Does a newborn baby need a pillow?
Safety while sleeping is very important for newborns. When babies are sleeping there should be nothing on the crib that could potentially represent a suffocation hazard, like infant support pillows, blankets or soft toys.
Pillows for babies under 12 months of age are not recommended because they could increase the risk of SIDS or SUDI. Try to delay the introduction of a pillow until later in your child’s life, to be safe.
How to know your toddler is ready for the best infant pillow?
When to introduce a pillow?
So, when can babies sleep with pillows and blankets? You will know when to introduce pillow and blanket to toddler because of some hints you will see in your child.
There are a some signs that may suggest you are ready to transition from no-pillow to a pillow used for infants.
- If your toddler is using a stuffed animal as a pillow, that can be a good sign that he is ready to try to sleep with a toddler pillow.
- When children toss and turn continuously in bed trying to find a comfortable position, it may also be an indication that you can introduce a toddler pillow.
What age can a toddler sleep with a pillow?
Every toddler is different so there is not a real set date on when to introduce a pillow to baby. However, Paediatricians don’t recommend pillows for children under 2 years of age.
There is no an exact time to introduce the best baby pillow, as every child is different. If your child is over 2 years old, you can offer them a pillow and see if they like it.
If you see, that they are not interested in a baby cushion, you can wait a few more months and offer it again.
Judith Owens, Paediatric Sleep Expert says:
“If you want to introduce a pillow, it’s best to wait until your toddler moves from a crib to a bed. But if you want to give him one while he’s still sleeping in a crib, go with one that’s small (the size of an airline pillow) and firm. Stay away from feather pillows, which are too soft, can set off allergies, and can smother a child if his head sinks into it while he’s sleeping.”
What kind of pillow should I get for my toddler? What pillow should a toddler use?
There are plenty of options: standard pillow for adults, flat cushion or even a soft toy.
However, it is important to give toddlers some good support designed for their little heads and necks. A large pillow can be uncomfortable, or maybe too high for a little child’s head.
Getting the best pillow for children you can find or the best toddler pillow, will give your child comfort and good rest at night (which is when they need it the most).
Infant pillows are smaller than pillows for adults and seem flatter. However, for your child, that is the perfect size. They are 100% hypoallergenic and some brands offer 100% organic cotton covers, which are great as the cotton has not be treated with any pesticides.
The best baby pillow has a balanced level of fluffiness your child needs and also provides support for his or her little neck, no mater the position they are used to sleeping in.
Finally, a good pillow for toddler needs to be machine washable. Knowing that children are messy, you can be sure there may be some mess around the new baby pillow. Make sure your selected toddler pillow is machine washable. Always follow the manufacturers instructions before washing your toddler’s pillow, as making mistake may alter the fluffiness of the pillow filling.
Don’t forget to get a pillowcase for toddler pillow. Regardless of the softness of your toddler pillow, a pillowcase will protect your pillow from any small spills and dirt. Besides, you may not need to wash the toddler pillow so frequently.
If you can, get an organic cotton toddler pillow case to go with your toddler pillow, as organic cotton is free from any nasties.
Toddler Pillows Summary Table
We have reviewed the best-selling toddler pillows on Amazon.com, to help you find your toddler’s first pillow.
| Pillow Image | Pillow Brand/ Name | Size | No. Amazon Reviews | Rating | Link to Amazon.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Little One's Toddler Pillow | 13 x 18" (33 x 46cm) | 2,800+ | [usr 4.7] | Check Out on Amazon.com |
 | Dreamtown Kids Toddler Pillow With Pillowcase | 14 x 19" (35 x 48cm) | 4,300+ | [usr 4.4] | Check Out on Amazon.com |
 | A Little Pillow Company Toddler Pillow | 13 x 18" (33 x 46cm) | 1,900+ | [usr 4.7] | Check Out on Amazon.com |
 | Little Sleepy Head Toddler Pillow | 13 x 18" (33 x 46cm) | 5,800+ | [usr 4.7] | Check Out on Amazon.com |
 | Kinder Fluff Toddler Travel Pillow | 13 x 18" (33 x 46cm) | 2,100+ | [usr 4.5] | Check Out on Amazon.com |
Best Toddler Pillow Reviews
Little One’s Toddler Pillow
Little One’s toddler pillow is made with a combination of 100% organic cotton and polyester.
