Procedures - Nap-time and Rest Guidelines

Section: Human Resource Procedures 
Procedure Owner: Ignition633 Ministries Nigeria Human Resources 
Procedure Name: Naptime and Rest Guidelines Procedures
Origination Date: January 2025

Purpose
To ensure children have a safe, comfortable, and structured environment to rest or nap. These procedures aim to support the physical and emotional well-being of children by promoting healthy sleep habits, reducing fatigue, and providing individualized care for children’s rest needs.

Scope
Includes creating a safe and comfortable rest environment, establishing a consistent schedule, accommodating individual rest needs, maintaining a quiet atmosphere, supervising children during rest, training staff to identify signs of fatigue, and ensuring hygiene and cleanliness of rest areas and bedding.

Definition
Nap: is a short period of sleep, usually taken during the day, to rest and recharge energy. 
Time: is the continuous progression of events from the past through the present to the future.
Rest: is a state of relaxation or inactivity where the body and mind are allowed to recover and rejuvenate.
Guidelines: are a set of recommended principles, instructions, or rules designed to provide direction and advice on how to perform tasks, make decisions, or handle specific situations effectively and consistently

Naptime and Rest Guidelines
Sleep is very important to a child’s growth, development, and overall physical and mental health. Good naps can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, increase alertness, and boost cognitive function. Furthermore, getting enough sleep is essential for building a strong immune system for children.

Sleepy Cues
Infants and toddlers may not be able to say, "I'm tired and would like to sleep now," but they have many ways to communicate when they are getting sleepy. Look for these sleepy cues:
- Rubbing eyes 
- Yawning
- Fussiness/crankiness
- Laying down
- Sucking fingers or pacifier
- Pulling ears
- Staring off into space—looking miles away
- For toddlers, may be more likely to tantrum or bite
- Being unusually active

How long is nap time for Children?
As a general rule, naps should last up to two hours. This gives the child enough time to rest and recharge without feeling groggy when they wake up. The following are some general guidelines for nap time length based on age:

Infants
Babies are typically the best nappers, as they need the most sleep. Newborns tend to sleep the most, waking every couple of hours to eat. This extended sleep is necessary due to their rapid physical and cognitive development, which demands significant rest. By around four months, infants often extend their nighttime sleep and typically take two to three naps during the day.

Toddlers & Preschoolers
Toddlers and preschoolers typically nap once or twice daily, lasting one to two hours. Some toddlers may need only one nap, while others may need two. However, some preschoolers might not need a nap at all. It's crucial to maintain consistency in nap times and communicate any observations or changes promptly to parents.

What's the best way to put babies down for a nap?
To ease baby into nap time:
- Set the mood. A dark, quiet environment can help encourage the baby to sleep.
- Put baby to bed drowsy but awake. Before the baby gets overtired or cranky, you might try singing soft lullabies, swaddling, or massaging them. Eventually, the baby will learn that these activities mean it's time to rest. Putting infants in their cribs when sleepy but not yet asleep. This will help them learn to fall asleep on their own.
- Be safe. Place the baby to sleep on his or her back, and clear the crib or bassinet of blankets and other soft items._
- Be consistent. Babies will get the most out of daytime naps if they take them at the same time each day and for about the same length. Occasional exceptions are inevitable, of course, and won't harm your baby.

What if A baby sounds fussy after I put him or her down?
It's common for babies to cry when put down for sleep.
- Avoid letting babies cry during their first month. Soothe the baby by singing quietly, playing soft music, or rocking it gently.
- If a baby cries after being placed in the crib at four months, check on them and offer comforting words. Then, leave the room and give them time to settle again. You might also consider putting the baby down for a nap a little earlier. This might allow the baby to get past some fussiness by the time their nap starts.
- Remember that babies are often active during sleep — twitching their hands and feet, smiling, startling, and generally appearing restless. It's easy to mistake a baby's stirrings as a sign that they are waking up or needs to eat. Instead of picking up the baby immediately, wait a few minutes to see if they fall asleep.
- Helping babies get the right daytime sleep isn't always easy. Don't feel bad if some days are more challenging than others. Remember to look and listen for the signs that a baby is tired and try to keep their nap routine consistent.
- If you have questions or concerns about a baby's napping schedule, talk to his or her parent.

