Adults sleep on a pillow, so they often think that a child will be very uncomfortable to sleep without it. But it turns out that the baby does not need such care at all, because children under two years old can sleep well without a pillow. At this age, the pillow can even become dangerous, so it is advisable for parents to heed the advice of pediatricians.
Instructions
Step 1
What is the danger of using a pillow for a child under two years old? A very tiny baby cannot roll over in a dream on its own, and if he lies face down on the pillow, he may suffocate. It is for this reason that it is not recommended to put a pillow under the child's head, and even more so to put it on all sides. There must be free space near the sleeping baby and if he wants to turn around, nothing should interfere with him.
Step 2
If a child is given a pillow at an early age, then there is a threat of curvature of the spine. As you know, during the first two years of life, the baby's spine curves are being formed, and the early use of the pillow can affect their correct formation. Adults should also not forget about some of the features of the child's body. The baby's head in relation to the body is larger than that of an adult, so without a pillow, his head and neck will lie flat, regardless of how he turns. The correct position of the spine is very important for the healthy sleep of the child.
Step 3
If you still decide to buy a pillow for your baby, pediatricians advise buying a special pillow with an inclination. Its angle of inclination is about thirty degrees. With this shape, the baby's head will be higher than his tummy, this will facilitate his breathing and reduce the frequency of the baby's regurgitation. It is important not to forget that a pillow of this shape must be placed under the entire body of the baby, and not just under the head. The same effect can be achieved by lifting the edges of the baby mattress if it does not flex. The benefits of anatomical pillows for babies have not yet been proven. It is advisable to use them only for medical reasons and the prescription of a pediatrician.
Step 4
Pediatricians recommend giving a pillow to children from only two years old, while parents need to approach responsibly to its choice. It should be flat and wide enough. The size of the pillow should be such that the child does not roll off during sleep. The ideal option is when the pillow has the width of the bed. It is necessary to pay attention to what kind of filler will be in the pillow. Synthetic materials are considered the best option. Firstly, they do not cause allergies in the child, and secondly, such pillows are resilient and resistant to creasing. Synthetic pillows are lightweight, air passes well through them, and ticks do not start in such pillows. Today, there are many options for choosing pillows, but when buying a pillow for a child, it is very important to remember that its main task is to maintain the child's cervical spine, and not to sink softness under the head.
