Selection and application of a pediatric orthopedic pillow for newborns
Questions regarding the health of the child are of paramount importance to every parent. Especially when it comes to newborns. And it's not a secret for anyone that a full sleep of a baby is a guarantee of his good physical and emotional state. How will an orthopedic pillow help? What is it and how to choose from a variety of models?
What is the danger of ordinary pillows
Of course, someone will argue that a few decades ago there was no question of any orthopedic pillow. And the kids grew up healthy and cheerful. And yet, pediatricians argue that a regular pillow is not as safe as it might seem at first glance:
- Using a regular pillow can cause suffocation. If the baby turns over on its face in the pillow and closes the nasal passages, he will no longer be able to help himself.
- Damage to the cervical spine is possible. The baby's bones are quite soft, and if the baby is in the wrong position, there is a risk of curvature. But most of the time in the first months of life, the baby spends in a dream.
- There is a risk of displacement of the cervical vertebrae. If the pillow is too high, the baby may fall off and be injured while turning.
It is for these reasons that it is recommended to use special orthopedic pillows, which are created taking into account the structural features of the newborn and his needs.
Sleep and the right pillow
As already noted, in the first months of life, the child spends most of the time in a dream. That is why parents should not take this time as an opportunity to relax and do their own thing.
Better control your baby during sleep: monitor muscle tone, head and cervical position. Your task is to ensure proper and comfortable rest. By the way, the latter depends not only on the position of the body, but also on the organization of the sleeping place.
If the pillow in the crib is too high, then the outflow of blood will be disturbed, because the cervical vertebrae are in a tense state. Then the baby may start having headaches, and he will sleep restlessly. It is the orthopedic pillow that will help to "control" the angle of the head tilt and provide a full sleep for the baby, and, as a result, for his parents.
In some cases, an orthopedic pillow is required. In particular, the pediatrician will make such an appointment if:
- The muscles of the cervical region have increased tone.
- With intrauterine head injury or cervical spine.
- With birth trauma.
- When diagnosed with torticollis.
- With an irregular head shape.
It is important to remember that if a serious diagnosis is made, then the orthopedic pillow is only an auxiliary element of drug treatment.
And yet, if the baby has a tendency to "regurgitate", then the orthopedic pillow will have to be abandoned.
Types of orthopedic pillows
What does an orthopedic pillow for babies look like? There can be no unequivocal answer to this question, since there are several varieties approved by specialists:
- Butterfly pillow.
- Positioning cushion.
- Pillow-side.
- Tilting pillow.
Butterfly pillow
Such a model is distinguished by its small size and unusual shape - there is a depression in the middle, into which the head of a newborn is placed. Small ridges are located around the depression.
When the baby's head is in the recess, the cervical region is supported by a roller that touches the back of the head. And the side bolsters ensure the correct (even) position of the head, in which the baby can move his neck, observing the outside world, but cannot burrow his face down.
Such a pillow is considered ideal for the prevention of torticollis, since the head receives support at several points at once. Since the bones of the baby's skull are very soft, such a pillow will help to avoid asymmetry in the shape, an even distribution of the load is achieved.
Butterfly pillows are effectively used from birth to one year. However, according to orthopedic surgeons, this model should be used until the neck is completely stronger.
Pillows of this kind are made of hypoallergenic materials, they are absolutely safe to use, so parents should not worry about the risk of irritation.
Most often, holofiber, buckwheat husk, latex or some other synthetic filler are used as a filler. According to experts, it is the latex pillows that are the most effective. But for the price, this is far from a budget option.
There are no difficult moments in the operation of the butterfly pillow: make sure that the baby's head is located in the middle, in the depression, and the lower roller is exactly under the cervical spine. And do not worry that the pillow will prevent the baby from rolling over - when the child learns to do this, the pillow will not become an obstacle.
The shape of such a pillow for a baby is universal, and its small size allows you to take the pillow with you if necessary. To ensure that your accessory lasts as long as possible, ventilate it regularly in the fresh air (at least once a week). You can also wash in the machine, only on the delicate wash mode and at a temperature not exceeding 40 degrees.
Position cushion
This model is intended for the care of premature babies who are at risk of developing pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Such children are usually very weak, they have muscle hypotonia or muscular dystonia.
