Is Your Child Ready for a Baby Pillow?

Picking the right baby pillow for your child is important. Your child may sleep much more comfortably with a pillow. 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 a baby pillow a good idea for a baby your childs age? Pillows should never be put in the crib with babies under the age of two. A babys neck muscles are weak, and cannot always prevent the baby from suffocating if she rolls over onto her stomach. Even when a baby has an ear infection or a congested nose and sleeps better with a pillow under his or her head, giving the child a pillow is risky. 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 firm surface of the mattress will reduce the risk of suffocation and keep your child safe.
Second, does your child need 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 should a baby pillow be stuffed with? Even though down and feather pillows are delightfully soft and comfortable, dont 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 babys 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 very best judge you have! If you follow these guidelines, youll definitely find your child a safe and comfortable pillow that they love.