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nannyde 04:01 PM 07-09-2017
For providers who take babies from birth to one, can you tell me an average over the last five years (or since you started doing care) of the percent of babies that enter daycare with the ability to sleep in a safe sleep position and safe sleep environment when they begin care?

I'm specifically asking about the ability to sleep flat on their backs (for the ones who can't flip from back to belly), sleep on a flat horizontal firm surface, sleep without ANYTHING in crib or playpen including lovies, blankets, cloth, sleep without equipment such as swings, carriers or vibrating seats, sleep without being held, walked, or rocked.

Are you receiving babies who have parents who follow safe sleep practices? If they are not, do you feel comfortable discussing safe sleep practices with them and do you document that you have discussed these with them and offered whatever resources you offered?

In my last group of babies in Des Moines, I had one of five babies that slept on back, did not require cloth, motion, bottle, hold, walk, rock to get to sleep when they entered care.

Of the ones who could not, what were they used to before care and how long did it take before they were able to in your care? What percentage did inability to sleep safely end up being termed by you or parent?
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Claraskids 08:11 PM 07-09-2017
1st baby - enrolled at 8 weeks - was a catnapper till around 6 months but slept with no issues according to safe sleep practices. One of my favorite babies ever!
2nd baby - parents broke every rule in the sleep book. Joined us at 5 months and was still being swaddled for sleep. Had a stuffed animal, sound machine, rocked to sleep, amber teething necklace, black out curtains, etc. Finally termed at a year because he screamed 90% of the time and parents refused to work with me.
3rd baby - enrolled at 3 months. Mom swore he slept on back with no blankets. Dad confessed after two months of no naps for me that he had a favorite blanket and was being swaddled. It was a mutual term.
4th baby - enrolled at 3 months. Another dream baby. Followed all safety rules and sleeps like a champ. Another favorite!
5th baby - enrolled at 4 months. Parents pulled him from another dc because they found him sleeping in swing on multiple occasions. Took a while to break him of that habit, but he is doing well now.
6th baby - enrolled at 6 weeks. Have only had her for about a month now. So far, so good....

So I guess that puts me at 4 out of 6 babies had parents that followed the back to sleep guidelines. With my last few baby enrollments, I have stressed really hard that I will term if parents set me up for failure by not preparing baby for childcare. This seems to have helped weed out the difficult parents/babies.
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Leigh 09:10 PM 07-09-2017
Originally Posted by nannyde:
For providers who take babies from birth to one, can you tell me an average over the last five years (or since you started doing care) of the percent of babies that enter daycare with the ability to sleep in a safe sleep position and safe sleep environment when they begin care?

I'm specifically asking about the ability to sleep flat on their backs (for the ones who can't flip from back to belly), sleep on a flat horizontal surface, sleep without ANYTHING in crib or playpen including lovies, blankets, cloth, sleep without equipment such as swings, carriers or vibrating seats, sleep without being held, walked, or rocked.

Are you receiving babies who have parents who follow safe sleep practices? If they are not, do you feel comfortable discussing safe sleep practices with them and do you document that you have discussed these with them and offered whatever resources you offered?

In my last group of babies in Des Moines, I had one of five babies that slept on back, did not require cloth, motion, bottle, hold, walk, rock to get to sleep when they entered care.

Of the ones who could not, what were they used to before care and how long did it take before they were able to in your care? What percentage did inability to sleep safely end up being termed by you or parent?
I have had exactly ONE baby come to me used to sleeping on his back-his mom works in a local daycare center (I am a home daycare). She works in the infant room at her center and he is by far the easiest baby I've ever had because she worked from day one to try to train him for daycare (sleeping on his back with no toys/blankets/bumpers in his crib, starting from day one to train him to spend some time without being held, never wore him, never co-slept). He is the happiest, most pleasant little boy. Laughs and smiles all day and is by far the most CONFIDENT little man I've ever met. He RARELY cries, and when he does, it is nearly always because his nap time is approaching (he is on a great schedule).

I've had 2 that were just never able to adjust to nap time and couldn't stay here. One coslept with Mom every night (dad was banished to the couch and is still there 2.5 years later). The other was 9 months old, neglected medically and physically, and was left to sleep in a swing or car seat at home often (her dad told me that she slept best in those two locations).

Other kids are used to being rocked to sleep (I rocked my own son to sleep at night, but put him down awake during daytime naps because I knew that the daycare couldn't rock him to sleep), or they sleep in Rock N Plays or swings or with Mom.

I've had parents demand that their infant needed a blanket or toy to sleep with, could only sleep while being held (and thought I would hold him the entire nap period), ones who needed to be "bounced" to sleep.

