Why Babies Should Not Use A Pillow

Did you know that babies should not use a pillow? Why is it like that?

Although many people think that it is okay for small children or even newborns to use a pillow , it is not recommended because the proportions of a newborn’s body differ from that of an adult. Their neck is small and the head is much larger compared to the rest of the body.

It is very important to avoid pillows until the child really needs them, because if he sleeps with a pillow before he is ready, he risks being suffocated by it. 

Here are some more reasons why babies should not use a pillow when they go to sleep.

Why babies should not use a pillow

• It can lead to sudden infant death syndrome. If you put a pillow on the baby while he sleeps, he will not be able to turn around, which leads to suffocation. In the same way, it can occur with stuffed animals or the like, so they should always be avoided in the crib.
• If a baby uses a pillow, it can create an unnatural shape in the spine. This causes the natural curvature of the neck to be pressed because the baby’s head is larger than the rest of the body.
• It is not comfortable for a baby to sleep with pillows, and even if you yourself are comfortable with many pillows, the same does not apply to your baby. If he does not sleep well, he will be irritated the next day. Sleeping with a pillow can also make it difficult for him to fall asleep.
• It can cause allergies to develop. It is also important to consider allergies when washing soft toys or pillows, as we usually use softeners with different scents. It is not recommended for infants because they are still developing their sense of smell.

When can the baby use a pillow?

In Sweden it is recommended to wait to give babies a pillow until they are over a year old, but in many other countries it is recommended to wait even longer. The Spanish Association of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatrics , for example, recommend that children start using a pillow after the age of two. So depending on how you feel, you can give your baby a thin and small pillow from the age of one or two.

In fact, it is not until around the age of two that an infant’s shoulders become wider than the head, something that allows the head to begin to hang when sleeping on its side. Therefore, it may be more convenient for them to use a pillow.

The pillow should be made of a material that allows the child to breathe properly, such as cotton. It is best to avoid materials such as polyester as it can prevent oxygen formation and lead to excessive heat in the head and neck.

Tips to avoid sudden infant death syndrome

In addition to avoiding pillows, there are other ways to prevent sudden infant death syndrome:

• Put him on his back. Infants should always sleep on their backs. Sleeping face down should be avoided at all costs.
• The mattress should have exactly the same dimensions as the cot and should not be too soft.
• The child should sleep with his feet against the bottom of the crib. The sheets should also be well stretched over the mattress.

• It is recommended not to use blankets made of elastic or plastic fabrics.

• The room temperature should be kept between 17 and 20 degrees warm.
• When the child is asleep, do not dress him in warm clothes or blankets.
• It is not recommended that a baby sleep with his parents before the age of 13 weeks.
• During the baby’s first months of life , it is recommended that the crib be close to the parent’s bed.

The most important thing is that a baby should not use a pillow until he is old enough to do so. It is harmful to the baby’s body and health. The more adapted the baby’s crib is to it, the better it will sleep.