Babies and pillows

I read the article Cot deaths (June 8) with interest. Although soft mattresses and thick blankets are mentioned as possible causes leading to cot death, the article makes no mention against the use of pillows for young babies.

In Britain, it is strongly advised that pillows are not to be used for babies under the age of two. This is because of the possibility that the use of pillows may lead to the sudden infant death syndrome.

During the many years I have been in Indonesia, I have discovered with horror that all the Indonesian families that I have come across use pillows for their new born babies.

How do you tell Granny that perhaps it would be a good idea not to use two small bolsters and a nice soft pillow?

I hope your article was also printed in Indonesian and widely circulated for people's information.

PHILIP HATCH-BARNWELL

Jakarta