Research tells us a safe sleep environment for infants helps lower the risk of Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (SUID) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
First Circle provides a safe sleep environment and follows safe sleep practices as detailed below. This policy reflects MA EEC safe sleep regulations and policy statements, as well as recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (updated October 2023). Families are provided with Safe Sleep policy information prior to enrollment. All staff caring for infants receive training on how to implement our infant Safe Sleep Policy. Training is renewed annually.
SAFE SLEEP ENVIRONMENT
CRIBS
Each infant has their own individual crib. Only one infant may be in a crib at a time, unless during an actual or practice evacuation.
We use cribs with a firm, properly fitted mattress and tight-fitting sheet so that there are no gaps between the mattress and the wall of the crib. Children’s faces are placed at least 3 feet from each other, and the cribs may not contain any potential head entrapment areas.
All cribs comply with current (as of 10/1/2023) CPSC crib standards, including manufactured date of on or after 06/28/2011, and are regularly checked to be in good repair.
Car seats, swings, and other sitting devices are not allowed for sleep. If an infant arrives sleeping in a car seat, they will be moved to crib and their outer clothes will be removed.
BLANKETS, PILLOWS + TOYS
No blankets of any type are used for the napping of children under 12 months in age. Blanket-sleeper type pajamas or sleep sacks may be used as an alternative to a blanket.
We do not allow any blankets, comforters, pillows, stuffed animals, wedges, positioners, bumper pads, or other soft, padded materials or toys to be placed in cribs with an infant.
Swaddling is prohibited for any child as soon as the infant is able to try to roll over. Weighted swaddles, weighted clothing, or weighted objects are prohibited.
AROUND THE CRIB
Hanging objects such as mobiles, crib toys, or mirrors that can be reached by the infant are not allowed.
Spaces used for sleeping infants are lit enough to allow supervising staff to see each infant’s face and skin color.
Infants may be transitioned to a mat at 15 months old. Between 12-15 months, a child may transition to a mat if they are developmentally ready and there are no medical reasons that conflict with this decision.
SAFE SLEEP PRACTICES
SUPERVISION
All infants are always under direct visual supervision.
SLEEP POSITION
All infants under 12 months old are placed on their backs for napping, resting, or sleeping unless the infant’s health care professional provides a written order for a medical reason.
We always place an infant to sleep on their back initially and follow all other safe sleep regulations. Once an infant can roll over on their own, they are allowed to adopt the sleep position they prefer. We will note if the child is able to roll over on their own.
We make sure that an infant has enough supervised tummy time, so that they can develop proper head and neck control and become comfortable with this position.
BOTTLES, PACIFIERS + TOYS
We may offer a pacifier while placing an infant to sleep, as long as the pacifier does not have cords, clips, fabric, or a blanket attached that might be a suffocation/strangulation risk.
We will not prop a bottle or let an infant fall asleep sucking on a bottle.
We may use a special sleep toy to comfort an infant before they go to sleep, but it is not allowed in the crib.
CLOTHING + JEWELRY
We reduce the risk of overheating by not over-dressing or over-wrapping infants and maintaining the room environment at 68-72 degrees.
Jewelry of any kind will be removed prior to placing a child to sleep, unless the child’s parent has given the program written consent to leave jewelry on during sleep.