Both the little one’s pillow cover and the filling are 100% chemical free, for your peace of mind.
The Little Pillow cover is made of GTO certified organic cotton grown in the USA and it features a sateen weave, which makes it look premium. It is delicate and soft, which means a pillow case may not be required.
The filling is made with soft polyester fiber which is 100% hypoallergenic and chemical free, designed to easily compress according to the use.
With the right balance of thickness and fluffiness, this pillow is soft and comfortable for little heads to rest on.
The pillow uses a small quantity of filling, but enough to support the little head of a toddler.
The Little One’s Pillow company has done extensive research on filling types for their best infant pillow and manufacture their very own cluster-fiber in house to ensure it is free from any chemicals.
All materials are made in the USA and are of premium quality, and the business guarantees a lifetime of 3 to 5 years for every little pillow they make.
A real plus is that both the little ones pillow and the pillow case are machine washable, so you can clean them easily. Apart from that, thanks to the quality of the cluster fiber used, the filling will not get lumpy after washing.
Just remember to use a mild detergent and run a gentle cycle using cold or warm water. Finally, you can tumble dry the pillow in a low temperature setting.
This infant pillow size is 13 x 18 in (33 x 46 cm), which may seem tiny for an adult. However, it can be considered one of the best pillows for 2 year old, as it has been designed for children from that age onwards, to support their small neck and head while resting vs other larger pillows.
Key Features
- Organic cover
- Made in USA
- Made of own-researched cluster-fiber
Pros
✓Free from chemicals
✓Balanced thickness
✓100% hypoallergenic
Cons
✕May be small vs other pillows
✕May flatten over time
Little One’s Toddler Pillow Reviews
Overall this could be considered one of the best organic toddler pillows on the market, with a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, across 2890+ Amazon customer.
Parents on Amazon are happy with the softness and quality of the pillow, and with the customer service that received by the company.
Some little pillow company reviews state that it gets lumpy over time and that the filling does not stay evenly spread, especially after washing.
The company has said that in some cases the filling tends to bunch up or move from side to side. In which case, their recommendation is to give the pillow a good shake or even wash it again to fix the problem.
Overall, most parents are happy with the pillow and recommend it openly to other parents as one of the best first pillows for toddlers.
Dreamtown Kids Toddler Pillow with Pillowcase
This pillow used for infants is made of a blend of polyester and cotton. Dreamtown Kids also offers organic toddler pillow cases in different designs and colours.
The standard size of the toddler’s first pillow is slightly larger than the Little Pillow company pillow as it measures 14 x 19 inches.
This baby’s first pillow filling is dense and soft, so it can look fuller using even less fiber than other toddler pillows.
This can give you confidence in trialling the Dreamtown Kids pillow, which has been tested and proven to help children sleep better by chiropractors, which is great for more peace of mind.
Both, toddler pillow and pillowcase are 100% hypoallergenic, resistant to mold and mildew.
Dreamtown Kids hold a Child Product Certificate with testing for Heavy Metals, mold and other microbials. All certified by CPSC labs.
Dreamtown offer a ‘customer satisfaction or your money back’ guarantee. Hence, if you are not happy with the Dreamtown Kids toddler pillow within the first 6 months you can request your money back.
Pillow material allows both pillow and case to be machine washed with cold water and tumble dried on a gentle mode (with no heat).
Key Features
- Size is 14 x 19 inches
- Comes with a pillow case
- Free from chemicals
Pros
✓Larger than other pillows
✓Pillowcase is included
✓Tested by chiropractors
Cons
✕Pillow case may not be too soft
Dreamtown Kids Best toddler pillow reviews
The Dreamtown pillow features a score of 4.4 stars out of 5 among 4,350+ parents on Amazon.com, which is impressive.
Most parents consider it a great fluffy pillow and are happy with the size. Children seem to love it also as there are many comments of happy parents posting photos of their children sleeping on the pillow.
Some parents compared it in performance with the Little Sleepy Head pillow and the Dreamtown toddler pillow is larger and fluffier, but not too thick.
There have been a few concerns regarding quality, thin thread counts in the infant pillow case and lumps inside the pillow. Others have said that the pillow went flat after a few months and that the cover may get rough after a few washes.
Dreamtown also has a superb customer service and ensures that every family is satisfied with their purchase. There have also been some instances of replacements.
Overall this is one of the best pillows for kids on Amazon.com with a high score and high number of toddler pillow reviews.
A Little Pillow Company hypoallergenic toddler pillow
This hypoallergenic pillow is made of 100% delux cluster fiber fill, which is also allergy-free. The cluster fiber is composed of a loose-fill polyester, which is soft and supportive.
A Little Pillow Company Toddler Pillow is made of 200 thread count percale and a cover made of 100% cotton, but does not come with a pillow case. However, there are many different cute designs of overs to choose from.
Customers can choose to purchase the Custom Loft, so if you prefer to adjust the softness, firmness and fluffiness of your toddler pillow, all you need to do is open the pillow using the invisible zipper and remove all the cluster fiber you want for the perfect customisation. This is ideal for parents looking for a firm hypoallergenic pillow.
How does it work? The company will ship your loft pillow slightly overstuffed, so that you can remove any amount you wish to make it suitable for your child.
In terms of size it is 13 x 18 inches (33 x 46 cm), same as the Little One’s Pillow. If you are wondering ‘what pillow should a toddler use? This is the size recommended by paediatricians, not too small and not too big.
Little Pillow Company is made in the USA by a family business and are machine-washable and dried, only use the gentle cycle and cold water.
The company prides itself on great customer service and they promise that if after 3 months you are not in love with your baby pillow, you can return it for a full refund (excluding shipping charges).
Finally, if you are happy with the toddler bed pillow, the company also offers the next step up, a Youth Pillow for children 5-12, for the next phase of your child’s development.
Key Features
- Size 13 x 18 inches
- Different cover designs available
- Hypoallergenic and allergy-free
Pros
✓Filling can be customized
✓Fun cover designs for children
Cons
✕Does not come with a pillowcase
A Little Pillow Company Hypoallergenic Pillow Reviews
Amazon parents rate it as one of the best baby pillows, with a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars among 1,985+ customers.
It is a good quality and durable pillow. Parents love the fact that they can customize the pillow thickness as they wish, simply opening the hidden zipper and removing filling.
In terms of price, it is slightly more expensive than other children pillows. However, it seems to be worth it as there are endless numbers of photos posted of 2-year-old pillow in crib.
Most customers have experienced great customer service from this family business and highly recommend it to other parents.
Some parents have said that it is to fluffy and may be overstuffed with filling. Hence, it is necessary to remove some cluster fiber before giving the toddler the pillow.
Other parents have said that the kids sleeping pillow seems too small for their toddler.
The toddler pillow cover designs are nice looking but a soft pillow case for babies is required, as the fabric may be too rough to sleep on.
Overall most parents think it is a good pillow for kids and recommend this pillow to other parents on Amazon.
Little Sleepy Head Toddler Pillow
The Little Sleepy Head pillow has a soft 200 thread count cover made of 100% cotton, and a filling made of premium polyester cluster fiber.
The pillow is filled with just the necessary amount of cluster fiber to ensure your toddler has the support he or she needs for his little head and neck.
This soft toddler pillow is 100% hypoallergenic and allergy-free.
