Skip to main content

Library: Policy

340:110-3-91.1. Rest time

Revised 6-1-22

(a) Place to rest.

(1) Each child has an appropriately sized, individual place to rest, such as a crib, playpen, play yard, bed, cot, or mat, with clean, individual bedding.  The place to rest is maintained in a clean, sanitary condition, and in good repair.

(2) Waterbeds, sofas, soft mattresses, inflatable mats, bassinettes, stacked cribs, pillows, beanbag chairs, and other soft surfaces are prohibited as infant sleeping surfaces.

(b) Mats.  Mats are not used for overnight care.  When used for rest time, each mat is at least one-inch thick and covered with a fitted, durable, washable, waterproof material.

(c) Cribs, play yards, and playpens.  A crib, port-a-crib, play yard, or playpen with a properly-fitted firm waterproof mattress or pad and a tight-fitting sheet is used for each child younger than 1 year of age.

(d) Crib, port-a-crib playpen, and play yard safety features and sleep environments.  Infants sleep in appropriate rest equipment and environments described in (1) through (9) of this subsection.

(1) Cribs, including portable cribs that can be folded or collapsed without being disassembled, meet the current Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) full-size and non-full size crib standards, per Sections 1219 and 1220 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(2) Verification of compliance with CPSC standards is maintained for duration of crib use.

(3) Mattresses are tight-fitting with no more than one inch between the mattress and crib.

(4) Pillows, covers, blankets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, bumper pads, stuffed toys, and other soft products or bedding, are not permitted inside and on the side of infant rest equipment.

(5) While in rest equipment:

(A) only pacifiers without attachments are used, and pacifiers are not attached to the infant or his or her clothing; and

(B) bibs are not placed around the infant's neck.

(6) Sleep positioners and elevated mattresses are prohibited, unless a medical reason documented by a licensed physician is provided.  Documentation is maintained at the child care home.

(7) Play equipment, and other items, except for pacifiers, are not placed inside, above, or attached to the sides of infant rest equipment, unless there is a medical reason documented by a licensed physician for a monitor or other device.  Documentation is maintained at the facility.  Mobiles may be securely attached or hung above the crib provided no part of the mobile is within the child's reach.

(8) When an infant arrives asleep or falls asleep in inappropriate rest equipment, the infant is immediately moved to appropriate rest equipment.

(9) Infants are protected from overheating by adjusting room temperature and clothing.

(e) Sleep positioning.

(1) To reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), infants younger than 12 months of age are placed on their back for sleeping unless a medical reason is documented by a licensed physician requesting the infant not sleep in this position.  Documentation is maintained at the facility.

(2) Infants able to turn themselves over are placed initially on their back for sleeping but allowed to sleep in a position they prefer.

(3) Children's heads and faces are not covered.

(f) Swaddling.  Infants, birth through three months of age, may be swaddled with an infant-sized, thin fabric, such as a receiving blanket, only when:

(1) the infant is not mobile enough to move the fabric over his or her face; and

(2) requested in writing by the parents.  Requests are maintained by the caregiver.

(g) After resting.  Once children have rested, they are not forced to remain on the rest equipment and are provided quiet activities until rest time is over.

Back to Top