Choosing Blankets and Pillows For Toddlers
Toddlers aren’t accustomed to pillows and blankets, so it’s important to be careful when choosing these items for your child. They’re more sensitive to the environment and can have allergies. It’s also a good idea to wash them regularly to avoid the buildup of allergens.
When shopping for pillows for your baby, there are two main factors to consider: weight and material. Soft pillows can put toddlers at risk for suffocation, but firm ones are safer.
The risk of suffocation is lower for younger toddlers, but still, there is a need for caution. It’s best to choose small, thin pillows, and to avoid pillows that don’t zip closed. If your toddler falls asleep on the pillow, they may lay their head on the pillow instead of on their belly, which puts them at risk of choking.
When to Introduce Blankets to Your Toddler
As a parent, you may wonder when to introduce blankets to your toddler. There are many things to consider, including the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and the need to make sure your child’s sleep isn’t disrupted. It’s best to consult your doctor and other experts to find the safest option for you and your child.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests the best time to introduce your toddler to blankets is when they’re ready. Usually, this will be around a year, but you might be able to do it earlier.
When you decide on when to introduce blankets to your toddler, you will want to pick a design that is lightweight but still provides warmth. Thin blankets and stuffies work well. For older kids, you can even use a sleep sack. You’ll also want to ensure the blanket doesn’t have a heavy fringe. Also, regarding washes, you will have to know how to wash pillows with stuffing for kids.
One of the earliest signs that your child is ready for blankets is the ability to push off the blanket from their face. This can occur at about the same time that they’re learning to crawl, but they’ll continue to do so until they’re ready to roll over.
When to Introduce Pillows to Your Toddler
If you’re unsure when to introduce pillows to your toddler, there are some guidelines to help you. However, it is important to keep in mind that children develop at different rates and you may need to try different pillows.
Before introducing a pillow, it is best to wait until your child is about two years old. The American Association of Pediatrics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission both recommend waiting until this age. The AAP recommends laying babies on their backs to sleep. Also introduce body pillows until they are toddlers for their safety. And make sure you wash them and keep them clean. Look out for body pillow washing instructions online.
The AAP also recommends using a flat surface to sleep on. This allows infants to move their heads without obstructing their breathing.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission isn’t quite so clear. They say that toddlers should not be introduced to pillows until they are 18 months old. This is because there is a risk that they will use the pillow as a step to get out of the crib.
Advisable Sleeping Practices For Toddlers
If you’re a new parent, you may be wondering what are some of the advisable sleeping practices for toddlers. You probably know that you need to make sure that you keep your baby’s room dark and that you don’t let your child watch too many videos on television, but there are other things you should do to help ensure that your child sleeps well.
Avoid Blankets, Pillows, Stuffed Toys, And Bumper Pads In Baby’s Bed
If you have a baby, it is essential to practice safe sleep techniques. Unfortunately, many children die from sleeping-related incidents. These deaths are now known as Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Syndrome (SUIDS).
The best way to avoid this tragedy is to follow the ABCs of safe sleep. Babies should never sleep on surfaces that are too soft, such as pillows or blankets. They should also sleep on their backs, which is safer than sleeping on their sides or stomachs.
The safest place for a baby to sleep is in a bassinet, crib, or cradle. The AAP suggests keeping these items in the parents’ room until a child is at least six months old.
Avoid Stimulation During Nighttime Feedings And Diaper Changes
If you’re the proud owner of a toddler, you have probably been asked several times by family members, “What’s the best way to get your baby to sleep through the night?” There are a few things you can do to help make this process easier for both you and your little one.
The best method is to avoid stimulation during your baby’s nighttime feedings and diaper changes. Although babies do have touch reserves, they don’t need games or tickles in the middle of the night. The blue-based light from your TV can hinder the production of melatonin, the hormone that helps your body regulate its temperature.
Avoid Screens
Screens are a great way to entertain young children, but they can also harm their sleep. As a result, it is important to limit the amount of time your child spends in front of the television or computer. Developing a media plan together will help you decide on screen time limits and create a schedule that works best for your family.
Screen time is over-stimulating for kids and parents alike. It can interfere with the quality of their sleep, and the blue light from digital screens can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm.
For older children, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than two hours of screen time a day. For babies and toddlers, the AAP recommends avoiding screen exposure until the age of 18 months.
Avoid Pacifiers That Attach With A String To Your Baby’s Clothes
If your baby is a toddler, you should never use pacifiers that attach with a string to your baby’s clothes when sleeping. These can be very dangerous. The cords on pacifiers can strangle a child. The clips are also very dangerous. You should always remove the pacifier before naptime.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against using pacifiers before your baby is four months old. This is because they can interfere with the growth of your baby’s teeth. They also contribute to dental problems later on. You should only use a pacifier for a short time and only when your child needs it.
Avoid Social Media
There’s a lot of buzz around social media and how it can affect your sleep schedule. While this may be a bit of a challenge for parents, it’s not impossible to implement the rules of engagement. For example, try not to watch television during your child’s awake hours. A good rule of thumb is to turn off your smartphone an hour before bedtime. You can also use a blue light filter.
Your child’s brain is not fully developed yet. So, it’s a good idea to use apps that engage their brain in the right way. The best examples of this are games that involve the right nuances.
Conclusion
When shopping for a pillow, consider the type of material, the firmness of the pillow, and how many times it can be washed. While these factors are important, it’s also helpful to find a pillow that’s the right size for your child’s needs.