One of the most common questions I get in practice as Paediatric Chiropractor is

“Which pillow should I use for my child ?”

closely followed by

“Is there an adjustment you can do to
make my child sleep at night?”

As adults, we definitely tend to sleep more comfortably with a pillow. However, it is important to remember that young children are different, obviously in size, weight, volume, muscle tone etc, but they also have other comfort levels and needs.

So what works for us as parents is not necessarily the key to a good night’s sleep for the child.

When Is It Appropriate to Introduce a Pillow to a Child?

Unfortunately, there isn’t strong evidence to dictate the perfect timing, but here’s what I advise parents in my practice. The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends that children under the age of 2 do not use a pillow. This includes infant pillows marketed for plagiocephaly prevention, which should only be used during supervised sleep. The main reason is the increased risk of SIDS, with overheating and breathing obstruction cited as concerns.

Signs your toddler may be ready for a pillow include sleeping with a blanket, stuffed toy, or arm tucked under their head. If they often steal a parent’s pillow when co-sleeping, they may also be ready for their own.

How to Choose the Right Pillow for Your Child

When it is decided that it is time for a pillow, some things to consider are size, firmness, support and material:

• Children are only small people and will only need a small pillow: 30-45 cm wide and a few cm high. Many sources recommend that the pillow is fairly firm, but consider the small, tender necks and heads that will be resting there, it still has to be soft and comfortable.
  
• A contour shaped pillow can be very comfortable for children. Keep in mind though that little ones do not have a well-developed cervical lordosis yet, so the contour doesn’t have to be huge.
  
• The pillow material should be natural, soft, breathable and not hot. There are children’s pillows made from fibres such as cotton, bamboo, kapok, silk, down and wool, as well as natural latex.
  

Care Tips to Keep Your Child’s Pillow Clean and Safe

To minimise exposure to the mold and bacteria from drools etc, use natural fibre pillowcases that are washed frequently. Also air out the pillow and blankets regularly. Direct sunlight will kill the microorganisms as well as freshen up the pillow.

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I hope these tips help in deciding whether or not your child needs a pillow and what kind! If your little one is having trouble sleeping, contact us to enquire about how we can help as Chiropractors.