At what age do children sleep on a pillow? Types and sizes of pillows for children

Most adults cannot imagine their sleep without a pillow. Therefore, when a question arises regarding the age at which children sleep on a pillow, many doubts arise, as parents worry that the child is not comfortable sleeping. To understand this topic, we will consider the physiological characteristics of the crumbs, filler materials for baby pillows and the basic requirements that this product must meet.

Physiology of the newborn

When the baby is brought to mom in the maternity hospital, he is lying without a pillow. It is important! In the future, the young mother will once again be reminded of this by a pediatrician who will observe the newborn. Most parents care about the pillow theme, as everyone has different opinions on this.

Before moving on to the question of how old children sleep on a pillow, the physiological characteristics of the baby should be studied.

1. The newborn has a straight spine. It is still weak, since it consists almost entirely of cartilage. Only by 3 months the first bends begin to appear. At the age of six months, the formation of the thoracic spine begins, and the child begins to make the first attempts to sit.
2. In babies after birth, the respiratory system is very poorly developed. Therefore, too soft or high surface can make breathing difficult and lead to oxygen starvation of brain cells.
3. A newborn has not yet formed a sphincter in the esophagus, which means that the baby must be in the correct position, otherwise there is a risk of drowning as a result of regurgitation.
4. In young children, the thermoregulation system is not fully established. The crumb head gives off a lot of heat, and holofiber and other fillers are designed to preserve it as much as possible. This can not affect the child in the best way, since such conditions can provoke colds.

It is best if the newborn will sleep on its side or half-turn. This posture helps to normalize breathing, and also prevents the child from choking when it burps. It is recommended that babies be turned over from time to time on the opposite side.

How old is the pillow to use?

Most specialists in the field of child development claim that a pillow is not needed for children under 2 years old. But it is believed that you can use this product after a year. In addition to accidental suffocation, pediatricians and orthopedists warn about the risks of malformations of the spine.

Important! The presence of a crib with bed linen without extra items is the key to safety and comfort of a newborn.

It is worth noting that there are exceptions. The fact is that children with problems of reflux, skull deformity, or torticollis need a special pillow. It provides the most comfortable position of the body in which it is good for the baby to sleep. Therefore, if you doubt the age at which to put the child on the pillow, then it will be useful to consult a pediatrician.

Life hack for moms! If you are one of those parents who worry that the baby is sleeping in an upright position, then at first you can equip the baby's crib as follows:

1. Take a diaper and roll it into a roller.
2. Lift the mattress and lay it under it.

It is very important to observe the angle of inclination - it should be no more than 30 degrees. This design is absolutely comfortable and safe for the baby, as the child does not bury its nose in such a “pillow” during sleep.

Pillow for a child over 2 years old

The question of how old children sleep on the pillow, we examined earlier. Use of the product after a year is not prohibited, but 2 years is considered the optimal age. The correct pillow for children of this age category is usually flat, low, wide and has medium density.

Remember that the main function of this product is to support the cervical spine, and the pillow also serves to relax the back muscles. It is important to understand that improper head position can cause headaches. Since children spend most of their time in a state of sleep, the pillow should be chosen from quality materials. In no case should she harm the child.

How to choose?

Pillow for children from one year old must meet the following criteria:

1. At first, you should purchase small flat products. This is an important condition, since the child can not still raise his head high while lying down.
2. As for the filler, preference should be given to products with sintepon, comfort or holofiber. True, synthetic fillers have a significant drawback: they pass air quite poorly and contribute to the fact that the crumbs head sweats a lot. Natural fillers are considered an excellent option. Buckwheat husk proved to be quite good. Products with such a filler take the shape of a crumb head and pass air well. For the manufacture of orthopedic pillows, lyocell is usually used - fibers that are made from eucalyptus. If you prefer natural materials, then you should buy exclusively high-quality goods, where the manufacturer gives a guarantee that the product has undergone thorough processing. Feather pillows are very common in our country. They are soft, comfortable. But do not forget that the filler in pillows made of fluff or feathers can become a source of an allergic reaction, and the child’s body does not need such a load.
3. Some manufacturers make pillows with straps for fixing to the bed. This is a great thing, as parents do not have to worry that the baby accidentally pops a pillow in a dream.

When buying a pillow for a child, you need to study the information on the label in detail. Give particular preference to materials that dry quickly and withstand multiple washings.

Primary requirements

How to choose a pillow in the crib for newborns? Such products must meet quality standards:

1. They should not have lightning, buttons, or injuring parts.
2. Pillows for children are made of hypoallergenic materials. Down and feathers are not the best choice, unlike silicone and latex fillers, which are easy to wash and do not cause allergic reactions in children.
3. Breathable materials.
4. The pillow should retain its shape, that is, it can be easily compressed under the weight of the head, and then straightened again.
5. As mentioned above, the correct pillow sizes for children are 40 x 60 cm.

