The human body is designed in such a way that using a pillow is considered a prerequisite for healthy sleep. Without the use of this item, the cervical curve of the spine is not supported by anything, the head is positioned too low - this causes a disruption in the blood supply to the brain. Only newborns and children under 1 year old are allowed to sleep without a pillow; their skeleton has not yet fully formed, so they can sleep on a flat surface. But children grow up very quickly, and there comes a time when it becomes a necessity.
When do you need a pillow?
This item is needed for a child over 1 year old or a 2 year old . Until this age, pediatricians do not recommend using such a thing at all. But an exception may be a doctor’s prescription for some diseases.
There is no clear answer to the question of when to start placing a pillow under a child’s head. Each parent solves this problem individually, depending on the psychological and physical development of the child.
Most often, this item begins to be used at one and a half years , when natural curves begin to form in the spine.
If a child categorically refuses to sleep on a pillow, then he cannot be forced. If the baby's head slides off the pillow or he throws it out of the crib, this means that the product is not suitable for him. In this case, you will have to experiment and choose something that will be comfortable for the baby.
Natural fillers
The down and feather pillow is soft and durable.
Most parents prefer fillers made from natural materials. It is believed that such products contain fewer “harmful chemicals”, are closer to nature and have a beneficial effect on human health. In most cases this is true, but natural materials wear out faster than synthetic ones. Some fillings, such as wool, may cause allergies.
Among the natural fillers that are suitable for children's pillows are:
- Bamboo is an exotic filler that is considered very healthy and safe. It is made from crushed fibers of the plant of the same name. The bamboo pillow allows air to pass through well and does not accumulate odors. The products are elastic and durable.
- Cotton wool is an affordable filler made from soft cotton fibers (cotton is made from this plant). The material is relatively heavy and eventually wears out and falls off.
- Camel wool is an elite type of wool, the supplier of the best raw materials in the world is Mongolia. The fibers are lighter than sheep's wool, support the head well, are durable, and keep you warm.
- Goose and swan down are universal fillers. Down is ergonomic and durable. However, it is necessary to select dense fabric for the bedspread so that the material does not leave the product without permission. Down is soft and pleasant to the touch. The product contains 5-10% feather.
- Sheep wool is an economical, environmentally friendly material. Wool pillows are practical, easy to care for, and last a long time.
Properties of a baby pillow
Which pillow to choose for a 2-year-old child is dictated primarily by considerations of the child’s health. Many parents opt for a rectangular, low, moderately hard and small pillow. Now in the store you can find many colorful products in the form of letters, animals or hearts. But such things are only suitable for decorating a child's room, and not for healthy and deep sleep.
Rules for comfortable sleep:
- You need to carefully ensure that only the baby’s neck and head are on the pillow, and that the shoulders rest against the mattress.
- This position should be maintained while the baby is sleeping while he is on his side or back.
- The length of the product should be chosen so that the baby’s neck and head fit comfortably on it. The standard size is 30 or 40 cm.
- The width of the pillow should not exceed the width of the crib; as a rule, the standard size is 40 or 60 cm.
The thickness or height is selected according to the length of the child's shoulder. For a 1-year-old baby, it should not exceed 3 or 4 cm, and by 3 years, the height should increase to 6 cm. As the baby gets older, the pillow will need to be replaced with a higher one.
If the product is too soft and cannot maintain its shape, this will lead to instability and weakness of the cervical vertebra. Sleeping on such a pillow will be uncomfortable for the child; he will wake up not rested and sleepy. An incorrectly selected product may cause neck pain, and the baby will get tired faster during the day. Other side effects from using the wrong product may include nausea and dizziness.
Synthetic fillers
There is no need to be afraid of the word “synthetics”. Modern materials, created thanks to discoveries in the field of chemistry, are safe, economical, and very wear-resistant. High-quality material does not cause allergies and allows you to get a good night's sleep.
Let's look at the synthetic fillers that are most suitable for creating children's pillows:
- Comforel - consists of thin polyester fibers that undergo antibacterial treatment and are additionally coated with a protective layer of silicone. Externally, the filler resembles a collection of spherical cotton balls. The material is fireproof, does not cause allergies, does not accumulate static electricity and retains its shape well.
- Sintepon is an elastic, lightweight non-woven material. Does not cause allergies, often used as insulation. The main advantage is financial accessibility. Compared to other synthetic fillers, it quickly loses its shape and needs to be replaced.
- Holofiber is a non-woven insulation and filler made from polyester. The hollow fibers are wrapped in spirals, making the material elastic. Holofiber does not ignite, is inexpensive, and lasts a long time.
Artificial fillers
Such products have a lot of advantages:
- There are no dust mites.
- Hypoallergenic.
- Holofiber has good elasticity.
- A light weight.
- Machine washable.
