Recommendations for Using a Baby Pillow
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by: frankwarehouse
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As a parent, you may be wondering if it is the right time to give your child a baby pillow. Most adults prefer to sleep on a pillow, so it is easy to assume that your toddler needs one as well. You might worry that he or she is uncomfortable at night. However, there are many good reasons to hold off on giving your little one a baby pillow.
It is only realistic to be concerned about nighttime 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. Unfortunately, even babies who seem like they should be able to move away from an object that is covering their face sometimes suffocate at night.
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 has the potential to cause a painful accident. 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.
Many pediatricians cite eighteen months as the minimum age that an infant should use a baby pillow. In light of research, some doctors are now switching to a newer recommended age of at least two years. It is perfectly fine to wait longer if that makes you worry less. 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. At this point, be sure to get a baby pillow that is created for little bodies. A baby pillow is smaller and firmer than what an adult or older child would use. 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. See more Monogrammed baby pillows - Monogrammed baby pillows - Bedding pillow -
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