Herbie Murray
Many parents wonder if it is safe to let their newborn sleep on a pillow. The answer is that it is generally not recommended for newborns to sleep with a pillow as it can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents. A safe sleep environment for a baby involves a firm, flat, and level surface, such as a mattress in a cot or bassinet, without any pillows, blankets, or other bedding. This helps to keep the baby's airways open and reduces the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related dangers. Nursing pillows, in particular, are not recommended for infant sleep as they may cause breathing difficulties and asphyxiation.
Can newborn sleep on a pillow?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safe sleep environment | A firm, flat, and level surface with no pillows, blankets, or other bedding. |
| Safe sleep position | On their back with their feet at the end of the crib. |
| Crib positioning | In a well-maintained and clean cot, portacot, bassinet, baby box, pepi-pod, or co-sleeper that meets current safety standards. |
| Room temperature | Moderate temperature, not too hot or too cold, with no electric blankets or hot water bottles. |
| Baby's clothing | Warm but not hot, without a beanie or hat to prevent overheating. |
| Baby's movement | Minimize the time spent on their back and encourage tummy time to reduce pressure on the head and promote head movement. |
| Pillow introduction | Recommended to wait until the baby is at least 12 months old or older and in a toddler bed. |
| Pillow type | Small, firm, and flat pillows are preferable when the baby is old enough. |
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What You'll Learn
- Nursing pillows are not safe for sleeping infants
- Babies should sleep on a firm, flat, non-inclined surface
- Safe sleep environment helps to keep a baby's airways open
- Babies should sleep on their back with their feet at the end of the crib
- Babies should not use a pillow until they are over two years old
Nursing pillows are not safe for sleeping infants
The use of nursing pillows for infants has been a topic of concern for many parents and caregivers. While nursing pillows can be a helpful tool for feeding and supporting the development of infants, they are not designed or recommended for sleeping infants. Here are several reasons why nursing pillows are not safe for sleeping infants:
Risk of Suffocation and Positional Asphyxia: Nursing pillows are typically soft and crescent-shaped, designed to support the mother's arms during breastfeeding. However, if an infant falls asleep on a nursing pillow, they may roll over onto their stomachs or turn their heads onto the soft fabric. This can cause their heads to tilt forward, blocking their mouths and noses, and compromising their airway, leading to suffocation or positional asphyxia.
Unsafe Sleep Environment: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep on a firm, flat, non-inclined surface. Nursing pillows do not meet these criteria as they are not flat and can create an unsafe sleep environment. A firm, flat surface helps to ensure that the baby's airway remains open and reduces the risk of sudden unexpected infant death syndrome (SUIDS).
Breathing Difficulties: Using nursing pillows for sleeping infants can lead to breathing difficulties. The softness of the pillow can cause the baby's head to sink into the pillow, blocking their airway and making it difficult to breathe. This can be especially dangerous for infants who do not have full control over their neck and head movements.
Recommendations for Safe Sleep: To ensure the safety of sleeping infants, it is recommended to follow safe sleep practices. Place infants on their backs on a firm, flat surface without any pillows, blankets, bumpers, or other soft objects. Keep the baby's sleep area free of hazards, and ensure proper supervision and tummy time during waking hours to strengthen their neck and shoulder muscles.
It is important for parents and caregivers to be aware of the potential dangers of using nursing pillows for sleeping infants. While nursing pillows can be beneficial for feeding and development, they should not be used as a sleeping aid. Always follow the recommendations of trusted health organizations and consult with healthcare professionals for specific guidance on creating a safe sleep environment for your baby.
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Babies should sleep on a firm, flat, non-inclined surface
It is recommended that babies sleep on a firm, flat, non-inclined surface. This means that pillows, including nursing pillows, should be avoided. Sleeping on a flat surface reduces the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents.
Pillows can pose a suffocation or strangulation hazard, and the Safe Sleep for Babies Act has banned the manufacture and sale of crib bumpers in the US. Nursing pillows are not flat and can cause suffocation by blocking the infant's mouth and nose, or positional asphyxia by dropping their chin to their chest, compromising their airway. If a baby inclines against a pillow, their head will fall forward, blocking their airway and risking their survival.
Babies should sleep on their back, with their feet at the end of the crib. This position keeps their airways open and reduces the risk of rebreathing air they've just breathed out, which contains less oxygen. It is also recommended to alternate the direction in which the baby's head is turned to prevent flat head syndrome.
