The newborn spends most of his time in a dream. Therefore, each mother is trying to create comfortable and safe conditions for her baby. Many parents are interested in how old a child is sleeping on a pillow. The article will discuss the features of the choice of this product and the opinions of the pediatrician.
How old can a child sleep without a pillow?
From the moment of birth to 2 years, the baby does not need such a thing as a pillow. The head of the child is large in relation to the body, therefore, takes the correct position. In this case, the cervical spine of the newborn is not yet fully developed, which can lead to improper formation and clamping of blood vessels and nerves. This negatively affects the health of the crumbs and prevents him from sleeping soundly.
In addition, the baby is not able to roll over freely. If he bury himself in a pillow, he may suffocate. Therefore, the baby should not be wrapped in soft products, it should have free space around.
Moms are interested in how old a pillow can be for a baby. Instead, you can use a four-fold textile swaddle. This will not affect the natural position of the head, but will add hygiene. If the baby burps, then you do not have to change the bed, but only a diaper.
From what age to lay a pillow for a child
Toddlers begin to sleep on a pillow, starting at 2 years old. The product should be almost flat, and correspond to the width of the berth.
At what age can a child cushion a pillow? It is necessary to maintain the cervical spine and, thus, relieve the load of the back muscles. If the product is too high and soft, this can lead to headaches and even bending of the neck. Therefore, before placing a pillow on a bed, you must ensure its safety.
Cushion Requirements for Toddlers
Parents are interested in how old a child is sleeping on a pillow. This usually happens when the baby is two years old. Here are the basic requirements for the product:
- The product must be free of traumatic parts in the form of buttons, zippers, etc.
- Hypoallergenicity. Down and feathers are not the best pillow filler. Latex and silicone dry quickly and do not cause negative reactions in babies.
- The pillow should be made of breathable materials.
- When you click on the product, it should be compressed, and then return to its original position.
When choosing a pillow, parents should specify for what age the product is purchased. For 2-year-olds or even 4-year-olds, the optimal size is a 40 x 60 cm pillow.
When it is needed
Parents need to know how old children sleep without a pillow. If the baby has no health problems, then without this product he can freely do up to 2 years. If the child has a disease associated with the musculoskeletal system, then he needs to purchase appropriate bedding.
Parents buy a pillow in such cases:
- Congenital torticollis. To eliminate this problem, the baby needs to sleep on an orthopedic pillow, starting at birth.
- Hypertonicity or neck muscle weakness.
- Displacement of the cervical vertebrae.
- The early stage of rickets.
In addition to these situations, the pillow can be used by parents if the baby is sleeping in the same position. This will help to eliminate deformation of the oval of the head.
Parents of newborns ask how old a pillow for a child can be. Usually this occurs no earlier than 2 years if there are no diseases. Children of this age need to sleep on a pillow for physiological reasons. This will prevent headaches and improve blood circulation. It is important for parents to know that a pillow is necessary to support the baby’s head. And the shoulders should be on the mattress in the crib.
What to put under the head of a child in a stroller
Walking is simply necessary for the baby. On the street, he often sleeps in a stroller. Many parents ask if they need to put something under the baby’s head.
If there is a mattress for a stroller, then nothing else is needed. They are usually made from coconut fiber. It is comfortable for the baby to sleep on. If the baby is burping, then you can put a folded flannel diaper.
How not to make a mistake with the choice of pillows
Many mothers are interested in how old a baby sleeps on a pillow. There are several product options:
- Orthopedic. Such pillows are made in the shape of a butterfly with a recess in the middle. Side rollers prevent the baby from turning over, which is important when correcting the head or crank. Failure to rotate carries the risk of aspiration or regurgitation. Therefore, the pillow should be prescribed only by a doctor.
- Inclined. Such a pillow is necessary in order to prevent regurgitation. And also for children with intracranial pressure.
- Anatomical The pillow consists of two longitudinal rollers between which the baby is laid. This does not allow him to roll over, and the position of the head relative to the body does not change.
When purchasing a pillow for a child, parents should be guided by the recommendations of a specialist. It is quite difficult to make the right choice on your own.
Which filler is best
Moms want to know how old children sleep without a pillow. Usually she is not needed at all until the baby is two years old. But when the appropriate age comes, parents need to choose the right filler:
- Fluff or feather. The material should not be used even by adults, because it is a strong allergen. Fluff and feathers trap dust, and also serve as a favorable environment for bed parasites. At the same time, the orthopedic qualities of the pillow are not the best.
- Camel or sheep wool. Such a filler has the same disadvantages as fluff and feather. Moreover, such pillows are short-lived.
- Cotton filler. It does not have allergenic qualities, but its characteristics are similar to woolen products that are not suitable for a child.
- Porous filler. It is made of a spongy material that freely passes air. Even if the baby rests his face against such a pillow, he will still be able to breathe. Such products are designed to combat SIDS.
- Hollofiber. The material keeps its shape perfectly, does not cause allergies and is machine washable. It is important to choose the height of the pillow. The only negative is poor water resistance, so the baby can sweat in the heat.
- Lyocell The filler is made of eucalyptus wood, so it is a completely hypoallergenic material. It is used in orthopedic pillow models because it is resilient and returns perfectly to its original parameters.
- Buckwheat husk. One of the best natural fillers that does not have allergenic properties. Filler particles have a good massage effect and breathability. The only drawback is that the husk rustles loudly, and the baby wakes up from this.
- Memory foam. A fairly new type of material. According to the manufacturer, he is able to give the perfect shape for every child. Foam under the influence of body heat takes the configuration that the baby's head and neck possesses.
When choosing a filler, parents need to consider its features. Due to the fact that the pillowcase is in contact with the skin of the child, it must be sewn from natural material and have no seams.
Opinion of a famous pediatrician
When parents ask if a child needs a pillow at what age, Komarovsky replies that healthy children under 2 years old do not need it. The product is necessary for adults who sleep on their side. This is done for the convenience of the head, to "compensate" the distance from the ear to the shoulder.
And the children begin to sleep on their side no earlier than 2 years. The thickness of the pillow should be equal to the width of the shoulder.
Improper or untimely use of the pillow can lead to asphyxiation or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
The next negative effect of pillows is the ability to specify the wrong development vector for the spine. The baby's bends are still flexible and soft. They are necessary for the child to maintain the body in the correct position.
Therefore, Dr. Komarovsky advises to approach the choice of pillows with full responsibility. When diagnosing certain pathologies in a child, the product should be prescribed only by a specialist. In this case, the pillow will correct the existing pathology, and not exacerbate it.
Conclusion
Many parents ask at what age the baby sleeps on the pillow. Newborns do not need this product. Babies will need a pillow closer to 24 months. Before this time, the child does not need a pillow in the absence of certain pathologies.