Best Toddler Pillows

Sleep hygiene is important for everyone, but it’s especially essential that children and toddlers get quality sleep since their bodies are growing quickly. Furthermore, if your toddler gets a good night’s rest, the odds are that you will too. You may have already done your mattress and bedframe research, but choosing the right pillow is also essential to your toddler’s comfort and safety.

Though the timeframe does vary, many children over 18 months are ready for the additional comfort a pillow provides. Introducing a pillow to your toddler does come with some caveats, however, as there are important safety requirements to consider. Although infants are more at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and suffocation, toddlers may still be susceptible to a similar risk, sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC), with improper pillow use.

We outline the most important features to look for in a toddler pillow, such as filling, support, size, and material quality. We’ll also highlight our top picks and explain what aspects set them apart from other models so you can more confidently select the right fit for your child.

In-Depth Reviews

How to Choose a Toddler Pillow

Good sleep hygiene is essential to a toddler’s wellbeing. Introducing a pillow at the right time can enhance your toddler’s comfort and sleep quality. Adding a pillow often coincides with a milestone in growth development as well as the transition from a crib to a bed, but there are still certain safety requirements to consider. We’ll discuss the most important factors to weigh when purchasing a toddler pillow, such as material quality, size, and firmness.

What to Consider When Purchasing a Toddler Pillow

The best toddler should have just the right amount of fill so that a toddler’s spine, neck, and head are at an optimal angle. Size, support, firmness, and material quality are a few critical factors to consider when making your purchase. Given this accident-prone age, washability is also an important feature to keep in mind. Not only can it make your life easier, but it can also help you keep your toddler clean and comfortable.

Fill Materials
You want to make sure that your child’s neck and head are at the correct angle to encourage proper spinal alignment, as this is beneficial to a toddler’s comfort and growth. The quantity of fill is therefore important since it determines lift. Fill for toddler pillows can range from natural materials, like cotton and fiber, to synthetic, like foam and polyester. The type of material will also determine whether or not the pillow itself can be washed.

Size
Toddler pillows are smaller than adult models, with an average size of 13 by 18 inches. A pillow that is too large may overwhelm your toddler and could potentially cause entrapment. The more compact size also makes the pillow travel-friendly for preschool, daycare, and car or plane trips.

Support
This factor is very important to consider when shopping for a toddler pillow, as the right amount of support will promote good sleep posture. One that is too firm will be uncomfortable and force the head upwards, but a very soft pillow may not be supportive enough for a toddler’s growing neck and spine.

Firmness Level
A pillow’s firmness level directly relates to its aforementioned support. Since toddlers have typically slept without pillows and aren’t accustomed to a lot of cushioning, they usually rest more comfortably on firmer options that retain their shape and lift for consistent spinal support.

Hypoallergenic Materials
A toddler’s skin is more sensitive, and itchiness and allergic reactions could keep your child up at night. Parents often prefer to look for a pillow made with skin-safe, hypoallergenic materials, which will reduce your child’s exposure to environmental triggers like bacteria, mold, and dust. Regular washings can also limit the buildup of allergens on the pillow.

Certifications
Considering how much time your toddler will be spending with the pillow, it’s a good idea to verify that it won’t expose your child to harmful substances. Certifications like CertiPUR-US, GREENGUARD Gold, and OEKO-TEX ensure that the pillow is free of certain potentially harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and other substances.

Care Requirements
Leaks, spills, and accidents are inevitable at this age, so finding a pillow with easy maintenance can save parents time and effort. Sometimes the entire pillow will be machine-washable, while in other cases only the cover can be tossed in. In either scenario, be sure to follow the recommended washing instructions carefully, as this will help ensure the pillow’s longevity.

Adjustability
This refers to whether the owner can alter the firmness or loft of the pillow. Some toddler pillows can be unzipped so that you can add or remove fill to make adjustments. Since children’s needs and preferences change as they grow, adjustability can be a bonus that allows you to better customize the pillow for more optimal comfort and support.

Price
Pricing typically depends on the pillow’s composition. Models made from organic materials usually command a higher price due to the added expense for manufacturers. With that said, there are many high-quality toddler pillows on the market for less than $30.

Toddler Pillow Safety

Given that the toddler years are a crucial stage of growth and development, it’s important to exercise due diligence when shopping for your toddler’s pillow. The timeline for introducing a pillow varies, but experts generally recommend waiting until a child is at least 18 months old. However, you should also take into account your child’s stage of development and speak to their doctor to make sure they’re ready for this change.

