peace of mind helps make a happier mom and baby.

Keep in mind, these devices are not regulated by the Food and dRug Administration. If you're thinking about using one, you might first want to check with your baby's doctor.