CA Providers - Safe Sleep Practices

[Willow]

Wondering if you can clarify, is it ever ok for a provider licensed in your state to allow infants to sleep in "rockers?" (or elsewhere for that matter)

Reason I ask is I ran across a parent in that state who was pretty excited her infant was sleeping so much better in her providers care that way. So excited she went out and purchased on herself for at home.

I thought it was pretty much a nationwide reg that babies are only allowed to sleep in approved cribs/pnp's, flat mattress, empty space but she had me second guessing myself.

I always thought CA was even stricter when it came to that rule than most?


Didn't mean to rain on her parade and I'm hoping I'm wrong, but still felt the need to warn her of the risk. I did link her here to clarify directly but I'm not sure she'll take me up on the offer......thanks for the help if anyone knows

[blandino]

Not in CA, just a comment on the nationwide thing. Nowhere in our handbook does it say that babies AREN'T allowed to sleep in a swing/rocker - it only says that babies each have their own pack-and-play with a tightly fitted sheet available - and that they are initially placed on their back to sleep.

It also says that infants are not left in swings/equipment for longer than 30 minutes while awake. I always assumed that it meant that they were allowed to stay in a swing longer than 30 minutes if they were sleeping.


BUT... I was looking through out online database for a referral's number - and I saw that she was written up for letting a baby sleep in a swing. So I called my licensor, and she said it absolutely isn't allowed.

I always felt like OK was the exception to the "only sleeping in a bed" rule, but apparently we aren't.

To be honest... the language of our regulation still confuses me.

[MarinaVanessa]

I'm in CA. From what I understand those baby rockers (I think your talking about one of these) are only "bad" in family child care and against regulation if the child is strapped in (goes against the reg that says that a child cannot be in a device restrained where he/she cannot get out on his/her own. The easy fix and how I get around that is to push the straps through the strap holes and out of the way and not use them. I have never been told that an infant cannot sleep in one HOWEVER that has never come up with me because I don't let infants sleep in them. For me its another alternative to a swing... something safe to put an infant in.

Technically those devices aren't mentioned in the regulations other than the strap thing so if DC provider doesn't use the straps then I can see her getting away with it but it would depend on her licensor. TECHNICALLY the safe sleep thing (back-to-sleep) is a recommendation but it's not actually a licensing regulation, neither is letting an infant sleep in a carseat . Our licensing only specifies no sleeping in swings and no awake time in cribs.

[Willow]

She didn't specify beyond "rocker" MV but that's what I was thinking it was also

I am shocked that it's not written right in the regs because I could have sworn I heard otherwise and multiple times (from Crystal maybe?)

I'm not sure it's in the written regs but both counties I licensed in licensors made it crystal clear babies are never to sleep anywhere but approved/documented beds deemed safe. Even if a peanut would fall asleep in a stroller on a walk that was a no-no. If they showed up for an inspection and a baby was asleep anywhere but it meant a write up, fine, and/or worse.


She seemed so happy with this provider I hated to rain on her parade so again, I really hope I'm wrong.

[Willow]

Not in CA, just a comment on the nationwide thing. Nowhere in our handbook does it say that babies AREN'T allowed to sleep in a swing/rocker - it only says that babies each have their own pack-and-play with a tightly fitted sheet available - and that they are initially placed on their back to sleep.

It also says that infants are not left in swings/equipment for longer than 30 minutes while awake. I always assumed that it meant that they were allowed to stay in a swing longer than 30 minutes if they were sleeping.


BUT... I was looking through out online database for a referral's number - and I saw that she was written up for letting a baby sleep in a swing. So I called my licensor, and she said it absolutely isn't allowed.

I always felt like OK was the exception to the "only sleeping in a bed" rule, but apparently we aren't.

To be honest... the language of our regulation still confuses me.

