Day care can't let LO sleep in swing? Feeding schedules?

[rhiOrion]

Does anybody know if these are actual state rules (NC, but I'm sure other states must be the same)?

I was touring a day care yesterday and they happily pointed out that they don't have any "child containment devices." I think she thought I was going to clap my hands and do a little happy dance about it (I could tell she'd somehow sensed that I was at least a little crunchy- probably because I was wearing her in a carrier). But honestly, my DD has reflux and will not sleep flat on a crib. Generally the only way to get her to nap is in a swing or ON me. Well, I assume day care providers aren't going to have the time to let her take whole naps while on them (plus she generally either needs to be bounced on a ball or walked, and they didn't have any yoga balls, but that's a different story).

I told her this general idea, and she said that even if they had a swing that as soon as she fell asleep in it they would have to move her to the crib per state rules about SIDS.

So, if your day care is a stickler for these types of things, what accommodations did they make for a reflux baby? Can they angle the crib mattress (again, I know this probably varies from state-to-state)?

They also said that the state requires them to have some sort of "schedule" on hand for feeding. But that once the bottle is opened that they can keep it out for up to one hour. So if they try, but she's not interested, they can keep trying off and on for an hour before they have to throw it out. I'm thinking I'll just tell them that her schedule is to eat every 1.5 hours

I loved a lot of other things about this day care (their outside area was hands-down the BEST I've ever seen), and it's also the one that's most likely to have an opening. So I'm trying to learn how to get them to work with me, preferably without having to cause a big ruckus.

[justKate]

IME (Florida and Texas):

Re. sleeping in swings, yes, that's a state rule. If you want your LO to sleep elevated, you'll probably need to have the doctor order it like a perscription (either to lay her on her side, or on one of those baby positioners that you'll have to provide) so that the daycare can cover their @$$.

Re. feeding schedule, yes, they must have one on file, updated monthly for infants per state rules. Talk to them about your concerns. They won't let your little one go hungry.

It is scary to leave your LO in another person's hands, but I think most care providers do their best to give your child a loving environment despite what seem like silly state regs. Have you had a chance to observe the "classroom"? How do they handle naps with the other babies?

[rhiOrion]

Originally Posted by justKate

IME (Florida and Texas):

Re. sleeping in swings, yes, that's a state rule. If you want your LO to sleep elevated, you'll probably need to have the doctor order it like a perscription (either to lay her on her side, or on one of those baby positioners that you'll have to provide) so that the daycare can cover their @$$.

Re. feeding schedule, yes, they must have one on file, updated monthly for infants per state rules. Talk to them about your concerns. They won't let your little one go hungry.

It is scary to leave your LO in another person's hands, but I think most care providers do their best to give your child a loving environment despite what seem like silly state regs. Have you had a chance to observe the "classroom"? How do they handle naps with the other babies?

I did observe for a little while. The only baby sleeping at that moment was contentedly asleep in the crib. when she cried they did go straight to her, and knew exactly what she needed (to burp). I felt like it was a nice enough environment, i just have no idea how she'll ever sleep there. like, she's currently asleep on me at my boob... they obviously can't provide that!

[rhiOrion]

Just got an email back from the day care... she sent me forms to have the dr fill out so they can use a sleep wedge!

now, hopefully that'll be enough. because at home she still sleeps ON me.

And if the feeding schedule thing is normal, then I'll assume that they can work with me on that.

(man, oh man, this is so difficult!)

[lyterae]

In Michigan if you get a Doctor's note okaying your baby to sleep in a swing they will.

[lolar2]

When DS was in infant daycare, they said it was fine to put "on demand" on his feeding schedule. Some of the other babies had that too. This was in California.

[One_Girl]

My dd started daycare when she was 1 and a half and sleeping was my biggest worry when my dd started daycare because she always nursed and co-slept. It turned out fine though. They let the little ones fall asleep on them then they put them to bed in the infant room and in the toddler room they sat or lay down with the babies who needed that. It sounds like you have found a good place where they believe in always being available to the kids and having kids out and exploring. You should ask to make sure, but IME these types of places are also places where they are willing to hold a baby to get them to sleep when they are tired and where the kids are more secure because they know that someone is always there. When I worked in a place like this it was very rare that there was a conflict between one infant's need to be held to get to sleep and another infant's needs.

[justKate]

Originally Posted by rhiOrion

Just got an email back from the day care... she sent me forms to have the dr fill out so they can use a sleep wedge!

now, hopefully that'll be enough. because at home she still sleeps ON me.

And if the feeding schedule thing is normal, then I'll assume that they can work with me on that.

(man, oh man, this is so difficult!)

Totally normal to worry, but I want to reassure you, your LO will be fine. DD has never willingly gone to sleep for me, ever, but has always been a joy to feed/nap/etc. for daycare providers. They know what's up.

[rhiOrion]

Originally Posted by justKate

Totally normal to worry, but I want to reassure you, your LO will be fine. DD has never willingly gone to sleep for me, ever, but has always been a joy to feed/nap/etc. for daycare providers. They know what's up.

haha, similar to how i can say something about how she screams all the time, but whenever someone else is around she's happy and content or asleep

ETA: thanks for the reassurance, everyone. i'm finally getting to the point where the reality of going back to work is kicking in, and it's just so scary. i feel like i'm okay with it, and then i talk about it and start crying.

crap. now i'm crying!

she's just so LITTLE

[madskye]

DD went to daycare when she was only 10 weeks old. It was scary for me, but she did great. It is REALLY GOOD that you have a good feeling about this place and like what you saw...that made all the difference for me when I went back to work. I knew she was being held and attended too, and DD really developed great relationships with her caregivers and the other kids there.

Daycare workers take a lot of flack, but at our center, the lady who was in charge of the baby room has been there 18 years and she is like MAGIC with the babies. Some people have a knack, you know? I learned a lot from her and it was actually reassuring to have the center to ask child development questions of, and sometimes they would point out to me when she was ready for a next step.

There are a lot of pluses to daycare--I hope you and your DD have a great experience. I don't particularly know the answers to the swings and the food but I have to say, it sounds normal to me.

[rhiOrion]

UPDATE:

A different day care called me with an opening!

Of course, you guys had talked me into that one I posted about, but oh well. This one she's going to go to is $250 per month cheaper, and they were willing to wear her.