How to sleep on an orthopedic pillow: instructions for use and review of models. Do I need an orthopedic pillow and do you sleep on it correctly? How to put the baby on an orthopedic pillow

Quality rest after a busy day is very important for every person. Pillow plays a big role. On sale you can find such an accessory not only in different shapes and colors, but also with different content. The most useful for a person is an orthopedic pillow.

It is very important to know how to sleep on an orthopedic pillow in order to have a sound and healthy sleep. Depending on how a person likes to sleep, its form is chosen.

People who sleep without a pillow believe that using this method, you can get rid of wrinkles on the face, swelling and stress on the internal organs. But these facts have not been proven. When used correctly, it has been proven to reduce neck pain, improve general well-being and make waking up pleasant.

Product varieties

A large selection of such accessories for a good sleep makes a person get acquainted with each type in more detail. Pillows vary in:

• height;
• size;
• form;
• degree of hardness;
• filler type.

The filler for it can be:

• polyester;
• polyurethane foam, aka artificial latex;
• memorix;
• latex;
• buckwheat husks, etc.

The most common is polyester. It is a small ball that is evenly distributed inside the product after pressing on it. This filler has high hygienic performance; The product is easy to wash and dry. Serve, with proper care, such a product can be 7-8 years.

Memorix endows products with a "memory effect". It is based on foamed polyurethane or viscoelastic. The material is highly elastic and hypoallergenic. During the operation of the pillow, under the influence of your body and the heat of your body, the filler takes on the required shape. By repeating the curves of your body, it relaxes the neck and spine from the first minute of rest.

Latex is a natural material that is made from the sap of the rubber tree. Despite the fact that the material is elastic, it quickly adapts to your body and restores its previous shape. The spongy structure allows the material to breathe, which is very important for your skin.

Buckwheat husk also belongs to natural fillers. The product with it is not only a convenient support. The material is able to provide a point massage effect on the body. As a result, migraine, pain in the shoulders, neck and back disappear.

Unlike down and feathers, these fillers do not absorb odors and do not lose their shape over time. They are breathable, perfectly retain heat, have the ability to retain the shape given to them. They are durable and hypoallergenic which is also very important. Caring for them is easy and simple.

Criteria for choosing a sleep accessory

Before you go shopping for a pillow you need to know the answers to the following questions:

1. What is your preferred sleeping position?
2. What is your shoulder length?
3. Do you have allergies?
4. What smells can you tolerate?
5. Do you have osteochondrosis, neck spasms or neuralgia?

If you prefer to sleep on your back, then the pillow for rest should be low. Its height in the neck should not exceed 6 cm, so as not to compress the vertebral artery. Medium hardness should have a roller, which is located under the cervical region, and a soft surface should be used for the head.

Those who like to sleep on their side can choose for themselves the standard version of a flat product with two rollers.

Travel lovers can look for an option that is convenient for relaxing in a bus seat or in a car. A product in the shape of a horseshoe or a small-sized pillow is suitable. It is desirable to choose a filler soft.

Stomach sleepers should only choose low pillows. In addition to special orthopedic ones, you can choose a small round thing, in the form of an asterisk or a butterfly.

The orthopedic accessory provides stable support for the neck and head in a physiologically correct position during rest and sleep. The spine is in a horizontal position, totally relaxed. The vertebral arteries do not kink, so that the blood flow is not disturbed and the brain receives proper nutrition. The morning after such a dream will always be kind, and the head will be fresh.

How to determine the height of the pillow

This value should correspond to the length of your shoulder. To measure it, you need to attach the beginning of the fabric centimeter to the beginning of the neck and fix the distance to the bone on the shoulder. The measurement is taken when the shoulders are in a relaxed, natural position. The result will be the height of your bedroom accessory.

The filler should be of medium hardness or hard so that the position of the spine does not change during sleep.

After waking up on the right device, you should not have a headache. It is important to listen to your feelings. If the neck is numb and there is discomfort in the whole body, then the height of the device is too small for you. You need to look at the higher version. If after sleep you are worried about pain in the back of your head or in your temples, then you need to look at a pillow with a lower height.

Choosing the right posture while sleeping

Uncomfortable posture during sleep is the cause of muscle pain and poor health. High-quality accessories will not improve your sleep, and an orthopedic pillow by itself will not teach you how to sleep properly. You just need to be aware of a few things:

The most successful option for orthopedic accessories for sleep is considered a pillow with a memory effect. In addition to two rollers of different heights, each has a special recess for the head and a recess for the shoulder.