The toddler pillow size is 13 x 18 inches. However, if you are not convinced, there is a Little Sleepy Head Youth pillow that is slightly larger at 16 x 22 inches. The company offers both Toddler and Youth Pillows with less filling if you like.
In addition to this, Little Sleepy Head launched an organic toddler pillow, for parents looking for that option. It has an organic cotton toddler pillow case, free of chemicals, pesticides, GMO’s or flame retardants with the same filling of poly cluster fiber and the same standard baby pillow size (13 x 18 inches).
The company also offers a vast collection of different designs of Little Sleepy Head Toddler Pillow cases, to protect your pillow; and most recently the Organic Collection.
Like the other small child pillows reviewed in this feature, it is made in the USA and run by a family business.
The pillow is washable, just following sleepyhead washing instructions: wash in a cold, gentle cycle and dry on low!
A great thing about the Sleepy Head pillow is that the company supports a good cause, as a percentage of the sales from the toddler pillows support the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer.
Key Features
- 200 thread count cover
- 100% Hypoallergenic
- Made in the USA
Pros
✓Different sizes and fillings available
✓Organic version available
Cons
✕Pillow case sold separately
Sleepy Head Pillow Reviews
Parents on Amazon.com highly recommend this pillow to other parents and rate the Sleepy Head pillow 4.7 stars out of 5 stars (among 5,800+ customers), an impressive result.
The company has provided excellent customer service to parents, who not only endorse the toddler pillows but also the family business.
Some parents have said that their toddler pillow flattened in less than a month, others have said that the pillow is too fluffy for young children and that it gets lumpy after a few uses.
These parents are the minority, as most customers love the pillow and rate it as one of the best toddler pillows on the market.
Kinder Fluff Toddler Pillow
The Kinder Fluff pillow features a 300 thread count cover, which is the highest thread count vs other pillows reviewed on this article.
The filling is made of 100% premium polyester cluster fiber, which consists of fluffy little size balls. When the pillow is fluffed, the bean size balls regroup, preventing the pillow from flattening.
It is promoted as a best toddler travel pillow, which gives more versatility to the pillow than just pillow for baby to sleep in bed.
This kids first pillow is also recommended as a medical pillow, to support your knees after surgery or to put between your legs, as it is flatter and smaller than a regular pillow.
The baby pillow dimensions are 13 x 18 inches, which is the standard junior pillow size.
Kinder Fluff also offer a bunny design toddler pillow case made of 100% cotton which can make the pillow even more appealing to young children. It is also hypoallergenic and allergy-free.
Key Features
- 300 thread count cover
- 100% hypoallergenic
- Made in the USA
Pros
✓Versatile uses
✓Fluffy
Cons
✕Pillowcase sold separately
Kinder Fluff Toddler Pillow Reviews
Kinder Fluff is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars among 2,100+ Amazon parents.
Overall this small kid pillow has a higher perceived quality when compared to other sleeping pillows for babies. This is probably due to the higher thread count in the pillow cover vs. other pillows.
Parents seem to notice it as fluffier than other pillows. One parent compared it to the Dreamtown pillow and stated that after a few washes, Kinder Fluff was fluffier than Dreamtown.
Some parents have enjoyed the versatility of this toddler sleeping pillow to use it after an operation, so it is good for support as well.
There are a few comments about the toddler pillow being too puffy. Others say that the inside cluster fiber gets clumpy and lumpy after a few washes.
Most parents, however, seem over the moon with this toddler pillow as it is soft, and say it is not necessary to use it with a toddler pillow case.
Moreover, parents are happy with the customer service received by the Kinder Fluff family business.
Where to buy toddler pillows?
You can buy baby pillow in any Walmart Supermarket but also on Amazon.com.
We are Amazon Affiliates. That means that if you click on any of the links on this site and buy the best infant pillow for your child, we will get a commission (at no extra cost to you).
So, if you liked this feature or found it useful, please feel free to use the links to go to Amazon.com and buy a toddler pillow.
Has your toddler tried any of these pillows? Leave us a comment below.
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