How to Choose a Baby Pillow

07/21/09

Picking the right baby pillow for your child is important. Your child may sleep much more comfortably with a pillow. But because babies are shaped so differently from adults, baby pillows are different from adult pillows. How do you know when you have chosen the right pillow for your baby?

First, is your child old enough to use a baby pillow? Children under two years old should never have pillows in the crib with them. Because infants' neck muscles are weak, they run the risk of suffocating on the pillow if they roll onto their belly. Even when a baby has an ear infection or a congested nose and sleeps better with a pillow under his or her head, giving the child a pillow is risky. If your child is under two but needs her head elevated, consider putting a pillow under the mattress instead, so that the mattress itself is elevated. The firm surface of the mattress will reduce the risk of suffocation and keep your child safe.

Second, does your child need a baby pillow? Small children often do fine without pillows because their bodies are proportioned differently from adults' bodies. You will know your child is ready for a pillow when they sleep restlessly or when they start balling blankets or stuffed toys under their head.

Third, what size is best for a baby pillow? Small, flat pillows, like the pillows you get on an airplane, are the best ones to choose for your baby. Using a smaller pillow will prevent your child from elevating his or her head too high and waking up with a crick in the neck.

Fourth, what should a baby pillow be stuffed with? You may love the soft, fluffy comfort or down or feather pillows, but children are not ready for them. Small children find them to be too soft, and exposing babies to down or feathers too young can cause them to become allergic. The stuffing should be firm, and hypoallergenic fillings are best.

If you have followed these simple guidelines, you are sure to choose the right baby pillow for your child. Make sure your child is old enough to use a baby pillow safely and ready to sleep with a pillow, then pick a small pillow filled with firm, hypoallergenic stuffing. Then do the most important step: See what your child thinks of their new pillow. Your child is the very best judge you have! With these guidelines, you are sure to find a pillow they love.