All Communities > Young moms aged 20-30 > Pillows for Babies?

Pillows for Babies?

Danielle - posted on 02/25/2010 ( 3 moms have responded )

54

5

My daughter is nearly 11 months old and i was just wondering if it is too early to let her sleep on a pillow?

Join Circle of Moms

Sign up for Circle of Moms and be a part of this community! Membership is just one click away.

Join Circle of Moms

3 Comments

View replies by

Meghan - posted on 02/25/2010

1,957

44

If your child is younger than two years old, a pillow is definitely not recommended. A child under this age will normally not need a support for his or her head and more importantly there is always some risk of them suffocating on the pillow even if its under a sheet. Also, if your child is still of this young age but has started climbing, crawling or walking then the pillow could be used as an aid to climbing out of their crib.



Therefore, most research suggests that normally a pillow should not be considered until the baby is at least two years old and is also no longer sleeping in a crib but has progressed to a toddler bed.



Even when your child is slightly older though, it is not always necessary for them to use a pillow. If they are sleeping well without a pillow then there is probably no need to introduce one.



If and when you do decide to give your child a pillow, make sure it is an actual 'baby sleep pillow

' rather than just one you already have in your house. The pillow should be relatively firm so that the child cannot sink into it whilst sleeping and be smothered or suffocated. It should also be smaller than a regular adult pillow, possibly around the size of a travel pillow and be easily washable for when your child has those little accidents. If your child suffers from any allergies you will also be able to buy a baby pillow that is non-allergenic



If you are still uncertain as to whether the time is right to introduce a baby pillow to your child's bed you may wish to consider speaking to your doctor to get his or her input or just waiting until your child actually asks for a pillow or shows some signs of struggling to sleep on a flat bed.

Danielle - posted on 02/25/2010

54

5

I was thinking if i put the pillow under the sheets so she cant play with it or suffocate herself do u think this is a good idea?

Meghan - posted on 02/25/2010

1,957

44

hough they're often sold with crib bedding sets, pillows are not recommended for children under 2. Kids that small can easily suffocate while using one.



Actually, older kids don't need pillows either. Parents often think a pillow will provide their child with extra comfort, not realizing that their child was doing fine without it.



If you want to introduce a pillow, it's best to wait until your toddler moves from a crib to a bed. But if you want to give him one while he's still sleeping in a crib, go with one that's small (the size of an airline pillow) and firm. Stay away from feather pillows, which are too soft, can set off allergies, and can smother a child if his head sinks into it while he's sleeping.

Want to find out the opinions of this community?

Add Poll