Pillows are soft and wonderful additions to any bed. But even though most children and adults have a stack of decorative pillows on their bed, you'll rarely see a little one with a pillow in their crib. Why?
If you want to learn why young children never seem to sleep with pillows and what the magic age when toddlers can start sleeping with pillows is, you should read on! We'll cover what you need to know about pillows and your child below.
While cute and soft, pillows can be a hazard for young children. Because babies can’t move around very efficiently, it’s not uncommon for them to roll over and wind up face-down on a pillow, which can restrict their breathing. Pillows can also cause your baby to overheat, which is uncomfortable and hazardous. Additionally, young children can use pillows as a step stool to climb out of their crib. For these reasons, it’s safest to keep pillows out of your child's crib for the first year or two of their life.
So when can toddlers start sleeping with pillows? Most experts recommend waiting until your toddler is at least 18 months old before introducing them to pillows. However, some recommend waiting until they reach the two-year milestone just to be safe.
By 18 months, children can move much better. They can easily roll their head to the side when sleeping on their bellies. They can also regulate their own body temperature more efficiently. And since kids of this age tend to use toddler beds that are close to the ground instead of lofty cribs, you won’t have to worry about them going over the railing.
Your tot's pillow should be small, thin, and firm. Firm pillows might not be as comfortable as feathery-soft pillows, but they’re better at supporting your toddler's neck. You should also use pillows made of hypoallergenic and untreated material to keep allergies at bay. Once you consider those requirements, feel free to decorate their bed to match their room to make the space more attractive to your child.
Is it time to switch from crib to bed and introduce pillows to your tot's bedtime routine? Make bedtime fun with luxury toddler bedding from Sweet Jojo Designs. Our bedding sets include a comforter, sham, sheets, and a pillowcase. They also come in fun patterns that your little one will love to admire as they drift off to Dreamland. If you already have the rest of the bed outfitted and just need the pillows, we also sell our decorative pillows separately!
