A baby pillow is an excellent practical gift for a small child. Choosing the right pillow can be tricky because of the wide range of pillows available. However, this guide will make it simple to pick out just the right baby pillow for the child you are thinking of.
First, how old is the child? Doctors advise that children under the age of two should not sleep with pillows because pillows, even specially designed baby pillows, are a suffocation risk. Rather than getting a sleeping pillow for a child under two years old, choose a nursing pillow or a decorative pillow. If the child is a toddler of two or older, then they are ready for a sleeping pillow.
You can find decorative pillows in just about any color, shape, and material to match any bedroom. You can also have a baby pillow customized. For instance, have a pillow embroidered with a poem that is meaningful to the parents, or that expresses your hopes for the child. Or have the pillow printed with a photo of a beloved pet. If you are crafty, you can even buy a baby pillow blank and sew your own cover to create a truly special pillow.
A nursing pillow is large and shaped like a horseshoe, and the mother rests it in her lap to hold the baby up so that she does not have to support the baby in her arms when she nurses. (Fathers can use them when bottle feeding, too!) The main brand is Boppy, so nursing pillows are often called boppies, but there are a number of competing brands on the market as well.
A baby pillow that is designed for nighttime is smaller and flatter than an adult’s pillow. Children do not need as much support as adults do, so an adult sized pillow can give them neck cramps and disturb their sleep. Luxurious adult pillow stuffing like down and feathers can give them allergies, so it is best to avoid these, too. Choose a baby pillow that is half the size and thickness of an adult’s pillow or less, with hypoallergenic stuffing and a smooth, soft cover. To finish the gift, pick out cotton pillowcases that match the child’s sheets.
When you are done picking out a baby pillow, you will have a superb gift that the child and their parents are sure to treasure. You can be certain that you have not only given the child a practical gift, you have made it easier for them to sleep.