When can babies sleep on a pillow? Tips for moms

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

New mothers often have a lot of questions after giving birth, such as when babies can sleep on a pillow. While the girl is in the hospital, everything is simple. There, the mother is given a cradle on wheels, in which, apart from a waterproof mattress, there is nothing. Of course, you can ask the pediatric nurse when children can sleep on a pillow, but, as a rule, while being in this medical institution, women are worried about something else.

Be alert

Newborn babies are not put on a pillow for many reasons. One of them is the observance of safety rules. If the baby is covered with a fluffy blanket, he can roll over on his tummy in a dream and bury his nose in that same blanket, which, in turn, can lead to very tragic consequences. The same thing can happen if the baby sleeps on a pillow. That is why in maternity hospitals, as a rule, for babies, except for a mattress, nothing is given out. Moreover, according to statistics, since the babies in the hospital stopped giving blankets, the rates of sudden death syndrome among newborns have significantly decreased. Therefore, if a mother covers her child,then she must constantly watch him closely, without being distracted for a minute. And if this is not possible, then for these purposes it is necessary to use not a blanket, but a thin baby diaper.

Oh, those parasites

If you are wondering when children can sleep on a pillow, then first of all remember the dust that can be inside this sleeping accessory. It is far from a secret that this is an excellent habitat for dust mites and other small parasites. That is why, if you ask a pediatrician about when children can sleep on a pillow, he will answer you that you can’t put it in a baby’s crib until he asks about it himself, with the exception of special orthopedic products for babies. They can be used from birth. Dust mites and other parasites can cause runny noses, coughs and other problems.

Features of the spine

As you know, in adults, the spine has an S-shape, which is why people need to put a pillow under their neck. But in babies, it is absolutely straight, and the bends on it begin to appear only when the child begins to sit. And they develop when the baby is already walking with legs. Therefore, the answer to the question of when to put the baby on the pillow is unambiguous - not earlier than the moment when the baby celebrates its first year.

Pillow selection

There are signs that it is time for the baby to put a pillow in the crib, to be exact:

• the child is already one year old;
• baby constantlyshows interest in mom's pillow and even tries to sleep on it;
• he doesn't sleep crawl all over the bed.

In this case, it's time to think about where, how and what kind of pillow you will buy. The choice of the first product on which your child will sleep should be taken very carefully. Now in stores you can find a huge variety of bedding, but the pillow for the baby should only be orthopedic.