Always clear as mud.....I can't say I miss the anxiety that came along with that

[craftymissbeth]

I'm in CA. From what I understand those baby rockers (I think your talking about one of these) are only "bad" in family child care and against regulation if the child is strapped in (goes against the reg that says that a child cannot be in a device restrained where he/she cannot get out on his/her own. The easy fix and how I get around that is to push the straps through the strap holes and out of the way and not use them. I have never been told that an infant cannot sleep in one HOWEVER that has never come up with me because I don't let infants sleep in them. For me its another alternative to a swing... something safe to put an infant in.

Technically those devices aren't mentioned in the regulations other than the strap thing so if DC provider doesn't use the straps then I can see her getting away with it but it would depend on her licensor. TECHNICALLY the safe sleep thing (back-to-sleep) is a recommendation but it's not actually a licensing regulation, neither is letting an infant sleep in a carseat . Our licensing only specifies no sleeping in swings and no awake time in cribs.

wow, I'm honestly shocked that CA isn't super strict about safe sleep regs.

[Cynthia]

Ca

Infants are to sleep in pack-and-play or crib with tightly fitted sheet. No blankets. Also You can not use bouncer, jumpers or walkers. Swing is OK but if they fall asleep you are to lay them down. Don't know what you mean by Rocker ? Are you talking about the old wood rockers that are low to the ground?

[Willow]

wow, I'm honestly shocked that CA isn't super strict about safe sleep regs.

Me too.

I always read them as strictest on almost all fronts.

[daycare]

hey willow, welcome back..

I am in CA...I do believe that it does come down to the grey areas again based on what your licencor would require. I know for a fact that mine is very clear that all infants are only allowed to sleep in cribs or pack and play. all other equipment must be used what it is intended for.

hope this helps. then again if you ask a different licencor, they might tell you different.

[sharlan]

Step on soap box

CA has the grayist regulations of any state in the union.

Step down.

To my knowledge, the rocker/sleepers are legal. Bouncers/exersaucers are the only thing illegal.

I disagree with MV on the straps, but as always, I could be wrong. Not using the straps for infants on the rocker/sleepers or swings would be a misuse of the product. My 4 mo infant would quickly slip out of my swing if she wasn't restrained.

I also use the straps on my highchairs for safety reasons.

[TwinKristi]

Unfortunately I've read this is variable and depends on your contact at licensing, the reasoning and such. When these rules were made this product didn't exist. They can't change really reprint all the regs and make changes based on 1 product. I was told you're not allowed to use basinets and this would be considered the same as that and not allowed BUT someone said their licensor okay'd it with a doctors note for a baby's reflux.
And yes, another part of the gray area is the straps. It's a misuse of the product to not use the buckles but it's against regs to buckle a baby in something "to sleep" in. It's not like a small infant could get out ion their own n a fire anyway, but an older child "buckled/strapped in" is sadly misused by some and prohibited.
I had one for my DS and I loved it! It would be a really great addition to infant care if used properly.

[mom2many]

My LPA said to always submit a picture of the item to licensing to get clearance because of the always changing products & the lack of black & white. California is the worst... No clear cut yes or no's, which to me is the most disconcerting.

[MarinaVanessa]

Infants are to sleep in pack-and-play or crib with tightly fitted sheet. No blankets. Also You can not use bouncer, jumpers or walkers. Swing is OK but if they fall asleep you are to lay them down. Don't know what you mean by Rocker ? Are you talking about the old wood rockers that are low to the ground?

And see in my area if we were to to use blankets the licensor we have would say something but not write us up. It depends always on your licensor. I've had my baby sleeping on the chaise couch before and she never mentioned it. And yea, we have the grayest of the grey here. It ALWAYS comes down to how your licensor is trained and how understanding they are. Mine will make an observation or a warning and allow you to make the immediate chance for some things and not worry about giving a citation. Like she feels for us but is just doing her job so she's going to let it slide type of thing.

[Play Care]

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

[craftymissbeth]

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