A wedge positioner is a pillow used to position the body while sleeping or during medical procedures. It was popular for babies in the 1980s, but experts now caution against using them due to the risk of suffocation. Adults with conditions such as arthritis can benefit from them. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns against using them with babies due to the risk of suffocation. Medical professionals use them to position patients during procedures.
A wedge positioner is a type of sleep aid used to keep the body positioned in a certain way while sleeping or napping. It features a triangular or wedge-shaped design and consists of a thick cushion covered in waterproof fabric or plastic. Traditionally, parents have relied on the wedge positioner to help babies sleep more soundly, though modern experts have cautioned against using these pillows due to the risk of suffocation. Adults can use a wedge positioner to help cope with pain from arthritis or other conditions. The medical professions also rely on these pillows to properly position a patient during MRIs and other medical procedures.
The standard wedge positioner consists of a simple triangular shaped pad, which is placed under the body to elevate the head. A flat mat may extend from the underside of the wedge to serve as a cushioned area under the body. Models made for newborns often have bolsters extending from the wedge that are designed to rest under the baby’s armpits and cradle the baby into position. Many are vented to keep your baby from overheating.
Wedge positioners first gained popularity in the 1980s when parents used them to prevent plagiocenphaly in children, a condition that leads to flat spots on the head. Doctors at the time also encouraged parents to use these pillows to keep their baby’s head elevated, which aids in digestion and reduces acid reflux problems. Some parents relied on a wedge positioner because it simply helped their baby be more comfortable and sleep more soundly. Finally, the wedge positioner was thought to be an effective tool for holding infants on their backs while they slept in an effort to prevent sudden infant death syndrome.
In 2010, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning that parents should stop using these types of positioners with sleeping babies. The CPSC reported that at least 12 babies had died because they were placed in the crib with a wedge positioner during the period 1997 to 2010. Some had rolled off the wedge and were trapped between the pillow and the crib bars, while others they were pushed back so that their heads tilted back from the top of the pillow. Many other medical professionals have enforced the CPSC’s warning to stop using these wedge positioners and keep all blankets and pillows out of a baby’s crib.
Adults with arthritis and other conditions may benefit from using these types of body positioners. The pillow can be placed under the knees to improve comfort, or used to better position the body so the adult can sleep more soundly. Some doctors recommend that patients with sleep apnea use these pillows to elevate their upper body and improve respiratory function while sleeping. Finally, doctors and nurses rely on these and other positioning devices to properly position the patient and keep them immobilized during X-rays, MRIs, and other procedures.
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