I address safe sleep at every interview and let expectant parents know that, for the sake of their child's happiness, they MUST train them to sleep at daycare. They MUST learn to sleep flat. That I CAN'T rock them to sleep every nap period. I provide a brochure and a flyer about safe sleep to them, as well. I tell them that blankets in the crib can kill their baby. I tell them that flat on their back is the safest way to sleep.

I have never documented my discussions about safe sleep, other than having parents sign a spot in my contract/handbook stating that their child will not be allowed a blanket, toy, bottle, etc. at my home and that they will sleep flat in an approved crib or pack n play.

Resources? I just give information on safe sleep. I give advice on how to put the baby down drowsy, but awake. I will give suggestions on how to keep a 9 month old from waking them in the night for a bottle and ending up in their bed. If they'll listen, I'll keep giving advice. If they don't, I hope that the child will adjust. Most do, but it isn't easy for them, for me, or for the other kids.

I wish they could all see how much of a difference it makes-my current child who is so happy and confident (and is hitting milestones incredibly early) is that way because his parents made him that way. They taught him that he is capable of sleeping on his own, being on the floor, and doing things for himself. He can self-feed. He drinks from a sippy and is working on an open cup. He is taking steps. All because of his parents and their dedication to giving him that confidence.
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Josiegirl 02:26 AM 07-10-2017
Most of my dcks have been enrolled older than baby stage. But the 1 I currently have started at 3 mo and I had to sleep train her. They used a rock'n'play, swing, car seat, all tucked up snug and cozy with a blanket at home or held her til she fell asleep.
I've got another one coming early fall and mom says he falls asleep in the swing, rock'n'play, arms, etc. So another one that will have to be trained.
I simply tell the parents I'm not able to do all that and have a print-out posted on my bulletin board informing them about safe sleep.
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Cat Herder 03:14 AM 07-10-2017
100%, in the last five years, but I am probably an exception. I enroll mostly newborns and interview during pregnancy where these things are discussed heavily with brochures sent home.

I also live in a tiny town, work EMS part time, am a known SIDS mom, have been in business for 23 years and everyone knows me or my reputation. Safe Sleep simply isn't an issue here.
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DaveA 04:17 AM 07-10-2017
The four babies I've enrolled the last couple years have all been sleep safe babies. Probably because the two hospitals/ medical groups both have really good pediatric medicine and do a ton of community information outreach.
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284878 08:00 AM 07-10-2017
#1 -6 weeks - cosleep at home and was bf, my first family. He won't take more than 2 oz at a time and would wake everytime I laid him down on back after he fell asleep in swing. Only time he stayed asleep for more than 20, was when he was sick. Dcm wanted me to use a sleep sack. No pacifier. They stayed five months until DCM lost her job. Never sleeped well. Older sibling would not sleep a just lay in pnp, always tired and would strip clothes off, under 18 months (11 months apart)
Looking back I should of termed, DCM was "educated" and did not want anyone to tell her anything different.

#2 - 9 months - laid down with out issue after bottle. Used pacifier. Left with siblings.

(Had drop in twins that came one at a time, once a week, neither napped here, that I recall. But they would cry/scream if put down. Ended after DCM lied to me.)

#3 - 8 months - cry for any reason, except nap time. He would lay right down, no fussing with a pacifier. DCM sent blanket for him to play with, I sent it home.

#4 - 4/5 months - was in between DC so he was only here for three weeks. Slept great on back. I don't recall if he had a pacifier, but leaning towards not.

#5 6 weeks - had to rock to sleep the first couple weeks for morning nap but no issues for second nap. DCM brought a sleep sack even though I said no during interview. Slept well. Used pacifier.
When DCM and dcd started cosleeping (according to dcd) at about ten months when he would wake at night, he would cry for a bit here before sleeping, after a few naps he stopped crying.

#6 -4/5 months - goes right to sleep, uses pacifier. DCM wanted me to use a baby movement/breathing device, said no.
Spit up a lot after bottles, so fell asleep in bouncy (no vibration), once asleep moved to PNP without trouble. Would take cat naps on the floor in between naps, sometimes would stay asleep when picked up and just take an extra nap or early nap. Currently does not spit up anymore, goes right down may talk a little before falling asleep.

I do address safe sleep in interview with a safe sleep flyer and stating sate laws on infant sleeping. Family #1 did not want to be told anything, after all she was educated and I wasn't.

