Are Breathable Mattresses Permitted In Daycare Facilities?

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved a new federal rule that requires crib mattresses and after-market mattresses used in play yards and portable cribs to meet new safety standards by fall 2022. The mandatory standard requires improved marking, labeling, and instructions to ensure that products marketed or used in child care facilities comply with safe sleep recommendations for infants to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Breathable mattresses with the highest level of sleep surface breathability, which is 10 times more than conventional filled mattresses, should be used. All child care providers must follow safe sleep recommendations for infants to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related infant issues. Soft surfaces such as waterbeds, couches, soft mattresses, pillows, beanbags, and BoppysTM should not be used as infant sleeping surfaces. Infants should sleep on a firm sleep surface, such as a safety-approved crib mattress, bassinet, or portable. Staff should be alert and visually supervising children during naptime.

To make your baby’s sleep environment safe, ensure that babies sleep only on a firm sleep surface, such as a safety-approved crib mattress, bassinet, or portable. Staff should also have an infant sleep policy that follows AAP guidelines. Breathable mattresses with a layered design pose a significant risk if an infant becomes face down.

New crib regulations affect all daycares, child care industries, and hotels, and it is crucial to take action and ensure compliance. The mattress should fit snuggly within the bed frame, as children can suffocate in spaces formed between mattresses or from ill-fitting mattresses. Cribs that do not meet the new standards may endanger children and leave a church open to liability.