Choosing a baby pillow is an important task for any parent. A pillow can make your child’s sleep much more comfortable. But just as babies are not like adults, baby pillows are not like adult pillows. How can you know you have selected the right kind of pillow for your child?
First, is a baby pillow a good idea for a baby your child’s age? Children under two years old should never have pillows in the crib with them. Because infants’ neck muscles are weak, they run the risk of suffocating on the pillow if they roll onto their belly. Some parents find that elevating their baby’s head when their baby has a stuffed nose or an ear infection helps the baby to sleep, but this is dangerous. If your child is under two but needs her head elevated, consider putting a pillow under the mattress instead, so that the mattress itself is elevated. The mattress is firmer than a pillow, which reduces the chance of suffocation and is safer for small babies.
Second, does your baby require a baby pillow? Small children often do fine without pillows because their bodies are proportioned differently from adults’ bodies. You will know your child is ready for a pillow when they sleep restlessly or when they start balling blankets or stuffed toys under their head.
Third, what size is best for a baby pillow? Small, flat pillows, like the pillows you get on an airplane, are the best ones to choose for your baby. Using a smaller pillow will prevent your child from elevating his or her head too high and waking up with a crick in the neck.
Fourth, what is the best filling for a baby pillow? You may love the soft, fluffy comfort or down or feather pillows, but children are not ready for them. Small children find them to be too soft, and exposing babies to down or feathers too young can cause them to become allergic. A firm, hypoallergenic filling is the best stuffing for your baby’s pillow.
These guidelines will ensure that you choose just the right baby pillow for your toddler. Remember to make sure your child is old enough and needs a baby pillow, then choose a pillow that is smaller than an adult pillow and filled with a firm, hypoallergenic stuffing. Then do the most important step: See what your child thinks of their new pillow. Your child is the best judge of whether you have picked the right pillow. With these guidelines, you are sure to find a pillow they love.
November 30th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Wonderful stuff here.
February 8th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
After getting her used to the big bed with a few naps, we transitioned her to nighttime too. We made the bed like we would for an adult. She had two pillows and a big comforter. Because she was almost 3, we did not have to mess with those little baby pillows or toddler pillows.
My son decided not to follow the crib path his sister did.
February 12th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Babies have very soft heads and this needs proper support. Avoid using feather pillows since these are too pliable to be of any value and may sometimes even cause allergies in a vulnerable child. Feather pillows are also known to cause smothering as the head of the child sinks into the pillow while he is sleeping. In some cases, babies are known to develop a flat head because of the continued sleeping on their backs. Fear not; memory foam pillows are made specifically to prevent this.
February 25th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Glad i found this. All good.