A recommendation set by the American Academy of Pediatrics, or AAP, noted that it would be best for a baby’s safety to avoid very soft beddings, including pillows and stuffed animals in their sleeping area. As your baby grows, they will eventually move into a new, larger bed where pillows are now an option. During this time, you need to be aware that looking for a baby lounger and pillow is more complicated than you think!
When Is It Safe For Your Toddler to Use a Baby Pillow?
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommended that parents introduce baby pillows to their toddlers when they reach 18 months. But the AAP would recommend infants two years of age before using a baby pillow.
Before this recommended age, it may compromise the safety of your child’s sleeping area because the overcrowded and soft surface can increase the possibility of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. Waiting for the recommended age also helps avoid the risk of the “flat head” syndrome in infants.
Furthermore, it is also risky to allow very young infants to fall asleep on very soft baby pillows. They can get their airways blocked if their head falls flat onto the soft fabric. For older infants, you should be cautious of crib accidents. They can sustain fall injuries if they accidentally step on their toddler lounger to climb up their cribs.
However, just because your child can use a pillow at 18 months does not mean that you immediately need to go and get them one. Many toddlers sleep quite fine without one, and there’s no reason to urge them to use one if they appear at ease at night.
However, if your two- or three-year-old has problems getting comfortable in their bed, and is complaining of aches and pains in the morning, you might consider giving them a pillow.
Toddler Lounger and Baby Pillow: Safety Tips
For us adults, it is very easy to decorate our beds with pillows. However, just choosing a cute adult pillow for your infant is not the best thing to do if you feel like your baby needs a baby pillow.
Of course, your top priority must be your baby’s safety! To guide you, here are some safety considerations for choosing the comfiest but safest baby pillow for your sweet little angel:
- Avoid very tall or thick pillows. This will lead to an uncomfortable neck strain
- Similarly, infants may have difficulty breathing if the pillow is too fluffy!
- Always note if your baby manifests allergic reactions. Using baby pillows may increase their allergy symptoms.
- Avoid unsafe pillow stuffing. Some are manufactured with small pellets, which may pose choking hazards if the pillow is damaged.
Remember that toddlers develop at various rates, so although one toddler may use a cushion securely, another may not.
Some Shopping Tips For Your Infant Lounger and Pillows
The previous parts of this article would have helped you decide if your sweet infant needs a baby pillow or not! So, if you deem that you need a baby pillow, it is time to shop for it.
You can opt to do some in-person or online shopping for your infant’s needs. Do not worry if you feel lost in the wide range of baby pillows to choose from! When you are in doubt, check these four main factors to help you decide on your purchase:
- Choose the material first. Children who are allergic to environmental allergens should sleep with a hypoallergenic pillow designed to decrease or restrict the number of germs and mold that can build on the cushion over time. You might also choose a pillow made entirely of organic cotton, which is chemical-free.
- Consider the amount of support that the pillow will give. Remember, you would not want a very firm or very soft pillow. Choose the right balance between the two.
- Many pillows now contain eco-friendly materials like buckwheat and hemp. However, they are not suitable for toddlers (partially because of the potential choking hazard). Allergies to down feathers are also possible. Stick to pillows filled with synthetic fibers or memory foam.
- Lastly, consider an appropriate size! Babies are a lot smaller than us adults or other children. So smaller baby heads need just around 13 to 18 inches of a baby pillow!
Baby Pillows and Toddler Lounger: Kinds You Need To Explore
The market is filled with all sorts of baby pillows and baby loungers. These may be overwhelming for you if you are concerned about the safety and comfort of your baby.
First, let us look into the anti flat head pillow. As you guessed, this baby pillow prevents your infant from developing the flat head syndrome. When your baby lies down in the same position in bed, their soft skulls may be molded into a somewhat flat shape.
To aid the anti flat head pillow, increase tummy time, hold your baby when you can, and give them plenty of things to look at to ensure they’re utilizing new muscles and not constantly in the same posture to battle flat head syndrome safely.
Another safety tip from the AAP is letting your baby sleep on their side. For this, the baby positioner pillow would greatly help you!
Next is the toddler lounger. A baby lounger is excellent when your child is awake and spending time with you. On the other hand, a baby lounger should never be placed in the crib, and your child should never sleep on it.
These are just some of the commonly encountered types of baby pillows. Try to explore different brands and stores to help you determine which fits best for your baby.
In Conclusion
The main thing to consider would still be the safety of your baby. Hopefully, this article gave you everything you need to know to keep your little one safe!
