Baby pillows

[Jayde25]

My child is coming to 18 months and i too have heard pillows arent reccommended till after 12 months. I agree also with the tummy time advice

I bought my kids pillows from http://www.pillowsonline.com.au/kids-pillows/

[Joyaa]

Hi Jayde25 and anyone else reading this,

Jayde - thanks for the pillowsonline link. I see they have a range of "Bambi" pillows made from plant fibres, and these are certainly well-priced. Do you know if they make any claims for the pillows in relation to flat head syndrome / plagiocephaly? I couldn't see any information as to pillow shape or therapeutic value on the website - the pics didn't give anything away. Is anything written in the printed material that comes with the pillow?

In relation to the very important point about whether or not one can safely use a Baby pillow, I was interested to read this on MumsNet.com (original source ascribed to http://lillakuddisbabypillows.co.uk)

"Sweden, one of the leading countries in Paediatric and baby care research, acknowledged Plagiocephaly in 2000 and introduced baby pillows as a preventative measure. Since 2000 the Swedish Department of Health’s guideline is for all newborn and infants to sleep on their backs and to use a soft baby pillow positioned under the head and shoulders. (See recommendations from the Swedish Dept of Health).

"During this time there have never been any adverse affects. Sweden has the third lowest rate of cot death or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in the world, nearly half that of the UK. As part of the Swedish ante natal classes, Paediatricians and Health Visitors recommend using baby pillows for all newborn and young babies. New parents are informed about the importance of newborn babies using baby pillows at home when sleeping and playing on their backs. This message is given along side guidance on repositioning of the baby’s head left and right, a method used to prevent pressure against one particular area of the head, combined with practising supervised tummy time at playtime (without the pillow). (See Information to all new parents by the leading Queen Silvia’s Children & Youth Hospital in Sweden)." From the Lilla Kudis website. (They were formerly Goi Goi pillows).

As the contributor on Mumsnet.com wrote, "I think it's important to go with what you are comfortable with". Yep, it's certainly hard to disagree with that!

For those interested, I have also looked at several other baby pillows since my last post -
* Jojo Maman Bebe pillow (suggested by someone on Mumsnet.com)
* Lilla Kuddis Swedish baby pillows (http://lillakuddisbabypillows.co.uk)
* Theraline Baby pillow (http://www.theraline.co.uk/babypillow.htm).

The Jojo Maman pillow seems suffer from exactly the same fault as the Mija - it is memory foam. It's site claims "The foam reacts by softening and moulding itself to the exact contours of the head" and yet also says, "First pillow that helps prevent flat head syndrome". I thought about this and it suddenly hit me, if the foam softens and moulds to the head shape of your DC - which seems a fair claim for this material - how on earth is it going to help correct a flat head?! It can't because it is simply mirroring the shape that is already there !! Am I missing something? (Besides, it's not breathable material).

The Lilla Kuddis - the website shows pictures but I've not yet seen an actual pillow. It appears to be very well supported by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (http://lillakuddisbabypillows.co.uk/...-medical-info/) as well as medics and paediatric osteopaths in the UK. It's also a very good price so I have written to them to obtain a sample.

Theraline - link given above. Again a good price. I am yet to see one to get a sense of how effective they might be. The site talks of a "pre-shaped indent" but I notice that one size seems to fit all ..... Hmmm, well that will depend on how they have designed the indent of course. I guess they have thought of that, though the picture didn't make it obvious. Like Lilla Kuddis the Theraline looks like it it could be a useful asset with a baby with a flat head.

I continue to sell the Mimos, and continue to get great feedback, but I see no harm at all in researching other options and so being able to offer a properly balanced viewpoint on this important subject.