Topponcino: The Miracle Pillow

I have three close friends who have completed the Assistants to Infancy training course (to support the development of children from birth through age 3). When they found out I was pregnant, all three told me to make a topponcino.

A toppon-WHAT?! A topponcino is a thin full-body infant pillow that provides the newborn with a sense of security when being passed from one person to another or when being placed onto his bed when he falls asleep in arms.

mom-holding-baby-on-topponcino_1200x www.topponcinocompany.com

Being the crunchy momma that I am, I argued that the topponcino would interfere with the child feeling the mother's arms around him.  All three friends wisely smiled and said: "Well, you don't HAVE to use it if you don't want to."

I went ahead and made it anyways (save your sanity and get yours here*)... But then I put it in the back of the baby's closet and promptly forgot about it.

The baby was born, and as most parents of newborns will tell you, my life was turned upside-down. I went into survival mode, trying to figure out what my baby needed and how to best satisfy those needs. For four weeks I struggled with his naps; he'd fall asleep without any problems in my arms after breastfeeding, but whenever I placed him in his bassinet he would quickly stir and begin to cry.

One month after his birth, after countless infuriating cycles of "nurse, burp, sleep, put in bassinet, wake up & cry, repeat, tear my hair out", I remembered the topponcino in the back of the baby's closet, and my friends' suggestion to use it when transferring the baby to his bed. I placed my screaming over-tired infant on the topponcino, offered the breast, and watched him soothe and fall asleep. I lowered him down to his bassinet on the topponcino, then very slowly and gently removed my hands from beneath it, and held my breath in anticipation of a meltdown.

Nothing happened. Baby slept. And slept and slept! And guess who's sleeping as well?! I've since used the topponcino with my second child and avo20120219-105503.jpgided many of the sleep issues I faced with my first.

My baby needed to feel the consistency and security of a surface that wouldn't change temperature, firmness, or smell during those fragile moments of first sleep. The topponcino does this beautifully, and as usual I am humbled by the simplicity and elegance that is Montessori.

*This post contains an affiliate link.  By purchasing a product through the link, you're helping to support the Montessori content you love (at no cost to you)!  Thank you!

 

12 comments

Jenny
 

Bravo Pillar, now you know what works for Zachary. Can't wait to meet him!
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about a girl
 

Yeah I finally found your new blog. Congratulations to you and your husband Pilar! What a wonderfully exciting time for you. I'm soooo happy you've started this blog and it's perfect timing for me as I'm expecting my second in May! With my daughter I only came to Montessori when she was 12 months so I'm looking forward to starting from the beginning with this one. I would love to make a topponcino for my little one and was wondering if you have a pattern? If not what dimensions did you make yours and what type of foam? Hope you don't mind but I'll probably be asking you lots of questions about your journey as you go along. Once again many congratulations on entering the world of parenthood!
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Thomasin
 

I've never heard of this (it hasn't been in the books I've read so far) but it's awesome. Very cool.
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Going Coverless
 

I love topponcinos! Congratulations on your new little baby.
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susanstephenson
 

Michael Olaf topponcino and cover here: http://michaelolaf.com/store/1gentle.html#46
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susanstephenson
 

Michael Olaf topponcinos and covers here: http://michaelolaf.com/store/1gentle.html#46
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susanstephenson
 

The original topponcino is best, but it must be handwashed and air dried - usually places in the bottom of a regular bathtub and then gently pressed on, not squeezed. It takes some time, and so does the air drying. that is why we have the foam one made. They both serve the same purpose. I enjoyed the picture above, of my eldest granddaughter holding her new baby brother in the hospital on the first day of his life - a very good use of the topponcino!
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the full monte(ssori)
 

Hi Ruth, sorry for the delay. I don't think there's any functional difference, it's mostly a matter of preference and perhaps breathability. I would go with the original, it just seems more appropriate for a newborn, but that's just me. :)
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Ruth Reynolds
 

What is the difference between the original and the foam topponcino? Any opinions on how they would functionally different?
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Quin going into week 3 | When the diaper leaks
 

[…] seems most peaceful in contact with us. At night she somehow moves several inches out of her topponcino so her head is touching my […]
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The 2nd Time Around | Sugar and Slugs
 

[…] like Emma, he won’t sleep more than 15 mins at a time in a crib. I am thinking of getting a topponcino. Has anyone had experience with […]
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The Topponcino Company
 

Topponcinos make it so easy to transfer a sleeping baby from arms to bed. Love it! Fantastic article - thank you!
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