Introducing a Pillow to 18 Month Old

I don't know if you are a sewer or not, but with my two kids I used a receiving blanket that they had. I folded it in half (once or twice) to the size I wanted the pillow. Then sew all but one side. Then I stuffed it to the firmness desired and finished the sewing.

This pillow (blanket) is something that they are already familiar with and I just laid their head on it when putting them to sleep... no issues.

It is also nice because you can make it smaller than a regular pillow (like the travel size others speak of), and it is their own (no arguing over who's pillow is who's).

Good luck with the transition,
~SR

I let me daughter play with her pillow a few days before I put it in her bed. That way it was no longer new to her and I also said it was her pillow just like mommy and daddy have pillows. She was thrilled to be like mommy and daddy. My daughter moves around A LOT when sleeping so she starts out with her head on the pillow but she rarely wakes up with her head on the pillow.

I really don't think she will be scared of the pillow if it just shows up BUT since it is new to her she may get excited, ask questions and harder to get her to sleep. I think I gave her a pillow around age 2, no reason why I waited that long just that is when we transitioned her to a bed and it seemed to be the 'right' time.

i would start my letting her lay on the couch or floor with a pillow especially during play time when she might be playing house etc. That way you can keep an eye on her and explain exactly what the pillows are for and how they are used. Let her get used to it and then slowly introduce it into her bed. She may or may not use it. Neither of my kids used pillows until they were 5 or 6.. it was on there bed but shoved to one side while they layed flat on the mattress. Now I can't get their heads off the pillows. Have fun!

I would let her help pick one out. Our daughter stopped using her nuk around that time, so we told her that when she threw away her nuks, we'd go pick out a special pillow. She willingly (more than we expected) did that, and so I took her to Target and helped pick out one of those flatter, smaller throw pillows that matches her room, and she's had it in her crib ever since. She loves it! That way it wasn't as big as a regular pillow, which might be a more overwhelming transition. Plus the smaller pillow was easy to take back and forth to grandparents' houses, etc. Hope this advice helps!

We purchased a toddler size pillow for our first daughter and a travel pillow for our second. Either way, the pillow is smaller and less intimidating to them. We just put the pillow in the crib and she LOVES it! Good luck!
~TJ

I'd just explain that this is a pillow that you use for your head while sleeping. Mama and Dada using a pillow and now you use one too. I personally just put it in my childs crib and layed her head on it. No issues.

We never had an issue introducing a pillow to our son. I did purchase a smaller one, though, for his first one from a craft store (Joann Fabrics), which worked well, if you don't sew (like me) to make your own smaller one!

Hi J.! A pillow is neither necessary or unnecessary at this age. Just put it in her crib, she will know what to do with it! If she doesn't like it, take it out and try a few weeks later.

We didn't technically introduce it to our son. He saw his brother using one and kept trying to steal it, so we bought one for him. I wouldn't even worry about getting one until she shows interest. I do like the idea of starting her with a smaller one however.

This is an intersting question. My son is 22 months and we still have not introduced a pillow. I was hoping this was more geared toward "when" to introduce a pillow. I am curious to see some of your responses here. My son already knows a pillow when he sees one, but he has no problems sleeping.

I thought if he is doing fine, why change it. HE is sleeping in "big boy" bed!! He has been for some time now, but Great question.

What kind. Good Luck J.

When reading her a story lay down on the floor with both of your head's on the pillow while reading it. Put it in the crib and she will know what to do from there. She shouldn't be scared of it and will probally know just what to do if you just put it in there. I like the smaller travel pillows my son prefers that size also.