Not only the quality of a child’s sleep depends on the right pillow, but also the full formation of posture, the health of the spine. Therefore, orthopedists recommend approaching this issue with all seriousness. It is worth studying not only market offers, but also the features of different types of pillows, their properties, age compliance. It does not hurt to consult with a pediatrician before buying. We want to help parents choose the best sleeping pillow for their child. You can do this on the basis of ten useful tips.
The best pillows for kids over 10 | ||
1 | Eco Sapiens Memory Plus | Pronounced orthopedic properties |
2 | ECOTEX Cotton-Royal | Best price |
3 | Ormatec Aqua Prim | Ideal solution for hot weather |
4 | Ascona Temp Control | The most comfortable |
5 | Light Dreams Camille | Best quality |
1. Pillow type
Which pillow to choose - regular or orthopedic?There are a lot of varieties of children's pillows now. They are produced in various forms, with different fillers.Some are designed for the comfort of the child during sleep, others additionally have a therapeutic effect, support the neck and head of the child in the correct position. Roughly, all pillows for children can be divided into two types - standard and orthopedic.
Standard children's pillows are produced in classic rectangular or square shapes. They use the most common and familiar fillers - down, feather, synthetic winterizer, holofiber and other varieties of synthetic materials. The only purpose of such pillows is a comfortable sleep of the child.
Orthopedic pillows are usually used on the advice of a doctor. They either have an anatomical shape or are made of materials with a memory effect. Anatomic pillows are able to exactly repeat the contours of the body, provide full support for the spine. Their use is especially useful for some problems - torticollis, impaired muscle tone, the consequences of birth injuries, early stages of rickets.
Therefore, without the need to use orthopedic pillows, it is not always advisable, especially if the child is still small. Even an ordinary downy model can provide a natural position of the body, if its size and height are chosen correctly. Whatever orthopedic pillow you are looking for, we would still recommend that you first consult with an orthopedist.
2. Age
How to choose a pillow according to the age of the child?The age of the child is one of the most important selection parameters. It depends on him the preferred shape, height, size of the product, filler. The spine of young children is in the process of formation. An improperly selected pillow can lead to its curvature, headaches, restless sleep, and even early osteochondrosis.
From birth to 1.5-2 years orthopedists advise not to abuse pillows. At this age, the child's neck is short and does not need support. Using the wrong pillow for a newborn will be harmful. The exception is children diagnosed with torticollis or other developmental pathologies. But in this case, the type of pillow is selected by the doctor, not the parents. But for babies, special butterfly pillows with a hole in the middle can be used. Products support the neck, and the head is flush with the mattress.
From 2-3 years old the child can already safely purchase a pillow. Moreover, it is allowed to use the most ordinary, not orthopedic, unless otherwise recommended by a doctor. The main thing is that its height does not exceed 4-5 centimeters. That is, it should be almost flat. At 2, 3, 4 years old, the child still does not need strong support of the spine. The shape is desirable rectangular, so that only the head and neck lie on the pillow, and the shoulders remain at the level of the mattress. It is also worth giving preference to natural, breathable materials.
From 6-7 years old a child can already buy an orthopedic pillow without a doctor's prescription. It will help to avoid scoliosis, osteochondrosis as a result of incorrect body position in sleep. The first orthopedic products should be as comfortable as possible for the child - medium hardness, standard rectangular shape or in the form of a butterfly. Such requirements apply to pillows for children from 6-7 years old and up to adolescence.
ECOTEX Cotton-Royal
Best price
3. The form
What kind of pillows are the most comfortable?The choice of really successful forms of pillows for children is small. But there are still options - butterflies, rectangular, orthopedic with and without rollers. Any of these pillows, with the right size and height, will be comfortable and useful for the child.
Butterfly. There are two options here - very low with a hole in the middle for children under 2 years old and whole, a little higher if the child is already 3 years old. This pillow is also suitable for older guys if they like to sleep on their stomach.
Rectangular. The most common, standard and one of the best options. A narrow pillow allows you to place only the head and neck on it, the child, with all the desire, will not be able to climb higher on it. And this means that the shoulders will lie on the mattress - rectangular models ensure the correct position of the body in a dream. But square pillows are best avoided.
Anatomical with rollers. Orthopedic models with rollers are a fairly common option for children from 6-7 years old and older. If the height is chosen correctly, it will be quite comfortable for the child to sleep on it.
On sale you can see a lot of children's pillows of various shapes. Often they resemble plush toys. But no matter how bright and funny pillows children like, you should not buy such products for sleeping. They will not be able to ensure the correct position of the body, they will only bring harm.
4. Fillers
Which pillow filler is best for a child?Children's pillows are produced with the same fillers as adult models. Among them are natural and synthetic materials. But not all of them are equally suitable for a child.
natural down. Traditional filler, which is valued by many for its softness and lightness.Down pillows may be comfortable for teens, but doctors do not recommend using them for children. Firstly, it does not provide the necessary support to the spine, and secondly, it can cause allergies.
holofiber. Affordable and good material. It does not cause allergies, it is quite soft and resilient, it is machine washable. The synthetic winterizer also belongs to this category. But both materials have a rather short service life - the pillow will have to be changed every one and a half to two years.
