Infant pillow

One hears of numerous expert opinions on why babies do not require pillows and how dangerous pillows can be for the health of your baby. Most of such advice is needlessly exaggerated and do not give the right picture of whether to use baby pillows or not. It is true that very young babies, less than one year of age do not require a pillow under normal circumstances, and that some baby pillow products may actually be unsafe. However, past that age, using a baby pillow is no more harmful and can actually aid your baby in sleeping better.

During the early years, the skull bones are very soft and keeping the head in one position may result in the skull developing a lopsided appearance. A rigid on the back sleeping posture can lead to the development of a hollow at the back of the baby’s head. A baby pillow helps stave off such a happening by giving the right support to the head. Choosing the right kind of pillow is vital. Never choose a feather or soft pillow as the baby may develop allergies due to the feather or be smothered due to the extra softness enveloping the nose and mouth. The new memory foam pillows are a good buys because they provide the right kind of hold to the baby’s head and are non hazardous.

Baby pillows come in all shapes and sizes. The key is to identify which sort of pillow is best for your baby. Baby pillows used in cribs are just as safe as any other provided they are thin and narrow. If you visit any childcare unit in any hospital, you will find crib pillows being used. Doctors also recommend baby pillows when your baby develops a cold. A baby pillow helps keep the head up and aids breathing which is disturbed by a congested nose. A baby pillow also helps prevent acid reflux and ear infections. Some opine that a good time for transition to pillows is when the baby moves from the crib to a bed. This advice is on the basis that smothering is unlikely as the pillow will probably fall off the bed. Some babies even start exhibit signs that they need a pillow. They do this by holding a stuffed toy or a towel under their head and use it as a makeshift head rest. Then it’s definitely time for you to buy a good baby pillow.