| Many baby pillows with various types of design and | | | | factors were also discovered. In 2005, an AAP task |
| decoration are available at stores and craft shows. | | | | force released a new statement, which included |
| These lovely creations are tempting for new parents | | | | several recommendations. Foremost, babies must be |
| or someone shopping for a unique baby gift to | | | | laid to sleep on the back only, not on the side. Included |
| purchase. But is a baby pillow safe for your baby? If | | | | in the recommendations was a clearly defined list of |
| you receive a baby pillow as a gift or purchase one | | | | items to place in the crib: a firm mattress, a fitted |
| for your child, there are some chilling facts you must | | | | sheet, and the baby. If a bumper pad is used it must |
| know before you place the pillow in the crib with your | | | | not be a loose, fluffy type. There should be no baby |
| baby. | | | | pillow, stuffed toys, etc. in the crib with the infant. In |
| SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is the leading | | | | response to increased incidence of flat head |
| cause of death in the United States for infants one | | | | syndrome, alternate methods of prevention were |
| month to one year of age. In the early 90s, based on | | | | advised. The AAP felt the use of alternate positioning |
| reports out of Europe and Australia, the American | | | | or a baby pillow were not worth risking SIDS. |
| Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a | | | | There is a baby pillow on the market, called Baby |
| recommendation that babies not be placed on their | | | | Sleep Positioner, which includes the recommendations |
| tummies for sleep. As a result of the recommendation | | | | for SIDS prevention in its advertising. The baby pillow |
| from the AAP, the Back To Sleep initiative was | | | | sleep positioner is made of memory foam and keeps |
| started in 1994 through the leadership of several | | | | the infant in the recommended position, while cushioning |
| national agencies. | | | | the back of the head. The AAP is careful to state it |
| Following this, various studies and surveys were | | | | does not endorse any products for use in the crib |
| conducted to evaluate the relevance of this change on | | | | other than those it lists. Prior to using the baby pillow |
| the occurrence of SIDS. These studies showed the | | | | sleep positioner, parents should first seek the advice of |
| rate of SIDS decreased by 50%, but other related | | | | their Pediatrician to be safe. |