Bamboo. Bamboo fiber is an excellent filler for children's pillows. It is natural, breathable, lightweight, does not cause allergies. But the volume of bamboo pillows is lost quickly. They need to be beaten regularly and quite often have to be changed.
Memory Foam. Most often it is polyurethane. The foam filler has an interesting property - under the influence of weight and heat, it sags, follows the contours of the body. This achieves the most natural position during sleep. Then it returns to its original form. This is one of the most common fillers for orthopedic pillows.
Latex. Pillows made of natural latex are great for children over 3-4 years old. The material is elastic, slightly springy, has a memory effect, but it is not hard and comfortable.
Buckwheat husk. It also belongs to the category of natural fillers for orthopedic pillows. Great for kids of all ages as it is hypoallergenic, breathable and moderately tough.
Natural silk. Expensive, but high-quality hypoallergenic material that is perfectly breathable and does not electrify. Sleeping on such pillows is pleasant, useful and not hot.
Filler | Advantages | Flaws |
fluff | + Naturalness + Softness + Breathability + Does not accumulate static electricity | - May cause allergies - Weak spine support - Not suitable for small children |
holofiber | + Affordable cost + Suitable for machine wash + Does not cause allergies + Soft and resilient | - Accumulates static electricity - Weak spine support
|
Bamboo | + Natural material + Does not cause allergies + Breathable, comfortable to sleep + Antibacterial properties | - deforms quickly - Needs to be shaken regularly |
Memory Foam | + Good orthopedic properties + Does not cause allergies + Long service life, not deformed | - Tight, not suitable for small children - Has a specific smell |
Latex | + Orthopedic properties + Correct body position + Soft and elastic, comfortable sleep | - Peculiar smell - Allergy to impurities may occur |
Buckwheat husk | + Natural filler + Hypoallergenic spine support + Orthopedic properties + Breathable material, the child does not sweat | - Rustling when changing body position - Not everyone likes the smell - Many children find it tough
|
Natural silk | + Does not cause allergies + Does not accumulate static electricity + Natural material + Breathes well, not hot to sleep | - High price - Wrinkles over time |
Light Dreams Camille
Best quality
5. Size and Height
How to determine the correct height and size of the pillow?One of the most important conditions for a calm and healthy sleep of a child is the right height and size of the pillow.These indicators depend primarily on age, but there is also an individual factor. These can be diseases of the musculoskeletal system, the complexion of the child.
Cushion height depends on age. For children 2-3 years old, it is advisable to choose products no higher than 3 cm. A child from 3 to 5 years old will be more comfortable on a pillow up to 5-6 cm. After 5-6 years, it is allowed to use products up to 10 cm high. If the child prefers to sleep on his stomach, you should choose the lowest options.
Pillow size not as important as her height. The main thing is that it should correspond to the width of the crib, lie flat, without bends. The most common options are 25x40 and 40x60 cm. They are convenient because it is easier to pick up a pillowcase for them. Too big pillows are best avoided so that the child does not climb on them with his shoulders - this is the wrong position.
Watch your sleeping baby. If he constantly slides from the pillow to the mattress, then it is too high for him. Worth a look at the option below. If he puts his hand under the pillow, you need to increase the height.
6. Degree of hardness
How to determine the optimal firmness of the pillow?When choosing the firmness of a pillow for children, it is important to find a middle ground. It is uncomfortable for a child to sleep on a product that is too dense - instead of resting, he will toss and turn all night. Excessively rigid products with a low weight of the baby can also lead to squeezing of muscles and blood vessels, which will adversely affect health. Therefore, it is better to immediately refuse hard pillows.
Soft pillows are pleasant to sleep on, but they do not provide adequate support for the spine. As a result, the neck muscles will tense up, which can also lead to incorrect posture.Therefore, unless otherwise recommended by an orthopedist, it is better to stop at medium hardness - it will give you a restful sleep and support the cervical spine.
7. Price
How much does a good baby pillow cost?A good baby pillow doesn't have to be expensive. For young children, the simplest models filled with bamboo, holofiber or other inexpensive fillers are usually enough. The price of such products starts from 300 rubles. It is not always advisable to look in the direction of expensive pillows, especially considering that the product is purchased for a child for just a couple of years, after which he simply grows out of it.
High-quality orthopedic models are more expensive, from 2000 rubles. The upper limit is about 6000-7000 rubles. But this is an option for older children. And here, too, it makes no sense to choose expensive models, the main thing is to adhere to the ratio of optimal height, size and rigidity.
8. Individual characteristics
Is your child comfortable on the chosen pillow?If for adults with specific problems with the spine, when choosing a pillow, the emphasis is on the benefits, in the case of a child, comfort should be evaluated first of all. If a the pillow seems hard to the baby, he will not be able to get used to it, enduring inconvenience, like an adult. It will be night whims and inferior sleep. If you have already bought a pillow, but you see that the child refuses to sleep on it, you will have to spend money again to purchase a more comfortable option. It is also worth considering sleeping positionin which the baby sleeps most often. If on the stomach, then the pillow should be as low as possible. On the side - a little higher, but within the recommendations for age.