Help Children Sleep Better
- It's beneficial to feed infants right before bedtime. This ensures they are not hungry when you put them in their crib. However, be mindful not to overfeed, as this can lead to discomfort and disrupt sleep.
- Have a regular sleep schedule and a nighttime routine.
    - Your child should go to sleep at the same time each night.
    - Nighttime routines include feeding, bathing, stories, soft music, etc.
- You can give infants a pacifier while they sleep.
    - A pacifier may lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
    - If a baby is breastfeeding, be sure they can put their mouth around the nipple and latch on before starting a pacifier. This is usually around 3 to 4 weeks of age.
- Do not put your child in their crib with a bottle or cup. Sleeping with milk or juice in their mouth can lead to tooth decay (cavities).

Information to Share with Families
Many families view their child’s teacher as an expert. Sometimes, families ask for your help with their problems, especially around sleep. Here is some information families might find helpful.
- Acknowledge how hard it is to have a child who doesn't sleep at night. When a baby doesn’t sleep, the parents don’t sleep, and everyone is exhausted. Remember, none of us are at our best when we feel sleep-deprived.
- When parents ask about nighttime waking or getting their baby to sleep through the night, no one strategy will work for all families. Help parents think through what they will do when the baby wakes up so that they have a plan. The plan might include quietly entering the baby’s room, waiting a few minutes before going in, or safely co-sleeping. Help parents understand that responding consistently to a waking baby is important. When parents do the same thing every night, the baby will know what to expect.
- Ask about the family’s bedtime routine. Many infants and toddlers sleep better when they eat dinner and go to bed simultaneously every night. A bedtime routine might include some activities like bath time, brushing teeth, stories, or a short cuddle and off to sleep. Over time, a consistent routine will cue that it is time to calm down and be ready for sleep.
- When a baby is teething or nearing a milestone, like walking, they might wake up more at night. This is a normal part of their development. During times of exciting growth, babies may have more trouble sleeping. Understanding these needs can help caregivers feel more empathetic and responsive.
- Just like adults, babies and toddlers can react to stress by losing sleep. As a caregiver, your role is crucial in identifying these stressors. Reflect on the child’s experiences while you are with them–have there been any changes in caregivers, peers, or classrooms? Ask the family if anything is going on in their lives that might be stressful. If so, find out if there are ways that you can support the family and the child.
- Some parents have found that “white noise,” the sound of the vacuum cleaner, a fan, or running water, helps their baby sleep. If that works, try recording the sound to play back during sleep. A fan can also provide white noise to drown outside sounds and lull a baby to sleep. The white noise can be comforting because it is similar to the sounds babies experience in the womb.

Safe Sleep Guidelines
Creating a safe sleep environment for infants is crucial to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and promote overall sleep safety. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides guidelines for safe sleep, often called the ABCs of Safe Sleep. Here are the key guidelines:
A - Alone
PLACE THE BABY IN A CRIB, BASSINET, OR PLAYPEN: The baby should sleep in their own sleep space, free from soft bedding, toys, and other objects. Co-sleeping, bed-sharing, or placing the baby on a soft surface like an adult bed, couch, or armchair should be avoided
B - Back
ALWAYS PACE THE BABY ON THEIR BACK TO SLEEP: This is the safest sleep position for infants. Babies who sleep on their backs have a lower risk of SIDS. Once the baby can roll over independently, forcing them to stay on their back is unnecessary.
C - Crib
USE A FIRM SLEEP SURFACE: The baby should sleep on a firm mattress with a fitted sheet. Avoid soft mattresses, waterbeds, sofas, or any other soft surface.

Other Safe Sleep Practices:
No soft beddings or toys
Keep the sleeping area free from soft bedding, pillows, quilts, comforters, toys, and bumper pads. These items can pose a suffocation risk.
Avoid overheating
Dress the baby in lightweight clothing and keep the room comfortable to prevent overheating. If using a blanket, ensure it is lightweight and tucked securely around the mattress.
Pacifiers for sleep
Consider offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime. If breastfeeding, wait until breastfeeding is well-established before introducing a pacifier.

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This procedure will be reviewed annually and is subject to change. Any changes will be communicated to all employees promptly. 

For any questions or further assistance regarding this policy, employees should contact the HR department at hr.nigeria@ignition633.org.