Safe Sleep Ready Babies

[Unregistered]

My BOSSES insist on giving infants under 1 year blankets, and they put infants who can't roll over to sleep on their stomachs.They leave them to sleep in swings/bouncers.

I REFUSE. I don't care if they sleep better that way and mom says it's ok. I will rock/hold them until they are drowsy, but I try to put them down when they are still awake. (If they go down TOO awake, they scream and won't go to sleep).

Unfortunately, I'm the only one who enforces safe sleep, so any progress I make is undone.

[Blackcat31]

My BOSSES insist on giving infants under 1 year blankets, and they put infants who can't roll over to sleep on their stomachs.They leave them to sleep in swings/bouncers.

I REFUSE. I don't care if they sleep better that way and mom says it's ok. I will rock/hold them until they are drowsy, but I try to put them down when they are still awake. (If they go down TOO awake, they scream and won't go to sleep).

Unfortunately, I'm the only one who enforces safe sleep, so any progress I make is undone.

Are you working in a licensed center?

If so you can report anonymously without fear of losing your job. Post your state and I’ll find the contact info if you need it. Please call/report.

Good for you for refusing... :hug:

[Unregistered]

Yes. I am... in New Jersey.


The state only likes to come in when I'm trying to get the littlest ones down for morning naps (around 10am). Figures. First time they came about a month and a half ago, they got mad at me because one tiny little boy was on his stomach. They didn't believe that someone that small could roll over on his own (he can actually sit up, go from crawling to sitting, and even pull himself up- he just turned 7 months). I DID put him down on his back, but if he wants to roll over and sleep on his stomach, then I'm not going to stop him. (Unfortunately, he was half asleep when I flipped him back onto his back even though I know that once they can get in and out of that position, it's fine to leave them- I just did it to appease the state inspector. Naturally, he screamed his head off, and was so distressed, he didn't flip himself back over). There were also blankets in cribs because there were kids other teachers had put to bed with blankets- even though they were too young. (They also like to drape blankets over the crib bars to "block the light." I kind of understand their logic, but it also means that we can't see through the crib bars when looking over to check on the children).

Second time the state came, I was trying to get 4 under 8 months down for morning naps. Only cribs with blankets were for the children over 1. Other teachers put the infants down with blankets, and I usually don't touch them because I'll get yelled at for waking the kids, but I will remove EVERYTHING before placing a child in a crib if s/he is under 12 months. I don't care that DCB's dad requests we put some terrycloth towel under him when he sleeps, or that DCG supposedly can't sleep without her blanket. The only thing I WILL use is a sleep sack if the child has one.

We provide sheets and blankets at my job, but some parents prefer to bring their own sheet/blanket. The excuse for not using sleep sacks is because parents don't bring them, but I honestly don't think any of the parents have been told: "Due to Safe Sleep and New Jersey licensing requirements, children under 12 months cannot have any stuffed animals or blankets in their cribs. If you would like, you can bring in a sleep sack for your child, but s/he cannot use his/her blanket in the crib."

We do have one child, around 16 months old, who has two sleep sacks in his crib. Both are for 0-6 months, so he's too big for them. Occasionally, we have used them for two of the younger babies (I didn't realize they belonged to this particular child since he was much too big for them, and I can't keep track of which blankets belong to the school and which ones belong to the daycare since nothing is labeled properly). I will place the child INSIDE the sleep sack and zip them into it properly. Other teachers, lay it over them like it's a blanket- which completely defeats the purpose of it.

[Unregistered]

Are you working in a licensed center?

If so you can report anonymously without fear of losing your job. Post your state and I’ll find the contact info if you need it. Please call/report.

Good for you for refusing... :hug:

I work in a small center. 3 full-time staff members, 3 part-time (the director and assistant director are only there part-time) with about 19-20 children enrolled. The parent of our youngest (just turned 5 months) is ok with him being put to sleep on his stomach. Clearly, I'm the only one with a problem, so I'm worried that even if I report "anonymously," it won't be too difficult to trace things back to me. I don't have any other source of income, so I'm trying to hold onto this job at least until I have another job lined up.

[Josiegirl]

Running into problems with my current dcbaby who is 6 mo. He won't fall asleep unless he's in his bouncer or the swing. Then every single time you go to move him, he wakes up screaming and refuses to go back to sleep. :confused: His mom comes at noon to nurse him and usually he hasn't slept at all so is so extremely tired by then. But the minute his head hits the crib, he's wide awake. :confused: My last infant seemed so easy to transition to good naps. Not sure how to change this one around.

[Unregistered]

Oh my goodness.

One of our 7 month olds is currently asleep in a swing. Other teachers know he fell asleep,but I’m not going to be the one to move him into his crib. I just can’t deal with the drama today.

Apparently, at home, his parents put pillows under his crib sheet to “cradle” him so he’ll sleep.

One of my coworkers asked if they wanted us to do that here.

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

[Cat Herder]

but I’m not going to be the one to move him into his crib.

Then you are part of the problem.

You are required to act.

[Unregistered]

Thing is, I’m the one who will get yelled at for moving him into his crib. I already get in trouble enough for removing blankets and not putting infants down on their stomach.

[Cat Herder]

Thing is, I’m the one who will get yelled at for moving him into his crib. I already get in trouble enough for removing blankets and not putting infants down on their stomach.

Elicit change. One small voice recorder. Let them yell, upload, attach to email to licensing.

Email accounts are free and unlimited. Reporting can be anonymous.

You will be on the recording explaining that it is unsafe and illegal.

When they come answer honestly in your interview.

[Blackcat31]

Thing is, I’m the one who will get yelled at for moving him into his crib. I already get in trouble enough for removing blankets and not putting infants down on their stomach.

Being yelled at OR being a player in a potentially dangerous practice that could result in something tragic....

Hmmm, I am pretty sure which option I'd go with.

Sometimes being the adult means being an adult and doing what's right even if its not the easiest.

[Unregistered]

I am SO scared of losing my job. I'm absolutely TERRIFIED of being unemployed, so I really don't want to rock the boat too much here.

But I also don't want anything to happen because I keep my mouth shut.

Trust me, if I had another job lined up, I would have no problem reporting to licensing... for this. For food being left out.

But I don't have any other source of income, so I'm really stuck.

[Cat Herder]

I am SO scared of losing my job. I'm absolutely TERRIFIED of being unemployed, so I really don't want to rock the boat too much here.

But I also don't want anything to happen because I keep my mouth shut.

Trust me, if I had another job lined up, I would have no problem reporting to licensing... for this. For food being left out.

But I don't have any other source of income, so I'm really stuck.

This is something your childcare resource and referral person can help you with. Call them. It will be worth it. They will do a surprise inspection, interview everyone, offer training and monitor improvements. It will improve your job, not cost you it. They have no interest in telling the owner/director their sources, they count on us to help them.