I had to do rescue breaths on my Preemie and I cant get past it. Please help!

Emily - posted on 01/12/2012

Both my children were preemies 34 & 31 weeks. When it was time to take my daughter home I was totaly paronoid of having her without all the monitors so I found the angel care monitor. It's for the crib and detects movement/breathing and will alarm if none is detected after 20 seconds. It gave me so much peace of mind even though it never went off once with her. Fast forward 7 years to preemie #2. He had apniea spells in the nicu and severe reflux (GERD) Insurance only covered the hospital monitor until he "graduated' off it by not having any spells for 30 days, plus he was a "self resolver" meaning he usualy needed no to minor stimulation to snap out of it. I use the angle care monitor for him as well when he's sleeping (he only had spells while sleeping) and since he's been off the "profesional" monitor 5 months ago he's set off the angle care one at least 6 times. Yes he has usualy self resolved and many times the 15 sec warning beep is enough to do it now, I cant even think of not having it just in case. You may want to look into getting one when your little one comes off the hospital monitor. They carry them at babies r us.

Sarah - posted on 01/11/2012

Thank you everyone. They did a ton of tests in the NICU and found out it wasnt refulx. It looks as if it is just his prematurity. We got him out of the NICU 4 days ago and he kept forgetting to breathe in the car. At least now I have an oxygen monitor so when I see it starting to happen I can stimulate him back breathing. Last time we didnt have a monitor and it was too late. @ Crystal, I tried all that and it didnt work. He was for sure not breathing. I actually use to be an EMT and gave it up to work for Hospice and have the last 6 years. But its totally different when its your own. It scared the heck out of me. But, I am doing ok now. We just got oxygen today that he will wear in the car and we are hoping that little bit of flow will remind him to breathe. He just gets too comfy in the car and forgets to breathe. Thank you everyone for the support it means a lot!

Crystal - posted on 01/09/2012

All of my children had GERD (reflux) but only my youngest had consistant breathing issues because of it. She would also stop breathing & turn blueish purple because of the reflux. It was called "dusky episodes". I've been an EMT for 12 years so at first I went straight to rescue breathing until I realized it I immediately changed her position & reminded her to breathe at the same time, flicking her feet, rubbing her back etc, she would return to breathing on her own. I have lost a child (to premature to survive) so I was paranoid, she always slept In my room, I would watch her breathe etc. eventually I realized that the apnea was always very temporary & while it was incredibly scary the chances of her not being able to breathe b/c of the reflux & dying was very slim. Eventually she grew out of the dusky episodes & the reflux. My other 2 had reflux well after they were two - more severe than my youngest but with few breathing issues, my youngest outgrew the episodes around 5-6 months & the reflux around 7-9 months. I would suggest taking an infant CPR class. Doing rescue breaths in an infant is more complicated than in an adult & you don't want to screw it up if it's needed!!! Just remember to stay calm! Keep her head in a neutral position (don't tilt it back - infants trachea's are like non-bendie straws. If you kink it to far it pinches shut & nothing can get through while an adults Is like a flexie straw. Fast short breaths enough to cause chest rise, you should be able to see the chest rise & feel the breath go in and stop before you get resistance. Cover the nose with your mouth & don't come all the way back up after breaths, stay close to look, listen & feel & to give a second breath immediately after. Most states require this class before your baby can be released from the NICU , if you haven't taken it or aren't confident in your ability, take a refresher!!! My oldest aspirated when she was 4 months old from reflux & stopped breathing completely! Knowing CPR saved her life!! My youngest who had constant dusky episodes would always eventually breathe on her own. It was like she got the wind knocked out of her by the acid. Good luck & try to stay calm!

Pam - posted on 01/09/2012

Sarah, what you've been through so far does not seem to be unusual for preemies by any means and what you're feeling is so normal. That being said-it's a totally scary feeling when your child won't or can't breath on his own. My granddaughter is a 27 weeker and was in the hospital for 3 months before coming home on her original due date. She came home on O2 and a monitor. The first time she stopped breathing was totally horrible for all of us, but by the time EMS arrived my daughter had her breathing again and she was fine. This happened on and off for two years-not to scare you even more, it may never happen again with your son and I hope and pray that it does not. My granddaughter came off O2 before she was 2yrs or earlier-but we kept the monitor a bit longer to be safe. She is now a happy and healthy 9 year old in third grade. As Stacy said-take one day at a time and definitely call your dr anytime you are uncomfortable with anything concerning your baby-there are no stupid questions where he is concerned..

ALISHA - posted on 01/09/2012

Similar event happened to my 34 weeker. She was actually a month & 1/2 when I heard her choking in her bassinet. Long story short we weren't given a definite answer as to what happened and was told it was possible acid reflux. I didn't buy it. They wanted to put her on meds but I refused. We have been co sleeping, showering and all of the above together. After that event she is rarely out of my site or less then ARM length away.

Angie - posted on 01/08/2012

My youngest had a similar problem, and was also a preemie. She also has reflux. She quit breathimg several times when she was little. She is now eight months old and I still don't like her to be out of my sight. Remember that you have a tiny baby, hormones that don't really return to normal for at least a year, and you love your baby. Since I went through the same thing, either it's normal or you are not the only mom who goes through it. always follow your mommy instincts. And be proud of yourself for responding and taking care of him when he needed you to help him breathe. I have the upmost respect for you.

Stacy - posted on 12/29/2011

I have a 25 week preemie and within 2weeks of our initial release from the NICU he had several episodes of lowered heart rate and difficulty breathing(we were released initially wit a monitor) He spent an additional 2weeks in PICU...even after being assured they had figured out why he was having the problems after the NICU, I still found myself constantly worried they had overlooked something and he should stay in the hospital. He is now a happy healthy 18month old...just take it one day at a time and if ever something doesnt feel right push til you have an answer yo are satisfied with. There is nothing that could ever compare to fear a parent has when they have to watch their baby struggle to do something as basic as breathing

Candace - posted on 12/29/2011

My niece who is full term suffers from the same thing. She has had a few of those episodes and while it is scary try to stay poisitve and strong for your little one. He should be fine. The hospital stay is usually just to make sure the reflux is the cause and if he's on a breathing machine until he's able to breathe again on his own. I know for my niece they kept her on the machine for a few days just to give her lungs some rest. She has never had to be in there for more than 2 weeks. If you have any questions feel free to message me. I have been dealing with my niece and her acid reflux since May of last year