Baby listening devices and apnoea monitors

Two categories of monitor are available: baby listening devices, and specialist apnoea monitors. Baby listening devices are on the market in department stores, pharmacies and supermarkets. They cost in the range of approximately 20 Pounds-45 Pounds, and can be plugged in or portable. Though not a necessity on health or safety grounds, listening devices are popular with parents, who find them reassuring. Apnoea monitors are designed to sound an alarm if the baby stops breathing. They are generally only used in special circumstances, for example where there has been a previous cot death. Though parents can purchase an apnoea monitor direct from manufacturers, the monitors are more usually supplied when a baby is discharged from hospital and used under guidance from health professionals, e.g. through the Care of Next Infant (CONI) scheme.