The birth of a baby is a thrilling event in the life of every family, especially if the baby is desired and long-awaited. All responsibility for the good upbringing and well-being of the child falls entirely on the fragile shoulders of the parents. In order to minimize all possible health risks, it is necessary to pay attention to the arrangement of the children's room. Not the least role in this process is played by the sleeping place, in which the new family member spends most of the time after birth.
When the crib and mattress are selected, loving mothers begin to look for a pillow that matches the parameters of the playpen or cradle. But is it really necessary, or can the search be postponed for the future?
Content
- Does a baby need a pillow? Recommendations from pediatricians
- Potential threats to the life of a baby due to the use of a pillow in infancy
- In what cases does a child under one year need a pillow?
- At what age can you put a child to sleep on a pillow?
- Criteria for choosing the first pillow for a baby
- Video: How to choose a pillow for a child? – Dr. Komarovsky
Does a baby need a pillow? Recommendations from pediatricians
While in the maternity ward, mothers have noticed more than once that the baby is placed on a flat surface (in most cases, this is a playpen with an orthopedic, but not hard, mattress). It is at this point that the question arises: “from what month will the baby need a pillow, and is it needed at all in the first years after birth?”
The ratio of the head to the entire body of the baby is significantly greater than that of an adult. When in a level position, the load on the spine is practically absent.
Taking into account the anatomical features of the baby's physique, pediatricians give an unambiguous conclusion - a pillow or any other devices for raising the head may not only not bring any benefit, but also cause serious harm to the health or even the life of the baby.
It is important to remember that at this age the cervical vertebrae and anatomical curves of the spine are strengthened and formed. Ignoring the advice of specialists can cause serious back diseases or weak muscle tone at an older age.
Potential threats to the life of a baby due to the use of a pillow in infancy
If the baby was born without any abnormalities and its development is normal, official medicine prohibits the use of a pillow due to the following dangers.
- Sudden infant death syndrome – a small toddler is unable to cope with his body. By turning over on his side and burying his nose in the pillow, he can independently block the oxygen supply to the body, causing cardiac arrest.
The anti-suffocation pillow is a monolithic block made of spongy material that allows the baby to breathe freely even if he buries his nose in it. - Aspiration of vomit - when in an elevated position, it is much more difficult for a newborn to turn his head during regurgitation, which can cause the mass to enter the respiratory tract.
For children who often burp, special inclined pillows with an angle of no more than 30 degrees are recommended. - Spinal curvature - since the baby's bones are very flexible, the anatomical features may form incorrectly, which may become the basis for the onset of diseases of the baby's cervical-spinal region.
- Allergic reaction – natural fillers are no longer so popular among young parents, because they can cause not only irritation throughout the body, but also cause asthma, shortness of breath or any respiratory diseases in a growing organism.
Pillows with natural fillings should be selected individually - they can cause allergies
But in medicine there are cases when using a pillow is mandatory. If your child has the following symptoms, consult your doctor. It is his recommendations that will help you choose the best option for a comfortable, and most importantly, healthy sleep for your baby.
In what cases does a child under one year need a pillow?
A baby pillow is necessary in the following cases.
- Torticollis (both congenital and acquired) - the doctor prescribes an orthopedic pillow to the newborn, the height of which depends on the severity of the disease. The height is adjusted along with the positive dynamics of recovery.
- Deformed skull bones - natural childbirth leaves its mark on the shape of the head, therefore, to achieve symmetry in the size of the head, the pediatrician selects an anatomical pillow according to the individual parameters of the child.
- Excessive regurgitation – being near the baby’s crib every minute is difficult even for the most caring parents. If regurgitation is a frequent occurrence for the baby, it is better to consult a specialist about the pillow. It is better to protect yourself and the baby from negative consequences and calmly do household chores, rather than take turns watching the baby.
- Hypotonicity and hypertonicity of muscles - to normalize muscle tone, the doctor recommends sleeping on a pillow, which helps fix the position of the newborn during sleep.
- Intracranial hypertension, birth injuries – the elevated position of the head helps reduce pain in the child and normalize blood flow.
Even if one of the above-mentioned diseases is present, it is unacceptable for a newborn to use a regular pillow, which adults are used to using. For a growing organism, the ideal option is an orthopedic pillow with a recess for the head.
At what age can you put a child to sleep on a pillow?
According to pediatricians, it is better to postpone introducing the baby to a new bedding accessory until he is 2 years old. If there are no deviations and indications, you can wait until 3 years.
After 3 years, you can safely and without any fear put a pillow in the baby's bed. Of course, the baby may refuse it, because he is so used to a flat surface. Do not insist and force him to sleep on a new household item, give him time to get used to and get acquainted with the pillow.
Criteria for choosing the first pillow for a baby
Many parents want their child to take an active part in arranging their sleeping place, and trust them with the initiative to choose the main components for the crib. But do not overdo it with this, because the choice of the young adventurer often falls on decorative pillows, which are not very suitable for sleeping. And for decoration, not only colorful pictures are used, but also buttons, external seams, zippers and laces. They can cause discomfort or even pose a health hazard.
Next, when choosing a pillow, pay attention to the following aspects.
Size and shape
When choosing a pillow for your baby, it is better to avoid oval or other geometric options. The classic rectangular pillow shape with an orthopedic effect is the best option.
As for the size, it is better to focus on the width of the crib. You should choose so that the baby's head does not roll between the side parts of the playpen and does not create reasons for concern.
Filler
It is important that the inner fibers of the bedding allow air to circulate. Low-quality synthetic materials do not absorb moisture well, so the child will constantly sweat and sleep on a damp surface.
To avoid such troubles, choose natural filler (but only if the baby does not have allergic reactions).
Buckwheat husk has always been and is an excellent filler. It is an excellent hypoallergenic agent. In addition, buckwheat as a filler follows the anatomical shape of the child's head, helps to normalize blood circulation and helps to cope with poor health.
Additional elements (fasteners, straps, etc.) allow you to fix the pillow in one position and prevent slipping.
Fabrics
Thanks to the huge range of products in textile stores, you can choose not only beautiful, but also high-quality bed linen. The main thing is that it is made of environmentally friendly materials and brings only benefit to the little one.