If a person is used to sleeping on his back, then the correct position of the head on the pillow is as low as possible so that the neck assumes a physiologically correct position and aligns as much as possible. In the position on the side, one of the rollers has a supporting effect. As a result, the head does not hang down, and the shoulder is located at the right distance from it. Be sure to choose the right height of the product, which depends on the length of the shoulder. Then the correct position of the head and neck will be ensured.

The advantage of an orthopedic pillow is that it exactly matches the correct anatomical position of the head and neck. If a person has some problems with the cervical vertebrae, then while resting on such a pillow, the head hangs a little, and the cervical vertebrae are extended. This has a great effect on the spine, unloads it.

Ask the manufacturer. Look in advance for reviews of manufacturers and their products. Reliable manufacturers provide their goods with quality certificates.

Check out the filler. The structure of the pillow can be seen on the sample. Choose the filler you need. If you are used to lying on soft accessories, then this option will be tough for you. It will take some time to get used to it.

A crescent-shaped pillow will be relevant to someone who sleeps all night in one position and very rarely rolls over.

According to doctors, orthopedic sleep accessory only suitable for healthy people. It will help keep your body healthy. If there are problems with the cervical region or with the spine, doctors will simply forbid you to use such a pillow. First of all, you need this so as not to harm your body and not aggravate any processes.

How to sleep on an orthopedic pillow

Everyone knows that sleep is important for human health. Almost everyone understands the importance of getting enough sleep. But few people think about its quality, and then only when problems arise. Due to the poor quality of sleep, various problems can begin - neurological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal. There is even research evidence that poor sleep increases the risk of suicide by 1.4 times. But what causes bad sleep? You will be surprised, but the quality of sleep of a healthy person is greatly influenced by the bed on which he sleeps, in particular the mattress and pillow. Orthopedic pillow - how to choose and use it correctly.

It must be emphasized that we are talking about a person who does not have serious diseases, which in themselves can cause sleep disturbance. Here the opposite effect is observed. Sleep is bad - diseases develop.

There are many points that determine the correct preparation for sleep in order to improve its quality. Fresh air in the room, optimal room humidity and temperature, bed linen, absence of irritants, and so on. But first on this list, so to speak, his head is a pillow. The second is the mattress, and then everything else.

By the way. It is today that the focus of attention of many doctors, and not just orthopedists, neuropathologists and vertebrologists. In particular, an orthopedic pillow, which is recommended for use not only for patients diagnosed with cervical osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine, but for all healthy people who take care of their health.

As you know, all big changes start small. Starting to use the right pillow is the first step to a healthy spine. Because an orthopedic pillow, unlike a regular one, can do a lot.

Find ten differences

Maybe not ten of them, but less, although, rather, much more. But some are drastic.

1. At the orthopedic pillow unusual shape. A standard sleeping pillow is either square or rectangular. But the orthopedic is allowed to have the shape of a circle, polygon, oval, cylinder, or even be shapeless.

   

   

2. The second major difference is filler. In an ordinary pillow, these are down and feathers, wool, foam rubber, synthetic winterizer and other natural and not very materials. Orthopedic sleep accessory is filled with resilient, elastic, hard or loose material.

   

3. Size also matters. The orthopedic product will not be 70x70 centimeters, because it is intended exclusively for the head, and not for the entire body, which many people who have problems with sleep like to lay on a pillow.

   

4. Allergenicity. Perhaps this indicator does not directly apply to orthopedics, but almost all standard pillows do not have hypoallergenicity, while orthopedic ones do.

   

5. Usage- perhaps the main difference. A regular pillow is used for sleeping, and an orthopedic pillow is used for healthy sleep.

   

Yes, among orthopedic products there are also products of worse and better quality, and not every “healing” pillow will be beneficial.

Advice. If the pillow is made without observing the production rules, from non-certified materials, bypassing the license, it is better to prefer the usual fluff to it, especially with cervical osteochondrosis that has already begun to develop, which a poor-quality orthopedic product will only aggravate.

A real corrective, “useful” pillow will support not only the head, but also the neck, allow the spine to ensure the correct position during sleep and keep sleep healthy.

