July Sparklers 2016!

[Babylove100]

We plan to have baby in with us until at least 6 months so I'm thinking there's no need as well.

 

[WantsALittle1]

For those who already have children, did you use a breathing monitor as well as the standard baby monitor? I've read reviews but it seems the breathing monitors tend to go off when they shouldn't causing more anxiety than not having one!!! Just wondered what your thoughts are.x

My two cents, but I couldn't have survived the first year of both my kids' lives without one provided you are referring to the movement monitors that alarm if they detect no movement (a proxy for breathing). I have anxiety issues, and the first few nights we had DD home from the NICU, I didn't sleep, not a wink. Even though we did proper SIDS prevention sleep practices (put to sleep on her back, no blankets, stuffed animals, or pillows in the bassinet, always with a binky) I was terrified that she would stop breathing in the middle of the night. We had an Angelcare movement monitor and that is what finally allowed me to get sleep. We only ever had false alarms when there was an identifiable cause--the pad was not set up properly and the mattress wasn't contacting it, or LO was down at the foot of the bed far from the pad, and wasn't making enough contact with the pad. We never had a random alarm when LO was positioned properly on the pad.

What we did have is an occurrence with DD at around 6 months old where the alarm went off and I rushed in to check on her. She was centered correctly, and the mattress was not tilted. She wasn't moving. I put my hand on her chest to shake her and she took a deep gasp and coughed a very wet, mucusy/milky cough. The doctor was quite dismissive and said it was likely a false alarm, as DD checked out fine on a subsequent physical exam, but I disagree. I think the Angelcare at MOST saved my daughter's life, and at LEAST identified an choking or apnea episode that we would have otherwise had no idea about. She never had another episode so we didn't pursue the issue, but frankly, I used the movement monitor every day until she was 2 With DS, we used it until he was 18 months, when the alarms got to be too much because he insisted on sleeping at the foot of his crib and the pad never had good contact with the mattress. With DS we had one episode where the alarm went off when he was 2 months old. I went to the bassinet and saw no movement, put my hand on his chest and he took a huge deep breath. Again, pediatrician was dismissive and said very young babies have irregular breathing and it was likely not a life-threatening episode, blah blah. The doctor is probably right, but in my opinion, the movement monitor works, because it caught a lull in breathing for both of my kids, even though they were likely NOT life threatening episodes. But who knows. Luckily we never had to find out because the movement monitor caught it and allowed us to intervene and stop whatever it was.

 

[Babylove100]

Wow, Thank you WantsALittle1, that has definitely given me food for thought!!

 

[Rhi_Rhi1]

We used the Angel care pad monitor also. It only went off once but it was our error. You don't half move when they do go off though! We use a bedside crib and 50/50 bedshare and use the crib. The pad can be a pain in the ass if you forget to turn it off but then again it's just doing its job

 

[MelliPaige]

When are you girls buying things? Have you started? We have! Especially as we have two on the way and they could come early. I want to be all ready and prepared by week 30!

I have most baby stuff since I kept stuff from my daughter. I did buy a cute knitted blue outfit last week (kept the receipt since I didnt know the sex yet, but had a hunch and it was too chte to pass up). Now that I know I have a boy for sure, Im just going to buy a few cute outfits as I see them. I also want to get some of those self-swaddling blankets with the velcro, as I suck at swaddling. Anyone know of a good brand?

I think mine was a swaddleme brand. I had a few Velcro bit my favorite for my newborn zipped. It didn't fit him long bit it was always super snug, but stretchy. I'll see if I can find a pic

 

[Babylove100]

We're having a baby boy!! So happy!!!

 

[WantsALittle1]

Yay Babylove, congrats on team !

 

[DandJ]

Congrats!

 

[wanna-b-mummy]

Yayyyy congrats on a beautiful blue bump!

 

[Hollynesss]

Welcome, Caitie!

Congrats Laughingduck and BabyLove on your blue bumps!!!

WantsaLittle1, thank you for sharing that story! I've been looking at the Owlet monitor that goes on baby's foot, but they are SO expensive and I worry that Love Bug would kick it off in the middle of the night.

 

[WantsALittle1]

Hollynesss, how do those ones work? I've never understood it!

 

[Hollynesss]

Hollynesss, how do those ones work? I've never understood it!

It monitors baby's heart rate and the oxygen concentration in baby's blood, kind of like when a doctor clips an oxygen monitor to your finger. If baby stops breathing, the heartbeat and oxygen concentration in the blood will drop rapidly and the alarm will go off. It sends a signal to your phone, or you can buy a separate monitor. This monitor has gotten really great reviews!

 

[ehjmorris]

We're having a baby boy!! So happy!!!

Congratulations

 

[WantsALittle1]

Hollynesss, how do those ones work? I've never understood it!

It monitors baby's heart rate and the oxygen concentration in baby's blood, kind of like when a doctor clips an oxygen monitor to your finger. If baby stops breathing, the heartbeat and oxygen concentration in the blood will drop rapidly and the alarm will go off. It sends a signal to your phone, or you can buy a separate monitor. This monitor has gotten really great reviews!

omgosh that sounds even better than what we had--we may have to get one! I can't believe they basically make pulse oximeters over the counter!

 

[ehjmorris]

Has anyone else still been getting the odd cramps every now and then? I dont know if its because the baby is sitting so low still or my pants are right on him or her or if im doing too much lol but they are very uncomfortable

 

[MelliPaige]

Has anyone else still been getting the odd cramps every now and then? I dont know if its because the baby is sitting so low still or my pants are right on him or her or if im doing too much lol but they are very uncomfortable

Yes! Last pregnancy I was told it was round ligament pain but it hurts a little worse this time around

 

[wanna-b-mummy]

Has anyone else still been getting the odd cramps every now and then? I dont know if its because the baby is sitting so low still or my pants are right on him or her or if im doing too much lol but they are very uncomfortable

Yes! Low down crampy feeling that feels like a mixture of AF cramps, poo pains and round ligament /muscular pains. Spoke to my midwife about it on Wednesday and she said it's completely normal as at this stage the baby is growing so quickly your muscles and everything takes a bartering. I also notice mine start or are more achy if I've done a lot of cleaning and running about!

 

[ehjmorris]

Oh thank god its not just me haha although i rather we didnt have it but oh well just shows this lil one is growing

 

[Rhi_Rhi1]

Yes and it freaks me out a little bit at times, i don't think i will feel comfortable until 24 weeks and i feel more safe. I'm super paranoid this time around i think.

 

[ehjmorris]

Me too! the worrying never stops