Table of contents:
- Why are pillows for babies dangerous?
- When should a baby be given a pillow while sleeping?
- What must be considered so that the baby sleeps safely?
- 1. Supine sleeping position
- 2. Avoid using blankets
The use of pillows can indeed make sleep more comfortable. However, this does not apply to babies, including newborns. You need to rethink if you want to provide a pillow for a sleeping baby. So, is it necessary to provide pillows for children or is it even dangerous? Check out the explanation below.
Why are pillows for babies dangerous?
Many parents have prepared supplies including pillows for newborns.
Moreover, most of these pillows have varying shapes because they adjust to the baby's head.
Quoted from the American Academy of Pediatric, you should keep objects such as pillows, blankets, and toys in your child's sleeping area
In the development of the baby, he does not need a pillow while sleeping. Therefore, you should rethink your desires because this is considered dangerous.
The use of pillows for babies is not recommended because it increases the risk sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or sudden death, especially in children under one year of age.
This is also confirmed by the statement of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHHD), which also recommends not giving pillows to babies under one year of age.
Most adults may feel uncomfortable not using a pillow while sleeping. However, the situation is different with babies.
This is because the use of pillows can cover the child's mouth and nose while sleeping, making it difficult for him to breathe.
Moreover, when you and your baby sleep in separate rooms, supervision is less than optimal.
When you and your partner are caught off guard, the pillow can cover his face for a long time and lead to SIDS.
Still quoted from the American Academy of Pediatric, about 3500 babies die each year in the United States due to infant death during sleep.
Most of these deaths occurred in babies aged three months or less because of using a pillow to support the baby's head.
To reduce the risk of SIDS and fatal sleep events, you should:
- Sleep the baby on his back so that the baby's breathing is not disturbed.
- Do not cover the baby's head and face while sleeping.
- Keep baby away from cigarette smoke.
- Prepare a comfortable atmosphere when the baby sleeps during the day or at night.
- Give breast milk to the baby before bed so that he feels full.
When should a baby be given a pillow while sleeping?
As explained above, pillows for babies can be a dangerous thing.
Especially for newborns because when the pillow covers their face, they are not able to reflex or help themselves.
Until now, there has been no definitive research that shows up to 100% when it is best to allow children to use pillows while sleeping.
Although you shouldn't give pillows to babies, there are ages that are considered safe for children to use pillows.
You can start giving pillows to children when he is more than 18 months or about 3 years.
At this age, the baby or child is deemed capable of certain movements so that if there is a pillow covering his face, he will be able to get rid of it.
From various types and shapes of children's pillows, choose a pillow that is small and flat so that it can support the neck properly.
What must be considered so that the baby sleeps safely?
When the pillow for the baby that you have prepared ends up not being used, get rid of the worry that the child is not sleeping well.
Here are some things parents can do so that babies can sleep comfortably and safely, namely:
1. Supine sleeping position
The first thing you need to pay attention to is to make it a habit to put the baby in his bed when it comes to bedtime. This is done so that he recognizes the circumstances around him.
Putting it on the bed at the right time is also done so that it feels comfortable and prevents the baby from falling during sleep.
Then, make sure the baby sleeps on his back. This is because being on your side or stomach can increase the risk of the baby choking so that it is difficult to breathe.
2. Avoid using blankets
In addition, what must also be considered is the room temperature. Don't let the baby get cold or overheated.
If the weather is cold, it is better to wear a thicker nightgown or stretch the baby instead of giving him a blanket.
Almost the same as using pillows for babies, blankets are also feared to cover the baby's face so that it will interfere with breathing while sleeping.
Also be careful when carrying the baby, give a little looseness so that the baby can still move freely and it is not difficult to breathe.
For more complete information, consult about good habits for babies with the pediatrician.
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