By the way. Having changed a regular pillow to an orthopedic one, you will probably feel at least uncomfortable for a week or two. Perhaps, due to inconvenience, sleep will be disturbed even more, and you will want to throw away the healing accessory and return to the old habitual option. Take your time, in two weeks the neck and head will fully adapt to the new position, and you will no longer be able to do without your favorite pillow.

Types and choice

Unusual pillows for sleep come not only in various shapes, but also in different levels. This may be a single roller or two rollers forming two planes. It can also be a flat pillow that does not change its shape, and has a "memory", retaining the effect of indentation of the body, as if remembering it. Of course, there is no brain in the sleeping accessory yet, but the materials used in production allow us to observe real miracles and use them successfully.

All people sleep differently, but there are only four options for body positions (not positions) during sleep: on the left side, on the right side, on the back and on the stomach. A lot has been written and said about the position in which it is better and more useful to sleep. Despite this, everyone chooses a position that is convenient for him. Manufacturers of orthopedic pillows have taken care to divide consumers of their products into sleeping on their side, back and stomach (although, according to doctors, this is the most harmful position for sleeping).

Important! For those who sleep on their side, a pillow with two rollers of different thicknesses is recommended. For lovers of sleeping on their backs, classic rollers or single-plane products are produced. And if a person prefers to sleep prone, he will need a roller, but small and very soft.

If you want to know in more detail what types are, as well as consider the rules of use, you can read an article about this on our portal.

Size and color

Having decided on the type of sleep and the type of product corresponding to it, it's time to start determining the size. This criterion does not depend at all on the size of the head, but on how calm your sleep is. If you constantly turn over, change position, rush about, you need to choose a larger area, you can even take a pillow 50 cm wide and 80 cm long. Not particularly restless, a standard size of 30x50 cm or 40x60 is enough.

As for the height, for sleeping on the side it should be 10x15 cm, on the back and stomach - 8-10.

By the way. It has been proven by research that the color of the pillow (as well as other bedding accessories) is important. Often this is the first thing a person sees after waking up, so it is recommended to choose light, pastel, cream tones.

materials

An equally important selection criterion is the material from which the pillow is made. Today there are many materials, different, having significant and insignificant differences.

Table. Materials for orthopedic pillows and their characteristics.

good sleep rules

Having decided on the material and model, it's time to find out how to use the new acquisition, designed to maintain health and improve the quality of sleep.

Human well-being and health in general largely depend on the quality of sleep, so the conditions in which we sleep play an important role in our life: indoor air, the right mattress and pillow. Today, doctors pay special attention to the pillow, and orthopedic pillows are advised to use not only those who suffer from, but also people with a healthy spine.

This article will discuss in detail the basic rules for choosing orthopedic pillows for sleeping, recommendations for proper sleep on them, the choice of material for these pillows, and much more.

In order to correctly distinguish a regular pillow from an orthopedic one, you should know the following:

1. Orthopedic pillows, as a rule, have an unusual shape. They can be square, round, or even completely irregular in shape, unlike regular pillows, which can be either rectangular or square.
2. In order not to make a mistake in choosing, you should also pay attention to its material, since it is he who plays the main role in this matter. If it is filled with foam rubber, down or synthetic winterizer, then such a pillow is probably ordinary. But if the filler in it is an unusual, slightly hard or crumbly material, then this is definitely an orthopedic roller.

You should also pay attention to its inscriptions and symbols. A conscientious manufacturer must report what kind of product he has and what it is intended for.

How to sleep

In order for the orthopedic support under the head and neck to really bring the expected benefits from it, you need to know the following rules for its use:

• It should support the neck more than the head itself, because this will ensure the correct position of the spine, which means healthy sleep. At first, sleeping on it can be extremely uncomfortable, and this is completely normal, because with a long sleep on too high rollers, a person gets used to it. But, as a rule, after a week, the neck and head fully adapt to the new sleeping device, so that the person does not even notice the inconvenience.
• Usually, specialized pillows have two rollers and different heights. So, you need to put it depending on the position in which the person sleeps. If he sleeps on his back, then a soft base should be placed with a smaller roller under his head. If he sleeps on his side, then vice versa, with a large roller. Thus, it will fill the space between the shoulder and the head, preventing the neck from bending down, which will significantly improve the quality of sleep and human health.

What are sleep pillows

Specialized sleep aids come in single-roller, double-roller, and flat sleepers. They can also be of a classic shape and with a body-remembering effect.

