Sensitive question about baby monitors

[bissym]

I really hope this doesn't upset anyone and I really appreciate any responses to the question.
I have an Angel Care monitor with the sensor pads; mine's only ever gone off if I've forgotten to turn it off when taking DD out. I've read a few posts on here where the alarm has gone off and it has saved babies' lives though I'm wondering if anyone has actually dealt with the situation where bub has stopped breathing but the alarm hasn't gone off.
The reason I ask this is i'm wondering if the sensor pads work every time...though I guess if anyone has dealt with this then my peace of mind having a monitor will go out the window...but at least I know that still checking on DD is important with or with out the monitor...sorry for the babble there.:o

[Js Mum]

I have actually had bub stop breathing full time, but for a few eeks I did have him holding his breath - I bever realised this as I didn;t have the monitor in his bassinette as he was in my room, so only realised when I put him into the cot (he is a very shallow breather so I cant hear his breaths...)

Scared the absolute bejingoes out of me, the first few times he did it, he actually set the alarm off, so when I got ti him I thought it had been a false alarm as he'd be awake and crying, but I guess he learnt what was happening and woudl start to breath at the first beep before it woke him. And at least I knew what was going on, and after watching his reaction in his sleep when it gave that first warning "beep", I am glad I had it - the beep actually was scaring him in his sleep and would make him breath again, without the full alarm sounding. Each time it beeped he'd sit up in his sleep and start breathing again, then lay back down

He still cant sit himself up unaided when he's awake - go figure this one...And it would be funny watching this if it hadn't been so scary at the time!