I do not have anything currently to pass out but I could/should add that to things I give parents. I normally give parents a stack of take away during interview, any freebies that I may of gathered about local resources and kid friendly events.
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Leigh 10:18 AM 07-10-2017
Originally Posted by 284878:
#1 -6 weeks - cosleep at home and was bf, my first family. He won't take more than 2 oz at a time and would wake everytime I laid him down on back after he fell asleep in swing. Only time he stayed asleep for more than 20, was when he was sick. Dcm wanted me to use a sleep sack. No pacifier. They stayed five months until DCM lost her job. Never sleeped well. Older sibling would not sleep a just lay in pnp, always tired and would strip clothes off, under 18 months (11 months apart)
Looking back I should of termed, DCM was "educated" and did not want anyone to tell her anything different.

#2 - 9 months - laid down with out issue after bottle. Used pacifier. Left with siblings.

(Had drop in twins that came one at a time, once a week, neither napped here, that I recall. But they would cry/scream if put down. Ended after DCM lied to me.)

#3 - 8 months - cry for any reason, except nap time. He would lay right down, no fussing with a pacifier. DCM sent blanket for him to play with, I sent it home.

#4 - 4/5 months - was in between DC so he was only here for three weeks. Slept great on back. I don't recall if he had a pacifier, but leaning towards not.

#5 6 weeks - had to rock to sleep the first couple weeks for morning nap but no issues for second nap. DCM brought a sleep sack even though I said no during interview. Slept well. Used pacifier.
When DCM and dcd started cosleeping (according to dcd) at about ten months when he would wake at night, he would cry for a bit here before sleeping, after a few naps he stopped crying.

#6 -4/5 months - goes right to sleep, uses pacifier. DCM wanted me to use a baby movement/breathing device, said no.
Spit up a lot after bottles, so fell asleep in bouncy (no vibration), once asleep moved to PNP without trouble. Would take cat naps on the floor in between naps, sometimes would stay asleep when picked up and just take an extra nap or early nap. Currently does not spit up anymore, goes right down may talk a little before falling asleep.

I do address safe sleep in interview with a safe sleep flyer and stating sate laws on infant sleeping. Family #1 did not want to be told anything, after all she was educated and I wasn't.

I do not have anything currently to pass out but I could/should add that to things I give parents. I normally give parents a stack of take away during interview, any freebies that I may of gathered about local resources and kid friendly events.
Your state's department of health or department of social services would probably be able to send you those brochures at no charge. I order my safe sleep and mandated reporter brochures online through the state's website (and they are free). You could also probably print them off yourself from a PDF on their website.
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Blackcat31 06:33 AM 07-10-2017
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
100%, in the last five years, but I am probably an exception. I enroll mostly newborns and interview during pregnancy where these things are discussed heavily with brochures sent home.

I also live in a tiny town, work EMS part time, am a known SIDS mom, have been in business for 23 years and everyone knows me or my reputation. Safe Sleep simply isn't an issue here.
This is me as well but ONLY because I don't accept infants unless coming from a currently enrolled family and because I "educate" the parents about my expectations and requirements BEFORE baby actually attends.

I also have ZERO qualms about calling for pick up if at ANY time the baby shows me the parents didn't do their homework.

So like Cat Herder, 100% of my infants in the last 5 years have been rock stars at the required routines for safe sleep.
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KiwiKids 06:26 AM 07-10-2017
Two were not sleep ready for me but mom and dad worked with me immediately and we got things working as well as we could with their part time schedule. Their work days required a 5am wake up so it was an uphill battle even with us all working together. Both kiddos were siblings who started with me at 6 weeks. And by 4 months old we had a good routine.

Another was a co-sleeper. I did get the baby napping successfully by 5.5 months, but after a summer off at home the child lost all ability to sleep without an adult close by. Kiddo switched to half days and we made it through the school year and then the mom switched to working at home. I will never again put myself in this situation. I loved the family and the child but we were incompatible in too many ways.


Most recent baby came to me totally trained for safe sleep and it was so nice! She's thrived in care from day one and is well rested every day.

I do feel comfortable discussing safe sleep practices. My husband as a first responder many years ago did CPR on an 11 week old who was found unresponsive in an unsafe sleep situation. He's a homicide detective now and investigates too many baby deaths from unsafe sleep practices. I will not budge on safe sleep guidelines and am very clear in my interviews.

