At approximately the age of two, toddlers are ready to start sleeping on a pillow. But what kind of pillow to get for them? Adult pillows don’t work for toddlers as their proportions are smaller, and this can lead to exhaustion, poor sleep, and even poor posture. Luckily, there are special pillows out there for your little one. But the market evolves, and with such a great abundance of products, how do you choose the best toddler pillow?
The table below represents our top 8 pillows for toddlers with the Little Sleepy Head Toddler Pillow as our Editor’s Choice and a summary of key features you need to consider. We researched some of the most popular toddler pillows out there and spent dozens of hours going through reliable sources and genuine customer reviews to compile this list and help you decide. We paid special attention to the sizes, the age a pillow can be introduced, the materials the pillows are made of, and their safety. Read on to find out more about our 8 best picks!
The Little Sleepy Head Toddler Pillow is a premium quality pillow for those who are budget conscious, yet still want to provide the finest for their child. The pillow cover is 100% organic cotton with 200-thread count, which means increase softness and durability. It is completely hypoallergenic, so you won’t be concerned about your child’s health. The pillow is filled with premium polyester cluster fiber which is what provides it with a plush comfortable feel. The cover is washable as well as durable. All materials are US sourced. The pillow is best for toddlers over the age of 2. The Little Sleepy Head Toddler Pillow is the all-around top pick for your toddler in terms of comfort and support.
The Little One’s Pillow is one of the best toddler pillows in terms of affordability and quality. The pillow is designed to be the perfect size for toddlers. At a size of 13 x 3 x 18 inches, it is neither too small or too large for a toddler’s head. The cover is hypoallergenic and is made from 100% organic USDA approved cotton. The filling is polyester cluster fiber and is chemical free without any flame retardants or phthalates. The durable pillow, for ages 2 and up, is easy to care for, being machine washable. The pillow is manufactured in the U.S. and is of premium quality.
Toddler pillows are a must-have in every home with children. They help the children rest comfortably when they use it. This pillow by KeaBabies is snug and ideal for toddlers.
It features an ergonomic design that provides spinal support to your baby without compromising on their comfort. The 13 x 18 inches makes it ideal for use at home as well as when on transit. This unit will provide support to your little one when they nap, sleep, or need to play while you are on the move.
The pillowcase and cover are both from natural cotton. This material is exceptionally soft and breathable, and it is appropriate for all seasons. You do not have to worry about safety for your newborn or toddler since cotton is the best fabric for children in this age group. Cleaning the pillow, as well as the cases, is easy since they are machine washable. You can keep your toddler’s pillow fresh and clean all year round without much hassle.
This pillow has a cute print that will improve the overall appearance of your child’s nursery. It is also huggable, and your child can use it during playtime.
Does your toddler stay awake longer than they nap? Are you sick of it? Here is a perfect solution, try slipping this medical-grade premium pillow under their head and watch their sleep routine change for the better.
The pillow is made tough to last but super soft and smooth to the touch with the 300TC cotton. The cotton has hypoallergenic properties guaranteeing you of your baby’s skin safety. It is also mildew-free and mold-resistant.
Its soft fiber filling is neither too fluffy nor too thin. It is just a perfect size that will offer your young one premium comfort and optimal neck, spine and head support.
It comes in a plain simple design with a myriad of colour options including; cream, pink, lavender, baby blue, grey and navy blue among many others.
Cleaning would never pose a challenge as you can either throw both the pillow and pillowcase in the washing machine or choose to hand wash.
With a 30-day refund or replacement guarantee from the manufacturer, this is one of the best pillows you can get for your toddler.
The My Little North Star Toddler Pillow is a perfectly sized pillow to provide sufficient support to your child’s head and neck. The 13 x 3.5 x 18 inches pillow has a 100% organic cotton cover which is breathable and helps your child sleep cool throughout the night. The pillow is filled with a polyester cluster fiber which provides the perfect luxury plush feel. The pillow, as well as the pillowcase, are 100% hypoallergenic and do not contain any harmful chemicals such as flame retardants. Perhaps one of the best features of the pillow is that it can be machine washed and dried. The recommended age group for this pillow is 2 to 5 years old. All in all, the My Little North Star Toddler Pillow is the perfect blend of comfort and support whilst being extremely affordable.
The Little Pillow Company Toddler Pillow can be your child’s best friend if they are between 2 to 4 years old. The cover of the exquisite pillow is 100% organic cotton and has a thread count of 200. This translates to it being soft and breathable. The pillow itself is filled with a Deluxe Cluster Fibre. The pillow is completely hypoallergenic and although your toddler may not have any allergies, we recommend you do not risk it. You can easily wash the cover in a machine, and don’t be afraid – it’s double stitched and extremely durable. The pillow stands at a size of 13 x 3 x 18 inches. All in all, the Little Pillow Company Toddler Pillow’s hypoallergic properties and durability makes this one of the best toddler pillows to have.
