Why We Should Not Use A Pillow For Babies – You Are Parents

If babies should not use a pillow, it is because their body is not shaped like that of adults. A baby is a fragile being that takes time before they can walk, run, feed and survive on their own.

Babies need extreme protection and care that not only ensures their well-being, but also their health.

The pillow in the cradle: a latent risk

A cushion in the baby’s bed is one of those elements that can hinder their well-being and endanger them.

Some mothers say to themselves, for example: “My baby is less likely to bump against the bars of the bed if he is surrounded by cushions”. But contrary to what one might think, the pillows or small cushions that surround the baby put him in danger.

Newborns are fragile, they move little and slowly. They also do not yet have the strength to turn on the mattress on their own or to pick up objects.

Their psychomotor capacity is limited, and this is precisely why pillows in the cradle of babies turn out to be so dangerous.

If one of these pillows inadvertently fell on the baby’s face, he would be unable to remove it. And unless he could cry for his mother to come and rescue him, he would have no other way to avoid suffocation.

Pillows for larger babies are also a risk. At the age when they are able to grab and hold pillows on top of them, roll over in bed and do more twists and turns, this can also be dangerous for them.

The pillow, a symbol of comfort?

For adults, sleeping with a pillow means more comfortable sleep. Many people develop a certain dependence on pillows, to the point of not being able to sleep without a pillow.

However, far from being favorable to resting babies, the pillow can be more of a source of discomfort.

-Anonymous-

Dear moms, you should know that your baby’s body proportions are not the same as adults.

Children are born with a head proportionately larger than the rest of their body. Their necks are short and have a still weak musculature that needs to be strengthened as it forms and acquires certain skills.

In the early stages of a baby’s life, the neck is unable to support the head. The baby must therefore be sufficiently mobile in order to be able to develop and must not be hampered by the flexibility of the pillows.

This will disrupt the growth of the neck, which forms as the baby grows.

Babies should not use a pillow

When you put your child to bed in his bed, he must be free of any element that could endanger his life, especially when you leave him alone for a while.

Pillows, large soft toys, mobiles hanging over their little heads … There are many objects that are used to decorate and entertain the little ones and it is not a question of depriving your child of these toys.

However, we take the liberty of giving you this  advice  : if you offer him such items, stay by his side while he plays with them.

When can I use a pillow for babies? 

You can give your child a pillow to sleep on, if you notice that he likes to rest his head against it. But once he is able to speak, catch it or throw it on his own; in other words, when he can avoid danger on his own.

It is also necessary that your child has grown sufficiently and that the musculature of his neck has strengthened before allowing him to sleep with a pillow.

After the 3 years seems like the right time. Either way, you can figure out the best time together.

To know when buying your child’s pillow: choose one that is preferably made of terry cloth because it does not accumulate a lot of dust and can be washed easily.

You just need to change the pillow cover frequently so that it always stays clean and does not cause allergies to your baby.