To ensure your child’s safety and comfort, pay attention to a pillow’s size, firmness, material content, and recommended age range in order to reduce the risk of entrapment and promote healthy neck and spinal alignment. Parents should also make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.

When Can My Toddler Start Using a Pillow?

Pillows pose too many hazards for infants, so experts recommend waiting until at least 18 months or even age 2 before introducing a pillow. Even if your toddler has already transitioned to a bed, it doesn’t necessarily mean he or she is ready for a pillow. Some toddlers still do quite well sleeping on a flat surface, but if you notice your child is bunching up blankets or stuffed animals to prop their head up, then it’s a pretty strong indicator that they may benefit from a pillow.

Does My Toddler Need a Pillow?

It’s helpful to keep in mind that pillows are for comfort, and young children don’t have the same comfort needs as adults. If your child is still sleeping soundly on a flat surface, then you probably don’t have to introduce a pillow just yet.

If your child seems to have especially weak neck muscles, then it also may be best to delay adding a pillow. They are accustomed to sleeping pillowless, so going without one for a little while longer might actually help your toddler transition more seamlessly from a crib to a bed. If your child is older than 2 and begins to toss and turn, then he or she might be seeking extra comfort and be ready for a pillow.

What Pillow Materials are Safest for Toddlers?

Material safety is a top concern when it comes to toddler pillows. A toddler is at a much lower risk of suffocation and entrapment when compared to an infant, but certain pillow materials still pose hazards for even older children.

Avoid any pillow made with tiny pellets or pieces, as this presents a choking risk if the pillow were to tear and leak. Your child might also have allergies you don’t know about yet, so it’s usually best to err on the side of caution and opt for a model made with hypoallergenic materials.

Most parents avoid down and other natural feather pillows for their toddlers because they are possible allergy triggers. Toddlers are also more vulnerable to toxins than adults, so it’s important to look for fill and cover materials that haven’t been treated with potentially harmful chemicals. For this reason, many parents prefer organic materials.

Are There Any Safety Certifications to Look For?

Instead of just taking a brand’s safety and quality control claims at face value, it’s a good idea to look for certifications. Certifications typically use third-party testing to ensure a product meets established standards.

CertiPUR-US
This certification indicates that foam is free from specific components thought to be harmful, such as heavy metals, formaldehyde, flame retardants, and ozone depleters. It also verifies that the foam measures low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

GREENGUARD Gold
GREENGUARD Gold certification verifies that a product has low chemical emissions according to established testing methods. This program has especially strict guidelines for total VOC emissions, which means that off-gassing should be limited.

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
This standard certifies that textiles are made according to organic guidelines, from raw material through processing. GOTS also includes standards for the fair treatment of workers.

OEKO-TEX
OEKO-TEX tests for the presence of 100 substances that can present health and/or environmental risks. It is one of the world’s best-known certifications and ensures high product safety.

Other Toddler Sleep Safety Considerations

Though toddlers are more robust than infants, there are still a number of sleep safety considerations to keep in mind. We’ll outline the most critical factors to address when shopping for a toddler pillow.

Pillow Size & Firmness
Most toddler pillows are on the smaller side for a reason, as a large pillow could pose more of a suffocation risk. The average toddler pillow is around 13 by 18 inches, which is spacious enough to be comfortable without overwhelming their small heads.

The pillow should also be reasonably firm, as one that is too soft and doesn’t retain its shape could pose a greater suffocation risk. Toddlers still have relatively weak necks, so a firmer design will give them the support needed to promote proper spinal alignment. Your toddler might reject a pillow that is too firm, however, because it may be uncomfortable.

Crib Climbing
If your toddler hasn’t transitioned to a bed, it’s especially important to avoid overly thick and large pillows. Toddlers might get creative and use them as props to climb out of the crib, posing an obvious safety risk. The same goes for large stuffed animals and toys, which are best left out of the crib.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Children younger than 18 months should not sleep with pillows, blankets, or bumper pads in the crib since this increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which typically occurs during sleep. Improper pillow use can potentially block an infant’s airway, leading to suffocation. Though more of a risk for infants than toddlers, the latter may still be vulnerable to sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC) if a pillow is the wrong size, thickness, or firmness.

It’s normal to have some lingering questions as you shop for the best toddler pillow. We will address the most commonly asked questions about toddler pillows, such as cost, appropriate crib use, size, and cleaning.