Sleeping in Swing

[MommyMuffin]

I am not a childcare provider. I was but decided to just be a sahm. Recently I decided to care for an infant of a friend.

The baby is 9 weeks old. He has acid reflux and has to be in an upright position or he pukes and cries. She asked that I keep him upright and let him sleep in bouncy or swing.

I have been fine with this and he is doing well, I keep him in the living room with me.
She had said in the beginning that she would get a doctors note if I were to get my dc license.

I have no intrest in being licensed and even if I was the note wouldn't matter....it is a huge no no.

Anyways I can't help but be a little scared because of the information I have read about babies dying from positional asphyxiation.
What would you do?

[NoMoreJuice!]

There is absolutely no way I would comply with that mom's request. I would explain to her why it's dangerous and try to educate her on the dangers of positional asphyxiation. It's a real danger, and not a risk I would take for anyone. If the reflux is that severe, she needs to discuss med options with her pediatrician.

[LysesKids]

there is absolutely no way i would comply with that mom's request. I would explain to her why it's dangerous and try to educate her on the dangers of positional asphyxiation. It's a real danger, and not a risk i would take for anyone. If the reflux is that severe, she needs to discuss med options with her pediatrician.

ditto

[jgcp]

I had never heard about this until the other day! My own ds had acid reflux and I had him propped up ( not in a full sitting position but still) all the time Now I just feel down right stupid for doing it!!! Now all I keep thinking is WHAT IF..... Nope never doing it again with any baby, so crazy there isn't more on this out there, ive never had any dr or training specialist say anything about this and that is so crazy to me. I would just tell the mother that even if she got a note from dr you still couldn't... 9 weeks is so little.

[Blackcat31]

It has nothing to do with licensing for me.

I will NOT allow a child to sleep in ANY way that is a danger to them on my watch.

I've worked too hard and for too long for what little I have. There is NO WAY in H3LL I would ever take a risk like that whether I was licensed or unlicensed.

It's not my fear of losing my license nor my fear for the baby's safety that would stop me from allowing an infant to sleep in a bouncy or swing.

It's my fear of prison/jail and my fear of having to live with the guilt.

[laundrymom]

This.

It has nothing to do with licensing for me.

I will NOT allow a child to sleep in ANY way that is a danger to them on my watch.

I've worked too hard and for too long for what little I have. There is NO WAY in H3LL I would ever take a risk like that whether I was licensed or unlicensed.

It's not my fear of losing my license nor my fear for the baby's safety that would stop me from allowing an infant to sleep in a bouncy or swing.

It's my fear of prison/jail and my fear of having to live with the guilt.

[MyAngels]

I'm seeing more and more that doctors just don't get that safe sleep extends well beyond just making sure babies aren't put on their stomachs. I can't tell you the number of times over the past 5 years or so that I've heard from parents of infants that their pediatricians are telling them it's perfectly ok for their babies to sleep in swings, bouncy seats, car seats, etc.

Many parents are taken aback when I am adamant about not allowing their infants to sleep anywhere but in the crib or playpen. There have been a few who have not signed on with me because of it. I think they think I'm mean ::.

The PP who suggested that she be working with her doctor is correct, but I'm not sure how far it will really get her.

[Blackcat31]

I'm seeing more and more that doctors just don't get that safe sleep extends well beyond just making sure babies aren't put on their stomachs. I can't tell you the number of times over the past 5 years or so that I've heard from parents of infants that their pediatricians are telling them it's perfectly ok for their babies to sleep in swings, bouncy seats, car seats, etc.

Many parents are taken aback when I am adamant about not allowing their infants to sleep anywhere but in the crib or playpen. There have been a few who have not signed on with me because of it. I think they think I'm mean ::.

The PP who suggested that she be working with her doctor is correct, but I'm not sure how far it will really get her.

It's because Dr's have NO risk or liability.

They can say whatever words they want and IF something tragic should ever happen, they NEVER even get mentioned. It's always the caregiver that is left holding the bag.

[Annalee]

It's because Dr's have NO risk or liability.

They can say whatever words they want and IF something tragic should ever happen, they NEVER even get mentioned. It's always the caregiver that is left holding the bag.

