Nido means “nest” in Italian – The Nido in a Montessori Infant Program
In this article/blog we will talk about the Montessori Floor Bed in the Montessori childcare community.
Presenting The Montessori School of Silicon Valley (MSOSV) position on safe sleep using the Montessori Floor Bed rather than a crib or room full of cribs in the Montessori childcare community.
The use of a sleep sack for children under the age of one replaces a blanket and keeps the child sleeping comfortably on their back while maintaining the proper temperature.
Finally, we will wrap up talking about “Tummy Time” and the transition from using a pacifier to how Montessori works with families to help Sleep Train their infant children.
Maria Montessori described a peaceful coexistence of family members, noting that children who received response care, and whose needs were met, did not spend as much time crying. Care should be taken to identify sources of stress in order to avoid over-stimulating the infant.
We also suggest that the infant not be fed or rocked in order to “get them to fall asleep” to suit the adult’s schedules or needs. Instead, we suggest close observation of the child, and taking them to their sleeping space once we notice they are tired, so they will get used to the idea of falling asleep in that place. This will also help them to fall back asleep on their own if they should wake up briefly during sleep cycles. Waiting until the infant is overtired is not recommended, as they may become too agitated to calm themselves.
Peacefully drifting off to sleep in a place where they feel consistently safe and secure is the ideal.
In Understanding the Human being, Dr. Montessori said:
“Whenever such a bed is suggested to future parents preparing for birth, the typical objection is that the child is likely to fall from the bed. However, after many decades of direct experience, we can confidently report that this never happens and cannot happen if the bed is used from the very beginning. This is because the infant’s movements are very slow.”
The floor bed in the Montessori Nido environment is a natural extension of the Montessori ideas. Supporting the child’s development of independence by allowing them to get into and out of bed independently.
A wooden box the size of a cradle or bassinet mattress, with the height of the box about 1 to 2 inches above the tight-fitting mattress.
Montessori Floor Beds can be found in fully implemented Montessori programs. The Floor bed provides freedom of movement and unobstructed views. Very much like the rest of the Nido environment. There is plenty of floor space for the nido children to explore.
When walking into a Montessori Nido environment, the differences are noticeable right away.
All shelves, cabinets, tables, and chairs are at child height. Once the children are mobile, they help to prepare food, set and clean up the table. There are no restraint devices in the environment. You will not find hi-chairs, play pens, or other devices that constrict the child. The Montessori Floor Bed is a natural extension of the community.
From birth, the baby makes small movement and can turn almost 360 degrees. If you observe, you might notice that when they encounter the edge of the bed, they move back and don’t drop off. This sense of their body within space is enhanced by using a floor bed.
Even if the infant were to roll off the bed, the bed is 5 inches tall and sits on the carpeted floor. The lip of the bed helps to define the space. Most infants sleep comfortably on their back in the middle of the bed.
Infants enjoy an unobstructed view of their space.
The Montessori Floor Bed allows for bonding with the caregiver. A caregiver can sit next to the floor bed and comfort the infant without lifting out of the crib or bending over the crib.
With the unobstructed view, and a short plexiglass wall, the sleeping area is always in full view, allowing the caregiver to see when the infant is asleep, waking up, or up. The caregiver can easily make eye contact. Letting the infant know they are right there. All sounds can also be heard. The caregivers are trained to check on the sleeping infant every 15 minutes ensuring proper breathing and unobstructed at all times.
Following safe sleep practices in Montessori Nido is a number one priority. All Guides/caregivers are trained in safe sleep practices. These practices include:
The sleep sack “wearable blanket” replaces loose blankets in the bed that can cover the infant’s face and interfere with breathing. In addition to sleeping safely, it helps the infant sleep better, too. It is a warm cuddly blanket that they can’t kick off; ensuring the infant sleeps soundly.
It is recommended to use a sleep sack that corresponds with the infant’s size. The purpose of the sleep sack is to keep the infant from having excess material that may bunch up around the nose or mouth. If the infant is wearing a sleep sack that is too large, there is a potential for the infant’s head to slip through the neck hole or for excess material to bunch up around his or her face.
