Butterfly pillow for newborns

Particular consideration and care must be given to newborns, particularly when it comes to their sleeping comfort. The butterfly pillow is one item made to support a baby’s head and neck.

This little, unusually shaped pillow is made to support the maintenance of good alignment, which is essential for a developing infant. It is supple, cozy, and offers light support without limiting mobility.

Many parents are curious about the benefits of a butterfly pillow and whether they are necessary. We’ll look at its benefits, usage guidelines, and purpose in this post.

Features

A butterfly pillow is an orthopedic device that is specifically made to support a newborn’s head in a position that evenly distributes the load on the skull’s bones and neck muscles. Two pairs of large and small rollers are responsible for the butterfly pillow’s name, but the main feature is the central recess where the baby’s head will rest.

A specially made pillow called a butterfly pillow for newborns supports the head and neck gently, preventing flat head syndrome. Its distinctive form cradles the baby’s head, providing comfort during sleep and encouraging normal growth. A baby’s sleep routine may benefit from the addition of this kind of pillow, which ensures correct alignment without applying undue pressure to sensitive areas. Nonetheless, before introducing any sleep accessories, parents should always speak with pediatricians and adhere to safe sleep guidelines.

Indications for use

1. Normalization of neck muscle tone – asymmetry of the tone of the cervical muscles can be a manifestation of congenital torticollis or installation torticollis, therefore, in addition to other therapeutic and preventive measures, orthopedic doctors recommend using a butterfly pillow to correct this pathology.
2. Formation of the correct shape of the head – the bones of the skull of a newborn are quite flexible, so they can be deformed from prolonged pressure in one place. Such deformations of the skull can be observed especially often with rickets or torticollis. Using a butterfly pillow distributes pressure on the baby"s skull evenly, which prevents the occurrence of deformation, and also helps to correct the pathology that has already arisen.
3. Correct formation of the cervical spine and ligamentous apparatus in healthy newborns, prevention of curvatures in the cervical spine.
4. Prevention of restless sleep.

Contraindications

Though few, the following contraindications should not be disregarded:

• use of a butterfly pillow for babies is allowed only from the 28th day of life;
• you cannot use a butterfly pillow for regurgitation, since the baby"s head is limited in movement, and there is a risk of aspiration.

From what age is it used?

As previously mentioned, the instructions advise using the pillow starting in the fifth week of life. Why is that the case?

The primary reason not to use the pillow is because the baby adjusts to the new environment up until the 28th day of the neonatal period, and regurgitation can start at any time.

There are no hard and fast rules regarding how long you should use the pillow. You can use it for daytime or nighttime sleep, take it on walks, or place it in a car seat. When using the pillow for therapeutic purposes, it is best to cover the maximum amount of time the child sleeps, but for preventive use, you can choose any appropriate option.

The little bolsters are under the baby’s neck, and the butterfly pillow is positioned beneath the head so that the back of the head is in the recess.

Model overview

Anatomical butterfly pillows come in a variety of styles and are primarily distinguished from one another by the color of the pillowcase. Synthetic padding or polyurethane foam is typically utilized as a long-lasting, hypoallergenic interior filler. Natural materials, like animal down, are rarely used because they increase the product’s cost significantly, increase the risk of allergies in the baby, and have lower durability. Cotton textiles are typically used to make pillowcases.

BIO-TEXTILES Baby in the forest BIO-TEXTILES

The product supports the head of the newborn both when they are sleeping and awake. Artificial swan down as filler. It has excellent shape retention and is completely hypoallergenic.

Baby Nice Butterfly, 23×23

Unlike butterflies, positional orthopedic pillows use artificial latex with the so-called memory effect as a filler. These products are used both to prevent and to treat pre-existing skull deformities.

ROXY-KIDS support positioner

Walking models can be used in car seats and strollers. Their ability to control the baby’s head fixation is what makes them unique.

Plantex 1050

When infants regurgitate because their head end is elevated by fifteen degrees, a wedge-shaped or inclined pillow is used. You can put it beneath a mattress or sheet. The removable outer pillowcase is made of cotton, while the interior filler is dense polyurethane foam.

Tips for choosing

The filler is something to consider when selecting a pillow. It needs to be hypoallergenic and have a perforated structure to shield babies from asphyxia.

A synthetic filler—specifically, artificial latex or synthetic padding—would be the best option. Since dust mites are one of the main allergens and accumulates in pillows over time, we do not advise using pillows with natural fillers.

Cotton materials, like linen or cotton, should be used to make the cover and replacement pillowcases.

There are anatomical car seat pillows available that put the baby in a more horizontal position. They are shaped like an arch and composed of foam rubber to even out the car seat’s depth. Using such a pillow is advised until the child is 6 to 8 months old.

Care

Despite frequent use, the product requires very little maintenance.

1. Air the pillow once a week in a draft or on the balcony
2. Wash as it gets dirty. It is allowed to wash in a washing machine on a delicate cycle with a temperature of no more than 40 degrees without spinning.
3. Dry on a flat surface so that the product does not lose its shape.

A quick and easy way to support your newborn’s head and neck is with a butterfly pillow. Its distinct form aids in maintaining appropriate alignment, which is particularly advantageous for avoiding flat head syndrome.

When using this pillow, it’s crucial to make sure your baby is always under supervision and goes to sleep on their back in accordance with safe sleep practices. While it can provide support and comfort, the butterfly pillow should only be used sparingly.

All things considered, it’s a helpful addition to your baby’s sleep schedule, assisting them in getting a good night’s sleep as they mature.

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