Choosing A Baby Pillow

07/22/09

The fact that babies' heads are really delicate and fragile should be a primary consideration when looking into a baby pillow. Allowing babies to sleep on their back can cause them to develop a flattened area on their heads, so you may want to look into a baby pillow that prevents this from happening with specially designed foam. Ironically, sleeping on their back is the safest position for babies to be in. This position greatly lessens the risk of SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome from occurring. This is why you may also want to use a sleep positioner in addition to a baby pillow. Sleep positioners are designed to keep babies sleeping on their back in the safest possible position. Along with the baby pillow, these sleep positioners help ensure that the baby is able to get a good night's rest.

Many in the medical community are of the opinion that the use of a baby pillow is not necessarily in the child's best interests. Some children seem to do quite well without them, while others simply cannot get to sleep without a baby pillow. In any case, you may want to hold off on using a baby pillow until the time when your child moves from the crib into a real bed. There can be a risk of the child suffocating with the use of a baby pillow, particularly when he or she is less than two years of age. If you absolutely must use a baby pillow, make sure that it is small and firm. A baby pillow that is soft and contains feathers can trigger an allergic reaction and even smother a baby if his or her head sinks into it while sleeping.

You may also want to look into a type of baby pillow that is available in stores that uses a material called memory foam. Memory foam ensures that the pressure is distributed evenly around the baby's delicate head. Memory Foam, which is actually made of Visco Elastic cushioning material can also help prevent the flattening of the back of the baby's head, as well as ensuring a more comfortable sleep.

It should be clear by now that there are many factors that affect your decision to go with a baby pillow. If you have any other questions about whether or not the use of a baby pillow is beneficial to your child, it would be a good idea to talk to your pediatrician. This way, he or she can make a qualified opinion based on the specific needs of your baby.