Do newborn babies need pillows? Do newborns need pillows to shape them?

Do newborn babies need pillows?

My baby has just been born. Some people around me suggest using a pillow, while others say it is not necessary. I am confused and don’t know how to use a pillow safely for a newborn baby?

The main function of a baby pillow is to prevent the baby's head from turning and not to put pressure on the baby's cervical spine. The head of a newborn baby is almost as wide as the shoulders. When lying flat, the back and the back of the head are on the same plane; when lying on the side, the head and the body are also on the same plane. The neck is very soft and straight, and using a pillow will actually put pressure on the baby's cervical spine. Therefore, a pillow is not needed.

If the mattress is soft, you can also use a lower pillow, 1 to 2 cm. The simplest way is to fold an ordinary towel twice and put it under the baby's head. This is safe and can make the baby feel more comfortable when sleeping.

It is important to remind parents that their baby's care must be timely and careful. As the baby grows, he or she has enough strength to move his or her head and remove the pillow. Especially after the baby falls asleep for about an hour, the head will often leave the pillow. Therefore, adults must always pay attention to and take good care of the baby to prevent the pillow from slipping and causing accidents.

How long does it take for a newborn to use a pillow?

When should we choose to use pillows for children? In fact, parents don’t need to worry, because they still have a stage of development. After research by experts, it is found that as long as they learn to sit by themselves, they can use pillows. Because learning to sit will form a forward curvature of the neck. If babies are given pillows as soon as they are born, it will not only hurt the neck of the child, but also affect their breathing. So parents must remember not to take care of their babies according to their own preferences and assumptions, but must take care of them according to science, so that the children will be healthy.

However, if the weather is cold, the baby may wear more clothes when sleeping, so mothers need to prepare some measures. You can find a towel or bath towel, fold it in half several times, and then put it under the baby's head to avoid breathing difficulties. When lying on the side, fold the towel higher to avoid damage to the respiratory tract.

After the baby uses the pillow, the mother must change it frequently. Experts recommend changing the pillow core every three months. Don't think it doesn't matter whether the pillow core is clean or not as long as the pillowcase is clean. Babies sometimes drool or spit up milk, and their heads are prone to sweating. Pillow cores made of grain or bran are very easy to mold when they encounter saliva and sweat. These molds will invade the baby's respiratory tract at night, and in the long run, they will cause asthma. Mothers must remember to take good care of everything about their babies. Only babies who are carefully cared for will grow up healthily.

How to choose the right pillow for your baby

1. The shape is not rigid

Mothers can match the bedding according to their own preferences or the patterns and colors of the baby's room, as long as it does not affect the baby's normal sleep. But parents must be careful not to believe in the various shaped pillows on the market that are used to fix the baby's sleeping position, which is not conducive to the baby's sleep.

2. The filling material should be good

The most important thing for a baby's pillow is comfort. The second thing is that it should be free of odor, irritants, and fillers that are not good for the baby's skin. Natural filling materials are better. Try not to use chemical materials. Chemical materials will emit harmful odors for a long time, which is not conducive to the baby's sleep and is not good for the baby's healthy development. Pillows made of tea leaves or chrysanthemums are not suitable for babies who are too young.

3. The height should be appropriate

Babies under one year old can choose the height of the pillow according to the introduction above. A pillow that is too high or too low is not conducive to the baby's sleep and normal physical development.

4. The pillowcase fabric is best made of pure cotton

Baby pillows don't need to be too fancy, so parents should not pursue beauty and so-called multi-functions when choosing fabrics. Chemical fiber materials are not suitable for babies. It is more appropriate to choose pure cotton or bamboo fiber pillowcases, which feel good and absorb sweat. Pure cotton products are the best for baby's skin. In fact, it is better to use pure cotton for baby's clothes, quilts, socks and other items.

5. The problem of fixed nest

No matter how good the shaped pillow is, it will not be of much use if mothers cannot carefully help their babies turn over. Therefore, parents should not be obsessed with how important the shaped pillow is as the merchants say. When choosing a pillow, you should consider whether the baby can sleep comfortably and turn over easily.