- Low cost.
The disadvantages of the product include:
- The ability to become electrified.
- Fall off quickly.
- Excessive softness.
- In hot weather it heats up and does not absorb moisture well.
Artificial fillers include:
- Holofiber.
- Sintepon.
Artificial materials
Unlike natural fillers, artificial fibers are a less comfortable environment for the growth of fungi and dust mites. In addition, they allow air to pass through. Some can be washed at 60º, thereby killing ticks. Many parents deliberately choose a product with a synthetic internal composition.
Holofiber in the form of balls
Holofiber
We are talking about a fairly durable, hypoallergenic, safe and easy-to-use material. It is made from siliconized polyester fiber and has a medium density. Holofiber is lighter than padding polyester, but heavier than down.
You should try one of the first pillows with this type of filling, since such products are an excellent combination of quality and low price. Read more about holofiber in this article.
Product advantages:
- Hypoallergenic. The material does not cause urticaria and rhinitis. There are much fewer microorganisms in it than in natural fillers.
- Easy care. Holofiber can withstand treatment well at a temperature of 60º, at which dust mites die. It can be machine washed.
- Elasticity. The material quickly returns to its original shape, does not fall off and has a long service life.
- Availability. The inexpensive price of the product is another plus.
- Practicality. The height of the pillow is adjusted by adding or removing filler.
Disadvantages of the product:
- Insufficient hygroscopicity. In Holofiber it is less than in products made from down, plant fibers and wool. To solve this problem, you can use pillowcases with good hygroscopic properties or special covers.
- Electrification. Holofiber is a synthetic material, so it sometimes accumulates static voltage, which can be an unpleasant surprise for children.
- Excessive mobility. The product is springy and does not fit all sleeping positions. For some children, it does not support their head very well.
- Rigidity. The pillow is more monolithic in structure than down, buckwheat and granules. For children who need to press or tuck the pillow under themselves in a certain way, this option may not be suitable. In terms of softness, Holofiber is inferior to a similar material in the form of “artificial swan down”.
Comforel
The material is twisted into small, very soft and hollow balls inside. Comforel fibers are similar to holofiber. Made from polyester fiber.
The material does not wrinkle, does not accumulate electricity, does not cause allergies, and transfers and absorbs moisture well. Due to the structure of the spheres themselves, they do not get entangled with each other, and there is always space between them. This allows air to circulate freely within the fiber. The product tolerates machine washing and drying well. The disadvantages include the need to beat the filler after each treatment.
Memory foam (memory)
The type of memory foam after touching
Memory is a modified viscoelastic polyurethane foam (foam rubber). The new memory foam material is called artificial latex. When pressed, the filler completely follows the contour in 5-7 seconds and then quickly takes its original shape (1-2 s). Read this article for more information about this filler.
Product advantages:
- Hypoallergenic. The material does not cause a negative reaction in the body. It contains fewer microorganisms than natural fillers.
- High anatomical characteristics. Its enveloping effect is much better than that of ordinary foam rubber.
- No vibration. This factor is important for buyers who don't like the fact that latex pillows are a little unstable and wobble like jelly.
- Affordable price. Memory foam is less expensive than latex fillers.
Disadvantages of the product:
- Rigidity. A monolithic pillow cannot be crushed under you during sleep. If the baby is lying on his side or slightly off-kilter, it will not be comfortable for him. For the same reason, it is difficult to choose, because the shape and size of the purchased product must be ideal for children. The pillow is soft to the touch, but the child’s small head often cannot press the pillow to the required extent. The softness of the product depends on the specific manufacturer and composition, which should be taken into account when choosing.
- Hygroscopicity. It is lower than that of products made from down, plant fibers and wool. To solve this problem, special coatings can be used.
- Possible insecurity. If the pillow foam manufacturer is unscrupulous, it may contain harmful substances (including formaldehyde). It is advisable to check the documentation with the manufacturer and seller. It is especially worth paying attention to the CertiPUR certificate.
- Difficult care. Do not clean memory foam with a washing machine.
Conclusion. A memory foam pillow is worth purchasing. There are stores that are ready to give you a test sample to try or return money for the product if it doesn’t suit you. If this is not possible, then there is a high probability that your child will not like it (especially if he sleeps on his side). Therefore, it is more rational to first try to purchase an inexpensive pillow made of holofiber or similar materials.
Latex
These pillows are made on the basis of natural latex from Hevea juice with the addition of synthetic components. In fact, it is a specialized soft rubber foam that is comfortable for sleeping. For more information about this filler, see this article.
A pillow like this is worth using. Quite often it turns out to be the best purchase for a child. Moreover, if the seller is ready to provide the opportunity to try a sample for one night and return the product due to its unsuitability. However, this pillow is not suitable if the child sleeps on his side. Therefore, it is more rational to first try to purchase an inexpensive pillow made of holofiber or similar materials.
