What's the deal with toddler pillows?

[Karenn]

Yesterday, Colin pulled a little pillow down from the couch and promptly lay down on the floor and snuggled up with it! It was absolutely adorable and I want to run right out and buy him a pillow! (Anything to help him sleep right?!) But I'm having trouble finding any information on when it is appropriate for a toddler to have a pillow. At a year, he's past the risk of SIDS, but he just barely qualifies as a toddler. I notice many of the sites selling toddler pillows say "not for use in cribs." Is there something unique about a crib that makes pillows unsafe, or is this just to make certain that parents don't put pillows in with their younger babies? Also, when I search here, I notice that most of you who were buying pillows had babies just a few months older. Anyone have any information on when Colin will be old enough for a pillow?

Thanks!

[22tango]

I think I recall reading something about blankets being okay at 1 year but waiting until 2 for pillows...but don't hold me to it! LOL!

Actually, I think part of the danger of pillows in cribs is the ability of the baby to use them to step on to help them get over the rails! EEK!

[egoldber]

I would wait a little longer for a pillow. Sarah didn't really seem to need or want one until 20 months or so. But if you think it will help him sleep then by all means!

And from what I have observed, if a toddler is an agile enough climber, they don't NEED a pillow to help them climb out of a crib! LOL!