• Orthopedic pillows for sleeping on your side. For those people who mostly sleep on their side, it is best to purchase pillows with uneven bolsters.
• Orthopedic pillows for sleeping on the back. For those who like to sleep on their backs, it is recommended to use rigid rollers of a classic shape with a height of eight centimeters.
• Orthopedic pillows for sleeping on the stomach. If a person sleeps on his stomach (which is very harmful), then in this case a very soft small orthopedic roller will suit him.

Criterias of choice

There are the following criteria by which you need to choose pillows:

1. The size. As a rule, their length varies between 40-80 cm. The width is from 30 to 50 cm. The size should be selected depending on the position in the dream. If a person rolls a lot from side to side, then he needs a wider pad. If he sleeps quietly on his back or stomach, then a small pillow will be quite enough for him.
2. Height. The most optimal height of orthopedic pillows is considered to be from 10 to 15 cm. Higher head bases should be used for those people who prefer to sleep on their side. Low foundations under the head should be used for those who sleep on their stomach or back.
3. Colour. Even this factor plays an important role, since the first impression of a person when he wakes up depends on the color. It is preferable to use pillows in soft light colors (white, cream, beige).

The material inside the orthopedic pillow: the pros and cons of fillers

Orthopedic bases for the head are made of different materials (fillers):

1. Latex. It has such advantages:

• soft products made from it are comfortable and easily adapt to a lying person;
• they quickly return to their original form;
• dust mites do not start in this material;
• they are easy to wash.

The disadvantages of latex material can be called the fact that the body sweats on them.

2. Polyester. This material has the following advantages of its use:

• when a person tosses and turns, the pillow has time to take on a new shape of the body;
• easily restores its original shape;
• if the polyester roller is too high, then it can be reduced without problems by pouring a little filler;
• low price and long service lines;
• ease of washing.

The downside is that not so many pillows are produced from polyester, which have different shapes. Also, they can be uncomfortable to sleep on.

3. Buckwheat husk has such advantages as a filler:

• it is environmentally friendly;
• has good orthopedic properties;
• has a buckwheat flavor;

Cons of this filler:

• it can not be washed, only dried;
• fungus may appear in it, from which an unpleasant odor will arise.

Pillows made of buckwheat husks are breathable, thanks to which the head does not sweat on them, and also has a massage effect due to the triangular shape of the husk.

• dust mites do not start in it;
• he serves for a long time;
• it takes the shape of the head, so it supports it as efficiently as possible;
• when a person gets up, he knocks himself back into shape;
• has a comfortable temperature regardless of whether it is cold or hot in the room.

The disadvantage of this material is the high cost.

5. Gel. This is a new material that has the following advantages:

• Great for both sleeping on your stomach and sleeping on your side.
• has different forms;
• very convenient.

Its disadvantages include the high cost and somewhat unusual sensations during the first use of such pillows.

Orthopedic pillows with memory effect have become very popular recently, you can learn more about them from.

• if the neck hurts in the morning, and the shoulders are like wooden, then the device used to support the head is very low, and the mattress is excessively hard;
• if a person often tosses and turns, then it is possible that his pillow is too high;
• the wider the shoulders, the higher the support under the head should be used;
• it is best to buy these sleep aids in special salons or stores that sell quality goods;
• when choosing pillows, it is recommended to lie down on it a little to see if it is comfortable;

See also a video on how to choose the right orthopedic pillow:

Now they are reading.

Sedentary work and low levels of physical activity during the day are not uncommon these days. And if we add to this the fact that most of us spend most of the day, and quite often at night, in an uncomfortable position, then it is not surprising that back diseases are so common.

During the day, you can walk or do something to change your uncomfortable posture to a more comfortable one, distract yourself, or do some physical exercise. But at night it all depends on what kind of bed and pillow you have. Orthopedic products are very popular today. They can save you a lot of problems. We want to talk about choosing an orthopedic pillow in our article.

The functions of this product are already reflected in its name. After all, this household item has a very positive effect on the condition of our spine during a night's sleep. Anatomic pillow fixes the body in a certain position. Moreover, it is convenient to sleep on it not only on the side, but also lying on the back. In addition, a comfortable position of the neck and head during the night allows a person to get a good rest and recharge with vigor and positive for the whole day.

