Daycare - blankets on head

pitterpatter129

So, I picked LO up early today for an appointment (tube check - looks good, one is blocked, but some drops should fix it quickly...)  and I get there at naptime.  I go to wake him up and realize he has a blanket over his head.  I look around and all the other babies have blankets on their heads too!  I figured this was some sort of naptime "thing" they do there.  I'm not happy about it and I guess I'll address it at drop off tomorrow. It annoys me that I don't know what they do with my kid during the day - I'm guessing he's has a blanket on his head for the past 7 months. His cheeks were bright red and his head was sweating!  I know they are getting sick of me complaining about stuff and I'm starting to think we need to switch centers.  Is this a common naptime procedure?  Another teacher I work with said they do the same thing that her daycare!  SIDS risk anyone??!!

 

 

 

jarebearsmom

Blanket on head?! I'm pretty sure that J's DC doesn't do that (although he did have trash in his mouth when I got there that he was sharing with another girl and the afternoon teacher had NO clue where he could have gotten it from or that he even had it but that's another story)

I would address it in the morning and tell them you aren't comfortable with that 

OhSewCrafty

Most of the kids at C's daycare do the same thing, but its the kids doing it, not the teachers. At this age, if they want to sleep with it on their head, they're going to regardless of what you do. I try my best to cover C evenly at night, but he immediately (even in his sleep) pulls the blanket off his feet and up near his face.

I'd ask if the teachers are doing it or if the kids are doing it (so they can sleep with the noise/light). If its the kids doing it, there really isn't anything you can do, but I wouldn't worry about SIDS at this stage of the game. 

Serendipity117

When we pat the kids to sleep it's not uncommon to cover their heads so they aren't watching the other kids. However, as soon as they are asleep we uncover them. One so they don't get sweaty and uncomfortable. Two and more importantly, so we can always monitor their breathing.

That is crazy that they leave the kids covered for the whole rest period. I would definetly address it if all the kids are covered all the time.

Is this a center? I would look at their infant room and if they have anything in the cribs with them I would file a report with the state. Under a year there isn't supposed to be anything in the crib but the baby and a tight sheet- this is a requirement here in MI.

jax63081

Serendipity117:

When we pat the kids to sleep it's not uncommon to cover their heads so they aren't watching the other kids. However, as soon as they are asleep we uncover them. One so they don't get sweaty and uncomfortable. Two and more importantly, so we can always monitor their breathing.

That is crazy that they leave the kids covered for the whole rest period. I would definetly address it if all the kids are covered all the time.

Is this a center? I would look at their infant room and if they have anything in the cribs with them I would file a report with the state. Under a year there isn't supposed to be anything in the crib but the baby and a tight sheet- this is a requirement here in MI.

I agree. I used to work in a center in the toddler room(18-36 months).  We would also cove their heads till they were asleep then uncover them.

lrn327

Not sure if C's room covers their heads while they pat them to sleep but I'm 100% sure they don't stay that way once they are asleep.  I've been past the room several times at naptime and the kids have either thrown off their blankets or have them just to mid-back.  I'd definitely ask if it is the kids doing it or the teachers.

pitterpatter129

OhSewCrafty:

Most of the kids at C's daycare do the same thing, but its the kids doing it, not the teachers. At this age, if they want to sleep with it on their head, they're going to regardless of what you do. I try my best to cover C evenly at night, but he immediately (even in his sleep) pulls the blanket off his feet and up near his face.

I'd ask if the teachers are doing it or if the kids are doing it (so they can sleep with the noise/light). If its the kids doing it, there really isn't anything you can do, but I wouldn't worry about SIDS at this stage of the game. 

I don't think he did it himself.  He's always had a blanket at home and I've never found it on his head.  His little face was sooo red, it was sad.  Since all the babies had a blanket on their head, I figured the staff did it.

Serendipity117:

When we pat the kids to sleep it's not uncommon to cover their heads so they aren't watching the other kids. However, as soon as they are asleep we uncover them. One so they don't get sweaty and uncomfortable. Two and more importantly, so we can always monitor their breathing.

That is crazy that they leave the kids covered for the whole rest period. I would definetly address it if all the kids are covered all the time.

Is this a center? I would look at their infant room and if they have anything in the cribs with them I would file a report with the state. Under a year there isn't supposed to be anything in the crib but the baby and a tight sheet- this is a requirement here in MI.

It's an infant room up to 18 months.  OK says they can have a light receiving blanket or be swaddled.  I looked up the regulations online and saw nothing about NOT covering their heads, but I'd think it would be common sense...  I think a lot of things are common sense too though.  My daycare director probably hates me.  I complain at least twice a month about something.   I complained three times about bottle propping once and finally told them I was calling the state if I ever saw it again...

 

[Deleted User]

I agree with the PPs.  I would address it to see what's really going on, if it's the kids or DCP.  It does sound like you aren't comfortable with them so really anything they do is kind of suspect, which is understandable. 

You'd probably be better off looking for a new place that you'll be happy with.  GL!

pitterpatter129

sofamonkey:

I agree with the PPs.  I would address it to see what's really going on, if it's the kids or DCP.  It does sound like you aren't comfortable with them so really anything they do is kind of suspect, which is understandable. 

You'd probably be better off looking for a new place that you'll be happy with.  GL!

Yes, we are on a waiting list somewhere else.  Hopefully, it's the kids or a one time thing.  There was a new staff member in there today and she is really young, so might not know better.

 

klinky

Thank you for posting this. 

I did a daycare tour today and asked about doing this, and the director looked at me like I was crazy.  Unless there is a medical reason, they do NOT do this, and she told me that it's dangerous.  If children need quiet/peace they drape blankets over the bars of the crib so they don't see other kids in the room.

Thanks for posting, and now I know and have the peace of mind.