Heads up MD providers

[Rachel]

What is their definition of a toddler? With extended breastfeeding a child all the way up to five could be breast feeding.

This is going to lead to many providers only accepting formula fed babies.

If I had this regulation, I wouldn't accept any breast fed babies. I don't want to be forced to do onsite feeding. (I don't do onsite feeding for any child whether breast, bottle, cup etc. Nothing personal.)

I don't see anything in the reading that says it applies only to breast fed babies. It seems like you would need such an area even if only for formula fed babies.

[Leigh]

Privacy, electrical outlet and running water for someone to express milk at my house :confused: I guess they can have the tree house, garden hose and an electrical extension cord.

It is just as close to their own homes as mine during their lunch hour. Why would I host expressing milk?????? I don't mind hosting a separate small playroom freezer for expressed breast milk storage (which is my reg)... but hosting the actual expression too? I don't do adult care.

Forget it. Way out of hand.

I don't understand this, either. WHY is it the duty of a provider to provide a place to express milk?!?!? I could see them requiring a provider to allow breastfeeding (which I also would not agree with requiring), but a person can pump nearly anywhere-the mom's employer is already required to provide a place, so WHY would a parent have to drive to daycare to pump? It's ridiculous!

[nannyde]

I don't see anything in the reading that says it applies only to breast fed babies. It seems like you would need such an area even if only for formula fed babies.

It says breastfeeding.

[Unregistered]

I just saw the proposed changes to the MD regs , they start on page 3 . Here are a few of the changes .

http://marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/child_care/licensing_branch/docs/Partners/PartnersNewsletterFall2014.pdf

Rooms Used for Care
– When approved for infants and toddlers, a designated space is provided for mothers to breastfeed or express breast milk that is not located in a bathroom, has access to an electrical outlet, appropriate seating,
access to running water, and accommodates a mother’s need for privacy.

Training Requirements
– Effective January 1, 2016, complete approved training in supporting breastfeeding practices
(if approved for infants and toddler care) and three clock hours of approved training in complying with the Americans
with Disabilities Act.

General Supervision
– Provide supervision that is appropriate to the individual age, needs, capabilities, activities, and
location of the child and may include, but not be limited to making reasonable accommodations for a child with special
needs in accordance with applicable federal and state law, and allowing an adult who provides specialized services to
a child in care having special needs to provide those services at the home in accordance with the child’s individualized
education plan, individualized family services plan, or written behavioral plan.

Activities– Screen Time Activities
1.
The following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
(a) “Passive technology” means non-interactive television, videos, and streaming media.
(b)
“Interactive technology” means educational and age-appropriate technology designed to facilitate active
and creative use and to encourage social engagement with other children and adults, including programs,
applications (apps), non-commercial television programming, videos, streaming media, and e-books.

2.Limited use of appropriate interactive technology may support, but may not replace, creative play, physical
activity, hands-on exploration, outdoor experiences, social interactions and other developmentally appropriate
learning activities for children aged two and older.

3.Children under the age of two may not view any passive technology.

4.Children two years old and older may view no more than thirty minutes of age-appropriate, educational passive
technology per week.

5.Exceptions.
(a)
Occasional exceptions to the weekly passive technology viewing limit may be made for special events or
projects, including holiday or birthday celebrations, or educational content related to curriculum.
(b)
Written records shall be kept on file for exceptions to the weekly passive technology viewing limit, documenting the title and length of the programming viewed and the reason for the exception.

6.No children may view any:
(a)
Passive or active technology during meals or snacks unless such viewing is included in the child’s Individualized Family Service Plan, Individualized Education Plan, or similar document, or
(b) Media with brand placement or advertising for unhealthy or sugary food and beverages.

7.The provider/operator shall give the parent of each enrolled child a written screen time policy addressing the
use of passive and interactive technology.