Some people think that sleeping without a pillow is healthy, although uncomfortable. But it's not. Such a dream can not only create discomfort, but also worsen the blood supply to the brain due to vascular clamping, and cause myofascial pain. An orthopedic pillow, subject to the right choice, solves this problem once and for all.

With its help, you can reduce the risk of occurrence and development of osteochondrosis, as the load on the spinal column, the intensity of pain, if there are already pathological changes, is reduced. In addition, the lack of proper sleep can lead to depression, decreased performance, drowsiness, irritability, headache due to overexertion, and other disorders. When resting on an anatomical pillow, selected individually, all these problems will not bother you.

Orthopedic pillows come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Therefore, it is easy and convenient to choose, depending on your parameters, exactly the one that is ideal for you. It is very important not to rush and first measure the distance between the shoulders at home. The help of a good sales assistant will also be indispensable, so it is best to buy an orthopedic pillow in a specialized store.

Depending on the shape

If you have broad shoulders, then choose a product with a length of 70-75 cm, and if narrow, then a pillow less than 60 cm will do. If you decide to purchase a pillow for a child, then a length of 20-30 cm is enough.

In addition to this parameter, it is important to choose a suitable pillow in height, otherwise it will only harm you. Two parameters are of great importance here:

• How do you lie while sleeping?
• what do you sleep on.

If your favorite sleeping position is on one side, then you can buy a pillow above 10 cm. A product with side rollers that will fix the head and prevent the body from taking the wrong position is also good.

If you mainly sleep on your back or stomach, then you should not get a high pillow. An orthopedic pillow from 6 cm in height is perfect. Pay special attention to the product with a small indentation in the middle.

Another important parameter when choosing a pillow is its shape. Here we can not give you recommendations on the choice, as each person has their own preferences. It is worth noting only that there are pillows not only under the head, but also under other parts of the body, for example, under the back, arm, shoulder. In addition to home use, they can be carried with you or used in a car.

Internal structure and material

The most important criterion for choosing an orthopedic pillow is, of course, its filler. It comes in several types:

• latex or its variety called "viscolatex";
• cooling gel;
• latex springs, having a very small length;
• foam made from a special material of biological origin.

There are also anatomical pillows with natural filler. This is, for example, buckwheat husk, which easily takes the shape of the human body and holds it, unloading the muscles and vertebrae of the cervical region and allowing you to have a good rest and sleep. Remember that such a product requires special care and storage conditions.

Other selection criteria

In addition to differences in shape and structure, orthopedic pillows differ in manufacturer and price. A variety of countries are engaged in the production of these products, among which pillows from Italy, Sweden, Germany, Finland, etc. are the most popular. Anatomical products from Russia are also increasingly in demand on the modern market.

So, for example, among the manufacturers in Russia, the leading companies are Trivers, Trelax, Ascona, Ormatek and many others. They have long established themselves in the Russian market and are known abroad for their high quality material and filler, as well as ease of use.

Tempur from Denmark, Bedding Industries from Italy, and many others find their customers all over the world.

The choice of orthopedic pillow should be approached responsibly. After all, the quality of your night's rest depends on it to a greater extent. Of course, the reviews of familiar relatives and friends are very important. But relying on them completely is not worth it, because due to the individual characteristics of the body structure, height, weight, shoulder width, what suits them perfectly cannot be used by you.

If you feel discomfort while resting on a pillow, this does not always mean that the product does not suit you. Usually getting used to it, especially if before that you slept on a large down or padding pillow, occurs within a few days. If the inconvenience does not go away for a month or more, the product must be replaced, since you made the wrong choice.

If you sleep on your back most of the time than on your right or left side, then buy a low pillow. If your favorite sleeping position is on your stomach, then choose a low and soft one. The mattress is also of great importance when choosing an orthopedic pillow. The softer it is, the higher it will be required. If you have broad shoulders, then choose a taller and larger model. If you constantly want to put your hand under your head, then you chose not a high enough pillow.

Remember that pain in the neck, body leakage, discomfort are the main signs of an improperly selected product. Also, before going to the store for an anatomical pillow or buying online, measure the length of the shoulder. The length of the pillow should be slightly more than this indicator.

Product Care Rules

In order for your pillow to remain usable for as long as possible, you need to follow a few simple rules. These include mandatory weekly outdoor ventilation and compliance with all the recommendations prescribed in the instructions. Also remember: in order not to disturb the ventilation of the pillow, do not cover it with a blanket and leave it open throughout the day. For the same purpose, do not use too dense or thick fabrics for pillowcases.

