Pillows and babies...

Do you have an owlet or a sock that tracks oxygen levels etc to give you peace of mind and there are baby/ toddler flat pillows I know guidance says you shouldn’t but if you are then maybe look at what the safest pillow options are etc hope you get some sleep

Could you put a thin folded sheet underneath their cot sheet? Where the head would be?

maybe try stuffing the pillow under the sheet, so it’s like they’re having a pillow but can’t actually get to it which would make it less of a hazard x

I can completely relate to this, my daughter only seems to sleep face down into my duvet! Have no suggestions but I hope you start getting some sleep! Xx

Have you tried putting something under the bassinet/crib mattress to angle it? Alternatively, have you considered safe cosleeping at least to get through tough nights?

I technically used a pillow almost since like 1 month.. I used my pregnancy pillow and positioned him in a way where his head was on my arm and I held the pillow tight to my body with my legs so he couldn't fall in between. (I know risky) then as he got bigger we laid him in between us without the pregnancy pillow but his head was on my pillow with me, I still woke up quite I bit always checking to make sure but he was always good, now he loves pillows he has his own on his bed and when it's bed time he lays himself down on the pillow I did monitor him during naps very closely until I was confident then he got his own cot (we extended our bed with a fold out bed that's super comfy) and he's been great.

Have you considered hiring a sleep trainer? Best decision we made

We had a pillow from 9 months 🤷🏽‍♀️. He loved it and slept amazing. I think you have to do what you feel safest with

I put a big towel folded it up under the mattress it’s not a massive lift it’s just a bit of an angle, I had to do it due to really bad reflux and it’s worked a treat because when he was in his next to me I put his head of eg level 2 and then his feel would be on level 1 x

It may be more the smell of it and not that its a pillow. If it's normally your pillow he probably is comforted by your scent

@Sophie this is exactly what I would do! I couldn't tell you how many times I typed and deleted this post before posting it and explaining this 🙈 thankyou

@Sarah I've tried it all! Ive walked around at home with a t-shirt stuffed up a shirt and put it around the cot for smell and that wasn't working. I even tried with another pillow that hasn't got my smell on it and it was comfort to my little one straight away! I have honestly gone through every trick I can think of and it just seems that extra comfort of something to lay their head on is the only thing that soothes them

@Elyssa I've tried this too and it's not worked in my favour. He's a reflux baby and I thought this would be the trick, tried it for a few nights but nothing really changed unfortunately. Co-sleeping isn't an option, I'm too paranoid even if I was following it safely x

@Lauryn i was just explaining my experience which is what the poster asked for they asked if anyone used a pillow or something similar. Not technically recommending

@Jess you can hire them? I did it all by myself😢 it was so hard but so worth it. It didn’t just benefit me but my little guy too.

My niece when she was a baby had reflux as well. She too would only sleep when elevated. I’m not sure if this is done anymore, but the doctor or some type of medical professional made her a contraption that kept her safe and elevated. It might be worth researching or even asking your pediatrician!

4-12 times is a lot! Is your child hungry perhaps? What milk and food routine are you on during the day? There might be a simple solution to it. Also what are you doing when he wakes you up? Ie. How are you putting him back down?

Could you try the pillow for a supervised nap first then you can see whether it does actually make a difference or not before trying it overnight? I feel your pain as my 15 mo is up hourly and has never slept through the night and there are times I've been so desperate for sleep I've considered things that don't technically fall under safe sleep, but it's got to a point before where me being so sleep deprived has been more unsafe than whatever we've tried, but we carefully weighed up each option and risk assessed. It's likely that it's more the snuggling in bed that would be settling him rather than the pillow. Have you tried safe co sleeping? But if you try the pillow for a supervised nap that could help you determine if it is the pillow or snuggling.