(1) There shall be adequate opportunities for sleep periods during the day suited to the infant's and toddler's individual needs.

(2) Unless the parent has provided medical documentation from a health care provider ordering otherwise, infants shall be placed on their back and on a firm surface to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

(3) Each infant shall be provided with a crib or play pen for sleeping. At the discretion of the parent and provider, a cot or mat may be used once a child turns one year of age as long as a safe sleep environment is provided. Children one year of age through 18 months who are placed on a mat must have a signed permission statement in the file indicating that the parent has given permission for their child to be placed on a mat. In addition, a caregiver must remain with the child while they are sleeping.

(a) Infants and toddlers shall not be routinely allowed to sleep in a car seat, infant swing, or other infant apparatus.

(b) Cot or mat surfaces may be of plastic or canvas or other material which can be cleaned with detergent solution and allowed to air dry.

(4) Cribs shall be made of durable, cleanable, nontoxic material, and have secure latching devices. Cribs shall have no more than 2 and 3/8 inches of space between the vertical slats. No later than December 28, 2012, all cribs must meet the requirements for full-size baby cribs and non-full-size baby cribs as specified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 16 CFR Part 1219 (2011) and 16 CFR Part 1220 (2011), incorporated by these references. A copy of the requirements for full-size baby cribs and non-full-size baby cribs is available at

http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/earlychildhood/cribrequirements.shtml, or by contacting the Montana Child Care Licensing Program at P.O. Box 202953, Helena, Montana 59620; Phone: (406) 444-2012.

(5) Mattresses must fit snugly to prevent the infant from being caught between the mattress and crib siderail. Crib mattresses must be waterproof and easily sanitized. Cribs, cots, or mats must be thoroughly cleansed before assignment to another infant or toddler.

(6) Cribs, cots, or mats shall be spaced to allow for easy access to each infant and toddler, adequate ventilation, and easy exit. Aisles between cribs or cots shall be kept free of obstructions while cribs or cots are occupied. The use of stackable cribs for infants is permitted until the infants reach one year of age or weigh 26 pounds, whichever comes first.

(7) All pillows, quilts, comforters, heavy blankets, sheepskins, bumper pads, stuffed toys, and other soft products shall be removed from the crib and play pen.

(a) If a lightweight blanket is used, the child's feet must be placed at the foot of the crib or play pen and the blanket must be tucked along the sides and foot of the mattress. The blanket should not come up higher than the child's chest.

(8) Each infant and toddler shall have been provided by the parent with a clean washable blanket or other suitable covering for his use while sleeping. Each infant's and toddler's bedding shall be stored separate from bedding used by other children.

(9) All cries of infants and toddlers shall be investigated.

(10) The licensee or registrant of facilities licensed/registered after the enactment of these rules must receive training in an approved safe sleep curriculum before being granted approval for children under age two. Any caregiver who provides care to children under age two must receive training in an approved safe sleep curriculum within 60 days of hire. Caregivers who have not received the safe sleep training shall be supervised by an individual who has successfully completed the approved safe sleep curriculum in order for the caregiver to provide care to children under age two. Facilities licensed or registered before the effective date of these rules will have until July 31, 2013 to complete this training.

(11) Providers must develop a written policy that describes the practices to be used to promote a safe sleep environment when children under age two are napping or sleeping.

(12) All caregivers shall sign an acknowledgement indicating that they have read and understood the provider's policy outlined in (11).