What is recommended regarding the use of pillows in a baby's sleep environment?

The recommendation against the use of pillows in a baby's sleep environment primarily stems from safety concerns. Babies have an increased risk of suffocation, rebreathing, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) when soft bedding materials, including pillows, are introduced into their sleep space. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that infants should sleep on a firm, flat surface without any soft bedding, including blankets, pillows, or bumper pads, to minimize these risks.

The focus on a safe sleep environment is crucial for infants, especially considering their developmental stage and inability to reposition themselves if they become entrapped in soft materials. Therefore, by recommending that pillows should not be used, this guidance aims to create a safer sleeping environment for babies, reducing the incidence of sleep-related deaths.

While some options suggest age or firmness criteria for pillow use, these do not align with current pediatric guidelines, which emphasize avoiding all forms of pillows until the child is older and able to sleep in a safer manner.