I have not documented it in the past but that's not a bad idea. Maybe a safe sleep guidelines form to sign when baby starts care? I like that idea.
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Cat Herder 06:37 AM 07-10-2017
Originally Posted by KiwiKids:
Maybe a safe sleep guidelines form to sign when baby starts care? I like that idea.
That is actually a required enrollment document in many states with printable forms available on many of the CCR&R websites for free.

http://ncchildcare.nc.gov/pdf_forms/...le_revised.pdf
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KiwiKids 06:40 AM 07-10-2017
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
That is actually a required document in many states with printable forms available on many of the CCR&R websites for free.
I am legally unlicensed at the time. I have my own four kids who are still little so I only keep 4 extra. I include a print out of safe sleep guidelines in the enrollement paperwork they take home and go over it verbally but haven't gotten it signed for my records in the past.
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Cat Herder 06:48 AM 07-10-2017
Originally Posted by KiwiKids:
I am legally unlicensed at the time. I have my own four kids who are still little so I only keep 4 extra. I include a print out of safe sleep guidelines in the enrollement paperwork they take home and go over it verbally but haven't gotten it signed for my records in the past.
No judgement. Was trying to save you document creation, time and $$, only.
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KiwiKids 06:57 AM 07-10-2017
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
No judgement. Was trying to save you document creation, time and $$, only.
Oh I didn't take it that way! I looked and it isn't required. Not even a "here's a brochure please read it " ...I'm not shocked, my state is hit or miss with regulations but you'd think safe sleep would be deemed essential. I will however take your advice and save myself the time and look up a form vs creating one. Thank you!
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Unregistered 10:22 AM 07-11-2017
Originally Posted by nannyde:
For providers who take babies from birth to one, can you tell me an average over the last five years (or since you started doing care) of the percent of babies that enter daycare with the ability to sleep in a safe sleep position and safe sleep environment when they begin care?

--- I have had 8 infants in the past 5 years. None did a total safe sleep environment at home.

I'm specifically asking about the ability to sleep flat on their backs (for the ones who can't flip from back to belly), sleep on a flat horizontal firm surface, sleep without ANYTHING in crib or playpen including lovies, blankets, cloth, sleep without equipment such as swings, carriers or vibrating seats, sleep without being held, walked, or rocked.

Are you receiving babies who have parents who follow safe sleep practices? If they are not, do you feel comfortable discussing safe sleep practices with them and do you document that you have discussed these with them and offered whatever resources you offered?

---- Clearly I am not receiving infants whose parents are following safe sleep practices. At our first meeting (often pre-birth) I ask if they know about safe sleep practices, and give them a safe sleep brochure, which I document on my interview form. We discuss how much easier it makes adjustment to childcare when our sleep practices are the same. We review my policies, which include a page on safe sleep.
At enrollment, parents receive the policy book, and sign that they agree to follow the policies.


In my last group of babies in Des Moines, I had one of five babies that slept on back, did not require cloth, motion, bottle, hold, walk, rock to get to sleep when they entered care.

Of the ones who could not, what were they used to before care and how long did it take before they were able to in your care? What percentage did inability to sleep safely end up being termed by you or parent?
---- 2 in rock n plays, 1 co-slept with parents, 1 on tummy + blanket, 1 with blanket over face, 1 bounced on an exercise ball until asleep, 1 with pacifier attached to an animal, 1 on a prescribed wedge in a sling due to reflux.

It took from 0 - 4/5 weeks to get them to sleep here according to our safe sleep environment rules. I did not term anyone.
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Unregistered 12:25 PM 07-11-2017
In the last few years Ive had 0 babies out of 2 who were able to begin care and sleep according to safe sleep practices. Ist baby was 10 mos old beginning care, coslept. He never did sleep well but eventually was able to transition to a mat. It took 6+ months. Mom had received safe sleep info from me and a rural health resources nurse who made weekly visits to clients home due to economic risk factors. Second baby was 6 week old also coslept, could not sleep using safe sleep pract but was removed from mother's care into cps custody after 3 weeks. Apparently mom had addiction issues. She was also given advice and information on safe sleep and was receiving services (parenting classes and home visits) through cps. Ive since not enrolled any more infants.
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TheMisplacedMidwestMom 02:28 PM 07-11-2017
I'm still new... but so far 1 of 4, that I've started, safe slept at home. However the one that does safe sleep is picked up for any crying and does not sttn at 9 months, so we've had to work on the longevity of naps. I had a mom suggest I prop a bottle in the crib for my current 3 month old. He's getting in the groove though with some white noise. I can only have 4 kids (unlicensed) so the low ratio really helps my ability to cater to those who need help with the transition. (read: I can deal with a lot more crap because I only have a few kids )
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Tags:confinement, confinement equipment, infant sleep, positional asphyxia, safe sleep, sids, sids prevention, sleeping positions, suid, suids
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