14. When a relative or sitter comes to take care of baby, remember to explain how to turn the monitor OFF! This will prevent a crisis when the monitor won’t stop sounding!

15. Keep a flashlight beside the baby’s bed to check when the alarm sounds.

16. Precondition the plastic electrodes before each usage by rubbing with a DAMP (not wet) washcloth.

17. Always place the monitor below the baby’s level to prevent a pulled cord from dropping it on the baby.

18. Be watchful of pets and the monitor cords. Cats like to eat the lead wires and dogs can easily become entangled in the cord when they are excited around the baby- both causing catastrophe.

19. Remember that choking (in relation to reflux) is not usually registered by the monitor until it reaches bradycardia.

20. Ask your pediatrician when the slow heart rate alarm should be decreased. Usually around 6 months of age a baby’s resting heart rate normally decreases, which can create a TON of false alarms.

21. Learn the difference between a loose lead alarm and an actual alarm BEFORE you leave the hospital. This can save frazzled nerves.

22. When traveling, always double check that you are leaving each location with all your monitor parts, including the charger. It can be scary to realize something is 500 miles away on a Sunday, when even fed ex doesn't’t deliver.

23. Remember that as the baby grows out of the apnea and bradycardia, they will learn to self-stimulate to induce breathing again. You will probably hear 1-2 beeps on the monitor and then they correct themselves.

24. Most importantly, if your pediatrician feels your baby is ready to come off the monitor, and YOU aren't’t, talk with them about your fears. Most times the doctor will agree to lengthen the usage a little while longer.

25. Be prepared for questions from friends, relatives, and strangers. Many times it is easy to explain, "because my baby was born early, his brain sometimes forgets to tell him when to breathe. The monitor lets us know so we can help stimulate his body to remember until his brain learns this skill".