It is difficult to navigate in choosing a pillow for a child among the mass of offers of specialized stores. And here the main criteria should be the recommendations of doctors and taking into account the age characteristics of the development of the child, and not the personal preferences of the parents or the price of the issue.
Which pillow is best for a child of the first year of life
From the first minutes of life, young parents strive to surround their treasure with love and care. During this period, the whole world of the child is limited to a crib, all components of which are carefully selected and taking into account the needs and comfort of the baby. Is there room for a pillow? The pediatrician will say no. And this is due to how the baby's spine develops. It is absolutely even and does not need additional muscle support.Moreover, the use of an ordinary pillow, not prescribed by a doctor to solve some problems, can do harm. Therefore, the baby can be laid simply on the mattress.
What to look for when choosing
Children under one year old do not need a pillow without special instructions from a doctor. By the age of two years, the curves of the spine are formed and the muscles of the neck need support to ensure rest during sleep. It is from this age that the baby needs to provide support under the head. At the age of 6-7 years, it is quite possible to use a regular pillow, the same as for all adult family members. It is important to remember that there are no strict rules, there are only recommendations on this issue.
Each child is individual and if the pillow causes discomfort, interferes with a good sleep, then you should not force him, just because he has reached a certain age. Also, if a baby at the age of one and a half years is trying to build a support for his head from a blanket, then you should not postpone buying a pillow for him strictly until the age of two.
As with all products for children, pillows are subject to a number of strict requirements. It is important to remember when choosing that a growing organism is more vulnerable and susceptible to the development of allergies. Therefore, when choosing, you need to remember that the thing should be:
- with orthopedic properties;
- with hypoallergenic fillers;
- sewn from natural materials that meet hygienic requirements.
Pillows for children
At a young age, the pillow should provide support for the head, neck and upper back without being too high. Anatomic pillows with fillers capable of remembering the shape of the body are a good option.And taking into account the other requirements for baby pillows, products with natural plant fillers, such as buckwheat husks, will be an excellent solution - they provide an orthopedic effect and are environmentally friendly. Traditional materials such as down are allergically unsafe.
Feather mites multiply in them, namely their waste products and are the cause of the development of allergies. Synthetic fillers contribute to the development of favorable conditions for the reproduction of fungi and bacteria, as they do not absorb moisture. When choosing a pillow for a child, it is necessary to take into account not only the age recommendations of pediatricians. It is also important to remember the increased tendency of the child's body to allergies and the corresponding properties of the materials from which the product is made.
Did the article help you?