When to Use Baby Pillows
04/08/09
It is normal for adults to sleep with pillows under our head. You might then assume that the same thing follows with babies. Well, the truth of the matter is, babies can sleep soundly and normally even without pillows. Moreover, they can have a very comfortable sleep even without the pillows. Also, it is more safe for them without the pillows in their crib. So even if you have the pillow from crib beddings, experts all agree that you should not use them until the baby is on his toddler stage. The reason is that it may increase the change of your baby suffocating from the pillow if his face accidentally end up on it.
So when is it safe to let your baby use pillow? Well, doctors recommend that you should not have your baby use pillow unless he is already out on the crib and is already sleeping on his toddler bed. In other words, the baby should at least be two years old. If you really want to, that is. Even toddler do not really need to use pillows yet. They can still sleep comfortably without the pillow. Most often, baby pillows are just something that provides the toddler with security, like the teddy bear.
Some pediatric sleep experts say that pillows are not really needed by infants, toddlers and even small children. The parents might think that the baby pillow will provide the kids with additional comfort when they sleep but in reality, the baby is fine without the pillow. Nevertheless, expert recommend to parents who really want to initiate their baby to the use of pillow, is never to use the feather pillow. This is because these feather pillows are too soft and it may only smother the child if his head shrinks into it. Aside from that, they may also set off allergies.
And for those parents who really want to introduce pillows even when their baby is still in the crib, the experts recommend to use only pillows that are the size of airline pillows. Again the baby pillow must be firm and not the soft types. Another important thing that you must remember is to introduce the pillow on naptimes first. You can then monitor your child's movements and how he sleeps with the pillow, this way. If you finally think that he would be safe with it, then you may now use the baby pillow regularly.Then you may now use the pillow regularly if you finally think he will be safe with it.
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