When to introduce pillow

Posted by Nicher (13 days ago)

My son is 1.5 year old now and I'm thinking when to introduce a pillow. He still tends to turn and roll so much in his cot though I reckon if it's really necessary. Any advice?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cara (13 days ago)

our son was about 18 months when we introduced it, but i think we'll be doing it slightly earlier for our daughter, now 15 months. she prefers to sleep with her head on her bunched up blanket than with it on the matress.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by axptguy38 (13 days ago)

From one year should be fine. You can start with a really flat pillow (non-"poofy"). The reason parents are told not to use pillows is the risk of SIDS. However by a year children have no problem lifting or tilting their heads if they need more air.

And yes, your son will probably be off the pillow more often than not. With time, the % of time with head on pillow will slowly increase.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by sharefitness (13 days ago)

We've chosen not to give our 17 mth son a pillow purely because from a health prospective, since our cirvical spine(neck bones) is at it's most nutural shape with our head at the same height as your thoracic spine (rib cage section of your spine), a pillow will only introduce an environment where misalignment will begin to form - most adults prefer to sleep with a pillow because...well most of us are out of optimum alignment so we do what's necessary for comfort to get a good night's rest, but as children are in their perfect physical condition, there is no need to disturb their bodies or sleep by introducing a pillow.

NASM personal trainer, yoga and pilates teacher.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by crj (12 days ago)

Wait until he asks for it...

We never gave our son a blanket, then all of the sudden at about 23 months, he asked for one... and that was it - he now has a blanket he sleeps with. We're doing the same with the pillow... waiting until he asks. No need to give him something he doesn't want :)

(I am based in Beijing)

Posted by axptguy38 (12 days ago)

The pillows our daughters use are at most a 50 mm thick when "inflated". Not really something that will bend the neck.

Also about the alignment issue mentioned by sharefitness, it depends on the pillow. A down pillow will adapt to your head and neck shape. I hate very poofy pillows that don't let my head sink in a bit, leaveíng my neck crooked.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ldsllvn (12 days ago)

in UK the general advice was not before 2 yrs old. However what you can do is to put some flat-ish pillow or cushion under the matress so one end is elevated (this is what we did) - this way you dont have to worry too much about the baby ending up with pillow in his face, etc..

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Wheelymate (12 days ago)

haven't even thought about pillows yet! mine turned 2 in march and i know he's not going to be suffocate with a pillow (judging how he sleeps through despiite all his furry friends in bed :)) but he doesn't seem to need one for now...when will they really really need one?

(I am based in Singapore)

Posted by Nicher (12 days ago)

Thank you very much for all the helpful advice! No, my son hasn't asked for it yet, but he also tends to lean his head on the blankets (which we usually place towards the end of the cot). That's why I start to think if it's necessary. So is there any sign that one is ready for a pillow? And for those who got the flattish pillows, where did you get them?

Thanks again!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by axptguy38 (12 days ago)

"And for those who got the flattish pillows, where did you get them? "

Sweden for ours. However you might find some at IKEA.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ldsllvn (12 days ago)

for Wheelymate - no, they dont at all need pillows for any reason really - they just might want a pillow and a duvet at some point only because mummy and daddy have them - otherwise, no, no reason. I raise the matress for mine two as I said above only because with the AC running they have runny noses more often than not and it helps them breathe better, no other reasons!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by frenchfries (6 days ago)

what about those ones that look like a donut with a hole in the middle? i got one as a gift.... are those spine-alignment-friendly? to me, that design makes sense, since the hole in the middle means the baby's head will not be raised, but just his/her neck will be supported. they also look like they would be good for the shape of the baby's head....

any thoughts on this?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by crj (6 days ago)

My baby has Torticollis (which meant she only looked to the left, and never to the right, so her head was getting flat in one area (among other problems)), and when she was a newborn we had to use pillows and wedges to help position her head... 'normal' babies should roll around enough not to need something like this.

(I am based in Beijing)