How to choose a pillow for a child?

Pillows for children from a certain age are absolutely necessary. If babies can sleep on a flat surface, then children older than one year will already need spinal support in the cervical region. Of course, in certain diseases, the doctor may advise you to start using pillows for children earlier, but the child “grows” physiologically before using this bedding for about one and a half years, although the development of each person individually and your child may need a pillow earlier and later. term.

If the child has turned one and a half years old, but he does not want to sleep on the pillow, he lays down next to him, and he moves or throws the pillow - do not force him, better look for another copy for him: this behavior is a clear signal that this model does not suit him.

How to choose a pillow for your child: recommendations

Keep in mind that even a carefully selected pillow, 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 comfort preferences. In addition, the choice is complicated by the fact that the baby is not yet able to explain what he likes and what does not, and why. So it is hardly worth spending too much money - perhaps the pillow will have to be changed immediately. However, when choosing, be sure to follow the recommendations of experts:

  1. Pillow shape for the child - a rectangle. The pillow should not be large in size and height, the rigidity should be medium.
  2. Decorations in the form of convex applications, buttons, beads are not allowed on the pillow - such decorative elements can decorate the bedroom, but it is prohibited to use the child for sleeping.
  3. During sleep, the shoulders of the baby should lie on the mattress, and the head - on the pillow. As a rule, it is most convenient to use pillows with a length from 30 to 40 cm, the width is chosen 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; in one year it corresponds to about 4 cm, in three years it is up to 6 cm. As the child grows, the pillow must be replaced with a higher one.
  4. Stiffness 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 must be borne in mind that a soft product will not be able to provide the spine with the required support, and will lead to a weakening of the cervical region. In the dream, the child will instinctively strain the muscles of the neck, and will wake up in the morning with pain in the neck and head. There may be even more serious health effects in the form of dizziness, disorders of the vestibular apparatus.
  5. Pillow fillers for children must meet the following requirements:
    • Have sufficient elasticity;
    • Do not cause an allergic reaction;
    • Well pass the air;
    • Easy to absorb water and just as easy to evaporate;
    • Do not contain harmful components or substances that release hazardous compounds into the air.

Pillow Fillers for Baby

Depending on the material used in the manufacture of pillows, their cost varies. Often, models from different materials can cost the same, so you should focus not on the price, but on the quality of the filler. It must be borne in mind that fillers from the natural group are distinguished by good transmissive ability, the child will not sweat under them. However, complex care is necessary, and they can cause allergic reactions.

Fillers, obtained artificially from natural or synthetic fibers, are hypoallergenic, serve for a long time, just take care of them - there is the possibility of cleaning in the washing machine. However, there is also a significant minus - low air transmission, which leads to sweating, and possibly diaper rash.

Natural filler materials for baby pillows

Pooh

Bird fluff is one of the most well-known materials for stuffing mattresses, blankets and pillows. It is valued for its extraordinary, gentle softness and natural origin. But what is good for adults is not always suitable for a child. Too soft pillows from down can not support the fragile baby’s spine; as a result, the neck gets tired, there is a likelihood of deformation of the vertebrae. In addition, a dust mite lives in a downy pillow that causes severe allergies. The filler for a child of bird fluff is not the most worthy, it can be very hot, especially in summer. Also note that the down does not tolerate frequent washes.

 

Wool

Natural wool fibers are very elastic, it is not hot to sleep on them, the filler can pass air and moisture. However, the wool filler has a significant drawback - creating a favorable environment for the dust mite. This means that the baby is threatened with allergies. In addition, these pillows are not long - wool filler quickly falls into clumps.

Children's orthopedic pillow made of wool will keep its shape well, it is easy to evaporate moisture, which will not allow excessive sweating and the appearance of diaper rash. Sheep's wool is softer, but the camel will be pricked, which is unlikely to contribute to the peaceful sleep of a little man. If after all you decided to buy a woolen pillow, stop the choice on the combined filler from a mixture of wool and synthetic fibers. It will make the product more durable and make it easier to care for.