Latex pillow with perforations for good ventilation
Pros:
- Convenience. The pillow envelops children's heads and has excellent orthopedic and plastic properties.
- Safety. Latex rarely causes allergies, and practically no microorganisms grow in it.
- Practicality. There are models with perforation that provide good ventilation of the scalp, dryness and comfort while the child sleeps.
Disadvantages of products:
- High price. Not every family can afford practical models.
- Excessive vibration. For some children this factor is not a problem. For other babies or teenagers, the discomfort may cause muscle spasms over time.
- Specific smell. How strong it will be depends on the specific manufacturer. This may irritate the user, but the smell will subside over time.
- Springy effect. It can cause discomfort in a child (for example, squeezing the ear) if the product is not physiologically suitable for him.
- Low hygroscopicity. Down, plant fibers and wool significantly outperform latex. To solve this problem, coatings with good hygroscopic properties can be used.
Latex or foam granules
We are talking about rare types of fillers, which are crumbs of latex or memory foam. The purpose of the filler is to give the pillow the ability to take any shape, like loose fluff or buckwheat, while maintaining the enveloping and hypoallergenic properties of the compositions.
You can determine whether such a pillow is suitable for your child only by trying it in practice. The possibility of returning unsuitable goods must be discussed in advance with the seller.
One of the types of latex granules in the pillow
Names of famous brands of pillows with granules:
- Lates from Promtex Orient;
- "Eucalyptus";
- Mediflex Recovery Extra Soft;
- Tempur Traditional;
- Tempur Comfort Cloud.
Cooling gel
This unusual filler is used in orthopedic pillows. It is usually applied over memory foam. Helps reduce head heat during sleep. Read this article for more information about this filler.
Microspheres
Microspheres under a microscope
This material consists of tiny balls. .
The risk when using such a pillow for a child is an unjustified measure, since it is not known what will happen if it accidentally depressurizes.
Sellers of these pillows often use aggressive marketing. They claim supernatural healing properties of their product. The real origin of the pillow components is also unknown to the buyer.
The only certainty is that the disadvantage of such a pillow is that it cannot be machine washed. Contaminants can only be removed with a cloth and soapy water. Read this article for more details.
For children under 1 year
The head of a small person is larger, proportionally speaking, than that of an adult. Lying on a flat surface, the baby does not experience any discomfort, and the cervical vertebrae are in the right position.
A good pillow for a 1 year old child is a soft material folded several times. It creates a slight slope and will absorb regurgitation and moisture if the baby sweats. The exception is special products designed for babies. Among them:
- inclined;
- anatomical;
- protective;
- fixing.
The inclined model facilitates the breathing process and protects against regurgitation. The recommended tilt angle does not exceed 30 degrees. You can raise the mattress at the head of the bed and the effect will be the same. The entire upper part of the baby’s body is located on an inclined product.
Anatomical models have a special shape. These pillows for a 6 month old baby are prescribed by pediatricians if necessary. The recess and raised edges fix the head in the correct position. Used for torticollis and vertebral displacement.
The protective model has a special shape and filling that protects against suffocation. It is made of porous polyurethane foam, covered in a cotton pillowcase. Suitable for children of any age.
The product for fixing the body in a lateral position consists of two separate blocks connected to each other. Suitable for active babies who move around a lot at night. You can choose it for both a newborn and an older child.
Filler selection
When choosing pillow filling, you need to pay attention to how the quality meets all the requirements for children's products.
What types of fillers are there:
- If artificial padding is chosen, it is characterized by increased wear resistance and does not cause allergies, but such padding does not allow air to pass through well and contributes to increased sweating.
- Natural fillers are highly airtight, but they are difficult to maintain. Natural ingredients often cause allergies.
The following materials are suitable as filler for baby products:
- Buckwheat husk.
- Holofiber.
- Latex.
Bird fluff
Bird down has many advantages: products made from it are inexpensive, light in weight, absorb moisture well, are silent, and have a long service life.
In addition to its advantages, this filler has disadvantages:
- This material is too soft
- Many children develop allergies.
- Difficult product care.
- Parasitic mites may appear.
Bird down is a traditional natural filler, but it is not recommended for children's pillows. The main qualities for which this material is valued are naturalness and softness. But at the same time, a soft product does not provide the necessary support for the neck, and natural bird fluff can harbor dust mites. Dust can also accumulate, which makes it difficult for the baby to breathe and can cause allergies.
Another disadvantage of down is that it is very warm. It is comfortable to sleep on such a product in the cold season, but in the summer the child’s head will sweat. A baby pillow needs to be washed often, and down does not tolerate such cleaning well.
If parents decide to purchase a down product for their baby, then they need to choose products only from trusted manufacturers.
