Is it good for newborns to use a baby head-shaping pillow?
Oct 14, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xie Zixing
Introduction
It is not advisable to use infant head-shaping pillows. A newborn's cranial sutures have not yet fully fused, and their skeletal bones are still developing; using shaping pillows can affect the development of the skull and spine. If not carefully monitored, the baby's face may sink into the pillow, leading to breathing difficulties or even suffocation. Poor hygiene may also lead to the development of scalp eczema.
It is not advisable to use shaping pillows for newborns, as they can affect skull and spine development, easily cause breathing difficulties, and may lead to eczema if hygiene is inadequate.
1. Impacts skull and spine development
Newborns' skull sutures have not yet fully fused, and their bones are still soft and undeveloped. Prolonged use of shaping pillows can interfere with normal skull and spinal development, potentially causing skull deformities and an uneven head shape, affecting appearance. Spinal development may also be impaired, and in severe cases, this can result in spinal deformities and noticeable curvature of the back.
2. Causes breathing difficulties
Newborns cannot yet lift their heads or roll over independently. When using a shaping pillow, if proper care is not taken, the baby's face may sink into the pillow, obstructing airflow and leading to breathing difficulties or even suffocation, posing significant risks.
3. Triggers eczema
When newborns sleep on shaping pillows for extended periods, their heads remain in constant contact with the pillow, making them prone to sweating. If hygiene is neglected and pillowcases are not frequently changed and washed, it may lead to scalp eczema, causing symptoms such as itching and localized red rashes.
