Sound monitors protect premature babies

Indianapolis-based Riley Hospital for Children is using a new system to ensure babies get the rest they need to develop. The Sonicu system has warning lights that hover over snoozing babies in the intensive care unit, and the lights flash whenever sound levels creep beyond normal conversation. As decibels rise, the colors on the new monitoring system change from green to yellow to red. Inventor Chris Smith has sold his Sonicu system to several Indiana hospitals and wants to expand nationally. Some doctors are promoting the system, saying interering with a baby's sleep can slow development and healing because their bodies do most of that work while they sleep.