Orthopedic pillow for newborns

For the new parent, topics related to the health of their child are paramount. Particular excitement causes sleep baby. Many mothers wonder if they need a pillow for newborns?

Experts believe that there is no need to lay the baby on the product, but rather it is not needed for the baby. Pediatricians claim that the use of a regular pillow can threaten the baby:

• suffocation - the infant is unable to help himself in cases of closing the nasal passages;
• Damage to the cervical region - the bones of the baby have elasticity and if the cervical region is in a wrong position there is a risk of its curvature, because the infant first spends more in a dream
• displacement of the vertebrae of the cervical region - if the pillow is quite high, then the baby may fall off of it during a coup.

Not all pillows are so dangerous for babies, there are special orthopedic pillows that are designed to meet the anatomical features of babies. It is used from the very first days of life up to the age of one.

The importance of sleep for the baby on the right pillow

The most important development of the child occurs in the first months of his life, so it is important to pay due attention to this process. Monitor muscle tone, head position, cervical. From birth to the year, the baby mostly spends in a dream, and therefore develops when fully resting. The task of parents is to ensure the most comfortable and proper sleep, and this depends on external factors, including the organization of a berth.

If the pillow is too high, the outflow of blood is disturbed, the cervical vertebrae are in a tense state. This can cause headaches, restless sleep. But It is worth noting that when a baby sleeps on its side, its head will be in an upright position, this will also harm the baby. It is necessary to monitor the position of the head of the newborn, and more precisely around the angle of inclination of the head relative to the body. An orthopedic pillow can help with this.

In which cases the orthopedic pillow is an indication

The use of pillows is important:

• with increased muscle tone of the cervical region;
• in case of intrauterine injury to the head or neck;
• with trauma during childbirth; diagnosed torticollis;
• the baby has a head of irregular shape.

However, there are contraindications, if the child is prone to the phenomenon of “regurgitation”, then the use of a special pillow is unacceptable for him.

Types of orthopedic pillows

There are certain types approved by orthopedists:

• orthopedic pillow, known as the “butterfly pillow”;
• positional cushion;
• pillow side;
• pillow with a slope.

Orthopedic Butterfly Pillow

It has a small size, in the center there is a groove in which the head of the baby fits. On the sides are small rollers. When the baby's head is on such a product, it is supported by the cervical region, due to the roller, touching his nape. Rollers placed on the sides, provide the correct (equal) position of the head, they support the head, but at the same time give the baby the opportunity to move his neck, watching the outside world.

The butterfly is an excellent prevention of the appearance of torticollis, as it provides support for the baby’s head at several points at once. The cranial bones of a newborn are rather soft, this product will help to avoid asymmetry in shape. The load will be distributed evenly. It can be used from birth to the age of one, but orthopedists insist that they postpone use until the baby’s neck gets stronger.

The pillow is made of hypoallergenic materials, you can not worry about the risk of an allergic reaction. Usually holofiber, buckwheat husk, synthetic filler, latex act as a filler. The latter is significantly different in price, but is one of the best fillers, according to orthopedists.

How to use

Using a “butterfly” is quite simple, the most important thing is to keep the baby’s head strictly centered, in a special recess. The position of the lower roller is exactly below the neck section. When the baby learns to roll over, the pillow will not interfere with this. Its shape is universal and mobile.

Positional cushion

This type of pillow is necessary for the care of premature babies, who have a high risk of developing pathologies with the locomotor system. Such children are usually very weak, they have muscle hypotension or muscular dystonia.

The task of such a positional cushion is to ensure the fixation of the body of the newborn to adopt the correct symmetrical position. It relieves tension from the spine, prevents deformation of other muscles.

Pillow - side

Such a product ensures the safety of the child during sleep, protects against blows of the head against the bed partition. It also does not allow the legs and the handle to fall between the bars of the bed, thereby protecting them from getting stuck.

Inclined pillow

Such a product has a slight slope and height. This allows you to comfortably accommodate the baby on it, to ensure the normal flow of blood from the head.

It will not suit the newborn, its use is relevant after 4 months.

Bathing pillow

Everyone knows how little kids love to swim. The bathing cushion provides support on the water while bathing and fixes the neck of the baby.

Swimming and movement in the water perfectly strengthen the muscles, the cervical region, fixed by such a device, allows the spine to move in the desired position. They are made of moisture-resistant material, so after bathing they should be only slightly dried.

At what age can a child sleep on a regular pillow?

Experts argue on this. Some insist on using an orthopedic pillow for up to a year, some deny the benefits of both a regular and a special pillow up to 3-4 years, and there are those who believe that the use of a regular pillow is allowed only from 2 ‐ years.

But what the judgments agree on is that up to a year the use of an ordinary pillow will only harm the child. On an ordinary pillow, orthopedists recommend starting to sleep from the age of 2 years. By this time, the child's body is growing stronger, the bones are no longer soft.

Before buying a product, you should check the product for hardness, it must be elastic and have an average degree of hardness. You should choose a pillow with a height of no more than 15-20 cm, the shape to get straight. When a baby is sleeping on it, it is necessary to ensure that not only the head, but also the child’s shoulder section is on it.

One of the most inexpensive fillers is synthetic fibers. They are hypoallergenic, keep their original shape, have good moisture resistance and air passes well through the fibers.

But to buy with downy filler, sheep wool or feather is not worth it, such materials can cause an allergic reaction in a child. They quickly lose their shape, do not have such rigidity, which is necessary for the crumbs. There are cases of development in lint mites in downy pillows, as the feather is a positive environment for the development and functioning of these organisms.

What can replace the pillow?

An alternative to a pillow can be a regular diaper, folded in several layers. The height of the diaper should be greater than 2 mm, so the folded diaper only slightly changes the angle of the baby. The diaper is enclosed from month to 6-7 months, then an orthopedic pillow is purchased.

When choosing a product for a child, you should approach the event with responsibility, the future health and development of the baby depends on the choice.Properly chosen pillow will give the baby a restful and healthy sleep, necessary in the first months of life.

VIDEO:

50 photos of orthopedic pillows for newborns: