Should Your Child Sleep with a Baby Pillow?
Parents often question when their child should begin using a baby pillow. Most adults prefer to sleep on a pillow, so it is easy to assume that your toddler needs one as well. Of course, you want your child to be comfortable while sleeping. Before your little one starts sleeping with a baby pillow, there are some things to take into consideration.
The most important issue is that of safety. Research has shown that having extra items in a crib, including stuffed animals, blankets, or a baby pillow, increases the risk of suffocation. Sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, is a concern that should be taken seriously by all parents. Older babies who can move around well and even walk are still at risk of suffocation while sleeping, because they are not as aware of their surroundings.
There is an additional reason why a baby pillow is a safety issue. At some point, generally between their first and second birthdays, nearly all infants try to escape from their cribs. If available, they will often use a baby pillow as a step to get over the crib rails. This can lead to a dangerous fall. To help avoid bumps and bruises or even a trip to the emergency room, do not give your child a baby pillow before the transition to a toddler bed.
Pediatricians often tell their patients that an infant should not have a baby pillow until at least one and a half years of age. In light of research, some doctors are now switching to a newer recommended age of at least two years. Of course, there is no harm in waiting longer if you want to do so. A toddler does not really need to use a baby pillow at all. This is especially true for little ones who sleep on their backs. Introducing a baby pillow when it is not needed can actually cause pain by curving the spine unnaturally.
The best plan is to give your toddler a baby pillow when one is requested, assuming he or she is over eighteen months of age and not sleeping in a crib. When you do decide to give your child a pillow at night, you should make sure that it is, in fact, a baby pillow. The difference is that a baby pillow is not as large or soft as one made for adults. Purchasing the correct type will reduce the chances of suffocation. If your baby is sick and congested, you can place something underneath the crib mattress on one end to elevate it instead of using a baby pillow. Articles See | Great | Personalized baby pillow |
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