What we see in practice – Sleep time set up (Episode 2)

I stepped into a baby room where two young children, one 15 months old and the other 18 months old had been placed in rocking chairs to sleep. The room was dark, with only a faint glow of light seeping in from an adjacent space. A lullaby played on repeat at a high volume.

At first glance, it might have looked like a calm and soothing environment for sleep. But after just a few moments of observation, concerns began to surface.

The rocking chairs were not designed for safe, prolonged sleep. The children were not securely positioned, and there was no proper bedding to support them. Instead of being placed in cots, they were left in a semi-upright position, which could lead to discomfort, poor sleep quality, and potential health risks.

Another issue was the high volume of the lullabies. While music can be a helpful sleep aid, playing it too loudly can drown out important sounds—like a child stirring, whimpering, or even gasping for air. With the dark environment and the overwhelming background noise, it was difficult for staff to properly assess whether the children were in distress or simply resting.

I asked one of the staff members about their sleep routine, and the response was concerning:
“This is how we’ve always done it. It keeps them calm, and they sleep longer.”

But is the priority really just keeping children asleep for as long as possible? Or should we be focusing on creating a sleep environment that prioritises safety, comfort, and well-being?

Sleep is a crucial part of a young child’s day. Poor sleep practices in nurseries can have long-term consequences, such as:

• Increased risk of illness – Without proper bedding and hygiene, children are more susceptible to infections and germs.
• Potential breathing difficulties – Rocking chairs and other makeshift sleep solutions are not designed to support safe sleep positions for young children.
• Emotional distress – If a child wakes up disoriented or uncomfortable, they may struggle to self-soothe and settle back to sleep.
• Loss of parental trust – Parents expect nurseries to follow best practices in every aspect of care, including sleep routines. If they were aware of these conditions, how would they feel?

This is not an isolated issue. Many nurseries, often unintentionally, compromise sleep safety due to outdated routines, lack of proper training, or simply prioritizing convenience over best practices.

So here’s something to reflect on:

📌 If you walked into your baby room today, would you be confident that every child was sleeping safely?

Keep an eye out, I’ll be sharing practical strategies for creating safer, more effective sleep environments in nurseries. These small but essential changes can enhance child well-being, build trust with parents, and ensure compliance with best practices.

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Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!