Humidity in the room should not be high. Its indicators above 65-70% harm the product. Careful handling is very important for durability. Orthopedic pillow requires constant turning and shaking, it should not be thrown, crushed or stored in the wrong position for a long time.

Comparative characteristics of some species

Most often, a buyer who wants to purchase an orthopedic pillow for the first time is lost in a variety of shapes, sizes, sizes, fillers and manufacturers. In addition, there are companies that produce specialized products designed for children and people recovering from injuries and already having serious problems with the spine.

We would like to dwell in more detail on Italian and Russian manufacturers, whose products are most popular in our country. In Russia, as mentioned above, several companies are engaged in the production of orthopedic pillows. Among them are Trivers, Trelax, Askona and Ormatek. Well-known Italian manufacturers include Magniflex, MaterLux, Vefer and Sealy.

The price category for products of both Russian and Italian companies is approximately the same. The average cost of each product starts from 2000 rubles. Italian products are distinguished by their original shape and the natural materials used. Most often, the upper part of such orthopedic pillows bends in the form of a wave and has different height levels, which allows the person to be most comfortable during sleep.

The Russian company "Trelax" produces orthopedic pillows of various types and designs, suitable for the whole family: from the smallest to its oldest members. A distinctive feature of this manufacturer is the presence in the range of unusual products, for example, designer pillows for babies, which do an excellent job both with their main function of correct positioning of the body during sleep and unloading the cervical spine, and protect the child from injury.

The use of orthopedic pillows has its positive and negative sides. Below we will describe the main ones.

Advantages of using anatomical pillows

1. Absolute environmental friendliness

Well-known and time-tested manufacturers use only high-quality materials in the production of such orthopedic pillows.

1. Security

It is worth remembering that an orthopedic pillow will become completely safe for human health only if it is selected correctly. Otherwise, due to its use, back pain and other problems may occur.

1. Comfort and ease of use

Thanks to the high-quality materials used in the production of orthopedic pillows, as well as its individually selected type, your every sleep will be pleasant and full, in the morning after waking up you will feel completely rested.

1. Hypoallergenic

Unlike a feather pillow, an orthopedic pillow is suitable for almost everyone - regardless of price or manufacturer.

1. Ease of care

Each manufacturer in the leaflet or instruction manual will tell you in detail about the features of caring for their product.

1. Correct body position during sleep

Each orthopedic pillow gently fixes the neck and head in the correct position during the entire period of sleep. This helps to avoid leaks and other problems.

1. Long operating time

The anatomic pillow will serve you for a very long time, without requiring special care, spending money on dry cleaning and time.

Cons of using orthopedic pillows

1. Price

Today, despite its popularity, an orthopedic pillow is an expensive pleasure.

1. The Consequences of the Wrong Choice

Poor quality or improperly selected anatomical pillow will do more harm than good. Therefore, approach her choice seriously, not relying only on the opinions of your friends and acquaintances, commercials or reviews on the Internet. Consider your individual parameters and body structure.

As you can see, there are many types of anatomical pillows. All of them differ from each other in form, quality, structure, manufacturer, price category. It is very important to choose just such a pillow, on which it will be convenient and comfortable to sleep, and after waking up you will feel full of energy and rested. To do this, take into account all the features of each type of product, objectively evaluate your parameters and choose the right one for you.

Torticollis is one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases in newborns. According to statistics, this disease is inferior in terms of prevalence only to congenital clubfoot and hip dislocation.

At present, quite a lot of effective methods for treating torticollis in newborns have been developed that do not cause any discomfort and pain to children. One of the means of prevention and treatment of the disease in question is a special orthopedic pillow - it is recommended to be used by many doctors, and the same number of specialists insist on the categorical futility, and sometimes even harmfulness, of using such accessories.

Next, you are invited to familiarize yourself with the basic information about orthopedic pillows for newborns. After studying the information below, you will find out how much more good a pillow is than harm and when it is really necessary to use it.

• Basic information about children's orthopedic pillows

  Manufacturers of children's products unanimously talk about the invaluable benefits of orthopedic products for newborns. But how true are these statements? Next, you are invited to understand this moment.
  

