What Is the Best Baby Pillow for Your Child?

04/05/09

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 can you know you have selected the right kind of pillow for your child?

First, is your child old enough to use a baby pillow? Children under two years old should never have pillows in the crib with them. A baby's neck muscles are weak, and cannot always prevent the baby from suffocating if she rolls over onto her stomach. Some parents find that elevating their baby's head when their baby has a stuffed nose or an ear infection helps the baby to sleep, but this is dangerous. If a baby under the age of two needs his or her head elevated, put the pillow under the mattress, not in the crib, so that the mattress is elevated. The firm surface of the mattress will reduce the risk of suffocation and keep your child safe.

Second, does your child need a baby pillow? Small children often do fine without pillows because their bodies are proportioned differently from adults' bodies. The best sign that your child is ready for a baby pillow is when he or she starts sleeping with his or her head on a stuffed toy or balled up bedding.

Third, what size is best for a baby pillow? 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 should a baby pillow be stuffed with? 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.

If you have followed these simple guidelines, you are sure to choose the right baby pillow for your child. 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.