Well......since this private nursing area will need to be implemented into my daycare space, which, btw, I could easily accommodate but have never needed. Add the need for my tax ID number, which since licensing does not pay me, I feel is totally unnecessary and just another way to control us, I've had enough. After 27 years I'm punching out........I will not be renewing my registration. I will be going unregistered and just continue to care for my grandchildren until a desired position opens up elsewhere.
Too PC for me. Too much control over what is supposed to be my business.

[Unregistered]

They will probably leave it up to the parent to decided what PRIVACY means to them.





But I bet, it WILL be considered discrimination according to QRIS ... any of the star rating or accreditation programs. :dislike:

Maybe I misunderstood this, but what does breastfeeding have to do with The disability act?
Does anyone know?

[sugar buzz]

Privacy, electrical outlet and running water for someone to express milk at my house :confused: I guess they can have the tree house, garden hose and an electrical extension cord.

That mental image almost made me spit my coffee out--::::::

[Second Home]

Maybe I misunderstood this, but what does breastfeeding have to do with The disability act?
Does anyone know?

I don't know but since the new mandatory training includes both support for breastfeeding and ADA I bet it will figure in there somewhere .At least that is what it sounds like to me .

[Second Home]

Rooms Used for Care
– When approved for infants and toddlers, a designated space is provided for mothers to breastfeed or express breast milk that is not located in a bathroom, has access to an electrical outlet, appropriate seating,
access to running water, and accommodates a mother’s need for privacy

To me this sounds like if you are lic to care for infants - toddlers you must have this area whether you have infants / breastfed babies enrolled in care or not .
Even if I have no infants/toddlers enrolled I must have and show the equipment I am required to have if I am lic for them

[LysesKids]

Rooms Used for Care
– When approved for infants and toddlers, a designated space is provided for mothers to breastfeed or express breast milk that is not located in a bathroom, has access to an electrical outlet, appropriate seating,
access to running water, and accommodates a mother’s need for privacy

To me this sounds like if you are lic to care for infants - toddlers you must have this area whether you have infants / breastfed babies enrolled in care or not .
Even if I have no infants/toddlers enrolled I must have and show the equipment I am required to have if I am lic for them

And like I said earlier, I am so glad I never opened in MD as was originally planned; as much as I love my family & friends that still there, I am glad I moved away

[Unregistered]

I don't know but since the new mandatory training includes both support for breastfeeding and ADA I bet it will figure in there somewhere .At least that is what it sounds like to me .

So, is breastfeeding considered a disability? It's a natural part of childbearing...

[KidGrind]

Maryland Providers NEED to ban together and protest these ridiculous regulations for us, parents and the children.

Parents go to jail, steal and have mental issues. It puts our business, home, family and clients’ children potential danger and property loss. Giving birth does not make you a trustworthy individual.

No other business requires customers to have unsupervised access to their facilities.

[nannyde]

I've only had one mom ever ask to do it and she sat in my living room with a blanket over her. My guess is that if they pass this you will be required to have this privacy area if you are licensed for this age group. Not accepting breast fed babies will probably not be an option.

I don't see how not accepting breast fed babies wouldn't be an option. They aren't a protected class.

It won't be spoken maybe. But in the end, at some point in the interview process the mom has to declare how the child is fed. A provider who doesn't offer the service is just going to decline interviewing.

[Unregistered]

Maryland Providers NEED to ban together and protest these ridiculous regulations for us, parents and the children.

Parents go to jail, steal and have mental issues. It puts our business, home, family and clients’ children potential danger and property loss. Giving birth does not make you a trustworthy individual.

No other business requires customers to have unsupervised access to their facilities.

I agree!

[Unregistered]

I don't see how not accepting breast fed babies wouldn't be an option. They aren't a protected class.

It won't be spoken maybe. But in the end, at some point in the interview process the mom has to declare how the child is fed. A provider who doesn't offer the service is just going to decline interviewing.

When interviewing for an infant slot I always insist that the baby needs to be able to drink from a bottle if I am to care for them. That usually brings what and how the baby will be fed.
And, if the slot will be "filled" or not.