How to choose the right pillow for your baby?

How to choose a pillow for a child: recommendations

Keep in mind that even a pillow carefully selected taking into account all the advice from experts may not suit your child, because it is almost impossible to take into account all the features of the body and preferences for comfort. In addition, the choice is complicated by the fact that the baby is not yet able to explain what he likes and what he does not, and why. So it is unlikely that you should spend too much money – perhaps you will have to change the pillow immediately. However, when choosing, be sure to follow the recommendations of experts:

1. The shape of the pillow for a child is a rectangle. The pillow should not be large in size and height, the firmness is medium.
2. Decoration in the form of convex appliqués, buttons, beads is unacceptable on the pillow – such decorative elements can decorate the bedroom, but it is prohibited to use it for the child’s sleep.
3. During sleep, the baby’s shoulders should lie on the mattress, and the head – on the pillow. As a rule, it is most convenient to use pillows from 30 to 40 cm long, the width is selected according to the width of the bed (from 40 to 60 cm). The height of the pillow depends on the length of the child’s shoulders; at one year it is approximately 4 cm, at three years – up to 6 cm. As the child grows, the pillow should be replaced with a higher one.
4. Rigidity is a very important indicator. Which pillow is better for a child – harder or softer? On the one hand, softness provides comfort, but on the other hand, it should be taken into account that a soft product will not be able to provide the spine with the required support and will lead to weakening of the cervical spine. In sleep, the child will instinctively strain the neck muscles and wake up in the morning with pain in the neck and head. There may be even more serious health consequences in the form of dizziness, vestibular disorders.
5. The fillings of children’s pillows must meet the following requirements:
   • Be elastic enough;
   • Do not cause an allergic reaction;
   • Be breathable;
   • Easily absorb water and evaporate it;
   • Do not contain harmful components or substances that release hazardous compounds into the air.

• Be elastic enough;
• Do not cause an allergic reaction;
• Be breathable enough;
• Easily absorb water and evaporate it;
• Do not contain harmful components or substances that release hazardous compounds into the air. connections.

Pillow fillings for children

The cost of pillows varies depending on the material used in the production of pillows. Often, models made of different materials can cost the same, so you should focus not on the price, but on the quality of the filler. It should be borne in mind that fillers from the natural group have good permeability, the child will not sweat under them. However, complex care is required, and they can cause allergic reactions.

Fillers obtained artificially from natural or synthetic fibers are hypoallergenic, last a long time, and are easy to care for – they can be cleaned in a washing machine. However, there is also a significant drawback – low air permeability, which leads to sweating and, possibly, diaper rash.

Natural filler materials for children’s pillows

Down

Bird down is one of the most famous materials for stuffing mattresses, blankets and pillows. It is valued for its extraordinary, delicate softness and natural origin. But what is good for adults is not always suitable for a child. Too soft down pillows cannot support the baby’s fragile spine, as a result the neck gets tired, there is a risk of deformation of the vertebrae. In addition, a down pillow is home to dust mites, which cause severe allergies. Bird down filling for a child is not the best choice, as it can be very hot, especially in summer. Please also note that down does not tolerate frequent washing.

Wool

Natural wool fibers are very elastic, it is not hot to sleep on them, the filler can pass air and moisture. However, wool filler has a significant drawback – it creates a favorable environment for the life of dust mites. And this means that the baby is at risk of allergies. In addition, such pillows do not last long – the wool filling quickly clumps.

A children’s orthopedic pillow made of wool will hold its shape well, easily evaporate moisture, which will prevent excessive sweating and diaper rash. Sheep wool is softer, but camel wool will prick, which is unlikely to contribute to a calm sleep for a small person. If you still decide to buy a wool pillow, opt for a combined filler made of a mixture of wool and synthetic fibers. It will make the product more durable and easier to care for.