The pillow must contain high-quality goose feathers that have undergone multi-stage processing. Such products have great elasticity, and they are less likely to harbor mold or dust mites.
Wool pillow filling
The product has advantages:
- Moisture is absorbed well.
- Doesn't heat up.
- Elasticity.
- Great airtightness.
- Naturalness.
In addition to the advantages, the product also has disadvantages:
- Pillow with wool filling
- falls off quickly, dust mites may appear.
- The product must be ventilated and dried frequently.
- A thing with wool filling is quite tough, evaporates moisture well and allows air to pass through.
- Natural wool has healing properties, it calms the nervous system and promotes sound and healthy sleep.
Dust mites are the scourge of a large number of natural materials.
In woolen products, parasites are just as active as in down ones. To prevent the pillow from causing an allergic reaction in the child, it must be dry cleaned periodically, but this is not very convenient.
In addition, natural wool quickly wrinkles and curls into lumps.
Camel or sheep wool
When deciding what kind of pillow a 2-year-old child needs, you can opt for a product made from sheep filling. The natural composition of the stuffing has many advantages, but it is still not always suitable for babies. If you still decide to buy a pillow with such stuffing, then it is better to buy something made from a mixed filler, for example, synthetics and wool. In this case, the synthetic material does not reduce the positive qualities of the natural material and gives the product greater elasticity, durability and strength.
Requirements for orthopedic pillows for a three-year-old child
Choose a future orthopedic pillow for a three-year-old child according to these doctor recommendations:
- low . The spine and neck should form a straight line;
- elastic _ The elasticity of the product is easy to check: as soon as the pressure stops, the material returns to its original position;
- hypoallergenic . All synthetic fillers are hypoallergenic, but you need to be careful with natural ones;
- breathable . It is very important that the filler allows air to pass through well. This will prevent your head and neck from sweating too much. Good breathability will also help avoid suffocation if the child sleeps with his face buried in the pillow.
Orthopedic pillows, which are also produced for children, are especially popular now. Such pillows should be comfortable: low, hypoallergenic and breathable.
Video: how to choose according to doctor Komarovsky
The video shows Dr. Komarovsky’s opinion on whether a child needs a pillow:
Orthopedic children's sleep products
An orthopedic pillow maintains the correct position of the body, but it is better to use it after consultation with a doctor (orthopedist or pediatrician). It is used for complex treatment or prevention of many diseases. One of them is torticollis (congenital or acquired). In such cases, such a product is usually purchased much earlier. How to choose an orthopedic pillow for newborns with torticollis, read the link.
An orthopedic pillow differs from a regular pillow in its shape: rectangular, always with one or two thickened cushions, possibly of different thicknesses. There may be a small depression in the center. It shouldn't be tough.
Before buying an orthopedic pillow, consult your doctor, he will tell you what shape and material of the product will be optimal for your child.
In the video, Elena Malysheva’s opinion about pillows for children (“Live Healthy”):
The benefits of orthopedic pillows for sleeping
Orthopedic pillows help relieve sleep-related problems such as apnea, snoring, insomnia, cervical spine arthritis, and even back pain. The best orthopedic pillows for sleeping are offered for sale in Aesculapius medical equipment stores in Rostov-on-Don.
Orthopedic pillows are specially designed to support the cervical spine and head during sleep. They are also often used to support other parts of the body, namely the legs and back. The pillows are designed in accordance with orthopedic recommendations to ensure correct sleep position and support for any part of the body.
Orthopedic pillows are suitable for all people. But they are especially recommended if you have:
- headaches, dizziness, increased fatigue, pain in the cervical spine;
- osteochondrosis, spondylosis of the cervical spine;
- instability of the cervical spine;
- rehabilitation period after cervical spine injuries.
Tips for choosing
When choosing a pillow for a child, regardless of age, it is also important to consider the following points:
- natural materials and quality textiles of the covers;
- the ability to quickly remove and wash the cover;
- availability of a quality guarantee from the manufacturer.
Another tip: when buying children's bedding, you should not be guided solely by considerations of economy. Such a purchase is a kind of investment in the child’s health, and if it is done correctly, then you can be confident in the quality of sleep.
Sources
- https://mrsleep.ru/article/kak-vybrat-podusku-dla-rebenka
- https://uborka.co/uhod/podushka-dlya-rebenka-2-let
- https://vplate.ru/podushki/dlya-detej-2-let/
- https://yanashla.com/luchshie-podushki-dlya-detej/
- https://babypalace.ru/poleznye-sovety/podushka-dlya-rebenka-2-let.html
- https://ChildLands.ru/postel/podushki/kak-pravilno-vybrat-podushku-dlya-rebenka-1-goda.html
- https://uborka-v-dome.ru/mebel/podushka-dlya-rebenka.html
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