Selecting a Baby Cushion - Things to Consider

All cushions are created equal right? Actually that is a bit of a lie. All cushions are not created equal would perhaps be more accurate. This is especially true in the world of baby cushions. You have cushions for high chairs, big floor cushions for tummy time and senses development; you even have cushions designed specifically to help you with breast feeding. So how do you pick the baby cushion that is right for you and your baby. With a saturated market like this there is obviously huge choice and this article is the first in a planned series that aims to delve into the various baby cushions that are available and what things to look out for when buying one.

There are many types of cushion on the market to cater for many scenarios your baby will be in. There are large, comfy, flat floor cushions that can provide a safe play environment. These cushions can often be used as an aid to help babies crawl as they can use a cushion to learn how to support themselves on their knees. Another important use of these cushions is "tummy time". Experts agree that babies who don't spend time face-down often have some delays in their development of motor skills. Tummy time is considered essential in order for babies to learn to develop motor skills needed to push up, sit up and eventually stand up.

You can also buy cushions that are much more visually stimulating and in exciting colors. These often come in animal designs with lots of movable parts which help babies develop their body awareness, their ability to discriminate between colors and shapes and their sense of touch.

Baby cushions are also available specifically designed to help breast feeding. These horseshoe-shaped cushions go around your body with the baby laying on top of it. Keeping the baby close to your body, as all midwives will tell you is very important to form a bond with your baby and this cushion allows this. The cushion ensures the baby is positioned correctly to feed but it also makes sure that the mother is comfortable by not forcing her to bend her back.

Cushions designed to help you during pregnancy are also available. These cushions offer a wide range of support for lying and sitting which as we all know becomes a chore as the due date approaches! Try to find soft wedges to put under your belly to support the baby!

The modern high chairs on the market today such as Stokke Tripp Trapp and Svan also provide ranges of cushions in many different color combinations. Not just for comfort, these cushions are designed to keep your baby in the proper posture so as to accelerate their ability to sit upright unaided.

Day to day practicality and safety are obviously very important factors when selecting a cushion that your baby will be spending a lot of time in contact with. Look for cushions that meet the CAL TB 117 fire retardant standard. Also look for cushions with removable, washable covers. Covers that can be spot-wiped are also very desirable.

Hopefully this article has set the scene for the different types of baby cushion that are available. There is an often overwhelming choice available of cushions that purport to help the early development of your baby and during the first few weeks after birth you are often to exhausted to make a clear decision.