Did you use a breathing or heartrate monitor device of any sort with your newborn?

[needtobeanonforabit]

I have seen some advertised and just wondering if anyone has actually used one, are they of benefit, or are they just playing into the paranoid fears of us first timmers?

If you did use one and would recommend, why and what was it?

Thanks!

[Floridasunset]

We used the angelcare one and it gave us peace of mind that they were safe. It didn't stop me being tuned in to her needs and I would still hear her breathing/movements. But I was concerned about her stopping breathing in the night and only finding out in the morning with no chance of trying to do anything (we have had a previous death in the family so probably more paranoid than most)
I honestly don't think I would have slept without it

[Lemonnaise]

I think they are detrimental to relaxed but intuitive parenting

Not when you've lost a baby previously. My monitor was a life-saver for me. It actually helped me to relax and get some sleep.

[Lemonnaise]

And what if they are asleep but just lie still? Surely the alarm would go off just because your baby wasn't as restless as an octopus on caffeine

No, it monitors breathing. Even when they are lying still it can detect their breathing.

[Lemonnaise]

I used the Angel Care one, it was brilliant. The alarm went off one night, I got a fright, burst into the room and with the noise of the door opening so hard and fast, she woke up but was gasping for air. She was fine after a minute or two but I often wonder what could've happened if I hadn't been alerted and she hadn't woken up.

[shirleycartersaidso]

We were also advised not to by the SCBU team.

[littlewoodentrike]

We have the angelcare sensor mat, and it has only ever beeped if they have been tucked right up in the corner of the cot. My DC both sleep very soundly and it doesn't alert you to them not fidgeting. It gave us peace of mind, especially when they moved into their own room. And when you get them up for a feed, you just switch it off.

[fleur34]

We had one (angelcare) for our scbu baby and I'm glad we had it, it gave us peace of mind and didnt make us any more stressed or less intuitive as to her movements/sleep patterns etc.

[April1984]

I used the Babysense ones and I can't say how brilliant they were. Never had a false alarm. You have to get used to switching it off when you pick them up tho. Yes they are unnecessary but they allowed me to sleep when I wouldn't otherwise so may have been more for me really. We lost our first baby (in the NICU not at home) and for me (everyone's different) they gave me some piece of mind which I badly needed.

[Apfelbunny]

Nope. Babies are really noisy sleepers so you'd know if something was wrong.
And what if they are asleep but just lie still? Surely the alarm would go off just because your baby wasn't as restless as an octopus on caffeine

[BertieBotts]

No, I co-slept with a sidecar cot and found I was aware of DS's breathing at all times even seemingly when I was asleep.

[needtobeanonforabit]

Lol, thanks! Do those only apply though when baby is older? Or by not moving, do you just mean, chest not going up and down?

[CradleCrapNap]

Angel care! Go off if baby isn't moving! Sorry, ha.

[CradleCrapNap]

Ours was the angel cafe video movement monitor that someone else mentioned and they are very accurate and only really gonoffnif baby really isn't moving.

[needtobeanonforabit]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Seems it's a very divided topic!

Our baby will be spending some time in SCBU after delivery, but obviously they don't let them out until baby is well enough so I don't know whether that's a factor or not!

The type I saw was actually like a sock sort of thing that they wear, rather than a mat. I can see how a mat could be limited for when moving baby for feeds/and they aren't in their bed.

I just wondered about the merits of a such a piece of kit as I can envisage myself disturbing a sleeping baby needlessly because I'm freaking out she's not breathing So it was more for that I guess, rather than for waking us up if there is a problem, but I can see how know I g you had something like that in place, might also help you sleep better...

Hmmm, interesting!

[PotteringAlong]

No, not with any of my 3.

[GirlElephant]

I have an Angelcare monitor for DS as I didn't like the idea of him moving into his own room. He moved in at 6 months and has slept much better moving from his crib to cotbed due to the extra room.

It's very sensitive so has went off twice but both times he was absolutely fine. I think without it I would have struggled to sleep as the first 6 months he was next to our bed and I was always in the room for his naps which made me less anxious

[CradleCrapNap]

We used one for our 8 week prem baby as prems have a habit of just stopping breathing (apnoea) and I found it out my mind at rest. Used it for a year then she started rolling off the mat. Didn't get one with my term second baby but also found myself more anxious about sids. The reality is you are unlikely to revive them sadly if the do stop breathing but I would like to know I gave it my all and had the chance to do something if that was the case. Your choice!

[Flypaperforarseholes]

My Ex SIL had one with a sensor mat which went under the moses basket/cot mattress. When her DD was around 3 months old, the alarm went off, alerting them to her not breathing. Mother phoned for an ambulance while father administered CPR. Their DD survived and is now 9. Her parents are certain that without the monitor, they would have lost her. After that, I used the same type of monitor with my DC's. It gave me peace of mind.

[justnowords]

yes, i used one for ds2, (they werent around when ds1 was born and I coslept with him so didnt really need it). I was definitely more anxious when ds2 was born but when he went into his moses basket/crib with the under mattress monitor I just felt reassured that he'd still be alive in the morning. Mines had a little flashing green light and it helped me sleep better seeing it flashing before i fell asleep. Then i went back to cosleeping and didnt need it at all.

[Crumbs1]

I think they are detrimental to relaxed but intuitive parenting.

[TheFirstMrsDV]

My gut feeling is that they are unnecessary and increase anxiety.
I have five DC and have never used one.
If a new parent really wants to use one I wouldn't criticise them for it. Its their choice.
There is a growing market for 'medical' equipment for pregnant women and new parents. Medical grade weighing scales, home dopplers, movement alarms etc. It makes me feel uneasy.

[Fruitboxjury]

I tried for a night and hated it because I felt like it stopped me being in tune with baby's noises and movements. All I was thinking of was the alarm, not the child. Never used again.

[needtobeanonforabit]

Thanks all for your feedback.

We have a bedside co-sleeping cot so baby will be in with us anyway and I didn't think it necessary but I keep seeing them advertised so then had a slight paranoia the other way, of am I just being complacent about SID and alike!

[Wolfiefan]

No because I would have been lying awake listening for an alarm or woken when baby moved off it etc.