Buckwheat

Husk or buckwheat husk is one of the best pillow fillers for a child. It conducts air well, absorbs easily and gives off moisture, is not an allergen, easily acquires the anatomical shape of the head and neck, "adapts" to the individual characteristics. The natural origin of the husk is a guarantee of its environmental friendliness; there will be no harmful fumes and odors.

The height of such a pillow can be easily adjusted according to needs; it can be made tighter and stiffer or softer by simply adding or spilling a part of the filler (this is practically all manufacturers can do). Another plus of husks is small scaly particles that gently massage the scalp and neck, which improves blood circulation. The disadvantages of such fillers for a child’s pillow are also there: they weigh quite a lot and are unusually tough by touch. In addition, when moving, they rustle, which can be annoying. If the pillow is dirty, only the cover is washed, and the filler is aerated.

Latex

The orthopedic properties of latex are very high, it is resilient, elastic, is not a nutrient medium for ticks and, therefore, can not cause allergies. The latex air exchange is quite active, it easily absorbs moisture and gives it away freely. This is the optimal filler for a children's pillow, it has only one minus - a rather large price.

Artificial filler materials for baby pillows

Synthetic fiber

Synthetic fiber materials - tinsuleyt (swan's down), holofiber, strutfayber, synthetic winterizer and some others - are quite often used to fill the children's pillow. They have common pros and cons. The advantages include hypoallergenicity, ease of care (machine wash allowed) and an affordable price.

The main disadvantage is poor hygroscopicity and the ability to accumulate static electricity. The stiffness of these materials vary. Tinsulate is the softest, in this respect it looks like bird fluff, therefore it is not very suitable for children. Holofiber has the highest rigidity, therefore it is considered the most appropriate. You can also adjust the stiffness of the degree of padding pillows.

Synthetic foam

This group includes materials that are based on foamed polyurethane. This is a fairly low-cost polyurethane foam, or PU foam, and modern modified versions that have a memory effect (memoriform). Of the benefits can be noted good elasticity, hypoallergenic, long service life, medium hardness. The disadvantages of synthetic materials are common: they are poorly absorbed and give off moisture, can accumulate heat, which causes overheating, can release harmful substances into the air.

PPU is a budget option, its service life is short. Memoriform - expensive material that will last a long time. Orthopedic pillows are made from it for children, as it has the ability to take 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 the “secret” composition: it is impossible to know which components are included in the composition of the foam, and, therefore, to assess its environmental performance. It remains to rely on the quality certificates provided by the seller.

How to choose a pillow for the child: expert advice

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

  1. Check how elastic the cushion is: press it down with medium pressure and release. After a couple of seconds, it should restore its original shape.
  2. Pillow cover for children should be only from natural materials: chintz, linen, silk, cotton. It is better if it is monophonic and white, or calm, dim colors - dyes can cause allergies. Check that the seams go to the inner side, are strong and stretch easily.
  3. Lightning on the cover will allow you to adjust its stiffness by changing the amount of filler, and, in addition, ease care - do not have to wash the entire pillow, it will be enough to remove the cover and wash it.
  4. Children's orthopedic pillow will help the correct formation of the spine, will lay the foundation for good child health in the future.
  5. Carefully choose a pillow in size - this is important for the formation of the skeleton and muscles of the baby.
  6. The most suitable in different price categories are such fillers as latex, buckwheat husks and holofiber.
  7. Be sure to request a certificate of conformity from the merchant organization, make sure that the product is safe for the child.

It is not enough to buy a suitable pillow - it still needs to be properly used. Remember that a child should not climb too high on a pillow - it should only have a head with a neck. Attempts to slip a hand under a pillow or "slide" from it most likely mean that the child is uncomfortable to sleep on it, and another should be purchased.

Important: Each product has its own period for which its use is intended. Even if the pillow looks like “new,” it needs to be replaced - this is in the interests of your child’s health and safety.

 

Watch the video: Top 5 Best Baby Pillow to Prevent Flat Head Syndrome Reviews in 2018 (March 2024).

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