Sleep for babies is an essential need for their physical and psychological development.
But to achieve adequate and beneficial sleep for him, a correct sleeping posture is important.
A good position can prevent sleep disorders, cranial malformations, cervical imbalances, and even episodes of suffocation or drowning. Yes! That’s how important it is.
And as a parent, be sure that the comfort of your baby is something that interests you. Therefore, a specific pillow for babies is an excellent option to give your little one a pleasant rest time and above all, safe with his integrity.
Today I am going to show you how to choose the best baby head shape pillow for babies on the market through this article where I collect all the tips and benefits those different types of pillows offer for your baby.
Types of Baby Head Shape Pillows
Before knowing the different types of baby pillows that exist, you should know that experts and pediatricians do not recommend that a baby use a common adult pillow until 2 years of age, thanks to the high risks of suffocation.
Instead, a baby needs specialized pillows that adapt to his body and offer the postures they need without taking risks or interfering with his development.
So, below I show you the 4 types of pillows for babies recommended by experts based on age:
Newborn Pillow
Newborn babies are delicate babies with underdeveloped bone structures. That is why this type of pillow is usually the most specialized of all.
Its main objective is to keep the newborn baby in a suitable, comfortable position that does not alter its body development.
In general, these pillow models are designed to mimic the mother’s arms or chest. Therefore, your baby feels more secure.
Even if you use these pillows, a newborn baby will always need your constant supervision.
Anti-Reflux or Wedge Pillow
Reflux is common but quite dangerous for babies, especially when they finish eating.
Poor position when breastfeeding or bottle-feeding is one of the main causes of reflux.
Hence, wedge pillows are the best anti-reflux option.
This type of pillow has an inclined design (between 30 to 45 degrees) that allows the newborn to rest on it without being completely lying down.
This position not only helps you to digest better but also to get a good night’s sleep.
They are ideal for babies from 2 to 6 months as they are the most likely to suffer from reflux and in the worst case, choke on their own vomit.
Something I like about it is that they are so versatile that you can use it in any environment: crib, bed, car, etc.
Breastfeeding Pillow
Breastfeeding is one of the most important aspects of motherhood. For this, it is convenient that both you and your baby get the best position (and the most comfortable) to feed your child.
A nursing pillow does just that. These models are molded to the mother’s waist, provide support and comfort to the arms as well as adapt to the head and body of your baby for better feeding.
Their shape is oval or “U” and they are ideal for babies up to 2 years old. They also work for bottle-feeding.
Pillow to Avoid Flat Head
A young baby does not yet fully develop its bone structure. They have a soft and compliant body. That is why when a baby spends many hours lying on himself, he can suffer from plagiocephaly.
Plagiocephaly is a malformation of the skull where the dimensions of the head are affected by the constant support of one side of the bed. The result is a “flat head.”
These types of pillows protect both your baby’s head and neck by correcting the baby’s posture.
They are soft and cushioned (not flat) so that they will mold to the head of an average baby.
Pillow for Babies +18 Months Multipurpose
This is the “big boy” pillow, the most similar to adult pillows. They are medium to large-sized rectangular pillows.
From 18 months onwards, a baby has developed a better body, especially his head, neck, and shoulders. Therefore, you can start using this type of pillow to sleep.
Being multipurpose, they can be used in the car, stroller, in bed, or in the crib. Not only will they rest, but you will also appreciate it too!
Tips For Choosing the Best Pillow For Your Baby
To find out how to choose the best pillow for babies, keep these 5 factors in mind so that you hit the nail on the head with your baby’s needs and preferences:
Check How Tall Your Pillow Is
This will depend a lot on the type of pillows you choose, the use, the places where you plan to use them, the space you have and the age of the baby.
In the market you will find varieties of sizes and shapes:
- The most common pillows are usually 20 to 30 cm long and are used to put the baby to sleep .
- Newborns wear smaller sizes for logical reasons. Between 20 to 40 cm.
- If you want to place it in the crib, a 30 to 50 cm pillow will be enough to cover the entire area where it lies.
- Smaller pillows 20 to 25 cm are ideal for carrying travel chairs, carts, cars, etc.
Consider a Design According To What Your Baby Needs
Again, the design will depend on what your baby needs, and the position.
For example, wedge designs are ideal if you worry about your baby’s reflux. But if you need help feeding him, you’d better opt for a nursing design.
As for the visual, it is not bad that you choose pillows with attractive designs and cute cartoon prints. Make them beautiful (and comfortable) for both you and him.
Choose Safe Manufacturing Materials
Whether a pillow is safe, comfortable, and soft depends, largely, on the materials in which it is made.
Therefore, the best materials (and the most common) are usually organic cotton, polyester, memory foam:
- Organic cotton is what many pediatricians recommend as the best option: it is 100% hypoallergenic and gentle on the skin of babies of any age. It is recommended for newborn pillows or just to support the head.
- Polyester is strong and durable. Its synthetic fiber does not produce odors, it is breathable and it is easy to wash.
- The memory foam is quite soft and molds to the baby’s body. It is also resistant so it is difficult for the filling to weaken. Of course, its washing is more complicated; and will require more maintenance.
