Pillows and 2 Year Olds

My daughter has had a large sleeping pillow in her crib before she was a year old. We did this initially because she was congested from a cold. We raised one end of the crib, too. We have never taken the pillow out. We have a video monitor and wathched her. I wasn't overly nervous about the pillow because she had great head/neck control. Now we don't even think about it.

I hope this helps. I have a 3 year old daughter. We started her with the pillow when she was two and sence she sleeps through the night. I know this is not the same for all kids, but it did help my daughter.

A.

Hi G.,
I would say to let her do what she seems to want to do naturally.
As far as safety is concerned, as long as a child can lift and turn their head, they won't suffocate, but apparently they're not as eager to use a pillow as we thought they would be.
I remember looking at my son in his crib thinking "I wish he could have a pillow" but he seems to prefer NOT using O. so I let him do what he prefers.
Now my son is 5 and is in a nice twin bed. He has a brand spankin' new, allergen-resistant pillow with a very cool Lightning McQueen pillowcase--and guess what? He sleeps down lower in the bed so the pillow is above his head every single night and his head is on the bed--not the pillow! When I ask him why he doesn't use his pillow he just laughs. I say "Your head is supposed to go ON the pillow!" and he says "No, below the pillow!" and just cracks up. So I guess maybe these kids are on to something--
(He also kicks the sheet down to the very bottom of the bed and wraps his legs around his quilt---sigh.)

I have a fleece blanket ( the size of a receiving blanket) folded in half and then in half again in my sons bed and he puts his head on that at night..

I had the same question when I thought it might be time for a pillow for my daughter. I started out with a travel size pillow (found at Wal-Mart). Then once I saw she was fine with a pillow, we graduated to a regular size pillow.

-M.

Hi G-
If she has no problems with or without a pillow, then don't worry. If she asks for one then maybe she's ready. I would just let it ride it's course. Trust me, there will be other things to worry about.

Mom of 4.

Since I don't use pillows to sleep much (I am a stomach sleeper), I know they aren't needed. For my son, I just got the thinnest pillow I could find when he went into his toddler bed. He loved the pillow cases that he got, so I thought this was kind of a compromise between the pillow/no pillow thing.

One suggestion G. is that maybe the pillow if any should be very very small.That might help your daughter or no pillow at all. C.

Hi G.,

My 21 mo baby boy has been sleeping with a pillow since he had a cold and I used it to prop him up. Now I don't use the fluffy kind, it's really so flat but he likes it and in fact climbs up into his toddler bed, scooches down, pulls up his blankets and lays down on the pillow. I think he does it because we do it. He's constantly jumping into our just vacated spot on the bed, sofa, floor or wherever. He thinks it's hilarious. I agree with the mom who said as long as they can turn their heads and move around all on their own, they are fine. You just have to trial and error it...they are all so different! But listen to your daughter, if she wants it give it, if not then don't.

J.

Hi G.!!!
My son is going to be 10 years old and he has gone through probably 10 different pillows himself. I think it is all up to what your little one likes. You can check with your pediatrician and get their opinion, but as far as what is going to be good for the childs neck and back has a lot more to do with than just a plain ol' pillow. Posture, fractures (down the line), and athletics have alot to do with neck and back also. Good luck and happy sleeping to your little one!!

~G. from Pittsburgh, Pa.

My daughter has a pillow, but more often than not I find her asleep on the bed without her head on the pillow! If she sleeps fine without one, I can't imagine any real need for one if you don't want to introduce one yet.

My 20 month old loves his pillow! He snuggles right into it. I couldn't find a flat enough one that I felt comfortable with him using, so I went to the craft store and bought my own materials and made him a little one. It's not very thick or anything, but it does the job. He uses it in his crib and during "elmo time" (he sits on it!).

My son just turned 3, and for the last 8 months we have allowed him to have a child-sized pillow to sleep on. Someone made it for us and gave it as a baby shower gift. He usually starts out on it, but by morning he is always sleeping flat on the mattress. He even does this if he is sick and sleeps in our bed instead of his. Maybe offer your child a small pillow and see if she likes to use it. We've never had any problems with our son when he does use one, but it's his preference as to what's more comfortable to sleep on. Best wishes to you!

HI! If you don't feel comfortable with giving your daughter a pillow...then don't. It's really no big deal and a matter of choice. Wait til she decides to ask for one or until you feel more comfortable with the idea. Don't fret about the little things...it's a waste of time effort and energy. Just go with your gut and your common sense...they will always be your best guide!! Best wishes.

Pillows for children are not a necessity. They're there for comfort. If your child is comfortable without a pillow, don't use a pillow. :) You can either get into a habit of using one or not using one.

K.
Mom of 5 including triplets

G.:

Your child is growing and developing every single day. The proper pillow is important to suport how the vertebrae in the cervical area (neck) is supported. Try talking to your local chiropractor for the proper guidance. This will help avoid any unnecessary problems in the future.

One night while being babysat, my then 22 month old son (now 29 month) took one of the 12" throw pillows from the living room up to his toddler bed. Since then, he refuses to sleep without a pillow. We did give him a regular pillow, which he uses now. Offer your daughter a pillow and if she finds it more comfortable she will use it, if not, she'll push it aside.

You know when you stop and think about pillows it is something funny. I don't even remeber when my oldest started to use a pillow or when i did. As for neck and back pain. That is going to happen no matter, with or with out a pillow.

There is no written law saying that you have to give your child a pillow. What till she asks for one. There are pillows out there that are to help support the neck. Not sure if they make them for children.

Hey G.,

I have a 3 year old daughter, a 4 year old niece, and a 2 year old nephew. Every night I put my little one to bed there is a pillow in the bed but she doesn't use it. When ever i keep the other two they don't use it either. Except my nephew will try to sleep on the pillow sometimes. My opinion is if you put a pillow in her bed she won't use it. my daughter has never used it. Hopes this helps