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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Pillows for newborns

32 replies

Mip · 06/05/2008 17:31

Had always heard that newborns (up to one year or is it more?) shouldn't have duvets or pillows. I live in Sweden and at my last midwife appointment she mentioned pillows (can't remember why, something to do with stopping the baby get a flat back of the head), I said I thought you weren't meant to use them and she looked baffled. Then yesterday my sister in law (who has a one year old) went with me to do some shopping for my baby (not born yet, just preparing) and she told me to get a pillow for the pram plus for the bed. She's been using pillows from day one.

Is it safe to use pillows? And if not, can I use one in the pram at least (when we're walking and I can stare at him all the time to check he's breathing!) as midwife scared me with the whole flat back of the head thing!

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spicemonster · 06/05/2008 17:34

There are more babies now have flattish backs of heads because of the SIDS advice about making your baby sleep on their back. But it evens out after the first six months or so. Pillows are a no-no on the SIDS front I'm afraid - a newborn can't lift their head and they are a real suffocation danger. I'm sure you can have one in the pram if you're really desperate but I don't think it's necessary. My baby has never had a flat head by the way

MamaG · 06/05/2008 17:34

i don't think its recommended to use pillows in the UK

moodlumthehoodlum · 06/05/2008 17:37

Noooo never every use a pillow with a newborn. They can't turn away from the pillow if it gets in the way of their breathing. Not until at least one. Flat heads or no flat heads (about that I know nothing)

So no pillows anywhere. Or even cot bumpers.

MrsTittleMouse · 06/05/2008 17:38

I can't remember if DD had a flat head when she was a baby, but she's a toddler now and the back of her head is lovely. She still doesn't have a pillow.

Original poster

Mip · 06/05/2008 17:39

Thanks both of you! Won't use one at all then, as I said always assumed, because have grown up in England, that you weren't meant to have them, just that over here it seems it is thought absolutely ok, even good for the baby.

I get so confused by the differing advice, particularly when they're pretty similar countries. Out here for instance you are told not to have a bath (in the sea or tub) till you are completely healed (from the placenta wound) and have stopped bleeding. And then all I read on Mumsnet is how great it is to soothe your stitches with a lavender oil filled bath...

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Original poster

Mip · 06/05/2008 17:41

Sorry, thanks for the messages that came up while I was prattling on!
Moodlum, that's what I always thought would be the danger, the baby shifting its head to the side and suffocating. Seems to make sense.
MrsTittlemouse - good to hear about your DD's beautifully shaped head!

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LilRedWG · 06/05/2008 17:45

We used a Swedish Goi Goi pillow from about three months (she developed a flat head) and DD is fine, although here head is still flattened

At first we mainly used the pillow during the day, when we were around but gradually used it more of a nighttime. Mind you, we had/have an aponea monitor and that gave me peace of mind that DD was still breathing.

DD is two next week and now has a normal pillow in her cot.

I would definitely use it in your pram whilst you can see and are constantly monitoring your baby and if you have an Angel Care monitor or similar, which monitors breathing then I'd say you'd be okay at night. I'll probably get flamed now.

But it must be your decision - no-one elses.

LilRedWG · 06/05/2008 17:46

Have a look at the Goi Goi UK site.

Original poster

Mip · 06/05/2008 17:59

LilRedWG, thanks so much for the link. Read their home page and it backs up what my midwife said, interesting what it said about the low rate (touch wood) in Sweden of cot death. Are these Goi Goi pillows special or like normal newborn pillows?
Think I will use one for the pram then (and perhaps naps during the day) but am a bit nervous still about using one for night! Your monitor sounds a very good idea anyway though, will look into them.
Sorry about your DD's head though, am sure she's gorgeous!

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moodlumthehoodlum · 06/05/2008 18:05

Mip - those monitors are a godsend, absolutely the best thing I bought when I had dd.

Original poster

Mip · 06/05/2008 18:10

Meant, am sure she's still gorgeous!
Moodlum, good to hear a back up for the monitor!

