Swaddling vs Not Swaddling

[Pestle]

It's not so much SIDS as just plain and simple suffocation that's the risk at this age.

[happymom]

Thank you.

They swaddle like you are imagining. Like a little burrito, arms and legs tightly wrapped. They have cribs for the younger babies and pack n plays for the bigger babies. Each baby has his own crib/pack n play.

I used to keep a sleep sack at daycare for him, but they sent it home saying they never use it (when he was still pretty little). They started swaddling him instead. I noticed some of the babies are wrapped in pretty thick blankets that are not intended for swaddling.

I'll bring back the sleep sack and happily insist no more swaddling.

[happymom]

I wanted to add that they ask the parent to bring a blanket for each child in care. I don't think that the parents know that this blanket may be used for swaddling (I did not). The first blanket was just a soft plush blanket, I thought they wanted him to have some kind of a lovey at daycare.

Then when they started swaddling him in it, I replaced it with a bigger thin swaddle type blanket.

[happymom]

Also can I please have advice on how to approach this.

I know how I will approach it about my own baby, but should I send an email to the director stating the AAP recommendation not to swaddle passed age 2 months?

[Blackcat31]

Also can I please have advice on how to approach this.

I know how I will approach it about my own baby, but should I send an email to the director stating the AAP recommendation not to swaddle passed age 2 months?

I'd start by asking about their safe sleep rules and what the state allows. After, I'd share my concerns.

I'd first educate myself about the state rules for center care and then approach the director. Ask her/him about their policies and then share your concerns.

I recommend educating yourself first so that you can go in prepared....I have a suspicion that they may not answer truthfully simply based on how much you weren't aware of already...know what I mean?

If other parents aren't aware their children are being swaddled and you were never told that tells me they don't share the regulations with parents (we are required to) and they don't discuss with parents this topic...as a parent, I'd want to be the one that decides if my child is swaddled or not.

One of our members is from the same state and although she is family care, she may know the rules for center care too...plus she has been a provider for a while and knows her stuff. I'll PM her and her chime in if she has any further information that may be useful.

Good for you for being willing to not only approach the Director in regards to your child but in speaking up for all the babies in care

[happymom]

I'll definitely educate myself more.

Most of my conversations about my babies sleeping are with one of the newer staff members who is 18 years old.

I feel very confident that if I put a note on his chart that he is not to be swaddled that they will not swaddle him any longer.

[Meeko]

I am a Utah provider. It is NOT allowed for a child that old to be swaddled. I called to make absolutely certain that centers didn't have a different reg. I called my regional office and spoke to the manager, Kim Rice. Regulation section 19 4B states that children are not to be restrained in any way.

Tell your center to stop swaddling ALL children right now. If they refuse, call Utah childcare licensing and place a complaint. They are out of compliance.

[Blackcat31]

I am a Utah provider. It is NOT allowed for a child that old to be swaddled. I called to make absolutely certain that centers didn't have a different reg. I called my regional office and spoke to the manager, Kim Rice. Regulation section 19 4B states that children are not to be restrained in any way.

Tell your center to stop swaddling ALL children right now. If they refuse, call Utah childcare licensing and place a complaint. They are out of compliance.

I knew you'd know!

[happymom]

I am a Utah provider. It is NOT allowed for a child that old to be swaddled. I called to make absolutely certain that centers didn't have a different reg. I called my regional office and spoke to the manager, Kim Rice. Regulation section 19 4B states that children are not to be restrained in any way.

Tell your center to stop swaddling ALL children right now. If they refuse, call Utah childcare licensing and place a complaint. They are out of compliance.

Thank you! I can't help but wonder why this was never caught in an inspection (they passed an inspection in June and I can assure you there were babies swaddled in my son's room--- I don't think there has ever been a time I've been in there when there are not little burritos sleeping in their cribs).

[Meeko]

Thank you! I can't help but wonder why this was never caught in an inspection (they passed an inspection in June and I can assure you there were babies swaddled in my son's room--- I don't think there has ever been a time I've been in there when there are not little burritos sleeping in their cribs).

I was told that they accept it up to two months if the parent asks for it (she called me back). After that, they will issue a citation. Your son is close to a year....big no no!!

[happymom]

Thank you Meeko!

I added to his page no more swaddles for my baby. Still figuring it out how I will approach it for the rest of the kiddos.

[MyAngels]

Like a little burrito, arms and legs tightly wrapped.

This is concerning - tightly swaddling a child's legs in the improper position can cause hip dysplasia, which can affect them for the rest of their lives.

https://posna.org/POSNA/media/Documents/Position%20Statements/SwaddlingPositionStatementApril2015.pdf

[Play Care]

Thank you! I can't help but wonder why this was never caught in an inspection (they passed an inspection in June and I can assure you there were babies swaddled in my son's room--- I don't think there has ever been a time I've been in there when there are not little burritos sleeping in their cribs).

Either, licensing didn't see it (very possible that no one was napping when they were there) OR they knew not to do it while licensing was there (hopefully NOT the case)