When you drop your child off at daycare, you place tremendous trust in the caregivers. You expect trained professionals who understand how to keep your baby safe, especially during something as basic and essential as nap time. But, as daycare injury lawyers, we’ve seen far too many heartbreaking cases where that trust was broken.
One of the most alarming trends in daycare injury cases involves improper sleep practices. Unsafe sleep environments can lead to devastating outcomes, including serious injury or even death. Below, we’re breaking down the three most common sleep safety violations we see at daycare centers, so parents know what to look out for.
1. Putting Babies to Sleep in the Wrong Place
One of the biggest red flags in daycare injury cases is when infants are placed in car seats, rockers, bouncers, or swings for their naps.
These items may seem convenient or comforting, but they are not designed for safe sleep. Babies placed in these positions can slump forward, restricting their airway and putting them at serious risk of suffocation. Most states now prohibit using these items for infant naptime in licensed daycare centers.
Safe sleep space = a crib or bassinet. That’s it. Anything else is a risk.
2. Letting Babies Sleep with Unsafe Items
Another common and dangerous mistake is allowing babies to nap with objects in their sleep space that could be suffocation hazards. These items often include:
- Pillows
- Blankets
- Toys
While they might seem comforting or cozy, loose objects can block a baby’s airway or cause them to overheat. Infant cribs should always be free of loose items—nothing but a firm mattress with a tight-fitting sheet.
3. Placing Infants in the Wrong Sleep Position
One of the most well-established safe sleep practices is this: Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep.
It’s a simple rule that can prevent tragedy. Putting an infant to sleep on its stomach or side increases its risk of suffocation and makes it more likely for the infant to breathe in too much carbon dioxide (called “rebreathing”). This happens when a baby’s face is too close to a soft surface, and it ends up re-inhaling the air it just exhaled.
According to the National Institutes of Health, infants should sleep on their backs until they are at least one year old. Unfortunately, we’ve seen cases where daycare workers didn’t follow this basic guideline, and the consequences were life-altering.
Why Sleep Safety Training Matters
These types of incidents often come down to a lack of training. Daycare staff must be educated and certified in safe sleep practices before caring for infants. Without proper training and supervision, the risk to children is too high.
When daycare providers cut corners or ignore clear safety guidelines, children can suffer severe, preventable injuries — or worse.
What to Do If Your Child Was Harmed by Unsafe Sleep Practices at Daycare
If your child was the victim of improper sleep practices at daycare and suffered a serious injury, you are not alone. Our team at The Button Law Firm is here to help guide you through the legal process and hold negligent caregivers accountable.
We understand that this is an overwhelming time. If you’re not ready to speak with a lawyer yet, we completely understand — and we’ve created a free guide just for you: 5 Steps to Take After a Daycare Injury. It offers helpful information and can empower you to make the right decision for your family when you're ready.
We’re Here to Help You Move Forward
Whether you’re ready to talk now or just starting to explore your options, we’re here for you. Reach out to our daycare injury team at The Button Law Firm to get the help and support you deserve. Call us at 214-699-4409, email us at [email protected], or fill out a contact form for a free case evaluation.
Because no parent should ever have to go through this alone, and no child should ever be put in danger during naptime.
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