Reproduced at the request of Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
The Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (Ohio AAP) urges family physicians to share messaging about the ABCs of Safe Sleep with their patients after receiving questions about a state “sleep waiver” form for day care. Babies should always be placed Alone, on their Backs, in a Crib for naps and bedtime. More information and resources to share with your patients may be found on the Ohio AAP Safe Sleep webpage.
Ohio law requires licensed day care centers to place children on their backs in a crib free of blankets, crib bumpers or other items that could pose a suffocation risk. The law also allows a parent to provide written authorization from their physician via a sleep waiver form. This form would allow, with a physician signature, day care workers to put a child to nap in an “alternative sleep position for the infant due to health or medical conditions.”
A very small number of babies have a medical condition that would allow a different sleep position. Review the Ohio AAP Updated 2016 Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment for more information.