The main function of such a pillow is to ensure the fixation of the newborn's body in order to take the correct symmetrical position. Thanks to it, stress is relieved from the spine and muscle deformation is excluded.
Pillow-side
This model mainly ensures the safety of the newborn. The pillow-side protects during sleep from blows of the head against the bed partition, does not allow the arms and legs to get stuck between the rods of the bed.
Reclining pillow
The accessory has a slight slope and height, due to which a normal blood outflow is ensured. The baby is guaranteed comfortable accommodation in the crib. You should not use this model for newborns, it is recommended for babies from the age of four months.
During operation, it is important to ensure that the upper part of the body is located on the pillow, and not only the head of the child.
Bathing pillow
This model is rather narrow specialization. Few things cause as much excitement and anxiety as bathing a newborn.Using such a pillow will help both the baby and the parents experience maximum positive emotions. It provides support for the body and anchors the cervical region.
Swimming and any movement in the water perfectly strengthens the baby's muscles, in particular, the cervical region fixed in this way allows the spine to move correctly.
The pillows are very simple and easy to use. Since they are made of a special moisture-resistant material, they only need to be slightly dried after bathing.
If you are unsure of how to use an infant support pillow, or if you are in doubt that you are doing it right, be sure to check with your doctor.
Regular baby pillow: at what age?
In fairness, it should be noted that even experts argue on this score. Some believe that a special orthopedic pillow should be used up to one year of age, and then you can smoothly switch to an anatomical model. Others are sure that a pillow is not needed at all until at least 3 years old. And still others prove that a regular pillow can be used from two years of age.
It is interesting that each of the above opinions has a lot of objective arguments and its own "army" of support. But what all, without exception, agree on, is that until the age of one year, using a regular pillow will definitely be harmful.
And orthopedists assure that it is not possible for a child to use ordinary sleeping accessories earlier than 2 years old, since by this age the bones cease to be soft and the body as a whole gets stronger.
Before purchasing a pillow, test it for firmness. The baby's pillow should be firm enough and have a medium hardness. The height of the pillow should not exceed 15-20 cm, and the shape should be straight. Remember, at the time of sleep, not only the head, but also the shoulder section should be on the pillow.
When choosing a filler, give preference to synthetic fibers, they are hypoallergenic, have moisture and air permeability, and keep their shape well.
Natural fillers such as sheep's or camel's wool, down or feathers can cause an allergic reaction and can be a breeding ground for mites and mold. Such pillows very quickly lose their shape and require serious maintenance.
If you, despite the numerous arguments of experts, decided to abandon a full-fledged pillow, how can you replace it? For a newborn, an ordinary diaper folded in several layers can serve as a necessary "elevation" at the head of the bed.
The height of the folded fabric should be no more than 2 mm in order to only slightly change the angle of the baby's head. Such a "pillow" may well be used for up to 6-7 months, but then you need to purchase an orthopedic model for the correct development of the cervical spine.
DIY butterfly pillow
If you could not find a suitable model for your baby, or you decide to save money, you can sew a butterfly pillow with your own hands.
You will need a piece of cotton fabric (chintz or calico) 50x60 cm, synthetic winterizer (or quilted fabric on synthetic winterizer) 50x60 cm, and holofaber (or some other filler) about 100 grams.
Since the pillow is shaped like a butterfly (as the name implies), the pattern will have exactly that shape. You can make a pattern of half of the pillow and lay it out on the fabric folded in half, or you can draw a whole butterfly and then you don't need to fold the fabric.
- Cut out the base from chintz fabric (or calico) and quilted fabric. There should be two parts from the fabric.
- Fold them face in and place the quilted fabric on top.
- Sew along the contour, leaving a small section unstitched, and turn out.
- Iron the resulting product lightly.
- Mark a circle in the middle and sew on a typewriter.
- Fill the edges of the pillow with padding polyester through the unstitched area. For convenience, you can use a wooden stick.
- Make sure the pillow is firm enough. Sew the hole in the pillow with a blind stitch.
The choice of an orthopedic pillow for a newborn is a rather serious undertaking. Perhaps, before buying, you decide to consult with experts to determine which model will be ideal for your baby.
Video: DIY pillow for newborns