Sleeveless Sleep Sack – helps reduce the risk of overheating. Easy to be worn with regular clothing for napping during the day.
https://www.halosleep.com/shop/sleepsack
https://www.insider.com/guides/parenting/best-sleep-sack#the-best-sleep-sack-overall-1
How long do infants wear the sleep sack in the Montessori Nido Environment?
Once the infant is able to roll from back to front and front to back on his or her own, the infant will wear a sleep sack. Guides will then use the sleep sack as an option, working with the parents to decide. Guides will continue to place the infant on their back to sleep, allowing the infant to change positions on their own. A good rule of thumb though is 12 months. Once the infant moves from the floor bed to a rest mat at school, the infant stays in a sleep sack.
Once infants start rolling and learning to crawl, they often want to practice these newfound skills. Having the ability to crawl out of their bed is a freedom they certainly enjoy. The sleep sack will begin to be restrictive for crawling. The infant can become easily frustrated with their limited mobility. Once this happens, the infant will begin to strongly resist being put into their sleep sack.
Are children swaddled in the Montessori Nido Environment?
No.
When infants reach about two months, they’re at the age where they might start rolling over. They may roll from their backs to their tummies. When infants start rolling, it is important for their arms to be free. If they get over to their tummies, they need to be able to push their body back up. If their arms are not free, their face may get planted into the softer surface.
Most infants start Nido between 6 weeks to 12 weeks old. If the infant is swaddled at home, the caregivers will work with the parents to begin to loosen the swaddle, preparing for the transition to a sleep sack.
The AAP states that swaddling is not necessary or recommended.
When do caregivers stop tracking sleep every 15 minutes?
Although there is always a caregiver visually supervising the sleeping infants, once an infant moves to a rest mat, the written tracking of every 15 minutes stops. Instead, the caregiver will track the total amount of time the infant slept.
When do infants move to a Rest Mat?
Usually around 10-12 months, the infant is transitioning from “on Demand” to a schedule. The infant will join the older children for lunch and rest.
The rest mat has a sheet and a blanket. Sheets and blankets are laundered weekly or as needed.
Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play
Tummy time is essential for young infants because it encourages overall muscle development, especially in the neck and upper back muscles. Tummy time helps infants gain the physical skills they need to be able to roll over on their back, sit up, and eventually crawl.
Guides will start slow – Supervised Tummy Time
Guides will place the infant on his belly for 1 to 2 minutes at a time. This will be tried 4 to 5 times a day. The goal is to increase each tummy time session is up to 10 minutes.
The guide will give the infant something to look at or play with while on his tummy.
Holding the item in front of the infant will help to get his attention. This will encourage him to lift his head and reach.
Sit or lie down in front of the infant during tummy time.
Toys/objects are placed in a circle around the infant, this will promote reaching in many different directions.
The Guide supervises during tummy time.
Bolstering
Roll up a thin towel or small blanket to make a bolster that will provide extra support during Tummy Time. Place the bolster under the infant’s chest and position his arms over the roll, with his hands stretching out in front of it. Note: be sure the infant’s chin is always in front of the bolster, so the airway
is not blocked.
The Guide supervises during bolstering.
Bottle Feeding
Although holding the infant is the best way to bottle feed, the Boppy pillow provides perfect support for the infant. The caregiver only needs to hold the bottle with one hand. Note: Bottles are NEVER propped for the infant. Only when the infant can hold the bottle with both hands, does the caregiver allow the infant to drink the bottle independently laying in the Boppy pillow.
Back Laying
The Boppy pillow is the perfect way to create a little “nest” for the infant. This is a really nice way to allow the infants to see each other and what is happening in the environment.
Place their head and shoulder on the Boppy pillow and their bottom down in the hole. They should feel snug. Boppy’s are NOT to be used in Montessori Floor Beds.
Propped Playing
As infants are gaining neck control and developing their gross motor coordination, lying flat can make it difficult to grab hanging objects. Using the Boppy pillow gets the infant closer to the hanging objects and assists their motor abilities by putting them in a reclined position.
