My 16 month old sleeps with a 'lovey'. This week he has started sleeping ON the lovey, almost like a pillow. He lays on his tummy (with his feet drawn up the way many baby's sleep) cradel-ing the lovey under his head and upper stomach. I wasn't planning on giving him a pillow until he asked for one----maybe he's asking???? Oh, pillows for babys scare me!
Thanks in advance for your comments!
2007-01-03 13:35:15 · 13 answers · asked by kathylouisehall 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
As a general rule, pillows for babys scare me also. Some experts recommend 12 months or older so he should be ok.
I wouldn't do it and he'll be better for it. Pillows unnaturally positions the spine anyways and almost all chiropractors will discourage using one so your son will be better off without one for awhile anyways.
Maybe he is just loving his lovey. As long as he seems happy with it, let him go.
2007-01-03 13:39:54 · answer #1 · answered by smartygirl 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
here is what i found on this site http://www.kidsgrowth.com/resources/adviceDetail.cfm?id=3205
It may seem like a silly question, but at what age should a child start sleeping with a pillow?
This is not a silly question at all but a rather good one!
Pillows, as you know, are not recommended for infants since children that small can easily suffocate while using one. Most pediatricians and sleep experts would say not to give a child a pillow until they are at least two years old. Many doctors would even say that children never really need a pillow
We would start off giving a child a small pillow (the size of an airline pillow) once they have moved from a crib to a bed. The pillow should be firm. A feather pillow is probably too soft for kids.
2007-01-03 13:38:40 · answer #2 · answered by Amazing_clarity 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Use a firm pillow my baby has used one for awhile and he is 16 months hes been using it since he could get up and move around easily. He wont sleep without it, i would say go for it just make sure the pillow case is sewn on to the pillow just a few threads will do it that way the pillow case can not slip off and make sure the pillow is firm but not rock hard. Soft pillows have there hazards as you can imagine. But yes i say go for it, you know my son in all his 16 months never had a lovey blankie but all the sudden hes taken to one its one of those plush soft downy ones i was shocked but now he sleeps with both. And it has its benifits to use a pillow like when hes congested the drainage will go down becuase of the elevation. And at 16 the baby can throw it out of the crib if hes tired of it. GO AHEAD DO IT!
2007-01-03 16:42:02 · answer #3 · answered by Stephanie G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter is 18 months old and has 3 pillows in her crib... she has a small one shaped like a crown, a disney princess square one and a disney priness body pillow. She sleeps on the body pillow and I think it helps her sleep better because she can form herself the way she's comftorable. With regards to suffocation... that mostly has to do with babies who are unable to, or are just starting to roll over. Your son, in my opinion, is more than ready and you have no need to be scared. Relax and be happy :)
2007-01-03 14:27:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it scares you, I wouldn't rush into it. My baby didn't get a pillow until she was about 28 months when we finally moved her into her bed. Even then she didn't know what to do with it at first. Your little guy probably doesn't even know what he's missing because he's never slept with a pillow before. Wait till he's in a bed unless he shows interest sooner. You can always get him a thin, non-fluffy pillow.
2007-01-03 13:41:16 · answer #5 · answered by Kim A 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No brainer. He's too young for a pillow; he's making himself very comfy with his lovey; LEAVE HIM BE! Don't introduce a pillow till he moves out of the crib.
2007-01-03 16:40:01 · answer #6 · answered by toomanycommercials 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My child was about the same age when I noticed they slept better when the fell asleep on my bed on a pillow.
I took a very flat pillow and placed int UNDER their sheet in their crib. That way they had the soft bump, but couldn't get their heads under it, etc. I also placed it about 9 inches from the top so if they laid over it, they weren't smashed against the head of the crib. A lot of times both of them would drape over it instead of putting their heads on it.
I don't know if my Ped. would have approved, but it worked for my kids and gave me a better nights sleep.
2007-01-03 14:13:30 · answer #7 · answered by apbanpos 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't until he specifically does ask for a pillow. Seriously, no adult or child actually needs one. It's healthier and better for us all to sleep without them...so if he's using his blanket as a little snuggly, it doesn't necessarily mean he wants a big poofy pillow. He's likely perfectly content with this arrangement.
I would wait, but just do what your gut tells you.
2007-01-03 15:54:17 · answer #8 · answered by Jen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like a good time. You can buy a travel pillow at stores like walmart- about half the size of a regular pillow
2007-01-03 13:37:30 · answer #9 · answered by iampatsajak 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Relax mom... he's about 8 months past the time where you have to worry about pillows suffocating him. Our 11 month old sleeps with a baby-sized memory foam pillow. It's about a third the size of a regular pillow, and only a couple inches thick.
2007-01-03 13:38:41 · answer #10 · answered by I hate friggin' crybabies 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