CA Providers - Safe Sleep Practices

[Blackcat31]

If the item is the same that MV posted, I'm fairly sure there is a notice on the product saying it's not intended to be used for sleeping (I believe Cat Herder noticed it the last time someone asked about using the same item for baby sleeping) I realize you all are talking regs here. But we all know that if, heaven forbid, that baby dies while sleeping in the rocker, the state will crucify her because the item specifically states it's not to be used for sleeping. IMO, this is common sense CYA on a providers part, and if a provider really needs a reg to tell them not to sleep an infant in an item that says it not to be used for sleeping... You know where I'm going with that

Of course the VERY first line in the advertisement of these rockers (from the link MV posted) says "Wonderful sleep spot for newborns with a gentle rocking action"

The first sentence in the description says "The Fisher-Price Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeper provides a comfortable, safe place for baby to sleep overnight, or a convenient place for baby to relax during the day."

[Play Care]

Of course the VERY first line in the advertisement of these rockers (from the link MV posted) says "Wonderful sleep spot for newborns with a gentle rocking action"

The first sentence in the description says "The Fisher-Price Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeper provides a comfortable, safe place for baby to sleep overnight, or a convenient place for baby to relax during the day."

I went through to see if I could find the part that was mentioned about it not being meant for sleeping - couldn't find that, but saw the item has been recalled. There are also several one star reviews claiming the chair exacerbates or causes toricollis(sp?) and flat head issues ( to be fair though I believe the back to sleep campaign is responsible for many flat head issues).

[Play Care]

Okay, so I googled, and found and article that states the item does not meet AAP safe sleeping guidelines. I'd link but I'm in the nap room on my ipad.
Maybe that's what the poster in the other thread was referring to.

[Play Care]

http://pediatricinsider.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/the-fisher-price-rock-n-play-sleeper-is-not-for-sleeping/

recalled due to mold issues:

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Fisher-Price-Recalls-to-Inspect-Rock-N-Play-Infant-Sleepers-Due-to-Risk-of-Exposure-to-Mold/

[BrooklynM]

California is clear as mud! On so many issues it's so confusing. I'm fortunate I have an awesome licensor who emails me back (sometimes it takes him a couple of days) and he is very open to questions and offers suggestions. He refers most often to common sense, but also what is the safest and best practices.

Personally I wouldn't use a rocker like that for the baby to sleep in. For the infant I have who is 4 months, she sleeps in a travel lite pack n play (I love it because it's smaller than the standard pack and play but just as sturdy). It's right in the playroom just separated by a gate (so the toddlers can't get to her )so I can always keep my eyes on her. I found putting a sleep machine under it and turning it up fairly loud along with the kids being loud and playing music makes her sleep pretty well.

The parents had her sleeping in a swing at home so it was a transition, so I've gradually gone from just before she falls asleep in the swing to putting her down to sleep to almost not using the swing at all. She's mostly on the floor when not sleeping and is starting to scoot around a few inches and rolling over. I also do tummy time a few times a day as well. I think she's actually happier spending less time in the swing!

[MarinaVanessa]

I went through to see if I could find the part that was mentioned about it not being meant for sleeping - couldn't find that, but saw the item has been recalled. There are also several one star reviews claiming the chair exacerbates or causes toricollis(sp?) and flat head issues ( to be fair though I believe the back to sleep campaign is responsible for many flat head issues).

Well it's called the Fisher Price Rock N' Play Sleeper and like BC says, the description encourages sleeping in it and says it's good for babies with acid reflux ... wonder why parents think it's ok to have their baby in it 24/7 even for sleeping . Um, no. Not really. I'm not surprised that parents use them for sleeping all of the time. The name, directions and description tells you that's what it's for.

I think that just like any other product similar to this one or meant to contain a child (like excersaucers, bouncy chairs, swings, bumbos etc) people need to use their good judgment and use it in moderation as well as changing their position or allowing movement. If you do that babies won't get flat heads, floppy baby syndrome and you can reduce the chance of sids. Really it's people that use particular items in moderation that create the need for so much regulation. It's the few that affect the many.

[Play Care]

I think that just like any other product similar to this one or meant to contain a child (like excersaucers, bouncy chairs, swings, bumbos etc) people need to use their good judgment and use it in moderation as well as changing their position or allowing movement. If you do that babies won't get flat heads, floppy baby syndrome and you can reduce the chance of sids. Really it's people that use particular items in moderation that create the need for so much regulation. It's the few that affect the many.

I do want to speak to this - many people, including myself, either limited or never used "devices" with their babies and *still* wound up with children with flat head issues. I speak out because the prevalent attitude is that if parents just moved baby, held baby and didn't "contain" baby, then baby's head would be round and for many, that simply wasn't true. Both my kids were STTN (in their cribs) by an early age. They napped on their backs as well. When they were awake they were upright, held or on the floor in various positions. Older DD has a really bad flat spot and younger DD also has a small flat spot. The only time they were on their backs for long periods was during sleep. I believe the AAP downplays the issues with flat head caused by back to sleep and is instead trying to push blame on to parents. Or make parents feel shallow when they bring their concerns to the doctor because in their line of thought a flat head is better than a dead baby...When we brought our DD's flat head to the ped's attention, their first line of advice was to limit devices. Gee, hadn't thought of that. Then they told us her head would round out once she was off it - well, perhaps, but not when she sleeps 12-14 hours a night on it...Are there some who keep babies in devices too long? Sure. But most people who have infants spend a lot of time holding baby and keeping baby upright/off their backs while awake. They wear them rather then put them in the stroller or keep them in the infant seat, etc.
The ironic thing is that every parent I know IRL who have kids with perfectly shaped heads (the things I notice) admits to sleeping baby on their tummy (on occasion) from an early age. I'm not saying all people do this, but I'm starting to think it's more common than we think.

[MarinaVanessa]

I do want to speak to this - many people, including myself, either limited or never used "devices" with their babies and *still* wound up with children with flat head issues.

I also included "changing positions" but yes sometimes you can still get flat heads. Sometimes babies just favor a particular position.

[Play Care]

I also included "changing positions" but yes sometimes you can still get flat heads. Sometimes babies just favor a particular position.

I meant to include changing positions in my post

I used towels and blankets to try to prop dd on her sides, on the advice of the nurses in the hospital. We made sure to switch sides when we put her in the crib, moved her music thing to different sides so she would turn her head, etc. there's a growing number of us who have done *all* the right things and still have kids with flat heads.
I'm not picking on you, just trying to address the fallacy that if we just did x,y, and z then it wouldn't happen.

[MarinaVanessa]

I meant to include changing positions in my post

I used towels and blankets to try to prop dd on her sides, on the advice of the nurses in the hospital. We made sure to switch sides when we put her in the crib, moved her music thing to different sides so she would turn her head, etc. there's a growing number of us who have done *all* the right things and still have kids with flat heads.
I'm not picking on you, just trying to address the fallacy that if we just did x,y, and z then it wouldn't happen.

No offense taken, don't worry. I get it. Sometimes things happen even if we do everything we can think of to reduce the chances of getting any of the above. It's the knuckleheads that I worry about, the ones that don't know any better or that do but don't bother anyway. Those are the ones that ruin it for the rest of us.