Child care to rest and sleep in a safe manner

Child care to rest and sleep in a safe manner

Your child will have their own individualized rest and sleep routine at home, however, when you start using child care, you may find that this routine is different from the practices used in the service. This is because services and educators must comply with the SIDS and Kids' safe sleeping recommendations for children aged from birth to two years, and your child’s home routine may not be entirely consistent with these. Where there are differences between what you do at home and what the service does, the educators should work positively with you to develop a routine for use at the service that is acceptable to both of you. The educators at your service should also provide you with information and support to help you to adapt your child’s home routine to ensure that you are using safe sleeping practices.

Why and discuss the relevant alternatives. They should work sensitively and helpfully with you all times to ensure the best outcomes for your child. Safe sleeping for toddlers and older children Although the evidence suggests that the risk of SIDS occurs in the first two years of a child’s life, NCAC encourages educators to maintain these practices for children of all ages.

Keep children always at a safe place to sleep, regardless of their age, and the environment must be cigarette smoke-free. Your ideas safe sleeping practices for toddlers may include that toddlers are placed on their back to rest and are then allowed to roll over and find their sleeping position; likewise, your policy may state that no child will have their face covered by bed linen during rest and sleep time. NCAC has developed a Rest and Sleep Policy Template, available on our website to help services develop their policy.

Safe sleep and rest in   child care

Safe sleeping for babies Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexpected death of a baby from unknown causes. In Australia, SIDS accounts for the deaths of more babies between the ages of one month and one year than any other known cause. It is still not clear what causes SIDS, however being aware of and implementing safe sleeping practices will reduce the risk of SIDS.

NCAC recognizes SIDS and Kids as the expert authority on safe sleeping practices for children aged 0 – 2 years. The following information is taken from the expertise and Kids Infant Safe Sleeping Program, which is based on scientific evidence. More information about SIDS and Kids safe sleeping practices can be found on our website. All child care services should be following these guidelines:

• Sleeping babies on their back, not on their tummies or side. Placing babies on their backs means they have better airway protection and are less likely to choke on vomit than babies sleeping on their tummies

• Ensuring babies’ faces are not covered with anything such as doonas, pillows, soft toys or lamb’s wool

• Never exposing babies to cigarette smoke

• Arranging a safe sleeping environment which includes safe cots, mattresses, and bedding

• Never sleeping babies on pillows, beanbags or couches

• Ensuring that cots and mattresses meet the relevant Australian Standards.

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