The Sweat Tots Toddler Pillow comes with some high-quality features that you would not expect to find in a toddler’s pillow. Intended for ages 1.5 to 3 years old, the Sweaty Tots Pillow has a 100% cotton sateen cover. The pillow features a temperature regulating Outlast Gold fabric liner which absorbs all heat and expels it through the sides, so your toddler can sleep in the most comfortable environment. The pillow is supposed to be low-loft and filled with poly fiber which makes this pillow flatter. Worried your toddler might tear up the pillow? The Sweaty Tots Pillow is double stitched for added durability.
The Cleavamama Foam Toddler Pillow is for all those toddlers who do not like to sleep on something too soft and is a perfect pillow for stomach sleepers. The trademarked CleavaFoam used to fill the pillows is a type of memory foam. The big difference here is that it uses an open cell structure that allows the pillow to be light and breathable. The pillow’s conforming properties make it the best choice for all toddlers above 12 months old. The CleavaFoam can reduce pressure points on the head and neck preventing Flat Head Syndrome. The pillow is eco-friendly and holds the Oeko-Tex 100 certification. All in all, the Cleavamama Foam Toddler Pillow is incredibly breathable and distributes any body heat so your child can enjoy a restful night’s sleep.
A toddler pillow is essentially a smaller sized pillow designed to provide toddlers with the ultimate support and comfort.When shopping for toddler pillows, be sure to consider the following features before making a choice.
There is a debate on whether toddlers need to use a pillow or not. Most experts and doctors agree the best time to use it is when you shift your toddler from a crib to a small bed. Check for signs if they are uncomfortable sleeping without a pillow. Another sign is if their shoulders are wider than their heads or if the toddler can be found propping his head on pets or toys. This might mean your child is ready for a pillow. The usual age is from 18 months to 2 years.
The size of the toddler pillow has an important impact on your child’s sleeping habits. For younger toddlers, ensure the size is large enough to allow them some movement and small enough to not cause them suffocation. Consider the size as well because younger toddlers can end up with a lot of strain on their neck on higher pillows. The best size which should suffice is about 13 x 9 inches with a height of 3 inches.
There are a variety of filling materials, some of which are:
Pros: Polyester is mostly used to fill in the pillows because it is soft and can be washed and dried in the machine. It costs less and comes in a variety of firmness options.
Cons: Polyester can become warm and thus traps heat. It can grow lumpy over time.
Tip: Ensure you buy one that is chemical-free.
Pros: Memory Foam can provide the best support to a toddler as it conforms to the shape of the head and reduces pressure points in the spine.
Cons: Most memory foams tend to trap heat and thus would become hot easily. They can produce off-gassing as well.
Tip: Buy one that is plant-derived and has an open cell structure as it eliminates all the mentioned cons.
These two filling are the best ones if picked out properly. Other fillings include feathers, synthetic fill, and buckwheat, however, we would not recommend them for toddlers.
The organic cotton cover serves best for most toddlers as it is soft and does not cause abrasions to their delicate skin. Ensure you buy an organic cotton cover, as a regular cotton cover can be rough for your toddler’s skin.
Always ensure the toddler pillow is 100% hypoallergenic. Do not just believe what the company says, look for authentic safety certificates. Ensure that the pillow is free of toxic materials. It is better if the pillow is dust mite and bacteria resistant as well. This will ensure your child’s safety. Normally, an Oeko-Tex or CertiPUR certification is sufficient.
Durability comes into play when your toddler is inclined to play with his pillows. They might tear it apart or end up ruining it nevertheless. A double stitched pillowcase ensures no filling falls out. A memory foam pillow is better in terms of durability, since its cover is removable, and you need not worry about the filling spilling out.
Generally, a thread count of 200 is best for toddlers. The more the thread count, the softer and more durable the pillow cover will be.
Toddlers can make a mess out of their pillows. Ensure the pillows you buy are machine washable and dryable. Polyester is the best material if you do not want to care too much about pillow maintenance. Memory foam is harder to wash and requires more care.
This simple guide by Consumer Reports will help you refresh your toddler pillow.
All in all, toddler pillows serve a huge purpose when it comes to providing comfort and support for your child. They can remove strain from the neck and ensure proper spinal development. Make sure you pick out the best one for your toddler, as every child has differing needs. It is essential for comfortable sleep. You will find your toddler sleeping peacefully and waking up refreshed with any of our top picks.
I need a travel pillow for my toddler, will these models suit?
I see no reason why they won’t. Just pack it tightly and enjoy:)
My toddler boy sleeps on a feather pillow, isn’t it the best material ever? 🙂
Well, here they’re mostly cluster fibre-filled, I guess it’s kinda more modern and durable as well.
Oh dear, r u serious?? Cluster fibre is the worst material ever, I’ve had a pillow made from it, it turned into a nightmare after two years of use.
Depends on the manufacturer greatly. There’re so many Chinese low quality pillows and duvets made of ‘cluster fibre’. Look for the one that was USDA certified at least, this one would last for long.
Hmm, I guess #9 wouldn’t suit here, it’s made of memory foam, not that easy to compress on your own and much heavier as well
Disagree. Memory foam at least returns to its initial form after compressing. I prefer latex pillows though. It’s the best organic pillow material suitable for kids, toddlers, and grown ups of course. Heavier than these cluster-fibre ones, but much healthier if you ask me.