Baby Pillow

A safe and sound sleep is very important for the health and growth of a baby. To aid in putting the baby to a sound sleep requires the use of appropriate baby accessories. Baby pillows are a part of the baby essentials that help your little one sleep well. Reflux is avoided by using a baby pillow as well as ensuring a sound sleep. A baby pillow helps keep the head of the baby slightly raised, above the rest of the body and thus helps prevent the baby from bringing up the bottle of feed ingested just before sleeping. Keeping the head of the infant slightly elevated also helps in respiration with added importance when the baby has constricted air passage due to a cold. The skull of a baby is very pliant and if left lying in one position for too long can result in cranial deformity. Therefore, support to the skull is very important which can be given by baby pillows.

There have been a number of negative reports on the dangers of using baby pillows, mainly out of the fear of the baby smothering in a pillow. These fears are unfounded provided you choose the correct variety of baby pillows. A simple precaution is never to choose a feather pillow or a soft pillow. The former can lead to smothering and the latter can cause allergic reactions in some babies. Pillow covers must be made of soft cotton or linen and never of synthetic material which can cause allergic reactions. Thin, narrow pillows are commonly used by hospitals and maternity wards as crib pillows. Baby pillows are also made of memory foam which is a good bargain. Most supermarkets, malls and specialized baby care shops stock baby pillows. While costs vary, it is always more prudent to buy a recognized brand for the assured safety and quality.

And now the crucial issue: when do you start using baby pillows for your infant? There are no thumb rules. Most pediatricians suggest that any age after one year is okay for using a baby pillow. Other ways to know when to use a baby pillow is by looking out for indications from the baby. These indications come when your baby begins utilizing a favorite stuffed toy as a pillow or a bed sheet as support, a sure sign of need to buy a pillow.