As I documented in this post HERE, my little baby Finley has FHS, Flat Head Syndrome - also known as Plagiocephaly. One side of his head (the left side) is flat. Boooo.
I told you all I'd look for something to help improve his head shape and that can also be used to prevent FHS from birth so I started researching on the 'net.
I didn't realise that Theraline, with whom I've worked before HERE, offer something called 'The Baby Pillow' - and I think it's, potentially, the perfect item for prams, playmats, boucers, moses baskets, cribs etc, you know, the places where newborns spend most of their time.
I always thought pillows where a no-no as far as babies go. But this one is different.
First and foremost comes the safety element. Due to the clever criss-cross layering of materials, it has an extrememly high air circulation, even when weighed down. In the event that baby should roll over onto this pillow face down, there's no immediate danger compared to the associated risks of rolling over on to a standard pillow. Of course, supervision is still very much recommended - as with any baby products anyway, but this is a great peace of mind for any parent.
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| Image courtesy of Theraline |
It has a preformed dip in the centre of the pillow, which encourages the round of his head to stay in place from birth - when movement is minimal during sleep. It reduces the pressure on your littlun's skull, which is still soft, thus preventing the flat head from occurring.
When using this pillow from the age of around 2 months where baby can become restless, it still allows for free movement with no discomfort. In order to assist with the regression of Flat Head, you should try to reposition baby as often as is possible.
It does slip - especially now Finley rolls on his side a lot, or kicks so much he's managed to travel a foot in distance on his own!
Whilst you can prevent any slipping by positioning the pillow under, say, the fitted sheet of his crib, it increases the risk due to the pillow's breathability being compromised. Personally, I would rather use this pillow freely and reposition Finley as and when possible.
I've found this pillow to be no problem for Finley. He doesn't appear uncomfortable, he doesn't cry or look frustrated at all and he doesn't get sweaty either, thanks to that breathable fabric. Actually, he's rather calm when on the pillow and looks very content indeed!
The best thing about the pillow - for me - is being able to travel with it. As I don't drive, Finley spends an awful lot of time on his back in his pram. I just pop this under his head before we set off and, as the pram is parent facing, it's super easy to see when to adjust where necessary.
We head off to Blackpool for our week away soon, each and every day is planned out and Finley will be in the pram for even more time than is usual during our day trips, and on his back at the hotel - especially given that we won't have a bouncer or anything to pop him into. I will be using this pillow religiously throughout the week to get optimum pressure distribution.
I've already written some tips on how to prevent FHS here, but it's not as easy as it reads, especially when baby hates tummy time!
Theraline Baby Pillow's retail at £19.90 at Boots HERE - why not make the most of it and use your advantage card whilst you're at it!
This is a must for any new baby, where prevention is easier than cure. I'm gutted I didn't know about, or think about needing, this pillow prior to Finley's birth.
I urge any expectant or new mum to invest in one of these pillows - purely to prevent flat head, rather than have to treat it later on down the line.
I'll follow up on this post in a couple of months time and report back how Finley's grown with it and whether we've seen an improvement at all.
In the meantime, Theraline have very kindly offered another pillow to one of my readers. Just enter via the rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
As leaving a comment is madatory - please don't enter as 'anonymous' without leaving your name in the comment, else your entry will not be verifiable.
Giveaway closes 2nd September at 11:59pm.
Please allow up to 28 days for delivery and the sponsor (Theraline) is responsible for dispatch, not me, therefore by entering you agree to your details being passed on to Theraline for prize fulfilment.
DISCLAIMER: I was sent this PR sample free of charge for the purposes of review.
All opinions are my own, honest and open. I was not paid to write this post.
Linking to Kate @ Family Fever's #TriedTested linky
Linking to Kate @ Family Fever's #TriedTested linky
