Acton Early Childhood Centre.

 

SAFE SLEEPING PRACTICES POLICY.

 

 

AIM:

 

In order to ensure that best practice is applied in respect to sleeping practices of babies (especially those under 12 months) the centre will apply the recommendations as outlined in the SIDS and KIDS Safe Sleeping Child Care Kit June 2004.

 

 

EXPLANATION :

 

The risks to babies whilst sleeping apply to sleep times in a centre environment as well as for the baby in its own home. The centre therefore must adhere as best possible to the recommendations of the authority is this matter. In doing this we will also acknowledge the needs of individual children, as best we can, whilst adhering to best practice procedures.

 

ACTION :

 

Recommended safe sleeping practices as recommended by SIDS and KIDS Safe Sleeping Child Care Kit June 2004.

 

á    Centre staff will discuss safe sleeping practices with parents and allow opportunity for parents to discuss their childŐs sleeping habits and preferences. This needs to be reassessed as childrenŐs sleep patterns and requirements change.

 

á    Babies, wherever they sleep, will be placed on their back to sleep unless otherwise directed by a medical practitioner. Requests made by parents to sleep babies in any other position than on their backs will be refused.

 

á    Babies will be placed at the bottom of the cot to prevent them from wriggling down under bedclothes.

 

á    No quilts or doonas will be used. Light bedding, such as thermal blankets, will be firmly tucked in to prevent them covering the babyŐs head during sleep. Sleeping bags are a good alternative to bedding.

 

á    Cots will be firm, clean with well fitting mattresses.

 

á    Pillows, soft toys, thick sheepskins and cot bumpers will be removed from a cot / pram whilst the baby is sleeping in it.

 

á    If infants are wrapped / swaddled, it will be from below the neck, to allow for head movement from side to side.

 

 

 

 

á    The temperature will be checked to ensure that the baby is not too hot.

 

á    Infants sometimes manage to turn on their side or tummy during back sleeping. In the event of this occurring appropriate strategies will be considered to address this.

 

á     Monitors to the sleep rooms will be on at all times when there are babies asleep in the rooms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source - Sids and Kids Safe Sleeping Child Care Kit June 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adopted May 2001.

Reviewed June 2003.

Reviewed by Policy Review Committee 5th April, 2005.

Reviewed Policy Review Committee 8th May 2007.

Reviewed Policy Review Committee 30-6-09.