Baby pillow: when to use it?
Based on the advertisements circulating online, it seems like there is a pillow that can solve every baby problem and solve it.
Is that really the case?
In this article I will explain why a newborn doesn't need a pillow and, in fact, why it is dangerous to use it prematurely.
1. The baby pillow is useless and dangerous
I want to make it clear right away that the pillow for the newborn is absolutely useless , if not even harmful at least until the newborn is 18 months old .
While parents are overwhelmed by advertisements about the “best” pillows for newborns, it should be clarified that buying them within the first year of a child’s life is an unnecessary expense .
Furthermore, the pillow can pose major risks for the little one :
- SIDS : pillows increase the risk of cot death as they could cause suffocation in the newborn who is not yet able to turn his head well;
- Flat head: I'll explain this point better in the next chapter;
- Spinal alteration : the baby pillow lifts the baby's head causing an incorrect posture.
Pillow for newborn and plagiocephaly
The baby pillow , including the one for plagiocephaly , can cause or worsen the problem.
That's right!
In fact, the pillow tends to wrap around the baby's head, blocking the movement of the neck ; therefore, forcing him to remain in the same position all the time.
Since the newborn's head is very malleable in the first few months, constant pressure in the same area of the head can cause the baby to develop a flat head shape.
Precisely because there is a lack of information on this topic, I decided to record a video course to explain which devices and which postural attitudes can cause postural cranial deformations.
Pillow for newborn and reflux
There are also pillows on the market called anti-reflux . In fact, these pillows keep the baby more inclined to help him sleep better.
While the reclining position may help your baby sleep better, the risks of this pillow outweigh the benefits.
In fact, this pillow is more enveloping, increasing the risk of suffocation and flat head .
In addition, reflux and colic occur due to gastrointestinal inflammation and a pillow does not solve the source of the problem at all.
To truly solve the problem, it is necessary to investigate all the factors that determine the inflamed intestine and resolve them, as I explain in the video course for treating gastrointestinal problems.
2. At what age should it be used?
The World Health Organization and the main Pediatric associations recommend the use of the pillow from 18 months onwards.
In fact, after this period the risk of SIDS disappears because the child can turn his head without problems. Furthermore, at this age there is no longer the risk of developing flat head.
Finally, the risk of altering the curves of the spine is also eliminated, as the child is sufficiently large.
3. Precautions when choosing a pillow
To choose a pillow for children aged 18 months and up, simply make sure that the height of the pillow is suitable for the child's shape.
In fact, the thickness must be equal to the distance between the shoulder and the head . Only in this way will the vertebral curves be kept neutral and the postural development of the child be promoted.
4. How should the newborn sleep?
Certainly without a pillow, but let's take a closer look at how the little one should sleep in his own crib.
The baby should be placed supine as this is the safest position for SIDS and also best in case of reflux.
The ambient temperature is also important and should be between 19 and 21°C.
When it's colder you can use a blanket or sheet , but make sure they are made of natural materials that allow for breathability. In fact, synthetic materials risk causing the baby to overheat.
You can find more information in the article “ Safe Sleep ”
5. Conclusion
There are still many false myths about the use of a pillow for the newborn or the best position for him to sleep. To dispel all these beliefs I recorded a video course together with the pediatrician Pilar Nannini that will show all the most updated recommendations from the World Health Organization (June '22) to reduce the risk of the feared Sudden Infant Death Syndrome .
It will also explain how to best prepare your baby's cot for a safe sleep .