When can a baby sleep with a pillow?
Your sweet little baby has turned into an amazing bouncing, crawling, walking bundle of joy. Now, she has grown so big that you’re now beginning to think whether or not she would benefit from a pillow or blanket.
I understand how you feel. I was in your shoes when my little daughter was much younger too. I figured that adding some little, soft, fluffy accessories would make her day.
However, I can understand that it can be really scary to think that soft bedding material such as pillows; blanket and so on can be a major potential risk for suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome.
That said, you will agree with me that it’s safe to give your baby an ample of time to grow up and overgrow the risks of using pillow or mattresses.
So, this brings up the million-dollar question… When can a baby sleep with a pillow?
When Can Babies Sleep With Pillows And Blankets?
Going by the Safe Sleep guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the recommendation is that babies before their first birthday (1 year of age) should sleep on a flat surface without blankets, pillows or any other soft bedding materials.
All a baby’s crib needs before the age of 1 year is a soft, well-fitted bed sheet. In short, it’s better & safer to wait until your baby becomes a toddler aging between 18 months and 3 1/2 years old before you get them a pillow.
Of course, you can also wait until she displays active interest before you introduce a pillow.
When Can Babies Sleep With Pillows And Blankets? 7-month-old baby sleeping on a pillow?
Babies from age 18 months to three and a half years of age and above can safely sleep with pillows and blankets.
However, it’s important you bear in mind that fluffy adult-sized models are not ideal for your baby. Instead, make sure you go for small, firm toddler pillows.
In addition, make sure you keep off any extra fabric and avoid pillowcases at all costs. This is very important especially when safety is of utmost concern in small children.
When Can My Baby Sleep With Stuffed Animal?
It feels pretty good and lovely to see your little bundle of joy becomes attached to a stuffed animal. It can, of course, become very beneficial.
Without mincing words, cuddly objects and stuffed animals are most familiar and comforting to the little one. Then your baby feels secure and safe while they grow to become independent.
At about 9 months or so, your baby begins to get attached to a stuffed animal. It’s perfectly normal. However, while you allow your baby to hang out with their favorite lovey in their awake hours, please bear in mind the golden rules of safe sleep.
Don’t forget that blankies, animals as well as other comfort items should not be found in your baby’s crib before they attain 18 months of age. This is purely for safety reasons.
Moreover, putting loose fluffy and other soft bedding items in your little one’s crib may increase your baby’s risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Therefore, the best set up for your baby’s crib is a bed sheet that’s well-fitted and nothing else.
Detachable parts pose a particularly dangerous threat of choking for the baby.
Can My Baby Use a Crib Bumper?
There is no denying the fact that bumpers make your baby’s crib look extra nice. In fact, you can get them fairly easily in the market and shopping malls around.
However, it is not advisable that you buy these items for babies under a year old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. This is because of the increased risks of SIDS or suffocation associated with this product.
But that’s not all. Similarly, you should also avoid padded seat covers, blankets, pillows, thin mesh bumpers, and many similar products marketed as “breathable”.
Even for babies above 12 months of age, it’s wise to avoid this item completely because older babies could try to get out of their cribs by climbing on bumpers.
That said, you can start allowing your babies sleep with a mobile hanging over his crib even from birth. But the essential fact to bear in mind is that you must leave a distance of at least 16 inches from his or her crib.
Basically, you don’t want your baby to grab the mobile. In addition, take the mobile away from your baby as soon as he or she is about 4 months of age so that she is not able to reach out for and grasp the item.
Also, the parts must not be detachable in order to prevent any form of possible choking hazards. This is based on the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
In Conclusion
When can a baby sleep with a pillow?
Going by the Safe Sleep guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the recommendation is that babies before their first birthday (1 year of age) should sleep on a flat surface without blankets, pillows or any other soft bedding materials.
All a baby’s crib needs before the age of 1 year is a soft, well-fitted bed sheet. In short, it’s better & safer to wait until your baby becomes a toddler aging between 18 months and 3 1/2 years old before you get them a pillow.
Of course, you can also wait until she displays active interest before you introduce a pillow.
Also, the parts must not be detachable in order to prevent any form of possible choking hazards. This is based on the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
I can understand that it can be really scary to think that soft bedding material such as pillows; blanket and so on can be a major potential risk for suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome.
That said, you will agree with me that it’s safe to give your baby an ample of time to grow up and overgrow the risks of using pillow or mattresses.
Babies from age 18 months to three and a half years of age and above can safely sleep with pillows and blankets.
However, it’s important you bear in mind that fluffy adult-sized models are not ideal for your baby. Instead, make sure you go for small, firm toddler pillows.
In addition, make sure you keep off any extra fabric and avoid pillowcase at all costs. This is very important especially when safety is of utmost concern in small children.
