One important component of infant safe sleep requirements is to always place babies on their backs to sleep. Putting infants to sleep on their backs has been shown to significantly reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, babies need to balance the time spent on their backs with time on their stomachs, to strengthen their core and neck muscles and to avoid flat spots on their heads. This is where tummy time comes in. It’s critical for anyone caring for an infant, from parents to childcare providers, to know about and practice safe tummy time. 

In the News: An Amber Alert was issued for a seven-year-old boy after his father abducted him from his childcare center. The child’s mother had full legal custody of the child but staff members let the child go because his father claimed he was taking the child to a doctor’s appointment.

Reality Alert: A childcare provider caring for an eleven-week-old baby swaddled him and placed him in a car seat for a nap. He was left in an empty room for two hours.

Reality Alert: It was a busy day in the infant room at a respected and well-known childcare center. Two teachers were working hard to keep eight babies fed and happy.

Reality Alert: The lunchtime rush was just beginning in a busy toddler classroom at a large childcare center. Teachers were helping children wash their hands and the toddlers were starting to sit down at the table when their food arrived.

Many childcare center administrators wonder about the pros and cons of installing cameras in their classrooms. On one hand, the cameras add another set of eyes on the classrooms so if anything happens, children aren’t the only witnesses.

Reality Alert: A longtime fitness instructor ended a vigorous cycling class early due to severe knee pain. Her doctor diagnosed her with a serious tear in her knee due to overuse.

What is biometric information?

Biometric information is a physiological way of identifying a person. Examples include fingerprints, facial recognition, DNA, and retina recognition.

Today most towns and cities are home to multiple 24-hour fitness centers. From Planet Fitness to Anytime Fitness, these facilities are popular due to their cheap rates and no-frills approach.

Reality Alert: A member at a local community organization presents a manager with medical bills, demanding the organization pay them. The member claims to have slipped and fallen in their lobby and is seriously injured, as evidenced by their large stack of medical bills.