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Nurseries

Find nursery advice from other Mumsnetters on our Nursery forum. For more guidance on early years development, sign up for Mumsnet Ages & Stages emails.

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Original poster

8 months old baby sleeping on the mat at nursery?

23 replies

CH2012 · 08/04/2013 13:24

my baby girl is 8 months old. She has been full time at nursery for 1.5months and I have been asked to agree to move her on the mat to sleep. I am very concerned about this, as she isn't a good sleeper for a start. Secondly, could it be harmful for her physical development? Thirdly, can I refuse to have her moved to the mat on the floor? Lastly, what is a recommended age for a child to nap in a cot? many thanks

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notapoloshirtperson · 08/04/2013 13:33

What are their reasons for this move? Has she been trying to climb out of the cot? Maybe she doesn't settle in the cot at nursery?
No, there would be no physical harm from sleeping on a mat!!
Some babies never sleep in a cot at all so no real recommended age for compulsory cot sleeping!!
I am sure if she doesn't settle to sleep on the mat, they would re think!

Original poster

CH2012 · 08/04/2013 13:53

thank you! the reason for the move is so that smaller babies can have her cot as they only have 5 cots for 13 babies at the nursery.

OP posts:

forevergreek · 08/04/2013 14:07

I personally wouldn't be v happy. 2 and 3 year old still sleep in cot beds at home for naps and at night, and I would want some similarity from nursery

Why do they only have 5 cots but 13 babies? Surely they either need to by more cots, or just take the number of babies they have space for

fishybits · 08/04/2013 14:25

I wouldn't and I'm very laid back when it comes to DD. A mat on the floor is not a secure environment for a baby to sleep in, secure being the operative word here.

They need more cots.

notapoloshirtperson · 08/04/2013 17:59

I would hope that a member of staff would be in the room at all times if a child is sleeping on a mat!

If that is not the case, then no!

Having too few cots is not a good reason, if she sleeps perfectly happily in a cot.
I presumed there was a better reason to move her from a cot, sorry.

I agree they need more cots/less babies!

captainbarnacle · 08/04/2013 18:01

That's an appalling reason. I'd say No.

WeAreEternal · 08/04/2013 18:02

You have the option to say no, you are not comfortable with the idea so saying no is not at all unreasonable.

Willowbear · 08/04/2013 19:10

I have no problem with children at 8 months sleeping on a mat so long as a few basics are followed. Child is still laid down to sleep on his back, and the room is constantly staffed during sleeptime ( personally i find it shocking that some nurseries allow children to sleep in an unsupervised and unstaffed room.

If you are really against it then i would inform the staff.

ReetPetit · 08/04/2013 21:29

This doesnt sound good - why have they got so many babies there that they dont have enough cots?!
What kind of nursery is this?
shes a baby, not a toddler. Can theyy guarantee she will always be supervised?

ScariestFairyByFar · 08/04/2013 21:32

My dd has always slept on a wee bed at nursery about 6inches high max but she has always been supervised while napping.

patchesmcp · 11/04/2013 16:07

I don't see a problem with it providing someone is in the room the whole time. May be I'm naive but I don't see what harm can come to her if someone is sat with her.

cakesonatrain · 13/04/2013 06:38

Well she will be supervised while napping, they have to be!
DS's nursery has babies sleeping on the floor, and OFSTED think they're Excellent, so it must be considered ok.
DS would only sleep in a buggy at nursery at that age, but I would have been fine with a mat on the floor. I once picked him up early and the baby room looked so snuggly with a bunch of snoozing babies on the floor!

However, if you don't like the idea, you can say no.

MortifiedAdams · 13/04/2013 06:44

I used to put dd down on a mat at home for the odd daytime sleep between 6-20 weeks. Not all, but some. It doesnt apoear to have done her any harm (nor did I ever consider it tbh).

The main thing is supervision - is the nap room staffed permanently?

Also, could you ask if they have a policy for cot/mat sleeping - if their own policy states (eg), that babies should be in a cot til 18mo unless they start climbing out, then by their own rules they need to but more cots.

AuntySammy · 26/04/2013 00:34

Babies surely should sleep in a cot, crib/cradle, moses basket, pram or buggy for safety. Preferably a crib/cradle under 6 months, a moses basket when very tiny, and a cot from around 6 months to 2 years.
If it was me I would not be happy - I would also not be happy placing any baby I care for to sleep on a mat - what if they roll off? I work in a nursery with children aged from 2 but am considering becoming a childminder (CM) and would never consider a mat for a baby to sleep on. Also babies need special breathable matress to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (cot death)

TimothyClaypoleLover · 26/04/2013 17:03

I would not have a problem with it. All the nurseries in my area have a policy of the youngest sleeping in cots and the rest on mats on the floor.

The nursery my children attend has the highest ofsted grading. The kids like all sleeping together on the floor and naps are supervised at all times. There are 4 cots for a baby room of 12 babies. Although they do say from 12 months that babies will sleep on mats on the floor so you could argue that 8 months is too young.

But in all reality your baby is not going to come to any harm from sleeping on a mat as opposed to being in a cot. And just because they are in a cot doesn't mean they are on a brand new breathable mattress.

Mannequinkate · 29/04/2013 22:15

You should probably go and see the other babies sleeping on mats to put your mind at rest.
Your dd will be fine, in my dc nursery it seems to make it easier for the staff to comfort any babies or pat to sleep. They sit on the floor and can pat 2 bottoms at once.

Firsttimemummy33 · 07/06/2013 20:34

I'm sure you are paying a lot of money to the nursery to care for your baby - having a cot or something similar to sleep in is surely not too much to ask?!

debduck · 07/06/2013 22:49

COts are big and you dont need one per child! they take up so much room. Some children like to sleep on a softee area. If you are worried ask if anyone has compelted a safe sleeping course and ask to see their sleeping policy and procedure. The children should be supervised at nap time, ask how often - it's probably constant.

Shiraztastic · 07/06/2013 22:52

If you don't want her to then just say no. You're a paying customer.

Xmasbaby11 · 09/06/2013 22:35

That's not secure. I would never make DD sleep on a mat at home, so same applies at nursery.

poopnscoop · 03/07/2013 11:47

Nursery needs to get a couple of travel cots in....

daimbardiva · 03/07/2013 11:57

The nursery needs to think through their equipment etc. - they need to provide enough for the amount of babies they take...and if they can't, they need to take less babies. My dd is 21 mo and still sleeps in a cot at nursery, in fact they don't use mats at all.

auntycupcake · 03/07/2013 19:51

hi there...i work in a private day nursery and we use sleep mats when the children are ready....we do not "make" parents agree to their children sleeping on mats. mostly the toddlers who have one nap after lunch use the sleep mats where they have a dedicated sleep room. i would question where the sleep mats are set up for your baby to sleep as if baby is used to sleeping in a quiet dedicated cot room and suddenly finds themself in a playroom on a mat to sleep it could be disturbing and therefore disrupt routines and so overall disposition. if your baby is happy and content sleeping in a cot i certainly would not agree to a sleep mat! it is up to the nursery to ensure they have enough age appropriate equipment for the babies to use. we have had babies as young as six months sleeping on a sleep mat at nursery as it was parents preference, also some babies are more settled on a sleep mat for naps but we always ask for parents views and feelings first. also you are right that the children should always be supervised whilst on the sleep mats. hope this helps!

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