If a parent looks hard enough, they find the doctor that will agree to their wishes...I have a dcm right now who has a quack doctor that gives her doctor note for EVERYTHING she wants....I have told her this is MY daycare and NO MORE DOCTOR NOTES. You are right, providers are the ones left holding the bag... Crazy

[MarinaVanessa]

I have to agree with BC here. For me it's not about licensing but about liability. I have a client right now with a 3 month old and he is sick. He doesn't have a fever or anything, he's just got his first cold and is congested so he has trouble breathing when he's lying down. Their doctor recommended that they allow him to sleep in the swing or a bouncy seat during the day and to use a wedge in his crib during the night so he can be upright. I wouldn't have been ok with this had I've been asked to do this (bouncy seats aren't allowed in daycare at all in CA anyway and neither is allowing them to sleep in a swing for this VERY reason). I wouldn't have had an issue with using the wedge since I can fit it in his pack n play here at daycare and it's not propped up too high but THEY decided to stay home with their little one on their own, I have even told them it was ok to bring them and they prefer to stay home ot care for him this week ... and had no hesitation in paying me for the week even though he has only come 2 days this week (he's my FTer). THOSE are the parents you like keeping around

[hope]

Chance of Acid reflux or chance of death???? Not a hard call.

[daycarediva]

Leaving siblings in the car

It's to the point that even my neighbors and other dcp's are questioning it.

Two families-
1 has a older sa child who attends a SA program. They typically pick him up first, then swing by here to grab the younger kid. Problem is, younger kid is seriously in charge. Last night it took 15 minutes for them to get kid ready and out the door. I REFUSE to step in at this point (that's a whollleee nother post). Last night child unbuckled himself, climbed out of the car and was playing in my front yard

other family- 4mo, drops off to me first (leaves kid in car) picks up kid here first (leaves kid in the car). dcm has been SUPER quick about drop offs but pick up is a different story. Monday, she picked up, came in with a coffee for me, we chatted for a bit in the back while the kids were playing and then she mentioned something about 4mo and I said "Where IS 4mo?" She was outside for a good 20 minutes!

NAPPING IN THE CAR.

WHY WHY WHY!? Of course I have said something to both families- it's even illegal in my state. I do NOT want to be the daycare on the news when (a 100% preventable) tragedy strikes.

At this point, what would you do?

[Heidi]

Perhaps a solution would be to put the baby in the crib or playpen, but to elevate one side of the crib slightly so he's more upright. We did this when my son had ear infections; put a couple unit blocks under one side of his crib. So, he'd still be on his back.

In WI we can use a blanket (or sleep sack or swaddling), but it must be tucked around the crib sides and bottom and under the babies arms.

[Play Care]

It's to the point that even my neighbors and other dcp's are questioning it.

Two families-
1 has a older sa child who attends a SA program. They typically pick him up first, then swing by here to grab the younger kid. Problem is, younger kid is seriously in charge. Last night it took 15 minutes for them to get kid ready and out the door. I REFUSE to step in at this point (that's a whollleee nother post). Last night child unbuckled himself, climbed out of the car and was playing in my front yard

other family- 4mo, drops off to me first (leaves kid in car) picks up kid here first (leaves kid in the car). dcm has been SUPER quick about drop offs but pick up is a different story. Monday, she picked up, came in with a coffee for me, we chatted for a bit in the back while the kids were playing and then she mentioned something about 4mo and I said "Where IS 4mo?" She was outside for a good 20 minutes!

NAPPING IN THE CAR.

WHY WHY WHY!? Of course I have said something to both families- it's even illegal in my state. I do NOT want to be the daycare on the news when (a 100% preventable) tragedy strikes.

At this point, what would you do?

About the older kid in the year, I'd have the younger one ready to go and hand them out the door. "DCM, I can't have Timmy on my property unsupervised while you get Johnny, it's a huge liability. I'm sure you can understand. Have a good night!"

The baby in the car? I probably wouldn't do anything. But I'd probably have other child ready to go and just say "I just get nervous about baby being alone in the car, so I thought I'd get Jr ready to decrease the time. You just see so many things on the news lately!"

[daycarediva]

About the older kid in the year, I'd have the younger one ready to go and hand them out the door. "DCM, I can't have Timmy on my property unsupervised while you get Johnny, it's a huge liability. I'm sure you can understand. Have a good night!"

The baby in the car? I probably wouldn't do anything. But I'd probably have other child ready to go and just say "I just get nervous about baby being alone in the car, so I thought I'd get Jr ready to decrease the time. You just see so many things on the news lately!"

Thanks, I kind of hijacked that thread.