(1) An early learning provider must follow safe infant sleep practices when infants are napping or sleeping by following the current standard of American Academy of Pediatrics concerning safe sleep practices including SIDS/SUIDS risk reduction, including:

(a) Actively supervising infants by visibly checking every 15 minutes and being within sight and hearing range, including when an infant goes to sleep, is sleeping, or is waking up;

(b) Placing an infant to sleep on their back or following the current standard of American Academy of Pediatrics. If an infant turns over while sleeping, the provider must return the infant to their back until the infant is able to independently roll from back to front and front to back;

(c) Not using a sleep positioning device unless directed to do so by an infant's health care provider. The directive must be in writing and kept in the infant's file;

(d) Sufficiently lighting the room in which the infant is sleeping to observe skin color;

(e) Monitoring breathing patterns of an infant;

(f) Allowing infants to follow their own sleep patterns;

(g) Not allowing blankets, stuffed toys, pillows, crib bumpers, and similar items inside a crib, bassinet, or other equipment if occupied by a resting or sleeping infant;

(h) Not allowing a blanket or any other item to cover or drape over an occupied crib, bassinet, or other equipment where infants commonly sleep;

(i) Not allowing bedding or clothing to cover any portion of an infant's head or face while sleeping, and readjusting these items when necessary; and

(j) Preventing infants from getting too warm while sleeping, which may be exhibited by indicators that include, but are not limited to, sweating; flushed, pale, or hot and dry skin, warm to the touch; a sudden rise in temperature; vomiting; refusing to drink, a depressed fontanelle; or irritability.

(2) An early learning provider who receives notice of a safe sleep violation must:

(a) Post the notice in the licensed space for two weeks or until the violation is corrected, whichever is longer, pursuant to WAC 110-300-0505; and

(b) Within five business days of receiving notice of the violation, provide all parents and guardians of enrolled children with:

(i) A letter describing the safe sleep violation; and

(ii) Written information on safe sleep practices for infants.

PDFWAC 110-300-0291

Infant safe sleep practices.