I have two issues (that are really interelated) that I need advice on and I hope you all have some good insight!
I have a 2 1/2 year old that started at this same daycare, same teacher. Now I have a 6 month old that has been in the infant room since he was 7 weeks old. He has really just gotten on a good daily/nightly routine. Up until about a month ago, there was really no routine with feedings/naps/etc, but have been recently working on one. He was taking naps at school mostly in a bouncy chair for a month or so because he had a cold that would not go away, and the bouncy chair was upright to allow drainage. I had his crib mattress at home propped up too (the won't allow the mattress at school to be propped up).
Finally he broke the cold and I wanted them to put him on a schedule, eat/wake/sleep, and to put him down for a nap after about an hour to hour and a half. They tried, he cried and cried, would eventually fall asleep, but only for about 1/2 hour. He LOVES the blanket over his head or even close to his face...well, a week after we started this new schedule, the daycare passed a new rule that they would not allow blankets in their beds (due to SIDs). They said it was DCFS rules changing over the next 2-years and because they are a private school and to reduce their liability, they take the change immediately (sidenote, I checked with DCFS and they don't know anything about this "new change").
So now, we are adjusting to a new sleep routine AND not having any comfort items allowed in his crib...oh, and now they just said they can't let them sleep in their bouncy. I did convince them to use a small blanket square to put up to his face...and that helped for a couple of days...but he is back to only 1/2 hour naps and only two a day. I definately don't think that is enough for a 6mo old. He is not sleeping soundly at night either, not waking to feed but waking 2-3 times a night.
He takes GREAT naps at home...2hrs at a time and 2-3 a day!! Now, I know it is darker and quieter at home and that makes a difference...and at school they draw the blinds and try to keep it quieter, but really, you can't make it like home. So what do we do? They try to let him cry, and he falls asleep, but then wakes up (sleep cycle) after a 1/2 hour, they try to rock his crib back to sleep but then he is wide awake.
So first, how do we get him to take longer naps at daycare? Will he adjust (I didn't have this probably at all with my daughter)? What can I do with no blanket or stuffed animal to comfort him? Anyone else had any success?
Second, anyone else had the encounter with no blankets allowed in the cribs at daycare? I have always felt that my daycare goes over the top with things sometimes...and I really understand the libability and SIDS...but come on, he is 6 months old (not 6 days) and he can move the blanket from his face. It just compounds the sleep issue and I don't know what to do.
Now that I have rambled...I hope there is some advice or suggestions that someone has. I am at my wits end with the infant room...they tell me they are taking more time with him than with any other baby to get him to nap...which really doesn't make me feel any better about the situation espeically when he SLEEPS FINE AT HOME!!!
HELP!!
P.S. I truly know that SIDS is real and am compationate toward that, I don't want this request or the replies to be about SIDS or the pros/cons with regards to it...thank you.
Thanks for all of your feedback...it is a delicate situation because I do know and understand the reasons DCFS and daycare facilities set boundaries. I think I would be devistated if something happened to my children, on Daycare's clock, that could have been prevented somehow...so, I get it. I just wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks...and I got some good ideas.
I am going to get a sound machine (he uses one at home) and put it at school to try to "drown out" the outside noise. I am also starting to work on getting him to put himself back to sleep at night - hoping it will be passed on to his naps at school. He falls asleep on his own...no problem...but when he wakes in the night I have to run in and pop his binky back in...I am working on stopping that and letting him cry a bit and try to get him to fall back asleep on his own.
So I am trying some steps on my end to see what we can do...I will give it a few weeks and if I don't see any improvements on naps at school I am going to try to talk to the director to see if there are any other options (moving his crib to a different location, etc).
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C.G.
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Chicago
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Just to clarify, SIDS and suffocation are not the same thing. so removing blankets from cribs would be to protect against suffocation, not SIDS. You could point that out to the daycare if there are continued issues. Not sure if it would help, but they should really be aware of the difference.
Could you try one of those sleep sacks? They make them out blanket type materials, maybe being able to feel it near him would be helpful. I wouldn't think they would have a problem with that since there is no more risk than just his usual clothes. It could help if he is cold too- I know I like to be covered up when I sleep.
My little one (6 months) only takes half hour to one hour naps as well. She does the same at home or at daycare and sleeps about 11 hours at night, waking 2-3 times. Our daycare does allow blankets in the cribs though.
Hope you get it figured out!
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K.R.
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Chicago
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I wish I had some great advice for you, but we are struggling with our nap schedule at home so I have nothing for you there...but i would like to say that while SIDS and suffocation ARE two different things, a blanket over the face can contribute to "rebreathing" the same air which can trigger the brain in an infant at risk for SIDS...after losing a son to what was ruled as SIDS (after research i don't believe this was truly the cause)...I have found quite a bit of information on the topic (some useful and some not)...but my actual point is that this blanket over the face IS a risk factor for SIDS and while you are the mother and have every right to make decisions about your child, when he is in the care of a school or daycare they are responsible for his well being...they are going to take every precaution (for legal reasons as well as for the protection of your child) against harming your child...so really i think you just have to look at it from their perspective...because they are a secondary care facility and not parents of the children in their care, they can not take the same risks and make the same calls that we can as parents...
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T.S.
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Chicago
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My 18M son sleeps with a blanket on his head. He has since he was able to use a blanket and put it over on his own. I hated it and was paranoid about it even though he was a year old. But, he is comforted by it. Even now, he wakes up and looks for his blanket and his "kitty" stuffed animal. So, I understand. That being said, my daycare was the same way about the blanket and Ryan had some issues napping without it, but he did learn to adapt.
What about a small (Beanie Baby size) stuffed animal? Will they allow you to bring that to daycare for him? Personally, I'd make an appointment (not during the oh-so-hectic drop off/pickup) and talk to the director about the best way to come up with a solution. Maybe they can move his crib to a darker corner (they did for my son).
Unfortunately, I don't think they are going to budge on the blanket over the head issue. Their liability fears are far too great - and I'd have to agree.
Good luck. I'm curious as to what happens, too.
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E.J.
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Chicago
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Have you checked out the Leaps and Bounds website? They have items to help with parenting. I know they have the "breathable" crib bumpers and mattress pads, so who knows what else they have?
I would also talk to the director and see how they've solved this before. I'm sure this isn't the first time they've had to make this adjustment, so maybe they have ideas too! Good luck!
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L.
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Chicago
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HI!
I would like to say that I have a home daycare that is licensed by DCFS and your center is correct. The DCFS rules is that no child is allowed to have any blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals in a crib or pack and play. No matter what the age! Not until they are on a cot can they have these items. The center is only following the rules and can be given a violation if they are found to be allowing this. DCFS make unannounced visits. I had a 2 year old in a pack and play and they would not even accept a letter from the mother allowing her to have a small blanket. The only way I have found to get "around" this was they allowed me to let the children have them to fall asleep and then take the blanket away once they are asleep. This may not be an option in a bigger center. I think the rules are a little ridiculous for older children, but they say it is to prevent SIDS. Maybe you should start working with your child at home learning to fall asleep without the blanket so that he can learn a new way to fall asleep so he will have an easier time at daycare.
