Do You Really Need A Baby Pillow?
The fact that babies’ heads are really delicate and fragile should be a primary consideration when looking into a baby pillow. Since sleeping on their backs can cause babies to develop a flattened area on the back of their heads, you may want to consider a baby pillow that is made out of special foam, which keeps this from happening. Ironically, sleeping on their back is the safest position for babies to be in. Lying in this manner can greatly reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS. For this reason, the use of a sleep positioner along with a baby pillow can be quite effective. Sleep positioners are primarily intended to keep babies lying down in the “safe” position through the night. Along with the baby pillow, these sleep positioners help ensure that the baby is able to get a good night’s rest.
Some doctors and sleep experts feel that a baby pillow is not really essential for babies. While some children seem to do fine without them, many will need a baby pillow in order to sleep more comfortably through the night. In any case, you may want to hold off on using a baby pillow until the time when your child moves from the crib into a real bed. There can be a risk of the child suffocating with the use of a baby pillow, particularly when he or she is less than two years of age. If you absolutely must use a baby pillow, make sure that it is small and firm. A baby pillow that is soft and contains feathers can trigger an allergic reaction and even smother a baby if his or her head sinks into it while sleeping.
A baby pillow that is made out of memory foam could be well worth looking into as well. This material is designed to distribute the pressure evenly around the delicate head of the baby. Memory Foam, which is actually made of Visco Elastic cushioning material can also help prevent the flattening of the back of the baby’s head, as well as ensuring a more comfortable sleep.
As you can see, the use of a baby pillow is dependent upon many factors. If you have any doubts about how the use of a baby pillow will affect your child’s sleep as well as general health, you may want to talk about your concerns with your pediatrician. This way, he or she can make a qualified opinion based on the specific needs of your baby.