Owlet Cares is our advocacy initiative that is dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of babies and parents. One way we do this is by partnering with nonprofits all over the world who share our mission. These groups participate in our 3:1 match program. When they purchase one Owlet product, we match it with two, meaning three families are reached.
Each month, we shine a spotlight on one of our foundation partners and the important work they are doing. This month, we’d like to introduce you to Allison Uecker, co-founder of the Briggs & Barrett Project - an organization dedicated to raising awareness of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUIDS).
In her words, here is her family’s story.
By: Allison Uecker
Our sweet 3 month old boy whose smile could light up the darkest room. He had an incredible bond with his big brother and knew nothing but LOVE.
It was a Friday.
December 15th, 2017 to be exact.
I was getting the boys up for the day after I had gotten ready for work. Barrett was laying wide awake in his crib just looking around. When our eyes met his face lit up and he had the biggest smile I’ve ever seen. We went through our normal morning routine and I dropped the boys off at daycare. I’m a nurse in an orthopedic clinic and it was a typical Friday at work finishing up paperwork from the week and preparing for the next.
About 10:45am, my cell phone started ringing. It was a number I didn’t recognize and I decided to answer it because I knew my husband was hunting. It was daycare on the phone. Barrett stopped breathing. At that moment my whole world stopped. My heart sank to my toes. I practically ran down the stairs to the Emergency room while calling my husband for him to meet us there. My mind raced a million miles a minute thinking how he was scheduled to be baptized that Sunday.
My husband met me in the Emergency room right as the ambulance with our baby in the back was pulling in. The Emergency room doctors and nurses worked on him for a time that felt like eternity. We got a hold of our pastor to come baptize Barrett. Then the doctor came in to us. It was decision time. At that moment, our hearts were shattered. I walked to my baby, looked him in the face and did the hardest thing that no parent should have to do. I laid my hands over the nurses' hands to make her stop the compressions. She laid her hands over top of mine. I sobbed. I placed my shaking hand over his head. He was so cold. But in that tragic moment there was peace. He looked so happy and peaceful. He is now dancing with the angels with the most beautiful wings.
SIDS. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently well baby. SIDS can occur when a baby is asleep or, occasionally, while they are awake. Barrett is the rare occasion in which he was awake. He was laughing and playing one second and the next he was gone.
Since Barrett passed away, my husband and I have been blessed with 3 more energetic little boys. The baby phase was so hard for me. I couldn’t sleep because I was constantly worrying… until we found Owlet.
Owlet brought me so much peace of mind as the mom of an infant after loss. Having that Owlet on my baby gave me the reassurance that I needed that everything was going to be okay. I knew that I could see those oxygen and heart rate levels and I could sleep knowing it would alert me if needed. After using it for 3 babies it has alerted me on multiple occasions that my baby needed assistance. One time its alerts led us to a late-night hospital visit where my baby was diagnosed with RSV.
I thank God for Owlet every day. The peace of mind it has provided me is unlike anything else.
Author Bio:
Allison is co-founder of the Briggs & Barrett Project and is mom to five boys.
The quotes, stories, and experiences included here are those of the individuals and are not representative of Owlet's views or claims about our product. Individuals were not paid and did not submit their information as part of any paid promotion by Owlet.
Dream Sock® is intended to track babies’ heart rate and oxygen level and keep parents informed. BabySat™ is a prescription-only device. Dream Sock and BabySat are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or other condition, including but not limited to, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and/or Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Medical decisions should never be made solely using Dream Duo and Dream Sock data. BabySat (prescription-only), Dream Duo and Dream Sock should not substitute for the care and oversight of an adult or consultation with medical professionals.
