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Original poster

7 month old stomach bug and monitor alarm going off

22 replies

BlueEyes1014 · 22/12/2023 04:42

Hoping for some shared experiences and advice. My 7 month old has had a stomach bug (assume Norovirus) for 8 days now; started with vomiting, moved to diarrhoea and now in the early hours has been sick again. They're fine in themselves, (bright, alert, smiling etc), but appetite is reduced, however the thing really concerning me is that for the past 2 nights the Angelcare monitor we've been using since birth has gone off a few times, which has been frankly terrifying.

Last night it went off 3 times; in the end I picked up the sensor pad and placed it back down in case it just wasn't in a great position, (tbh i couldn't think what else to try) after which it didn't go off again. Around 1am today it went off again. Each time has startled my baby awake and they've then gone straight back to sleep, but with the stomach bug not seeming to go away I'm really concerned there's something more going on, because the sensor pad is supposed to go off when no movement (I.e. from breathing) is detected for 20 seconds. I'm getting worried about sleeping in case something happens to my baby.

We were at the Dr's yesterday and baby was checked over for dehydration etc - GP couldn't find anything of concern but thought it odd that the bug hadn't already shifted - DH and I have both been ill earlier this week and already back to normal. GP has taken a stool sample to make sure there's no other infection etc going on.

I just wondered if anyone else had been in this situation? The only time the monitor alarm went off before was when the battery needed replacing which was just over a month ago. TIA xx

OP posts:
SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 22/12/2023 07:50

That does sound frightening. I was going to suggest the GP but see that you've already done that. If you are concerned at all though I'd go back today.

Have you changed the batteries again, just in case they are faulty and have you tried LO with a probiotic?

Original poster
BlueEyes1014 · 22/12/2023 07:53

When the old battery was done the alarm kept going off and once changed it was fine. I'm worrying baby is having some sort of episode whilst asleep as until this (aside from the battery change) the alarm has never gone off except when we've tested it.

DH thinks that to give it another day before the Dr's again but it's Friday so there's nothing after today until Monday!

OP posts:
SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 22/12/2023 07:55

BlueEyes1014 · 22/12/2023 07:53

When the old battery was done the alarm kept going off and once changed it was fine. I'm worrying baby is having some sort of episode whilst asleep as until this (aside from the battery change) the alarm has never gone off except when we've tested it.

DH thinks that to give it another day before the Dr's again but it's Friday so there's nothing after today until Monday!

Well you won't get an appointment on Monday either or Tuesday too if you're in the UK. Like I said, if you're worried at all go today Wink

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Terningbay · 22/12/2023 07:56

I have no advice but have had the same with the alarm going off in the night. It used to happen with my baby when she was around 4 weeks old. I agree it’s terrifying, but I was looking at her once literally before it went off and she was breathing just really lightly. So maybe it just wasn’t detecting it? It could be worth going back to the GP though especially as he’s still unwell.

everythingthelighttouches · 22/12/2023 08:02

Watch her breathing in her sleep today (when will she sleep next?)

Trust your instincts not the monitor.
The only way to know is to watch your baby’s breathing while they sleep.

Time Any sign of paused breathing . If there is any go straight back to doctors.

Original poster
BlueEyes1014 · 22/12/2023 08:08

Thanks everyone. I've contacted the Dr's (you've got to fill in an online form and just wait) - I've requested an urgent contact. Each time the alarm has gone off he's stirred awake and then gone back to sleep but it's the fact it's going off; we've never had this before.

OP posts:
Original poster
BlueEyes1014 · 22/12/2023 08:11

I did wonder if it was a sleep apnea thing and whether anyone else had had a similar experience.

OP posts:
Original poster
BlueEyes1014 · 22/12/2023 08:13

He does sometimes still do the pauses like they do as a newborn; he's my first so I have no idea when this stops.

OP posts:
Original poster
BlueEyes1014 · 22/12/2023 08:14

everythingthelighttouches · 22/12/2023 08:02

Watch her breathing in her sleep today (when will she sleep next?)

Trust your instincts not the monitor.
The only way to know is to watch your baby’s breathing while they sleep.

Time Any sign of paused breathing . If there is any go straight back to doctors.

Edited

He does sometimes still do the pauses like they do as a newborn; he's my first so I have no idea when this stops.

