From recharging energy to building brain connections, getting sufficient sleep is important for an infant for numerous reasons. There are several guidelines regarding best practices for safe sleeping, many of which are aimed at reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Kiddie Academy’s education team works diligently with experts to ensure these guidelines are regularly updated within each academy and that staff are trained on the latest policies.
As parents, you make an important decision when choosing childcare. Providing infants with a safe place to grow and learn is very important. For this reason, it is imperative to always ask your provider what their sleep policy is and inform your caregiver of any specific needs your child may have.
Believing that proactive steps can be taken to lower the risk of SIDS in the child care setting and that parents and child care professionals can work together to keep infants safer while they sleep, all Kiddie Academy® Educational Child Care locations practice a Safe Sleep Policy to reflect current recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
“Kiddie Academy has always maintained a Safe Sleep Policy and we make it a priority to consistently monitor and update the policy when necessary,” says Leslie Coleman, director of training at Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care. “The most notable change is the removal of all loose bedding, including sheets and blankets, from the cribs. Sleep sacks are now recommended in place of sheets and blankets. “
SIDS can happen at home too, so it’s best to be prepared. Parents, you can reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths at home by following these safety tips from HealthyChildcare.org:
- Place your baby on a firm mattress, covered by a fitted sheet that meets current safety standards. For more about crib safety standards, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Web site at http://www.cspc.gov.
- Place the crib in an area that is always smoke-free.
- Don’t place babies to sleep on adult beds, chairs, sofas, waterbeds, pillows or cushions.
- Toys and other soft bedding, including fluffy blankets, comforters, pillows, stuffed animals, bumper pads and wedges should not be placed in the crib with the baby. Loose bedding, such as sheets and blankets, should not be used as these items can impair the infant’s ability to breathe if they are close to his face. Sleep clothing, such as sleepers, sleep sacks, and wearable blankets are better alternatives to blankets.
To find out more about the Safe Sleep Policy, visit kiddieacademy.com. Remember, back is best!
* SIDS is the unexpected death of a seemingly healthy infant for whom no cause of death can be determined based on an autopsy, an investigation of the place where the infant died and a review of the infant’s clinical history.