One more piece of advice has already been given above - if the child slides off the pillow, the height should be reduced, puts his hand in - increase.
9. Pillow for a teenager
What pillow to choose for a teenager?A teenage pillow should be chosen not by age, but by individual parameters. The selection criteria are the same as for an adult. If possible, it is better for a teenager to choose an orthopedic product in order to avoid problems with the spine in the future. The filler can be any, but preference is given to materials with a memory effect.
The height of the pillow is determined by the length of the shoulder. Measurement is taken from the base of the neck to the protruding part of the shoulder. 1-2 centimeters are added to the obtained indicator. This will be the optimal height. When choosing, it is worth considering the rigidity of the mattress - the density of the pillow should match it. That is, under a soft mattress, choose a pillow with low rigidity.
Ascona Temp Control
The most comfortable
10. Brands
Which brand makes the best baby pillows?There are many brands on the market that produce quality pillows. Some of them are distinguished by the versatility of production, offering models for children and adults. Others specialize only in children's products. Among the abundance of brands, one can single out such companies as Ascona, Ormatek, Billerbeck, Cloud Factory, Sleepy Dwarf. This is only a small part of the brands whose products people prefer.
Ascona. A well-known brand of orthopedic bedding. Along with pillows for adults, it also produces anatomical products for children.On average, the cost of models varies in the range from 1000 to 3000 rubles. The brand mainly uses memory fillers.
Ormatek. A good Russian brand of orthopedic products. It produces anatomical pillows for all ages. Children's models cost from 1000 to 6000 rubles, they are made mainly of materials with a memory effect. Good selection, excellent quality.
Billerbeck. Pretty expensive German brand. In the assortment you can see pillows for both very young infants and older children. Products are not orthopedic - soft, but high-quality and comfortable. As a filler for children's models, cotton and bamboo fiber, down, cashmere, less often synthetics are used.
cloud factory. The company offers anatomical pillows for children from birth. The range includes butterflies, standard rectangular models, options with rollers. As a filler, materials with a memory effect are used. It's nice that there are replacement covers available. The cost is acceptable - from 1000 to 2500 rubles.
Sleepy gnome. A good brand offering simple and inexpensive pillows for babies from birth. There are no orthopedic products in the assortment. The exception is anatomical butterfly pillows for newborns. A synthetic winterizer, fluff, bamboo fiber, holofiber are used as filling. Prices are very affordable - from 250 to 500 rubles.
The best pillows for kids over 10
Pillows for babies under the age of 10 years, it is advisable to select on the recommendation of a doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics of your child.Therefore, below you will find the best pillows with a small height and moderate firmness that may be suitable for growing children.
Top 5. Light Dreams Camille
Pillow brand "Light Dreams" is suitable for teenagers who like to sleep with special comfort. Light, soft, fluffy pillow will give a feeling of relaxation on the "cloud". The filler is natural goose and duck down without feather impurity. It undergoes careful processing, ozonation, therefore it is safe and does not cake for a long time. Despite the softness, the neck on the pillow does not get tired, there are no problems with the spine. So, despite the rather high price, this is a great option.
Top 4. Ascona Temp Control
A high-quality pillow of the Ascona brand is perfect for teenagers and large children with a shoulder length of 11-12 cm. Its most important advantage is that the period of getting used to it is minimal. It is made of a standard rectangular shape, not too rigid, due to the filler with a memory effect, it perfectly adapts to the shape of the body, ensures the correct position of the spine. The filler contains a special gel. It keeps you cool, so sleeping on the pillow will be comfortable and restful even in hot weather.
Top 3. Ormatec Aqua Prim
An expensive but high-quality pillow from Ormatek is made of memory foam. On top of the main filler there is a special tab with a thermoregulating gel.It does not allow the pillow to heat up from the heat of the body and the environment. Even in the hottest weather, the surface remains pleasantly cool. Two rollers with a height of 9.5 and 12 cm provide support for the spine, the correct position of the body during sleep. The pillow is quite high, so it is only suitable for teenagers after 13 years old, for younger children it is better to look at other options.
Top 2. ECOTEX Cotton-Royal
A soft but elastic pillow filled with polyester will not cause allergies, support the cervical spine, and give a comfortable sleep. This is an adult model, but due to its small height of about 8 cm, it can also be used by children. Additionally, its price pleases - about 1500 rubles. The pillow is qualitatively made, does not lose its shape for a long time, withstands machine washing. It will definitely last for a few years. It is packed with filler tightly, at first it may seem too high. But it has a small drawback, characteristic of most synthetic materials - it does not breathe well.
Top 1. Eco Sapiens Memory Plus
An orthopedic pillow with rollers is not suitable for small children, but it will be a good solution for teenagers after 13-14 years old. It is made of a material with a memory effect, has optimal rigidity, supports the spine well, and prevents the development of scoliosis and osteochondrosis. A good shape and moderate rigidity shorten the period of getting used to the orthopedic product after a conventional pillow.The model is made qualitatively, does not lose its shape for a long time, retains its properties.