How long can a child sleep on a pillow

The correct and healthy sleep of a newborn baby and an infant under the age of 2-3 years is an important issue that parents must solve correctly. Many factors depend on a properly organized crib and stroller, and a sound sleep is not the most important thing. The most important thing is the baby's health and safety. Therefore, parents should know exactly on which bed to put the baby to sleep and at what age the pillow can be put on the sleeping place.

Do I need a pillow for a baby

Despite the fact that numerous manufacturers of children's goods in advertising campaigns assure parents that a pillow for a young child will help him sleep soundly, correctly shape the bones of the skull and spine - this statement is nothing more than an advertising campaign. In fact, when asked by young and inexperienced parents about whether a child needs a pillow, pediatricians unequivocally say - no.

This statement is conditioned by several points:

• Firstly, an adult uses this product in order to sleep in various positions, including on the side. It is by laying on one side that the pillow becomes the most in demand. Indeed, in this case, the distance from the ear to the shoulder and forearm is quite significant. And a pillow is required to shorten this distance in a lateral position.

  A small child, especially a baby up to the age of 1 year, sleeps exclusively on his back. Therefore, he does not need a pillow.

• Another factor that speaks in favor of not using a pillow for sleeping with a newborn baby is the possibility of creasing the product. Thus, the resulting folds can interfere with the baby and make sleep uncomfortable.

  But, perhaps, the most important point is the possibility of suffocating the baby. From a safety point of view, pediatricians recommend not using any additional products in the crib, including a pillow to put the baby to sleep, until the age of 1.5-2 years.

Into the crib

In order to put the baby to sleep in the crib, doctors categorically do not recommend using any pillows, including orthopedic ones. This product is under a complete ban for up to 12 months. But, in order to preserve the health of the back, prevent problems with the cervical spine and reduce the risk of neck dislocation, it is necessary to exclude the pillow in the crib before reaching the age of 24 months.

Into the stroller

As for a baby stroller, it is allowed to use a flat product, the total height of which should be about 5 mm. Only on such a flat pillow can a baby be laid when walking outside.

At what age can a baby be placed on a pillow

But, if for babies it is impossible to use a pillow during sleep, then many parents have a question when it is possible to put a pillow under the child's head in a crib and a stroller.

Pediatricians recommend doing this in the following cases:

• When the child already knows how to stand up on his own, he sits down and walks confidently. That is, when he becomes more independent, mobile and can move or remove the product himself. This happens at about 24 months.
• You can use a sleeping pillow if your child needs it. But, as a rule, this occurs if the baby has orthopedic problems. In this case, specific products are used to lay the head. They are prescribed by an orthopedic doctor, based on certain problems with the musculoskeletal system in the baby.

When a pillow is needed

Considering certain problems that a baby may have for various reasons, a baby pillow can be recommended from an earlier date. In this case, parents should listen exclusively to the advice of a doctor and follow their recommendations. It is impermissible to make a choice based on the marketing moves of the sellers and advertisements.

This is the age at which a child sleeps on a pillow in the presence of certain health problems. From any age, including a newborn period of life, if there are the following diseases or a tendency to them:

• There is a problem with the cervical spine in the form of torticollis.
• When torticollis has not yet formed, but the child had an injury to the cervical spine, or there is a tendency to develop this ailment. As a rule, these are children with neurological problems, decreased or increased tone of the cervical muscles. In this case, recommendations on the use of pillows are given by a neurologist.
• Also, you can use these products for babies if they have a tendency to regurgitate. Most often, in this case, a special pillow in the form of a stand is used. It has a triangular shape on the front side. The child fits on it, starting from the hip joint. Thus, the child assumes an inclined position with his whole body, approximately 10 °. Thus, the entire gastrointestinal tract is in a horizontal tilted position, which prevents the formation of the regurgitation process.
• Also, when the child's muscular system suffers from hyper- or hypotonia, the use of a pillow is allowed. In this case, as in principle, and in all the previous ones, recommendations for the use of the product are given exclusively by the doctor, based on the condition of the little patient.

How to choose the right baby pillow

The choice of a baby product for sleeping is influenced by several parameters at once. Let's try to analyze them in more detail.

Upon reaching the age of 24 months, you can choose a standard pillow. It can be square or rectangular.

But in terms of filler, there is a choice. It can be wool, which gives a comfortable feeling, as it has the proper level of thermal conductivity both in summer and in winter. It is worth postponing with down and feathers, as this filler can cause an allergic reaction. In addition, such a product is difficult to care for and, over time, dust mites or other insects can breed in it. If you prefer a synthetic padding, you need to accurately study the composition and make sure the level of its quality and the absence of allergic reactions.

The second point to which you need to pay attention is the cover. It must be made exclusively from natural fabrics. This is important as they absorb moisture well, allowing the body to breathe. Also, they do not electrify and are environmentally friendly. Synthetic fabrics are unacceptable in a child's bed.

If we consider the case when a child should sleep on a special pillow, which is prescribed on the recommendation of a doctor, there are other principles of choice. Choose from anatomical or orthopedic pillows with head recess depending on your health problem. They resemble a butterfly in shape. Oblique gives the desired angle to the body. But, in this case, it is necessary to position the pillow in the crib so as to prevent the child from rolling down from its edge onto the mattress. As this can lead to neck and head injury. There are also positional pillows that fix not only the child's head at a certain very small angle, but also side bumpers that fix the body in a certain position.

Taking into account all these features, in each specific case, you can choose the necessary product for the child's sleep in order to ensure his comfort. But take into account at the same time how old the baby is and what health problems he may have or is prone to their development.

The opinion of Dr. Komarovsky

Dr. Komarovsky, like most pediatricians, recommends that parents pay attention to the baby's health. If the child has no problems, then from how many months can the child be put on the pillow, the parents themselves can choose, but focusing exclusively on the interval from 1.5 to 2 years.

In all other cases, Komarovsky recommends taking into account the state of health of the baby, consulting with several specialists and only after that select a specific product. In addition, before buying this or that pillow, pay attention to the manufacturer, composition and materials used. In no case should you allow the use of low-quality products from an unverified manufacturer. Otherwise, it can negatively affect the health, strength of sleep and the general condition of the child.

After the pillow is purchased and placed in the baby's crib or stroller, watch for his reaction. He should get enough sleep on it, the feeling of discomfort is unacceptable. In addition, parents should pay attention to the absence of allergies on the child's skin to the materials from which the sleep product is made.

Video: at what age a child can sleep on a pillow