Apnea Monitoring at Home for Children – How to do
A home apnea monitor is a machine that observes a baby’s heartbeat and breathing. It sounds an alarm if there is a problem.
Home apnea monitors are recommended for babies who show signs of minor breathing difficulties before being sent home from the hospital. They are commonly recommended for babies who:
- Were born prematurely.
- Have a family history of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Are on oxygen.
How to use a home apnea monitor
Your baby’s health care provider will teach you:
- How to use your home apnea monitor.
- What to do when the alarm sounds.
- How long to use the home apnea monitor.
- When to use your home apnea monitor. Usually home apnea monitors are recommended when a baby is sleeping, napping, resting, or riding in a car.
Follow your baby’s health care provider’s instructions carefully. The process for using your apnea monitor may look something like this:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Gently wash and dry your baby’s chest. Do notapply any powder or lotion to your baby’s chest.
- Your apnea monitor may have a belt or wires and stick-on patches (electrodes). Make sure these items are in the right place and secure. There should be no loose connections.
- Place the belt or electrodes across the baby’s chest and armpits. The belt is the correct tightness if only one finger fits under the belt when it is secured.
- Thread any loose wires through your baby’s clothing. Keep them away from his or her neck and face.
- Turn the monitor on.
If the alarm sounds, check on your baby immediately. If your baby is struggling to breathe, massage and stimulate your baby as directed by the health care provider. Do notshake your baby. If your baby is breathing normally, make sure the belt or patches are clean and in the right position. Dirty equipment or equipment that is not in the right place can make the alarm go off. Sometimes nothing is the matter. False alarms are common.
How to care for your home apnea monitor
- Gently clean the belt or patches every day as directed by your baby’s health care provider.
- Keep an extra belt and patches on hand at all times. Call the apnea monitor company if you need an extra set.
- Keep the monitor plugged in so it is fully charged at all times.
- Keep
the monitor away from:
- Objects that can interfere with the electrical current, such as televisions, microwaves, and radios.
- Small children.
- Water. Never use the monitor near water.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Home apnea monitoring can be stressful. Discussing your concerns with your baby’s health care provider or talking with parents who have used an apnea monitor before may help relieve some of your stress.
- Some minor skin irritation from the belt or wires and patches is normal. Ask your baby’s health care provider how to best care for your baby’s skin.
- Keep
important phone numbers handy in case you have questions or concerns.
These include:
- Emergency numbers.
- Your health care provider’s number.
- The apnea monitor company’s number.
- Follow up with your baby’s health care provider as directed.
- Make sure anyone caring for your baby is trained in CPR and home apnea monitoring.
Get help right away if:
- You are not able to stimulate your baby’s breathing.
- Your baby is pale or bluish in color and not breathing.