  In fact, the main task of such a pillow is to ensure the correct and uniform development of the cervical spine in a newborn. The product is made taking into account the most important features of children's physiology, helps to maintain the user's head and neck in the desired position, due to which the level of stress on the neck decreases, and blood circulation, as well as muscle tone, returns to normal.

  In addition, according to the manufacturers, infant orthopedic pillows have other advantages, including:

  • the ability to provide a normal level of heat transfer;
  • hypoallergenic properties;
  • ease of care;
  • long service life without loss of original characteristics.

  In theory, an orthopedic pillow for young children is a kind of “magic wand” that allows you to get rid of congenital torticollis and helps prevent the onset of an acquired form of this disease. But what do doctors say about this?
  

  Baby pillows: a view from the side of medicine

  Despite the huge number of declared advantages, the opinion of orthopedists is largely at odds with the position of manufacturers of such products. The established features of human development speak in favor of doctors.

  So, the formation of the cervical bend of the child's spine occurs at a time when the baby learns to independently hold his head in the position he needs. The thoracic curve, along with this, is formed when a person begins to sit down on his own. Lumbar, respectively, develops during the period of learning to walk.
  

  With the intentional acceleration of the described activities, for example, using the same orthopedic pillows, the consequences can be extremely unfavorable. It is known that in the old days, newborns were not put any pillows at all, and there were no problems with the cervical part of the spine.

  In accordance with the conclusions of doctors, even today it is better to lay children without any kind of pillows, because only under such conditions will the necessary processes of physiological change in the shape of the skull and the formation of the spine be provided.

  Thus, in the overwhelming majority of cases, qualified specialists recommend refraining from using any kind of pillows, otherwise the newborn's neck will be subjected to heavy loads, which will have a far from beneficial effect on the processes of its formation and development.

  When is an orthopedic pillow really necessary?

  However, in some situations, the use of special pillows is really necessary and justified from a medical point of view. An example is the process of treating such a deviation as torticollis. In this case, the need to use an orthopedic pillow will be determined in accordance with the degree of curvature of the neck and the condition of the patient as a whole.

  Important! If the baby is prone to regular regurgitation, it is strictly forbidden to put an orthopedic pillow on him.

  Table. Indications for the use of an orthopedic pillow for a child

  It is important to understand that in practice, a special pillow is not a panacea for torticollis and other problems mentioned. In some cases, the disease in question has to be treated medically or even surgically.
  

  In general, torticollis therapy should be prescribed exclusively by an experienced specialist. In most situations, the problem can be dealt with with the help of special physical procedures and massage sessions. Therefore, first of all, listen to the advice of a doctor and do not use a pillow without his recommendation.

  Rules for the use of an orthopedic pillow

  As noted, in infancy, a pillow should be used only if there is a medical indication for this - up to a year, children put a maximum of a diaper folded several times under their heads.

  If the doctor recommends the use of the product in question, pay, first of all, attention not to its shape and color, but to the size - a doctor or a consultant from a specialized store will help you choose it in accordance with the dimensions of the child.

  Next, the parent needs to figure out how to properly use such a pillow so that it actually helps the child, and does not harm him. Outwardly, such a pillow has a certain asymmetry (there are other models, but this is the most popular): on one side of the product there is a large roller, on the other side a small one is fixed.
  

  If your baby sleeps on his back, put a small cushion under his head. A large roller is used when the child sleeps on his side. In the middle of the product there is a recess for the baby's head. Thanks to the pillow, the position of the child's neck will be in a normal state in relation to the entire spine, the load will be evenly distributed throughout the body and the muscles will relax.

  In the absence of contraindications, you can sleep on such a pillow from the age of one month and on average up to two years, but this moment must first be agreed with the doctor.

  Important! When choosing a pillow, make sure that the height of its roller corresponds to the width of the baby's shoulder. Only if this recommendation is followed, the neck will remain in an even and generally correct position.

  Contraindications to the use of orthopedic pillows

  If used improperly, the pillow in question can do more harm than good, so the possibility of its use, as noted, is subject to mandatory prior agreement with the doctor.
  

  It is important to understand that the use of such a product limits the mobility of the child's head during sleep, which is fraught with the most adverse consequences, especially if the child is prone to frequent spitting up or has breathing problems.

  Thus, an orthopedic pillow can be of real benefit in the fight against torticollis, but it should only be used if there is a medical indication for this from a qualified specialist.

  Do not self-medicate and be healthy!

  Video - Orthopedic pillow for newborns with torticollis