More about fillers

When purchasing things for children, many parents prefer natural materials, but when choosing products for sleep, this rule is most likely an exception. As mentioned above, feather pillows can cause allergies. Moreover, fluff and feather products must be dry cleaned.

Consider the main types of natural fillers for baby pillows:

1. Fluff or feather - these materials can cause allergies. In addition, dust mites start up in them.
2. Sheep or camel hair - the material is sometimes used as a filler for a baby pillow. The main disadvantage of such products is that they are short-lived, since the wool is knocked down in a lump. Therefore, such raw materials are most often used in the production of blankets.
3. Buckwheat husk - probably this filler has the most positive reviews from mothers of babies. It is environmentally friendly, passes air well, and also provides a light massage of the head and neck of the child. The disadvantage of such a product is its fragility. After a couple of years, the husk tends to turn into dust and garbage.

Synthetic fillers:

1. The synthetic winterizer is a nonwoven material which is made in the course of heat treatment of polyester fibers. Such a filler during operation is often knocked into lumps, so the product loses its regular shape over time.
2. Hollofiber is an excellent material for the production of pillows, which has hypoallergenic properties, and also does not lose shape during operation.
3. Komfortel - is a small balls, which are made by heat treatment of siliconized fiber. A product with such a filler retains its shape perfectly. Breathable material, respectively, passes air very well.
4. Polyurethane foam is a soft and flexible material. Quite porous, due to which air circulates well through it. For parents of babies over 2 years old, baby pillows with such a filler are very popular.

Some young mothers prefer bamboo pillows. Despite natural materials, it is important to remember that they can become a source of the development of an allergic reaction in a child. Therefore, the choice is best made in favor of a good quality synthetic filler. Of course, do not forget to pay attention to information about the manufacturer.

Selection recommendations

Pillows in the crib for newborns must be chosen, focusing on the recommendations of experts:

1. As mentioned earlier, the purchase of a product should only be considered after a year. Earlier acquisition may be due solely to medical conditions.
2. Try to give preference to products of a well-known brand. The packaging should contain detailed information about the composition, recommendations for care, the actual and legal address of the manufacturer and a telephone number for feedback. If you are hearing the name for the first time, then it is better not to rush into buying pillows of this brand.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. It is believed that European manufacturers should be preferred, since there are more stringent requirements for products and goods (safety, environmental friendliness and durability).
4. A good pillow usually has, in addition to a removable one, a non-removable cover made of quality material. As a rule, cotton is used.
5. The product packaging must indicate the age for which the product is intended. This is important, as pillows for children 10 or 3 years old have significant differences.
6. The product for children aged 1 to 3 years should support the head at the same level with the spine and in no case bend the neck.
7. The height of the pillow for a child under 6 years is about 6 cm, and for children of primary school age - 10 cm.

Product Care

The shelf life of most pillows is about 12 months. The product needs proper care, otherwise there is a risk of quick wear:

1. Do not allow excessive moisture to accumulate. It is recommended to dry the pillows in the shade.
2. Always use a pillowcase for a pillow, as numerous washings can spoil the product much earlier than the specified life.
3. If you wash the product, then carefully read the instructions on the label.

Anatomical pillow

How old is this product for children? Orthopedic pillows can only be used after consulting a doctor. Apply such a product for the comprehensive prevention and treatment of many diseases. Most often, an anatomical pillow is recommended for children with torticollis, which can be congenital or acquired.

Orthopedic pillow is significantly different from the usual. Often this product is rectangular in shape with one or two thickened rollers. In the center of the product there is a small depression. Such a pillow should in no case be rigid.

As for the question of how old an orthopedic pillow can be bought for a baby, it all depends on the recommendations of the pediatrician who has your baby. You should not make such a decision yourself: rely on the experience of a specialist.

Where to find the right pillow?

There is a lot of information and advertising on the Internet, and acquaintances give conflicting advice. As a result, the young mother is confused and still faces the question: “Which is better - feather pillows or syntepon?”

1. Ask a pediatric orthopedist for help. If the child has indications, then he himself will recommend you products for sleeping. If not, ask your doctor what products and brands have proven themselves.
2. Probably, most young mothers do this. Of course, this option will take you a lot of time, but you will be sure of the correctness of your decision. Gather all the necessary information on the characteristics of the pillows, as well as product reviews. There are many forums for young mothers, where women are happy to advise a product that they themselves use.

Expert Advice

We examined the question of how old children sleep on a pillow. In order for your children to have a healthy sleep, you should carefully approach the choice of the product. Pillows in a crib should be without holes, with reliable seams, but not rough.

Feel free to sniff the pillow for odor. The fact is that the products can be stored for a long time in warehouses, and this contributes to the formation of dampness or mold. Shake the pillow several times, then observe how the filler behaves. Good quality products must retain their original shape.

Important tip! Do not buy a pillow for a child on the principle of "finger in the sky." Children's health is priceless! Moreover, a proper and comfortable pillow is the key to your baby’s good sleep.