Infant pillow

The fact that babies’ heads are really delicate and fragile should be a primary consideration when looking into a baby pillow. Since sleeping on their backs can cause babies to develop a flattened area on the back of their heads, you may want to consider a baby pillow that is made out of special foam, which keeps this from happening. Ironically, sleeping on their back is the safest position for babies to be in. This position greatly lessens the risk of SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome from occurring. This is why you may also want to use a sleep positioner in addition to a baby pillow. Sleep positioners are designed to keep babies sleeping on their back in the safest possible position. Along with the baby pillow, these sleep positioners help ensure that the baby is able to get a good night’s rest.

Some doctors and sleep experts feel that a baby pillow is not really essential for babies. While some children seem to do fine without them, many will need a baby pillow in order to sleep more comfortably through the night. However, it may be a good idea to wait until your child makes the move from the crib onto a real bed before you use a baby pillow. There can be a risk of the child suffocating with the use of a baby pillow, particularly when he or she is less than two years of age. If your child simply cannot get to sleep without one, make sure that the baby pillow you use is firm and fairly small. There is a danger of your baby suffocating with a baby pillow that is too soft and contains feathers, and you run the risk of triggering an allergic episode as well.

A baby pillow that is made out of memory foam could be well worth looking into as well. Memory foam ensures that the pressure is distributed evenly around the baby’s delicate head. Made out of a Visco Elastic cushioning material, memory foam lessens the risk of the baby developing a flattened head and can make him or her sleep better as well.

As you can see, the use of a baby pillow is dependent upon many factors. If you have any doubts about how the use of a baby pillow will affect your child’s sleep as well as general health, you may want to talk about your concerns with your pediatrician. This way, he or she can make a qualified opinion based on the specific needs of your baby.