Be aware that monitors are not perfect.
Most apnea monitors will miss some apneas. For example, they may mistake body movements for breathing. Also, if your baby has apnea due to choking, the monitor could mistake the movement caused by choking for breathing.

Use your monitor.
Be certain to monitor your baby as prescribed. Although it is not perfect, the monitor will detect most apneas not caused by choking. Most monitors will also warn you if your baby's heart rate becomes abnormal. But the monitor can only do its job if it is turned on and properly connected to your baby. Don't stop using the monitor until your doctor says it's okay.

Be tolerant of false alarms.
False alarms can't be completely avoided. Some of them are actual apneas where the monitor alarm has stimulated your baby to breathe again. Movement, loose lead wires or improper placing of the electrodes may cause many false alarms. Sometimes adjusting the monitor to reduce the number of false alarms may increase the chance of the monitor would miss a real apnea. Do not try to adjust the monitor yourself.

Do not sleep in the same bed as your baby.
Touching or moving near your baby, the monitor or the cables could fool the monitor and cause it to miss apneas. This can actually happen when a person or a pet sleeps in the same bed as the monitored baby.

Keep children and pets away from the monitor and your baby.
Children and pets might disconnect the monitor and cause other accidents.

Be sure that the alarm is working.
Be sure that the monitor is working during the self-test. Check the alarm before each use. If the alarm does not work well, call your equipment provider immediately. Watch your baby closely until the problem is resolved.

Be sure that you can hear the alarm.
Make sure you can hear the alarm from all rooms and while there is noise in the house. Have someone test the monitor alarm while you are in other rooms or a noisy environment. If the alarm is difficult to hear, ask your provider for a remote alarm.

Check the monitor's breath detection indicator.
Listen while your baby breathes and watch the "breath" or "respiration" light on the monitor (if your unit has one). While your baby is breathing quietly, the light should flash once for each breath your baby takes, although it may flash additional times when you baby is moving. If you baby is breathing quietly and the "breath" or "respiration" light does not flash accordingly, contact your equipment provider immediately.

Keep the monitor at least a foot away from sources of interference.
Interference could fool the monitor and cause it to miss apneas. Sources of interference include electrical appliances such as blankets, waterbed heaters, TV's, air conditioners and cordless phones. Sometimes, draperies and rugs made of synthetic fabrics can also cause interference with the monitor due to static electricity.

Be aware that radio signals may interfere with monitor operation.
If you live close to a strong transmitter such as, TV, AM or FM radio, police or fire station, a HAM radio operator or an airport, their signals could be picked up as heart and/or breath signals by your monitor. Checking your monitor's heart indicator and breath detection indicator can help to determine if you monitor is affected by this interference. In some locations, it may not be possible for the monitor to work properly.

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Be sure to read, understand and follow the instructions in the manual that comes with the apnea monitor.