OP posts:
gentlemum · 22/12/2023 14:00

The monitors are so difficult because they can cause more anxiety whereas without the monitor you wouldn't have known anything, and your baby is fine. We have the Snuza Hero breathing monitor which attaches to the nappy and still use it for my 20 month old. I'm so paranoid about it now that I can't stop using it. We have so many false alarms though, but it's a bit different to your one as it attaches to his nappy so easily loses contact and goes off. The only thing you could do is speak to the doctor again, but I know they don't like or approve the use of monitors for this exact reason. Hope everything is ok x

Original poster
BlueEyes1014 · 22/12/2023 18:02

gentlemum · 22/12/2023 14:00

The monitors are so difficult because they can cause more anxiety whereas without the monitor you wouldn't have known anything, and your baby is fine. We have the Snuza Hero breathing monitor which attaches to the nappy and still use it for my 20 month old. I'm so paranoid about it now that I can't stop using it. We have so many false alarms though, but it's a bit different to your one as it attaches to his nappy so easily loses contact and goes off. The only thing you could do is speak to the doctor again, but I know they don't like or approve the use of monitors for this exact reason. Hope everything is ok x

We went back to the Dr's. As far as the stomach bug he wasn't concerned about it as he felt my son was dealing well. On the alarm going off he couldn't advise other than to say it may be faulty, however he did email paediatrics to gain insight from them. Got to wait for a response plus the results from the stool sample now. I'll not lie I'm scared of going to sleep now but I guess at least the monitor alerting is better that not xx

OP posts:
gentlemum · 22/12/2023 18:21

I totally get the worry, I would be the same. But definitely be reassured you've got something to alert you if anything is wrong and although it's gone off a few times already, each time your son was fine x

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 23/12/2023 08:10

How was he last night @BlueEyes1014?

Original poster
BlueEyes1014 · 24/12/2023 08:59

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 23/12/2023 08:10

How was he last night @BlueEyes1014?

We had another night of the alarm going off twice, however last night it didn't go off once. We've bought an Owlet now and his stats on that have stayed in the normal range. We thought we were turning a corner with the diarrhoea as everything seemed to be settling yesterday but he woke for a feed around 3am and wound up throwing up then having more explosive diarrhoea! Has anyone else had Norovirus go on for over a week? He's fine in himself just much reduced appetite for solids (totally derailed his weaning journey) - we just cannot seem to make any progress beyond a few hours without diarrhoea and a day or two without vomiting.

OP posts:
LauraPausini · 24/12/2023 12:04

Has the GP taken any samples from your baby? Little ones do take a while to recover from illnesses unfortunately, but if it persists it might be worth ruling out anything more serious like salmonella etc?

Original poster
BlueEyes1014 · 24/12/2023 16:24

LauraPausini · 24/12/2023 12:04

Has the GP taken any samples from your baby? Little ones do take a while to recover from illnesses unfortunately, but if it persists it might be worth ruling out anything more serious like salmonella etc?

Yeah a stool sample but won't get the results until Wednesday.

OP posts:
Superscientist · 24/12/2023 18:27

BlueEyes1014 · 24/12/2023 08:59

We had another night of the alarm going off twice, however last night it didn't go off once. We've bought an Owlet now and his stats on that have stayed in the normal range. We thought we were turning a corner with the diarrhoea as everything seemed to be settling yesterday but he woke for a feed around 3am and wound up throwing up then having more explosive diarrhoea! Has anyone else had Norovirus go on for over a week? He's fine in himself just much reduced appetite for solids (totally derailed his weaning journey) - we just cannot seem to make any progress beyond a few hours without diarrhoea and a day or two without vomiting.

Show quote history

You can get secondary dairy intolerances after stomach bugs. It's usually temporary

Rosiiee · 24/12/2023 18:35

Not familiar with this monitor but the Owlet tells you why the alarm goes off. You could try popping a few books/pillow under the mattress to create an incline. When you’re congested you sleep better on a few pillows to keep your airways open.

TheShellBeach · 24/12/2023 18:38

Can you consult the paediatrician who prescribed the monitor?

Moonshine160 · 24/12/2023 20:33

Whenever my little one was sick he would get a temporary dairy/lactose intolerance and if he had too much milk in one go it would make him throw up again. Is your baby formula fed? It might be worth trying little and often feeds rather than a full bottle in one go as it might be too much for their stomach to handle after having a virus.

Summersu2023 · 23/05/2024 23:17

@SiouxsieSiouxStiletto Sorry I know this post is old. However my little 1 year d girl has had a stomach bug for almost two weeks, vomiting has stopped and seems fine in herself but has continued diarrhoea. I’ve been to the docs twice and insisted on a stool sample. They keep saying that it can take longer in babies but can you remember how long your little one had this for? I’m finding it really draining and just want her better. I’ve never heard anyone else say it’s been longer than 2-3 days.

TheShellBeach · 23/05/2024 23:19

Summersu2023 · 23/05/2024 23:17

@SiouxsieSiouxStiletto Sorry I know this post is old. However my little 1 year d girl has had a stomach bug for almost two weeks, vomiting has stopped and seems fine in herself but has continued diarrhoea. I’ve been to the docs twice and insisted on a stool sample. They keep saying that it can take longer in babies but can you remember how long your little one had this for? I’m finding it really draining and just want her better. I’ve never heard anyone else say it’s been longer than 2-3 days.

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