Dr. Komarovsky on at what age a child needs a pillow

When is a child ready to start using a pillow? This is a common question among parents. While some people think it’s best to wait, others think it’s necessary from birth. Knowing when to introduce a pillow to a child can help to ensure their safety and comfort while they sleep.

On this subject, renowned pediatrician Dr. Komarovsky provides unambiguous guidance. He believes that giving a child a pillow right away could be counterproductive. It’s critical to abide by rules that put the health and development of the child first.

This post will examine Dr. Komarovsky’s suggestions and offer helpful advice for parents trying to decide what’s best for their child.

According to Dr. Komarovsky, a child doesn’t really need a pillow until they are about two years old. Prior to that, a baby’s development and safety are best served by a flat sleeping surface, which helps to avoid problems like suffocation or improper spine alignment. A small, firm pillow can be introduced to a child after they turn two, but it’s crucial to pick one that accommodates the neck’s and back’s natural curves.

Acceptable age

Dr. Komarovsky developed the guidelines for healthy children’s sleep, and one of the main points of emphasis is the pillow.

The pediatrician, and most pediatricians, agree that this item, which adults cannot imagine their sleep without, is not necessary at all for children under two years old.

This statement typically sparks a flurry of emotions and confusion because parents believe that if the child doesn’t have a pillow, he won’t get enough sleep and will suffer from headaches. This is not accurate, claims Komarovsky.

Not only is it unnecessary for a newborn or infant to have such a sleep aid, but using one can be risky:

• sleeping on a pillow increases the likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome (not reliably proven, but there is an assumption);
• a baby after 4-5 months of life, when he masters active turns, can turn over in his sleep and block the nasal passages, which may result in asphyxia;
• sleeping on a pillow in the first two years of life increases the likelihood of deformational changes in the cervical vertebrae;
• the filler of the pillow can cause an acute allergic reaction of the first type – immediate, which is often accompanied by the development of edema of the respiratory organs and death of a person.

According to Komarovsky, the body proportions of a child and an adult are different. Babies’ heads are bigger than their bodies in both area and percentage, so it’s critical to keep them balanced while they sleep. The head and body should be in the same horizontal plane.

By the time a child turns two, their equilibrium changes, and sleeping with a pillow is totally normal—as long as the parents make the decision to purchase the item fully on their own.

When there is a need?

There are occasionally exceptions to the general rule that children should not use pillows. Typically, circumstances are taken into account when a pillow might be advised for a child younger than two years old.

These circumstances consist of:

• congenital torticollis;
• prevention of torticollis with emerging changes in the state of muscle tone of the neck;
• frequent profuse regurgitation, neurological abnormalities;
• hypertonicity or hypotonicity of the child"s muscles, requiring correction (at the discretion of the doctor).

In each of these instances, we are discussing orthopedic products rather than the kind of pillows that parents find so attractive when shopping for a newborn and that are readily available in children’s stores. It is a parental crime to purchase something "just in case" and to use it from the baby’s earliest days of life. If an orthopedic product is not required because of the baby’s health, it is just as dangerous as any other pillow.

Nowadays, retailers of children’s products will use any means necessary to persuade parents to buy from them. As a result, so-called anatomical pillows—which are not orthopedic—have entered the market.

Ask your pediatrician if there is a need for the product and whether there is any justification for using it before purchasing one for your child. This is typically a risky and pointless purchase.

Tips for choosing

Therefore, you should start worrying about selecting a pillow only after the baby turns two years old if he is healthy and an orthopedic product is not recommended for him. Evgeny Komarovsky draws attention to the fact that a poorly chosen product raises the risk of pathological tension in the neck’s musculature, which can result in headaches, spinal curvature, and restless sleep.

The ideal option is a standard rectangular pillow, despite the wide variety of products available and the creative minds of those who create them (such as ball pillows and toys). If the infant sleeps in the crib, she will slide right in; it’s convenient, even if the child turns violently in a dream.

The ideal length is between thirty and forty-five centimeters, and the ideal width is between forty and sixty-five centimeters. These factors don’t really matter. What’s far more crucial is the pillow’s height. It should ideally be the same as the child’s ear to shoulder or, plus one centimeter, the distance from the base of the neck to the shoulder.

As a result, a child under the age of two should not be taller than 1-2 centimeters, and once they are 2-3 years old, they can sleep on a pillow that is roughly 6 centimeters tall. Preschoolers between the ages of 3.5 and 7 can purchase products that are taller, measuring 8 to 9 centimeters.

Take note of the tilt pillows; they gently lower in height at an angle of roughly 25 degrees. This type of product covers the baby’s back in addition to its head, promoting more balanced growth of the vertebrae and neck muscles. Porous pillows are also available; even if the child buryes his nose in one while sleeping, the pillow will still allow air to pass through.

It is preferable to select orthopedic pillows in accordance with a doctor’s specific recommendation. Every time, they are a little bit shorter than normal. Indentations support the neck, and there are tiny rollers on the sides that hold the head in place.

Grandmothers and great-grandmothers highly value down and feather pillows, but they are not good for small children because these fillers frequently trigger allergies in young people. Furthermore, they become infected with parasites, which can be very problematic to eradicate.

Although pillows filled with camel or sheep wool are hypoallergenic and more hygienic, they quickly lose their height and form. They cannot, therefore, be regarded as the ideal option for a child. Holofiber is almost completely airtight and is most definitely not cool enough to sleep in during the summer. The child using such a pillow while they sleep runs the risk of developing diaper rash on their head, neck, and ears. The properties of synthetic padding are the same.

When selecting a baby pillow, it’s important to prioritize fillers like cotton, special memory foam ("memory form"), and artificial fluff. Experts and parents have also given buckwheat husk filler pillows very positive reviews. One of their drawbacks is that the pillow rustles when the head moves while you’re dreaming.

Natural fabric should be the only material used to make the pillowcase. This will lessen the infant’s exposure to contact allergies.

There’s no rush when it comes to using a pillow, according to Dr. Komarovsky. The majority of kids don’t need a pillow until they’re around two years old. For the development of their neck and spine, a firm, level surface is ideal.

As their children grow, parents should watch their sleeping patterns and comfort level. An early introduction of a pillow may put an unneeded amount of strain on their body. Prioritizing their security and welfare is crucial.

The safest course of action is to wait until the child exhibits indications that they require a pillow. When the time comes, select one that adheres to Dr. Komarovsky’s recommendations and promotes sound sleep.

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