Buying a Baby Pillow as a Gift
05/02/09
If you are in the market for a practical gift for a baby you know, a baby pillow is an excellent choice. Because there are so many types of pillows in the stores, it can be tough to pick out the right one. However, this guide will make it simple to pick out just the right baby pillow for the child you are thinking of.
The first consideration is the baby's age. Doctors advise that children under the age of two should not sleep with pillows because pillows, even specially designed baby pillows, are a suffocation risk. Rather than getting a sleeping pillow for a child under two years old, choose a nursing pillow or a decorative pillow. If the child is a toddler of two or older, then they are ready for a sleeping pillow.
You can find decorative pillows in just about any color, shape, and material to match any bedroom. You can also have a baby pillow customized. For instance, find a pretty pillow that matches the child's bedroom, and have it embroidered with the child's name and birthdate to create a keepsake. Or have the pillow printed with a photo of a beloved pet. If you are crafty, you can even buy a baby pillow blank and sew your own cover to create a truly special pillow.
A nursing pillow is large and shaped like a horseshoe, and the mother rests it in her lap to hold the baby up so that she does not have to support the baby in her arms when she nurses. (They are excellent when bottle feeding, too, so they are also a good gift for fathers!) The main brand is Boppy, so nursing pillows are often called boppies, but there are a number of competing brands on the market as well.
A baby pillow that is designed for nighttime is smaller and flatter than an adult's pillow. Full sized adult pillows can give children neck cramps and make them sleep poorly because they are proportioned differently from adults. Luxurious adult pillow stuffing like down and feathers can give them allergies, so it is best to avoid these, too. The best baby pillow is at least half as large and thick as an adult's pillow, and is stuffed with a hypoallergenic filling and covered with soft, smooth fabric. A good finishing touch is all natural pillowcases in the child's favorite color, or in a color that matches the child's bedroom.
If you follow this guide and your sense of the child's and the parents' tastes, you will choose a baby pillow that will make a wonderful gift. You can be certain that you have not only given the child a practical gift, you have made it easier for them to sleep.