As a parent, you may be wondering if it is the right time to give your child a baby pillow. It seems to make sense that your toddler would want one, since nearly all adults choose to use pillows. Of course, you want your child to be comfortable while sleeping. Before your little one starts sleeping with a baby pillow, there are some things to take into consideration.
The most important issue is that of safety. The chances of suffocation increase greatly when an infant sleeps with unnecessary objects in the crib, such as a baby pillow or soft toys. Sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, is a concern that should be taken seriously by all parents. Unfortunately, even babies who seem like they should be able to move away from an object that is covering their face sometimes suffocate at night.
A baby pillow can also be a safety hazard in another way. At some point, generally between their first and second birthdays, nearly all infants try to escape from their cribs. Those who have a baby pillow quickly learn that it makes an excellent climbing device. This has the potential to cause a painful accident. Therefore, you should at least wait until your child is sleeping in a toddler bed before using a baby pillow.
Many pediatricians cite eighteen months as the minimum age that an infant should use a baby pillow. Some experts say that it is better to wait until the second birthday, due to recent research. It is perfectly fine to wait longer if that makes you worry less. A toddler does not really need to use a baby pillow at all. This is especially true for little ones who sleep on their backs. Introducing a baby pillow when it is not needed can actually cause pain by curving the spine unnaturally.
As long as your toddler is above the minimum age and sleeping in a bed, simply waiting until he or she asks to have a baby pillow makes the most sense. When you do decide to give your child a pillow at night, you should make sure that it is, in fact, a baby pillow. The difference is that a baby pillow is not as large or soft as one made for adults. Using the right kind decreases safety hazards. For sick babies who need to have their heads elevated to breathe, stuffing blankets under the mattress is an easy alternative to giving them a baby pillow.

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