{"id":9519,"date":"2022-08-14T05:45:44","date_gmt":"2022-08-14T05:45:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.housejunkie.co.uk\/?p=9519"},"modified":"2023-01-10T01:36:23","modified_gmt":"2023-01-10T01:36:23","slug":"when-can-a-baby-sleep-with-a-pillow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homesguide.co.uk\/when-can-a-baby-sleep-with-a-pillow\/","title":{"rendered":"When Can a Baby Sleep With a Pillow? Age, Precautions, and More"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you wondering when can a baby sleep with a pillow<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Experts often recommend waiting until your little one is at least 18 months of age.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, it can be challenging to know what\u2019s right when choosing a bedding for your child. You want a space that looks soft and comfortable for your little one, but you also need to protect them against risks. A pillow might look like a comfortable and inviting product to us adults, but it can be dangerous for infants who don\u2019t have as much control over their bodies.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what you need to know before you allow your baby to sleep with pillows, blankets, and other common forms of bedding.<\/p>\n

Why Wait to Give a Child a Pillow?<\/h2>\n

The\u00a0consumer product safety commission\u00a0says that you should wait until your child is at least one and a half or 18 months old before using a pillow. By the time your babies reach their toddler bed, they might already be sleeping with a pillow. Other children take longer before they feel comfortable enough to sleep with a pillow at night.<\/p>\n

However, you should never give a pillow to a baby under the age of 18 months. That\u2019s because Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDs<\/strong>, is often caused by exposure to pillows<\/a> and bedding. If your child becomes wrapped up in a pillow or blanket, they could suffocate during the night. It is why it\u2019s so important to be careful with pillows.<\/p>\n

When your baby sleeps in a crib for up to 18 months, the risk of suffocation is still high. Although the risk drops significantly after your child turns one year old, it’s still important to be cautious about what you place in a baby’s bed.<\/p>\n

Some parents are even considered that Sudden Unexplained Death (SUDC) may be linked to a toddler pillow. Some toddlers who don\u2019t develop as quickly as their peers might be overwhelmed by objects in their crib and risk suffocation. If you\u2019re not sure about which age to introduce a pillow, it\u2019s best to speak to a doctor.<\/p>\n

Giving Pillows to Babies and Toddlers<\/h2>\n

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the ideal age to give your child a pillow is two years old. You also need to make sure that your toddler’s pillow is firm and small.<\/p>\n

If you will move your child from a crib to a toddler’s bed, make sure to install safety guardrails. Remember, barriers are intended to keep children from falling from their bed and not to restrain them. Some parents prefer for their toddlers to sleep on a mattress<\/a> on the floor. If you are more comfortable with this setup, you can do this too.<\/p>\n

Consulting your doctor before you give your little one a pillow is helpful. Different toddlers and babies develop at different rates. Just because one baby is ready to move to a toddler’s bed, it doesn’t mean that it is the same with your child.<\/p>\n

Testing and observation are often essential to choosing the right age to use a pillow<\/strong> for your child\u2019s bed. However, during the early months of your child\u2019s life, it\u2019s best to avoid any crib bumpers, blankets, and pillows that are deemed potentially dangerous by health information from your doctor or the American Academy of Pediatrics.<\/p>\n

Remember, you may give your toddlers pillows during the day for them to use as a headrest. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to allow them to use the same pillows in bed at night.<\/p>\n

Safe Sleeping Tips for Babies and Toddlers<\/h2>\n