Most likely, this issue will remain in limbo, like most similar issues concerning toddlers. So no one can tell you exactly "is it worth it or not, do it inoculations", the question of "breastfeeding" and "about the first lure" is also not resolved, and each side has its own arguments, opinions, sources and its authorities.
Let's figure it out, weigh all the pros and cons and decide how best to sleep the baby on the pillow or without it. Let's start with the fact that nature created us without this comfortable for many people sleep adaptation - a cushion, although on the other hand, many of us fall asleep, only putting your hand under your head, than this is not a pillow ?! On the other hand, none of the facts of curvature of the spine has occurred only because of the absence or presence of a pillow (it occurs as a result of several factors in the aggregate). If even on the basis of these two thoughts, one can answer the same question formulated with different words: "Is a pillow necessary?" You can safely say "you do not need it", but the question "can it be used?", The answer is "possible," but, of course , if your baby likes the pillow you offered him. Although I repeat, there is no vital need for a pillow, and children under three years of age do not need a pillow, unless of course there are recommendations from the surgeon (with torticollis or other problems of the spine, sometimes it is recommended to buy an orthopedic pillow for children).
If, after all, you decided to buy your child a pillow, then you should approach this issue carefully, because now there is a huge choice of this product. What is usually recommended when choosing pillows, pediatricians? Firstly, the main function of the pillow is to help the trunk relax and rest during sleep, and for this it supports the cervical spine and head. Secondly, the height of the pillow should be selected from the fact that its height is greater than the length of the baby's shoulder, thus, it turns out to be practically flat, this ensures the correct arrangement of all parts of the body and head. The neck and trunk are on the same line. Thirdly, the length and width should be chosen based on the mobility of the child during sleep, if it constantly turns in a dream, then a rectangular pillow 40 * 60 (or 50 * 70) will fit, if it sleeps quietly, then a square 50 * 50 ( or 40 * 40). Fourth, special attention should be given to the material used to fill the pillows, synthetic materials are considered to be the most suitable: only they are 100% hypoallergenic, although there may be many options, and each material has its own pluses and minuses. Let's dwell a little on pillow fillers.
Pooh . As its advantage, it can be noted that it is very light and lush, with excellent thermal insulation (it is practically impossible to sweat on such a cushion). The downside of the natural filler is that it is a favorable environment for the life of microscopic organisms, such as dust mites, peries, puffers. These organisms fill the pillow with the products of vital activity, as well as transform the filler into fine chaff, which causes allergic reactions and various skin diseases. Very often, feathers are poorly treated and left with remains of skin, blood and meat, which, when putrefying, give an unpleasant smell to the pillow. In addition, the spinous parts of the pen can cause damage to the child's skin. Another disadvantage is that such cushions do not hold shape well, and that they can not be washed.
Sheep wool . Pros: excellent thermal insulation, softness and elasticity, thanks to sheep's curls. Cons: can not be washed, the wool eventually falls down and loses the shape, which can not be returned. In addition, too, can cause allergies in your crumbs.
Buckwheat husk . This natural filler has a number of positive characteristics: it takes any form, including the anatomical curves of the human body, which has a beneficial effect on rest during sleep. Correct arrangement of the spine, provides a qualitative rest to the muscles of the back, and therefore effectively relieve fatigue and help alleviate the manifestations of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Pillows with this filler, along with massage and physiotherapy exercises, copes very well with curvatures, pain syndromes in the head, neck, and shoulder region, but it does not require any effort, it is enough to use it during night and daytime sleep, in this is another advantage of buckwheat husk as a pillow filler. The density of this pillow is adjustable, it is very simple, enough to pour out excess volume of husk, for similar purposes, the pillow is equipped with lightning. The only drawback of buckwheat husks, as a filler, can be considered its rustling, especially this applies to children whose sleep is very sensitive, although for many this property is more a plus than a minus. But the more qualitatively the husk, the lower the level of its rustle.
Vata. Pros: Such pillows are cheap. Cons: they do not last long, as cotton wool falls off quickly and, accordingly, the pillow loses its shape.
Synthetic materials . The most important advantage of this filler is that it does not cause allergies (it is an unfavorable environment for the life of microorganisms), it is easily washed (after washing, they restore their volume and shape), absence of foreign odors, air permeability, very light, usually such pillows are made with a zipper, so that you can control the height of the pillow; in addition, they keep in shape, taking the shape of the head during sleep, and straightened during the day, after sleep. The life of such pillows can reach almost 10 years.
Synthetic materials used as a pillow filler can be of two main forms. The first option in the form of balls, they are characterized by elasticity, resistance to stalling and crushing, they include the corbel, sintepuh, holofayber, usually the balls are siliconeized hollow fibers, spiral shape. The second option, when the artificial filler in the form of a formation, this option is quilted, so the pillow in the base, which lies such filler, retains its shape and appearance longer. The most suitable fillers for a child can be polyurethane foam, latex and viscoelastic thermosensitive material. These materials are able to "remember" the form, they are undeformable, rigidly elastic, well-permeable, thanks to this they have an orthopedic effect - they support the cervical spine in the correct horizontal position and relaxed state, regardless of the postures taken during sleep by the child. But the cost of such an attribute of a night rest, with a high orthopedic effect, is also great.
So the principle of "natural better", in the matter of pillows does not work. There are other subtleties in the choice of pillows - the shape (square, horseshoe, rectangular, etc.), stiffness, and the quality of the napernik. In addition, the pillows should be of high quality and be changed to new ones depending on the service life. ATTENTION! Pillows are selected strictly individually, taking into account the characteristics of the child, its size and age.