Introducing a Baby Pillow In a Big Bed
Posted 04/29/09
I am a new parent and I tend to be worried about everything new I introduce to my child. During my early first trimester, I agonized over what I may have eaten before I knew I was pregnant or whether I worked out too hard and raised my temperature too much for the baby. To save my sanity, I decided to put away all the pregnancy books a couple months in, so I would stop reading about everything that could happen. Doing so made me a much happier person. I still get quoted from one zinger I told my husband during those first couple months. "Once this baby is born, I will not worry about anything again." He found it quite humorous and told me I would most definitely find some causes for worry in parenthood. As he predicted, I continue to find things to worry about. I am now over analyzing the introduction of the baby pillow.When you purchase a crib set (blanket, crib bumper, sheets, crib skirt), a baby pillow is frequently included. This is misleading. Pillows are not recommended for children under the age of 2. There is a danger that a child that young may not be able to breathe when surrounded by a pillow. Duvets and big blankets are not recommended for the same reason. A baby should be placed on his back to sleep, should not have soft things in his crib, and should not have anything covering his face. Sleep sacks are suggested, rather than blankets, when babies are young. Some experts say that even giving a child over the age of 2 a pillow may not make them any more comfortable than they would be without one. The advice from experts is that a pillow should not be given until the child is no longer sleeping in a crib and is in a bed.
It is suggested that a small baby pillow be introduced first, rather than an adult sized pillow. Something the size of an airplane pillow is perfect. It is recommended that you avoid down and feathers at first, to minimize allergic irritation and because those type of pillows are often too fluffy and big for a child. We recently introduced our a daughter (she is 2 and a half) to a bed and moved her out of her crib. We started with a baby pillow in the bed, per the recommendations. We would always find her hugging the baby pillow, instead of actually having her head on it. It was not much of pillow, so it would frequently get lodged between the wall and the bed or disappear in the blankets. After a couple weeks, we ditched the baby pillow and got her a normal sized pillow. She actually sleeps with her head on it and seems to enjoy the fact that her bed is now just like that of Mommy and Daddy.