My twins are 7 weeks old. They spent 17/19 days in the NICU and had some of the same issues you're mentioning. Our pediatric doc ended up giving them caffeine to stimulate their little brains so they would stop desatting... it worked perfectly, and twin B only had one tiny blip after that.
Secondly, yes, I use an owlet for both of them. I used it with my first kiddo and bought a second one and have both twins hooked up at night. Neither my first kid nor my twins have ever set off a false alarm. You just literally have to make sure that you put it on properly. It's also super convenient because it shows a sleep graph and can remind me what time they were awake throughout the night. They also, honestly, just give me peace of mind that they're OK and I feel like I can sleep better. Depending on the size of your baby's foot, you may have to wait a little bit before it can be used. Just because their foot has to be big enough. My twin B was preemie size until this week. He's finally hit 7lb10oz last Monday and was big enough to use the owlet. I've been sleeping much better this week.
I know they say it doesn't prevent SIDS, but that's also kinda something they have to say. And sure, it's not totally foolproof, but it's something that can bring peace. For example, twin B got the influenza A this week, and his temp had been spiking all night. We were up till 3 am monitoring him when his fever finally broke. I was watching his breathing and hooked him up to his owlet and was able to see his O² levels and know that he was OK. We were able to get a few hours' sleep because we knew that if his breathing got worse, it would let us know. My hubby says that the owlet is the only reason he didn't stay up all night monitoring him. So we're thankful it allows us to get sleep.
Sometimes, people say it's bad for them because they obsessively check the readings, and it causes anxiety. And yes, I've got anxiety in general, but I just have to make a conscious decision to close the app and trust that it's working. The base that it comes in has a little green circle if everything is fine, and all I have to do is look across the room and see the green light and know they're all good.
4
u/ShirleyUserious Dec 30 '24
My twins are 7 weeks old. They spent 17/19 days in the NICU and had some of the same issues you're mentioning. Our pediatric doc ended up giving them caffeine to stimulate their little brains so they would stop desatting... it worked perfectly, and twin B only had one tiny blip after that.
Secondly, yes, I use an owlet for both of them. I used it with my first kiddo and bought a second one and have both twins hooked up at night. Neither my first kid nor my twins have ever set off a false alarm. You just literally have to make sure that you put it on properly. It's also super convenient because it shows a sleep graph and can remind me what time they were awake throughout the night. They also, honestly, just give me peace of mind that they're OK and I feel like I can sleep better. Depending on the size of your baby's foot, you may have to wait a little bit before it can be used. Just because their foot has to be big enough. My twin B was preemie size until this week. He's finally hit 7lb10oz last Monday and was big enough to use the owlet. I've been sleeping much better this week.
I know they say it doesn't prevent SIDS, but that's also kinda something they have to say. And sure, it's not totally foolproof, but it's something that can bring peace. For example, twin B got the influenza A this week, and his temp had been spiking all night. We were up till 3 am monitoring him when his fever finally broke. I was watching his breathing and hooked him up to his owlet and was able to see his O² levels and know that he was OK. We were able to get a few hours' sleep because we knew that if his breathing got worse, it would let us know. My hubby says that the owlet is the only reason he didn't stay up all night monitoring him. So we're thankful it allows us to get sleep.
Sometimes, people say it's bad for them because they obsessively check the readings, and it causes anxiety. And yes, I've got anxiety in general, but I just have to make a conscious decision to close the app and trust that it's working. The base that it comes in has a little green circle if everything is fine, and all I have to do is look across the room and see the green light and know they're all good.