1. Be sure you seat belt the monitor in the car to keep it from "flying" in case of sudden stops.

2. Allow at least 30 minutes per day to air the baby’s skin from the monitor belt. (Otherwise mold and mildew can grow, as well as skin irritation.) There’s nothing more embarrassing than removing the belt at the doctor’s office to find mold has grown on the belt!

3. Request "sticky" electrodes to alternate with the belt during the day or night. They will allow more air circulation to the skin.

4. Remember NOT to apply baby lotion, oil, or soap to the electrode "spots" on the baby’s chest. They interferes with the electrodes and can produce MANY false alarms.

5. Consider using a stroller or baby carriage in the house when baby sleeps. You can roll the baby with the monitor around the house, even into the bathroom so you can shower!

6. Charge your unit during the night so you can take it with you on battery back-up during the daytime.

7. Unless your pediatrician prescribes it, do NOT have the monitor company interpret your data when they download they memory. This is merely an added charge for the insurance company and you.

8. Unless your pediatrician has suggested LONG long term usage (over a year), do not purchase the monitor. It is much cheaper to rent by the month. They go for about $2000 when purchased.

9. Before you come home, call your fire department or rescue squad and inform them you will have a preemie with a monitor in your home. They will enter this info in their computers and be immediately prepared if you ever have to call 911 (hopefully NEVER will happen!).

10. Consider having your baby’s cradle or bassinet in your room. This way the cord can reach to your bed, if you need to breastfeed or cuddle back to sleep. It also makes it easier to check baby when an alarm sounds. You get to turn it off quicker, stimulate them faster, and hopefully return to sleep.

11. When baby can start pulling and reaching the cord, tuck it through their diaper, out the foot of the sleeper, and under the mattress and through the bars of the cradle or crib. While it can’t prevent their reaches, this will at least hinder them. Or place under a pillow that is near (but not next to) the baby.

12. If using electrodes with separate lead wires, knot the wires at the top, again in the middle and once more at the bottom. This will help to keep the baby from becoming entangled in 2-3 separate wires.