Remember that in any case, the materials of your pillow must offer these 3 main characteristics:
- Hypoallergenic: to avoid reactions on the baby’s skin, allergies or bacteria.
- Breathable: Believe it or not, babies also sweat during the day and while they sleep. This is why breathable materials like organic cotton and polyester are the best.
- Durable: This ensures that it has a long service life over the years. Your baby can continue to use it as he grows, even his siblings.
Opt For Hypoallergenic Covers
The covers you buy are as important as the pillows since the baby’s head and skin are the ones that have direct contact with it.
I recommend that you choose 100% organic cotton hypoallergenic covers; this is a soft and less aggressive material with your baby’s skin.
It also verifies that its covers comply with all certifications and safety protocols. This gives you the assurance that they are free of substances or materials that are harmful to the child’s health.
Consider Other Special Features:
And as a final recommendation, it is important that you also take into account the following:
- Is it easy to clean? Make sure your pillow (and its cover) can be washed in both the washing machine and the dryer, as children tend to get their pillows dirty frequently. In addition, it is important that they always sleep in an environment free of dirt and germs.
- The number of threads: The double stitching prevents the filling from overflowing. A higher number of threads means more softness and resistance.
My Recommendation For The Best Baby Pillow
If I have to stay with a final model. For me, the Clevamama pillow is, without a doubt, the most complete of all. And I already explain why.
This pillow for babies from 0 to 12 months is not only of high quality, it is also safe for your baby and ensures their comfort.
In addition to being quite soft and breathable, it is also an excellent ally to protect your baby’s head to avoid malformations. One of its most important functions!
In addition, its excellent quality/price ratio makes me position it as the best. In conclusion, a pillow has it all!
How To Put The Baby in The Crib With The Pillow?
Follow these 5 steps to safely and comfortably lay your baby in the crib with the pillow:
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Prepare The Surface
The first thing to keep in mind is that your crib mattress is firm and solid. Put away any objects, toys, blankets, common pillows, bottles or whatever is around.
Also, make sure the crib sheets are clean and tight-fitting to the mattress. And it adjusts an ideal temperature for your comfort.
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Clean And Disinfect The Pillow
It is important that the pillow where your baby will sleep is free of dirt, dust or lint. Disinfect it regularly to prevent the proliferation of bacteria and mites. You can use a steam iron to do this.
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Place The Pillow On The Crib
If it is a pillow for newborns or a pillow for +18 months: insert it on the top of the mattress like a traditional bed just to support your head.
If it is a wedge pillow or an infant: place it in the center of the mattress so that her little body lines up with the pillow. Take into account that the baby does not collide with the crib bars.
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Put The Baby To Bed
Lay the baby very carefully on top of the pillow. Keep in mind that his head (or body) is in the soft part.
According to the Healthy Children website, the best position recommended by pediatricians is on your back with your head on your side. Never face down or side, especially when they are newborns. In this way you prevent your little one from suffocating or drowning.
However, I recommend alternating positions from time to time, to avoid flat head malformation, always with constant supervision.
Tummy or side positions are not recommended until the baby learns to roll over around 6 months. From there, he will choose the most comfortable sleeping position himself.
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Protect Your Baby
To prevent your little one’s head or body from colliding with the crib walls or getting caught between the grates, I recommend using a baby bumper:
This protector with a braided design from the Atobaby brand is one of the best to keep your baby safe. In addition, I like it because it is quite soft and attractive to decorate any environment. Check it out!
Why is The Pillow Important For The Baby?
While it is true that the best pillow for babies provides your child with an appropriate and comfortable rest. It is not the only advantage, these models have.
In fact, the difference between a regular pillow and a baby pillow is that the latter have specific benefits for the child.
In addition to creating a suitable environment for rest, they also help their growth by avoiding positions that are detrimental to the development of the head, neck, and body that can cause malformations such as cervical imbalances or a flat head.
By sleeping comfortably, children fall asleep easier and stay asleep longer. In other words, they prevent micro-awakenings in the early morning. If you are a parent, you know this is useful for both you and the baby!
Finally, if you got this far, you may realize that these pillows have many benefits and solutions for every need of your baby.
And of course, the importance of knowing how to choose the best pillow for babies is that your little one enjoys the experience of sleeping as comfortably and safely as possible.
FAQ
- What is the best sleeping position for newborns?
During the first year of your baby’s life, the best position to sleep is on his back with his head on his side, either at night or at naps.
- What position should I be in to breastfeed my baby?
This depends on how each mother is most comfortable breastfeeding.
The most common and comfortable position for moms is usually the crib position: the baby is placed horizontally to your chest, you hold it in your arms and you place a nursing pillow under the baby.
- Can I give my baby a bottle in bed?
I do not recommend it. A baby lying down may have reflux, he should eat at a minimum 45-degree angle.
- At what age can the baby sleep alone in bed?
Your baby can start sleeping in his own space in a crib from 4 months.
At 2 or 3 years, depending on the baby and his evolution, he can sleep alone in his own bed.
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