Following paediatric appointment today, what would you do?

[bethylou]

Posted here a couple of days ago about my DS2 (aged 14 weeks) who has reflux and who has activated a movement sensor 4 times in the last 4 days. (In actual fact, one incident was with one monitor on his nappy and 3 were with a replacement one under the mattress). The suggestion is that on these four occasions he has held his breath for 20 seconds each time. I bought a monitor having read stories on here about babies with reflux having sleep apnoea and some having to be resuscitated.

We saw a paediatrician today (coincidental timing, but all to do with the reflux) and were hoping for reassurance and action, after what was a very frightening weekend for DH and I.

Basically, she bumped up his meds which will hopefully deal with the symptoms (and maybe put an end to these scary incidents anyway).

When we mentioned our concerns about the potential sleep apnoea, she basically said that she had never heard of a parent purchasing a monitor for a refluxy baby and that the medical profession frown on those who do because shop-bought monitors are not accurate. She said that he probably hasn't got sleep apnoea as it is very rare. When asked how to proceed to minimize the risks etc.. she suggested that we should just not use the monitor as they merely cause concern and most DCs restart breathing on their own (which I know, but have also heard of those who don't).

I've come away thinking that she was trying to reassure us but not feeling reassured! I will continue using the monitor but wonder whether I should ask for a second opinion or anything. Sorry for the long post. Would be grateful for any thoughts.

[bethylou]

Bump - please anyone?

[CharlieBoo]

Hi, can't help muchbut we had one of the sensor pad monitors when ds was tiny. Tbh it went off quite lot from when he was 3-4 months. It frightened the life in us and made me v paranoid. This time with dd we haven't used it (mainly because we couldn't find one of the bits for it) and WE have been muchmore chilled. Sorry can't help anymore but they get to an age when they move round the cot so much thst they move away from the sensor.

[bethylou]

Thanks. We didn't have one for DS1 but mainly because I didn't know about the possible problems with apnoea then. One of the monitors we used was on his nappy (a respisense) and had not dislodged and now using a mattress pad. Will try and see it as a reassurance and try not to panic.

[SparkleRainbow]

How good and approachable is your GP? I would go back to them and chat about what was said to you, and what they think about the monitors, and sleep apnoea. Maybe they could recommend a second referral for you.

Our super GP (who is a dad of 3 dc) said we should use the apnoea alarm, which we bought from Mothercare, and that it would give us some peace of mind. I felt better knowing that it might go off even if it was just that she had wriggled off the mat. Does yours have a facility to alter the sensitivity of the movement? Ours is from Angelcare and you can fiddle around with its settings to make it more or less sensitive.

I just thought if I didn't set it and the worst happened, I would never forgive myself, as if I had, I might have been able to do something. I felt I could sleep because it "watching" for me, so sometimes I woke up in a panic and ran to the baby, but if I hadn't used it I don't think I could have slept at all. Well that's just me....just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you! I'd use it and see it as covering all the bases.

Hope that helps

[Helinher30s]

I used the nappy monitor for a year - it really was the most reliable little thing and def the best thing I have ever bought. The peace of mind it gave me to sleep was amazing. We had a couple of false alarms but by double folding the nappy it rarely went off after that. There was one occasion when it went off and i ran to my DD's cot and she was as still as still as could be and didnt move when i placed my hand on her as usual - i had to gently shake her to get a response.. i always think of that night as 'what if she had stopped breathing' - i think if you can find a good reliable monitor that doesnt keep going off then its a good idea - it will mean you can sleep without getting up and checking many times a night by having trust in monitor that if anything is wrong it will let you know!!

[ajandjjmum]

We used a sensor for both of ours, and it made up both relax more when we woke in the night to hear the gentle 'beep beep' from the nursery.

It went off several times when both little ones moved off it, but it went off once with dd when she was still in position. So who knows?

If it makes you feel better, and doesn't harm the baby, stuff what the peadiatrician says!

Hope you get it sorted soon.

[bethylou]

Thanks all. We are going to speak to the GP, who I think will be sympathetic, and are continuing with the monitor.

[Rollmops]

We used Respisense monitors for our twins for a year and they were the best things we ever bought for them.