Baby Pillow:To Use or Not To Use

10/11/08

Doctors do not recommend using a pillow for a baby. Doctors recommend introducing a pillow to a toddler at around two years of age. Pillows can provide security and comfort for toddlers. Toddlers may find pillows give them a sense of security when they hug the soft,springy material to their body.

Using a pillow before the age of two can be dangerous. Suffocation can result from using a pillow with a baby. If a baby should end up with his face in a pillow he is not able to turn away from or push away the pillow. A baby under the age of two may roll over face down on a pillow and not be able to roll back over. A tragedy can result if a baby rolls over face down into a pillow when a caregiver is not around to roll them back over.

Toddlers around the age of two can safely begin using a pillow. Not all toddlers view a pillow for just sleeping. Pillows can provide a sense of security more than comfort for a toddler. Toddlers may prefer to hug a pillow because it is soft and springy. The softness of a pillow may be helpful to a toddler when a caregiver is not around. Toddlers may lay down on a pillow or hug a pillow to them when they are sleeping. Toddlers may grab any pillow they see and curl up with it to sleep.

Doctors do not recommend using a pillow for a baby. To prevent possible suffocation,do not use a pillow with a child under the age of two. Two year olds can safely use a pillow. However,do not be surprised to find your child curled up with a pillow instead of resting his head on it. Pillows can provide a great source of security for your child when you are not around. Toddlers may grab any pillow they see and curl up with it to sleep.