Tummy Time
With parents and caregivers being advised to place their infants on their backs to sleep, scheduling “Tummy Time” for the infant when the infant can hold their head up, is important for the infants in the Nido community.
Once the infant is strong enough to lift their head and allows their arms free to grab, play and explore. Place the infant with their chest on the Boppy pillow, arms draped over the front and knees in the hole. Caregivers sit with the infant during tummy time. As infants gain control, they can roll or wiggle forwards or backward and get stuck.
Supported Sitting from the Front/Behind
When the infant is beginning to sit up on their own, caregivers will wrap the Boppy pillow around the front of the infants, with arms draped over it and Boppy surrounding them around the back. This helps them develop the core and lateral strength needed for sitting.
Once the infant is moderately stable and is beginning to sit on its own, caregivers will wrap the Boppy pillow behind the infant’s back. This allows for extra support and cushion, should they fall over.
https://cchp.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra181/f/Safe-Sleep-Policy.pdf
http://nrckids.org/CFOC/Database/3.1.4.1
Pacifiers can be helpful during the first 6 months of life for the infant. If the infant begins the program using a pacifier for sleep, continue using for sleep. The Nido Guide will work with the family with a plan to wean from the pacifier.
Parents starting Nido are encouraged to avoid the pacifier if one has not been introduced.
Why No to the Pacifier?
A pacifier can be used to give the parents some quiet when the infant is trying to communicate their needs. Sometimes a pacifier is used in place of parental care. A pacifier can prevent a child from talking once a pacifier is used throughout the day, and not just for sleep.
Why Yes to the Pacifier?
Many parents choose to use a pacifier during the first 6 months. The pacifier can help to soothe infants to sleep. If choosing side/tummy sleeping instead of using a pacifier. The pacifier is a safer choice.
When to wean off the Pacifier?
While there is no definitive answer to this question. The earlier the infant is weaned from the pacifier, the easier it will be as the infant will not be as dependent on it.
How to wean off the Pacifier?
If your child is using the pacifier during the day for comfort, it is a good idea to begin limiting it to just bedtime.
When arriving at school, depending on the age of the child, the guide will ask the child for the pacifier or remove the pacifier. The pacifier will be placed in the backpack or on a higher shelf. The pacifier will come back out for sleep only.
Tips for home:
When your child wakes from sleep, put the pacifier away, keep it on a high shelf in the bedroom. This will help both parent and child avoid using the pacifier to get through difficult moments during the day.
If your child asks for the pacifier, tell them that the pacifier is used for bedtime. Speak matter-of-factly. Use consistent and clear language. Avoid shaming or telling your child that pacifiers are only for babies etc.
Offer an extra hug, sitting together for comfort, read a story, sing a song, look out the window together, rather than getting the pacifier out.
Stick to it for at least a full week. The first few days can be the hardest. Try to be consistent, if you give up too quickly, the work is lost, and you will have to start all over again.
Nursing or using a feeding area unlike a lot of advice on nursing or bottle feeding, we suggest the infant not feed while the adult is sitting in a rocking chair. This can lull the baby off to sleep before they are full, and then they might wake up hungry again after a brief time.
This can set up an exhausting and frustrating cycle for both mother (or caregiver) and child. It also associates the need for nursing with the ability to fall asleep.
We recommend a place that is comfortable, where the mother (or caregiver) and child feel well supported, and away from distractions or interruptions.
Whenever possible, we suggest the adult pay close attention to the infant while they are nursing/feeding, looking into the infant’s eyes and making a connection.
This is a time of intimacy and bonding, the foundation for all future relationships. Feeding the infant feeds both their physical and emotional needs.
3 Baby Sleep Stories and what we can learn from them
Using the Montessori philosophy to approach sleep with your child is a gentle approach to aid to independence and develop healthy sleep habits. This blog is a mixture of ideas to use at home as well as a glimpse into what happens in a fully implemented Montessori Nido Community.