What To Look For In A Baby Pillow
The fact that babies’ heads are really delicate and fragile should be a primary consideration when looking into a baby pillow. Allowing babies to sleep on their back can cause them to develop a flattened area on their heads, so you may want to look into a baby pillow that prevents this from happening with specially designed foam. It is quite ironic that the safest position for babies to sleep in is actually lying on their back. Lying in this manner can greatly reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS. 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. In addition, these also help the baby sleep safer and more secure, and along with the baby pillow ensures a good night’s sleep.
Some doctors and sleep experts feel that a baby pillow is not really essential for babies. Some children seem to do quite well without them, while others simply cannot get to sleep without a baby pillow. In any case, you may want to hold off on using a baby pillow until the time when your child moves from the crib into a real bed. If your child is below two years old, the use of a baby pillow can actually be quite risky. If you absolutely must use a baby pillow, make sure that it is small and firm. 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.
You may also want to look into a type of baby pillow that is available in stores that uses a material called memory foam. This material is designed to distribute the pressure evenly around the delicate head of the baby. Memory Foam, which is actually made of Visco Elastic cushioning material can also help prevent the flattening of the back of the baby’s head, as well as ensuring a more comfortable sleep.
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. He or she will be better able to asses your baby’s needs and will be able to make a recommendation based on your baby’s particular circumstances.