Selecting the Right Baby Pillow
Choosing a baby pillow is an important task for any parent. A pillow can make your child’s sleep much more comfortable. But because babies are shaped so differently from adults, baby pillows are different from adult pillows. How can you know you have selected the right kind of pillow for your child?
First, is your child old enough to use a baby pillow? Pillows should never be put in the crib with babies under the age of two. A baby’s neck muscles are weak, and cannot always prevent the baby from suffocating if she rolls over onto her stomach. 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 child need a baby pillow? Because toddlers and babies are proportioned differently from adults, they often sleep perfectly well without a pillow. The best sign that your child is ready for a baby pillow is when he or she starts sleeping with his or her head on a stuffed toy or balled up bedding.
Third, what size should a baby pillow be? When you choose a pillow for your child, pick one that is small and flat, about the size and shape of an airline pillow. A too high pillow will cause your child to wake with a sore neck, but a small pillow will stop this from happening.
Fourth, what should a baby pillow be stuffed with? Even though down and feather pillows are delightfully soft and comfortable, don’t give them to your child. 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.
If you have followed these simple guidelines, you are sure to choose the right baby pillow for your child. Make sure your child is old enough to use a baby pillow safely and ready to sleep with a pillow, then pick a small pillow filled with firm, hypoallergenic stuffing. After that, do the most important step of all, and ask your baby what he or she thinks of the 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.