While some parents introduce pillows before their baby is 12 months old, it is generally recommended to wait until the child is older and has better head control. When the time comes, it is important to select a pillow that is small and firm to provide the child with support and comfort.
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Safe sleep environment helps to keep a baby's airways open
It is not recommended to let a newborn sleep on a pillow. The use of pillows for babies under two years old is generally discouraged. This is because pillows can cause a blockage of the baby's airway, which can be life-threatening.
Pillows, blankets, stuffed toys, and bumpers should be kept out of a newborn's sleep space. These items pose a suffocation or strangulation hazard. In fact, bumpers have been banned from manufacture and sale in the US due to the risk they pose.
To keep a baby's airway open and create a safe sleep environment, it is recommended that babies sleep on their back, on a firm mattress, in a bassinet, play-yard, or crib. The crib should have spindles no wider than 2-3/8 inches apart and sides that do not drop down. The crib should be empty, with no pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, toys, or supplies.
Additionally, it is important to avoid bed-sharing and to keep the baby's sleeping area separate but close by. The baby's room should be kept at a comfortable temperature, and smoking should be avoided around the baby. Breastfeeding and the use of a pacifier have been shown to decrease the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), which includes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
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Babies should sleep on their back with their feet at the end of the crib
It is not recommended to let a newborn sleep on a pillow. The safest sleep position for a baby is on their back, with their feet at the end of the crib. This position helps to keep their airways open and reduces the risk of sudden unexpected death, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents.
A newborn should be placed on a firm, flat, non-inclined surface to sleep. A pillow can cause suffocation by blocking the infant's mouth and nose, or positional asphyxia by dropping their chin to their chest, compromising their airway. Nursing pillows, in particular, are not safe for infants to sleep on or next to. They are designed to support a caregiver's arms while feeding and can be dangerous if used otherwise.
Babies should sleep on a firm mattress without pillows, blankets, or other bedding. It is important to keep their airways open and reduce the risk of SIDS. The shape of a baby's head can change if they spend a lot of time lying or sleeping in the same position. To prevent flat head syndrome, alternate the direction in which their head is turned and schedule periods of supervised tummy time during the day.
It is recommended to wait until a child is at least 12 months old before introducing a pillow. Even then, the pillow should be small and firm to provide the child with support and comfort. It is important to prioritize your baby's safety and well-being by following these best practices and recommendations.
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Babies should not use a pillow until they are over two years old
It is recommended that babies should not use a pillow until they are over two years old. This is because the leading cause of infant mortality between the ages of one month and one year is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also known as cot death. To reduce the risk of SIDS, it is important to place your baby on their back to sleep, on a firm, flat, non-inclined surface. Pillows are not recommended for babies because they can cause suffocation by blocking the infant's mouth and nose, or positional asphyxia by dropping their chin to their chest, compromising their airway.
Nursing pillows, in particular, are not safe for babies to sleep on or next to. They are designed to support a caregiver's arms while feeding, but if a baby sleeps on a nursing pillow, they may roll over onto their stomach and turn their head onto the soft fabric, blocking their airway and risking asphyxiation.
Babies' heads are very soft and can easily change shape, especially if they spend a lot of time lying or sleeping in the same position. It is common for babies to develop slightly flat areas on their heads when they sleep on their backs, but this usually resolves itself as they start to sit up and crawl. To prevent flat head syndrome, you can alternate the direction your baby's head is turned while they sleep, and provide supervised tummy time during the day.
Some parents report that their babies sleep better with pillows, especially from around eight to nine months old. However, it is important to prioritise your baby's safety and follow best practices to reduce their risk of SIDS. This includes ensuring their sleep environment is clear of anything that might stop them from breathing easily, such as pillows, blankets, and soft toys.
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Frequently asked questions
No, newborn babies should not sleep on pillows. It is recommended that babies sleep on their back on a firm, flat, non-inclined surface.
Nursing pillows are not flat and can cause suffocation by blocking the infant's mouth and nose, or positional asphyxia by dropping their chin to their chest, compromising their airway.
Nursing pillows are not safe for sleeping infants. They are designed to support a caregiver's arms while feeding and not to be slept on or next to.
To prevent flat head syndrome, alternate the direction in which your baby's head is turned. Schedule periods of supervised tummy time during the day.
It is recommended that babies should not use pillows until they are over two years old.
