Infant pillow

Picking the right baby pillow for your child is important. Your child may sleep much more comfortably with a pillow. But just as babies are not like adults, baby pillows are not like adult pillows. How do you know when you have chosen the right pillow for your baby?

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. Because infants’ neck muscles are weak, they run the risk of suffocating on the pillow if they roll onto their belly. 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 baby require a baby pillow? Because toddlers and babies are proportioned differently from adults, they often sleep perfectly well without a pillow. 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 should a baby pillow be? 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 is the best filling for a baby pillow? 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. The stuffing should be firm, and hypoallergenic fillings are best.

These guidelines will ensure that you choose just the right baby pillow for your toddler. Remember to make sure your child is old enough and needs a baby pillow, then choose a pillow that is smaller than an adult pillow and filled with a 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.