Buckwheat

Buckwheat husk, or buckwheat husk, is one of the best fillers for a child’s pillow. It conducts air well, easily absorbs and releases moisture, is non-allergenic, easily takes on the anatomical shape of the head and neck, and “adapts” to individual characteristics. The natural origin of the husk is a guarantee of its environmental friendliness, there will be no harmful fumes or odors.

The height of such a pillow can be easily adjusted as needed, you can make it denser and harder or softer by simply adding or pouring out some of the filler (almost all manufacturers provide this option). Another plus of the husk is that small scaly particles gently massage the skin of the head and neck, which improves blood circulation. Such fillers for a child’s pillow also have disadvantages: they weigh quite a lot and are unusually hard to the touch. In addition, they rustle when moving, which can be irritating. If the pillow gets dirty, only the cover is washed and the filling itself is aired.

Latex

The orthopedic properties of latex are very high, it is elastic, flexible, is not a breeding ground for mites and, accordingly, cannot cause allergies. Air exchange in latex is quite active, it easily absorbs moisture and releases it freely. This is the optimal filling for a baby pillow, it has only one drawback – a rather high price.

Artificial materials for filling children’s pillows

Synthetic fibers

Materials made of synthetic fiber – thinsulate (swan fluff), holofiber, strutofiber, sintepon and some others are often used to fill a baby pillow. They have common pros and cons. The pros include hypoallergenicity, ease of care (machine washable) and an affordable price.

The main disadvantage is poor hygroscopicity and the ability to accumulate static electricity. These materials differ in rigidity. Thinsulate is the softest, in this respect it is similar to bird fluff, so it is not very suitable for children. Hollow fiber has the highest rigidity, so it is considered the most suitable. You can also adjust the rigidity by the degree of stuffing of the pillow.

Synthetic foam

This group includes materials based on foamed polyurethane. This is both a fairly budget polyurethane foam, or PPU, and modern modified options with a memory effect (memoryform). The advantages include good elasticity, hypoallergenicity, long service life, and medium hardness. Synthetic materials have common disadvantages: they absorb and release moisture poorly, can accumulate heat, which causes overheating, and can release harmful substances into the air.

PUF is a budget option, and its service life is short. Memory foam is an expensive material that will last a long time. It is used to make orthopedic pillows for children, as it has the ability to take the shape of the body and remember it, providing full support throughout the night. The main disadvantages of “memory foam” are the possibility of overheating due to poor thermoregulation and a “secret” composition: it is impossible to know exactly what components are included in the foam, and, therefore, to assess its degree of environmental friendliness. It remains to rely on the quality certificates provided by the seller.

How to choose a pillow for a child: advice from experts

To make the right choice, follow the recommendations of experts:

1. Check how elastic the pillow is: press on it with medium force and release. In a couple of seconds it should restore its original shape.
2. The cover of children’s pillows should be made only of natural materials: chintz, linen, silk, cotton. It is better if it is plain and white, or a calm, dull color – dyes can cause allergies. Check that the seams are on the inside, are strong and stretch easily.
3. The zipper on the cover will allow you to adjust its rigidity by changing the amount of filler, and, in addition, will make it easier to care for – you will not have to wash the entire pillow, it will be enough to remove the cover and wash it.
4. A children’s orthopedic pillow will help the correct formation of the spine, lay the foundation for good health for the child in the future.
5. Carefully select a pillow by size – this is important for the formation of the skeleton and muscles of the baby.
6. The most suitable fillers in different price categories are considered to be latex, buckwheat husk and holofiber.
7. Be sure to ask for a certificate of conformity from the trading organization, make sure that the product is safe for the child.

It is not enough to buy a suitable pillow – you also need to use it wisely. Remember that the child should not climb onto the pillow too high – only the head and neck should be on it. Attempts to put a hand under the pillow or “slide” off it most likely mean that the child is uncomfortable sleeping on it, and you should buy another one.

Important: Each product has its own lifespan, for which it is intended to be used. Even if the pillow looks “like new”, it must be replaced – this is in the interests of the health and safety of your child.