Sound Sleep For Your Baby: Try Baby Sleep Pillows
05/04/09
Like all parents you are likely worried that your child gets the necessary respite from all that play, a night of cozy sleep. Are you are one of those parents wondering whether your child is ready for a pillow? While the need for a pillow is felt by most of us adults, this is not always the case with kids. Perhaps you feel your child will do well with a baby sleep pillow; well then this article is just for you. This will depend on the age of your child, and also the place where you most likely put him to sleep. Baby sleep pillows are generally not recommended for kids under two. The use of pillows before this carries the risk of smothering. Of course, each child is different and you may want to introduce a baby sleep pillow earlier, but try to do so once your baby has moved to a bed. It is around this time that your child begins to support himself on his feet, a pillow may aid in climbing or crawling out of the crib! If you still wish to introduce a baby sleep pillow even while you are using a crib, go for one that is small and firm.
If you are offering a pillow to your child for the first time, pick baby sleep pillows made for the purpose; do not use a spare adult pillow. Most baby sleep pillows are much smaller than regular pillows. Remember that babies have tender heads that needs good protection. Do not bother with feather pillows, as they are too soft to serve the purpose, and may trigger unnecessary reactions and even allergies. Feather pillows are also known to cause smothering as the head of the child sinks into the pillow while he is sleeping. Since most babies mostly sleep on their backs, they carry the risk of developing flat head syndrome. Fear not; memory foam pillows are made specifically to prevent this. These specially designed baby sleep pillows are manufactured from flexible cushioning material, and provide good head support preventing the occurrence of flat head syndrome. Unlike other foam head supports, the Visco elastic head support material in these pillows does not bounce back and create pressure points. In addition, these pillows are conveniently machine washable. Most baby sleep pillows also come with sleep positioners to ensure a sound sleep since your baby stays put.
Finally, if you still feel ambiguous about the appropriate time to begin using a baby sleep pillow consult your pediatrician. You may even wait for signs from your baby that he might do better with a baby sleep pillow, such as discomfort sleeping in a flat bed.
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