Which pillow is better for a newborn baby and toddlers from 1, 2 and 3 years old

From the moment of birth, parents surround the baby with love and care. They carefully choose accessories for the children's room. Pediatricians are advised to carefully approach the purchase of pads on which the child will sleep. The product for the bed provides comfort and contributes to the proper formation of the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic items are recommended for children from 1 to 3 years. We share expert assessment and give advice based on the opinions of pediatricians, orthopedists and ordinary consumers.

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1. Do I need a pillow for a newborn
   
2. What pillow to choose for a baby from 1 year
3. How to choose a pillow for children from 2-3 years

Do I need a pillow for a newborn?

The first question that you need to find out is if a baby is needed at all. Parents often select accessories and furniture in appearance without worrying about the medical and physical aspects. Meanwhile, orthopedists and pediatricians warn that newborns easily manage without an orthopedic pillow. Babies have enough diapers, because at such an early age the slightest impact can lead to bone displacement.

However, doctors do not put forward strict prohibitions and there are situations when an orthopedic pillow helps a baby, for example, with frequent regurgitation. Doctors advise to lay his head just above the torso.

Pediatricians recommended position for sleeping newborn - on its side. In such a position, conditions are created for the proper formation of muscles and bones in the first stages of life. A child in this position breathes freely, and in case of sudden regurgitation no problems arise. If he is unable to lie on his side and turns over, then a small pillow will help him.

Recommendations for choosing orthopedic pillows for babies:

1. a child needs a pillow with a hypoallergenic filling; standard down and wool will not work under any circumstances;

2. safe materials approved by pediatricians consider polyurethane foam and latex;

3. a pillow for a child who is not able to lie on his side on his own should be moderately hard, she needs to keep the angle of inclination to 30^about;

4. if the baby prefers to sleep on the tummy, then a safe pillow of spongy material that permits air is required (the possibility of blocking access to oxygen is excluded).

For fixing the child's body in the desired position, “positioning cushions” with a thickness of 4-5 cm are used. The model is made in the form of two rollers enclosed under the head and sides of the baby.

The information provided is useful for parents caring for a newborn baby. It gives an understanding of the fact that the pillow needs to be selected taking into account the physical characteristics - size, shape, features of materials. We remind you, if you do not do this, then it is generally better not to buy a pad for the newborn, because it will only get worse.

What pillow to choose for a baby from 1 year?

Before the year, the primary formation of the bone skeleton and muscle tissue occurs, but after 1 year the baby is taught to sleep on a pillow and with a separate blanket. Parents should not worry that it will lead to spinal curvature. This does not happen, especially if you choose the right orthopedic accessories. The behavior of the baby is often clear that they want to sleep like adults and refuse diapers, sleeping overalls and other things.

If it's time to shift your crumb to your own pillow, you should do it wisely. Based on the expert evaluation of orthopedists and pediatricians, a complete instruction on the selection of pads for children from 1 year old is formed:

1. at an early age, the child already needs a separate pillow, but it should not be too overall;

2. the average pillow for a baby of 1 year represents a product about 40x60 cm in size;

3. special attention is paid to the materials of manufacture and filler, down and wool are prohibited for children, and only sheep wool is allowed from natural components;

4. Buckwheat hulls, rice fillers and other natural ingredients that create a massage and relaxing effect become an alternative to traditional materials.

Fillers become the main criterion. Pillows with buckwheat husk make a pleasant rustling, distracting the baby from the environment. Thanks to the sounds and massage effect, he falls asleep much faster. Another common option - sintepon and its analogues. Advantages of the material are elasticity, resistance to deformation, breathability. Products support the child's head in the correct position and do not block the access of oxygen in unforeseen circumstances.

How to choose a pillow for children from 2-3 years?

A child in three years shows independence and sleeps even on regular beds without special children's accessories. This is reflected in the features of the selection of pillows and other accessories. In form, dimensions and features of materials such products differ from those that are recommended for one-year-old children.

We highlight the following criteria for young parents:

1. hypoallergenic materials are always in the first place, so you should still exclude feathers, down and wool from the list of permissible fillers;

2. Thermal, antibacterial and antiseptic treatment is worthy of additional attention, so look for relevant information;

3. locks and elements that leave marks on the skin and cling to the hair, immediately exclude;

4. the child needs products that meet orthopedic requirements; therefore, pillows are moderately elastic;

5. elasticity is accompanied by preservation of shape, so any pillows should be quickly smoothed;

6. the height of the pillow corresponds to the height of the child’s shoulders; make sure that the head and the spine are at the same level (the difference is no more than 1 cm).

Do not forget that any orthopedic pillow is chosen primarily for the child, so it should be comfortable and safe. In pursuit of dry figures of characteristics you should not forget about the convenience of the baby.

The main aspects that orthopedists and pediatric therapists pay attention to are hypoallergenic, correct size, elasticity. If you choose too big or a soft pillow, it only hurts the spine.

Before buying study upholstery and filler. For children up to 2 years old, fillers made of padding polyester or other synthetic material are excellent because of their lightness, elasticity and durability. A good alternative is recognized buckwheat husk. It is comfortable, elastic, and also makes soothing sounds and provides a massage effect.

On the shoulders of parents lies a lot of trouble, so you should think about cleaning the pillows. The easiest way to use covers and pillowcases, which are easily removed and erased in the machine. This approach preserves the pillow itself and significantly extends the service life.You should not buy expensive models, because they do not surpass cheap analogues in characteristics. Pillows "for growth" and "with a reserve" are not required and often even harm the natural development of the musculoskeletal tissues of a one-year-old child.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.