From the moment of birth, parents surround the baby with love and care. They carefully select accessories for the children's room. Pediatricians advise to carefully approach the purchase of a pillow on which the child will sleep. The crib product provides comfort and promotes the correct formation of the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic elements are recommended for children from 1 to 3 years old. We share expert judgment and provide advice based on the opinions of pediatricians, orthopedists and consumers.
Does a newborn need a pillow?
The first question to be dealt with is whether a baby needs a pillow at all. Parents often choose accessories and furniture based on their appearance, without concern for medical and physical aspects. Meanwhile, podiatrists and pediatricians warn that newborns can easily do without an orthopedic pillow. A diaper is enough for children, because at such an early age, the slightest impact can lead to bone displacement.
However, doctors do not put forward strict prohibitions and there are situations when an orthopedic pillow helps a baby, for example, with frequent regurgitation. Doctors advise to put the head just above the body.
The pediatrician's recommended sleeping position is on the side. In this position, conditions are created for the correct formation of muscles and bones in the early stages of life. The child in this position breathes freely, and in the event of sudden regurgitation, no problems arise. If he is not able to lie on his side on his own and turns over, then a small pillow will help him.
Recommendations for choosing orthopedic pillows for babies:
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a pillow with a hypoallergenic filler is required for a child; standard down and wool will not work under any circumstances;
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safe materials approved by pediatricians are polyurethane foam and latex;
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a pillow for a child who is not able to lie on his side on his own should be moderately stiff, she needs to maintain an angle of inclination of 30o;
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if the baby prefers to sleep on his tummy, then a safe pillow made of spongy material that allows air to pass through is required (the possibility of blocking access to oxygen is excluded).
To fix the child's body in the desired position, 'positioner pillows' with a thickness of 4-5 cm are used. The model is made in the form of two rollers placed under the baby's head and sides.
The information provided is useful for parents caring for a newborn baby. It makes it clear that the pillow needs to be selected taking into account the physical characteristics – size, shape, material characteristics. We remind you that if you do not do this, then it is generally better not to buy a pillow for a newborn, because it will only get worse.
Which pillow to choose for a baby from 1 year old?
Before a year, the primary formation of the bone skeleton and muscle tissue occurs, but after 1 year the baby is already taught to sleep on a pillow and with a separate blanket. Parents should not be concerned that it will lead to curvature of the spine. This does not happen, especially if you choose the right orthopedic accessories. It is often clear from the behavior of the baby that they want to sleep like adults and refuse diapers, sleeping overalls and other things.
If it's time to put your baby on your own pillow, you should do it wisely. Based on the expert assessment of orthopedists and pediatricians, a complete instruction on the selection of pillows for children from 1 year old was formed:
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at an early age, the child already needs a separate pillow, but it should not be too large;
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the average pillow for a 1 year old baby is a product measuring about 40×60 cm;
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special attention is paid to materials of manufacture and filler, fluff and wool are prohibited for children, and only sheep's wool is allowed from natural components;
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Buckwheat husks, rice fillers and other natural ingredients that create a massage and relaxing effect are becoming an alternative to traditional materials.
Fillers are becoming the main criterion. Buckwheat husk pillows emit a pleasant rustle that distracts the baby from the environment. Thanks to the sounds and the massage effect, it falls asleep much faster. Another common option is synthetic winterizer and its analogues. The advantages of the material are elasticity, resistance to deformation, and air permeability. The products support the child's head in the correct position and do not block the oxygen supply in unforeseen circumstances.
What kind of pillow to choose for children from 2-3 years old?
A child at three years old shows independence and sleeps even on ordinary beds without special baby accessories. This is reflected in the choice of pillows and other accessories. In terms of shape, size and material features, such products differ from those recommended for one-year-old kids.
We highlight the following criteria for young parents:
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hypoallergenic materials always come first, so it is still worth excluding feathers, down and wool from the list of acceptable fillers;
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thermal, antibacterial and antiseptic treatments are worthy of additional attention, so look for relevant information;
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locks and elements that leave marks on the skin and cling to hair, immediately exclude;
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the child needs products that meet orthopedic requirements, so pillows are needed moderately elastic;
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elasticity is accompanied by retention of shape, so any pillows should be quickly smoothed out;
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the height of the pillow corresponds to the height of the child's shoulders, be sure to make sure that the head and spine are at the same level (no more than 1 cm difference)
Do not forget that any orthopedic pillow is selected primarily for the child, so it must be comfortable and safe. In pursuit of dry performance figures, one should not forget about the convenience of the baby.
The main aspects that orthopedists and pediatric therapists pay attention to are hypoallergenicity, correct size, elasticity. Choosing a pillow that is too large or too soft will only hurt your spine.
Check upholstery and filler before buying. For children under 2 years old, fillers made of padding polyester or other synthetic material are excellent because of their lightness, elasticity and durability. Buckwheat husk is recognized as a good alternative. It is comfortable, elastic, and also emits a soothing sound and massage effect.
Parents have a lot of hassle on their shoulders, so it's worth considering cleaning your pillow. The easiest way is to use covers and pillowcases that can be easily removed and machine washed. This approach preserves the pillow itself and significantly extends the service life. Expensive models are not worth buying, because they do not surpass cheap counterparts in characteristics. Pillows 'for growth' and 'with a margin' are not required and often even harm the natural development of the musculoskeletal tissues of a one-year-old child.
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In the following articles, our experts tell you how to choose the right blanket for a newborn baby, the secrets of choosing a mattress for an infant and the rules for choosing the shape of a mattress for a newborn.
Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.