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Original poster

Mip · 06/05/2008 18:51

Where can I buy the Angel care monitor? Their website said Dorel was the only place in UK that stocked it but Dorel's website doesn't show Angelcare... x

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MKG · 06/05/2008 18:57

I"m in US and we don't use them here, but my husband is from Mexico and when I went to visit my in-laws they thought I was crazy not for using one. They said that the baby could vomit in his sleep and choke. I said he could also roll over and accidentally suffocate himself. When I said that it was like a lightbulb went off mil's head. She admitted that my scenario had a much higher likliehood of occurring and left it alone.

LilRedWG · 06/05/2008 19:41

I got mine from ebay but searching on Google it appears that even Tesco's stock them now.

NoNickname · 06/05/2008 19:45

Do not use a pillow. Instead, to avoid a flat head, lay your baby with his head two nights to the left, two nights to the right, then two nights looking straight up. That's the official advice from www.plagiouk.co.uk, a support group for parents to avoid plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome).

You could use a Goi Goi pillow for nappy changes and supervised play time on his back, but do not use a pillow while he is unsupervised.

berolina · 06/05/2008 19:49

Any kind of pillows really bad idea for under-ones tbh.

Original poster

Mip · 06/05/2008 20:14

Thanks everyone for your advice and opinions. All helping to clear the mist!
Nonickname, your post was really helpful - thanks so much. Will check out link now too!

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moodlumthehoodlum · 06/05/2008 20:18

Mip - I got mine from the dreaded kiddicare online. But I've just googled it for you and you can get them from Amazon. Deffo do not go for a second hand one, as the mats that lie under the mattress are sensitive and we bashed ours around a bit. (not that I'm suggesting you would get a second hand one, but just FYI )

ConnorTraceptive · 06/05/2008 20:21

DS1 had very severe plagio so we've been very cautious with ds2 (9weeks). I do have a goigoi pillow but don't use it at night. I use it in the pram, swing chair and when he's on his playmat.

If you want something for the cot I would recomend a sleepcurve mattress

NotABanana · 06/05/2008 20:22

Pillows should not be used before 1 year.

A flat head can be cause by lying on thei rback but it can also be because of other problems.

ConnorTraceptive · 06/05/2008 20:27

I would also advise not to let your baby nap for long periods in a swing chair, bouncy chair or car seat as they tend to stay in one position in these things and don't have freedom to move around.

I've used a sling a lot more with ds2 to give him some relief from being on his back to much.

I also took hime to an osteopath in the first week to make sure his neck movement was fine.

This all may seem a bit over the top to some but the stress we went through with ds1's head was worse

VacantlyPretty · 06/05/2008 20:27

Message withdrawn

Original poster

Mip · 06/05/2008 21:15

Not off topic Vacantly Pretty! Good to hear more people backing the Angel Care (and it helping their paranoia not making it worse! . That's what I was worried about as I too am paranoid!)

Moodlum, really kind of you to google it for me. Will try on Amazon then. And thanks for tip about avoiding second hand. Will get new. As it's first baby I am a sucker and am wanting everything new. Had to listen to reason and accept sil's kind offer of barely used baby bouncer, car seat and crib. Was painful though!

Connortraceptive, sorry to hear about the problems your ds has had. Very helpful tips, thank you. Have already bought a sling, seems like such a good idea when they're so little (unless I get a heifer like my husband was) and portable. Will look into a sleep curve mattress too, though I guess that's for proper cots not for cribs?

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Original poster

Mip · 06/05/2008 21:18

Just checked Amazon, not cheap is it?! Can see why one could be tempted with second hand!

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Essie3 · 06/05/2008 21:25

I got a tommee tippee ultimate baby monitor (with a mat for movement sensor) half price on e-bay - it was brand new in box, and was bankruptcy stock. It really was brand new with all the security tags and everything. It's worth checking because there are some secondhand, and some brand new out there, and although I wanted peace of mind, I didn't want it at over £100!!

With the pillows, though, the special flathead pillows aren't like feather/foam squashy pillows, from what I can see. (I'm considering one.) They look more firm, but with a hole in them. I saw one on Vertbaudet.

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