It is definitely a given that all parents are concerned that their baby gets the required night’s rest. Are you are one of those parents wondering whether your child is ready for a pillow? Most parents assume that a pillow offers the much needed comfort, when in fact your child may be just fine as it is. Well, if you think your toddler may be more comfortable with a baby sleep pillow, read on. This however will depend on how grown up your kid is and where he is likely to nap. The general perception about baby sleep pillows is that it is not required for a child under 2 years of age. The use of pillows before this carries the risk of smothering. Of course, each child is different and you may want to introduce a baby sleep pillow earlier, but try to do so once your baby has moved to a bed. It is around this time that your child begins to support himself on his feet, a pillow may aid in climbing or crawling out of the crib! If you still wish to introduce a baby sleep pillow even while you are using a crib, go for one that is small and firm.
If you are offering a pillow to your child for the first time, pick baby sleep pillows made for the purpose; do not use a spare adult pillow. Most baby sleep pillows are much smaller than regular pillows. Babies have very soft heads and this needs proper support. Do not bother with feather pillows, as they are too soft to serve the purpose, and may trigger unnecessary reactions and even allergies. Feather pillows are also known to carry the risk of suffocation. 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. These specially designed baby sleep pillows are manufactured from flexible cushioning material, and provide good head support preventing the occurrence of flat head syndrome. Unlike other foam head supports, the Visco elastic head support material in these pillows does not bounce back and create pressure points. In addition, these pillows are conveniently machine washable. Most baby sleep pillows also come with sleep positioners to ensure a sound sleep since your baby stays put.
Finally, if you still feel ambiguous about the appropriate time to begin using a baby sleep pillow consult your pediatrician. You may even wait for signs from your baby that he might do better with a baby sleep pillow, such as discomfort sleeping in a flat bed.
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November 11th, 2009 at 3:15 am
These lovely creations are tempting for new parents or someone shopping for a unique baby gift to purchase. Before doing so, the safety of a baby pillow should be considered. If you receive a baby pillow as a gift or purchase one for your child, there are some chilling facts you must know before you place the pillow in the crib with your baby.
SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is the leading cause of death in the United States for infants one month to one year of age. In the early 90s, based on reports out of Europe and Australia, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a recommendation that babies not be placed on their tummies for sleep.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:21 am
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December 9th, 2009 at 3:23 am
Major causes of suffocation in younger children includes the baby pillows. This is because the baby pillow may be grasped by the baby and it may end up on his face. The baby will be suffocated if he fails to remove the pillow from his face. In some cases, the baby may get too close to the baby, causing him to get suffocated.
Rebreathing is another leading cause of SIDS.
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:40 am
You have so much to choose from in adorable looking stuffed animals, and of course the perfect baby pillow you would like to purchase for their bed. It must be ok to buy pillows for babies, since so many of your favorite stores carry them, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case. Putting a baby pillow in with your newborn, is not ok, and it could even cause harm or death if you chose to do so. It does not matter if your adorable baby sleeps in his or her very own baby bed or in a bassinet, putting any type of pillow or other item such as a furry little stuffed animal can actually be deadly.
A variety of things are used in the making of these pillows, and any one of them could be harmful for your baby.