When your toddler transitions out of their crib into a toddler bed, it’s a good time to consider introducing them to a pillow, too. You’ll want one that’s just the right size for their little heads—to help them feel comfortable and keep their neck in good alignment. The best toddler pillows are not only smaller than adult-sized ones, but are also lightweight, firm and easy to wash.
The best toddler pillows are easy to wash, flat and firm, according to the pediatricians we … [+]
Keep in mind that children under the age of 2 should not have pillows, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics—a point that was reiterated by the pediatricians I interviewed. For young children, parents should focus on safety first and functionality, says Dr. Mary Aitken, pediatrician-in-chief at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. “Many products are either unneeded and/or for our adult aesthetics,” she says.
Informed by guidance from child health experts and my own experience as a toddler mom, I deeply researched the market to find the best toddler pillows.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The baby and kids gear team at Forbes Vetted wants to help make life with little ones easier and more joyful with deeply researched and carefully vetted product recommendations. As parents ourselves, we know how much care can go into making the best purchase decisions for the kids in our lives.
- Margaret Badore, the author of this story, is the baby and kids gear editor at Forbes Vetted. She has over 15 years of journalism experience and is the mother to a 3-year-old. She has covered a range of sleep gear for kids, including the best travel cribs and the best baby blankets.
- This story was edited by Rose Gordon Sala, a deputy editor who oversees the baby and kids gear section of Forbes Vetted. She’s a mom of three and has spent the past decade reporting on parenting subjects.
- We align our product picks with the most up-to-date health and safety recommendations. For this story, we reviewed the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines on toddler sleep and also consulted with pediatricians.
- We interview a range of experts to help inform our work. For this story, we spoke with Dr. Mary Aitken, pediatrician-in-chief at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and chair of pediatrics at UTHealth Houston; Dr. Jennifer Stiff, a pediatrician at Norton Children’s healthcare network in Kentucky and Southern Indiana; and Katie Montell, a baby gear expert and founder of The Baby Planner, which offers registry concierge services.
How We Chose The Best Toddler Pillows
Our best toddler pillow picks are informed by expert health advice and are the result of combining market research and firsthand experience.
- We first collected health and safety advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics and two pediatricians. The M.D.’s we interviewed provided general guidance on what parents should look for when choosing a toddler pillow, both said they should be small, lightweight and relatively flat.
- We then gathered information about what brands and pillows are popular and well-liked, including speaking with a baby registry expert. We collecting insights from other parents and read through many online reviews.
- We narrowed the list by carefully reviewing the materials and specs of each pillow, eliminating any picks that had consistently poor reviews or didn’t match the recommendations of our experts.
- We analyzed third-party certifications, favoring products with robust environmental and material standards, and easy cleaning. We also aimed to recommend toddler pillows with a range of different materials, because every child is unique and may have different preferences or requirements.
What To Consider When Shopping For A Toddler Pillow
Here are few key factors to consider when looking for the best toddler pillow for your child.
Are They Ready?
According to both pediatricians, you should wait until your child transitions out of the crib and into a toddler bed, in addition to avoiding pillows before your child’s second birthday. Not only are pillows in the crib a suffocation risk, but they can also become a step that increases your child’s risk of trying to climb out and falling.
It’s also a good idea to look for signs of readiness—if your child sleeps fine without a pillow, there’s no need to add one, says Norton Children’s pediatrician Jennifer Stiff. She says that many kids start turning their blanket into a pillow, including her own.
“I would walk in in the morning and they would have their blanket rolled up under their head as a pillow. And you’re like, ‘Oh, okay, well perhaps you’d like a pillow now,’” she says. “They tell me when they’re ready.”
Size And Weight
Although toddler pillows aren’t a standard size, most are roughly 13 by 18 inches, much smaller than a standard 20 by 26 inch adult pillow. The pediatricians I interviewed recommended lightweight, flat pillows for toddlers, so when making this list I eliminated any options weighing close to 2 pounds or more.
Just like a grown-up, your toddler’s head should be in line with their spine when they sleep, so pillows that are too lofty aren’t ideal.
Ease Of Cleaning
As a parent, I know how many times we need to clean up accidents in the night, or sanitize after illness, so it’s important to make sure toddler pillows are washable, and pediatricians agreed.
“Washability is something I think is really important,” says Aitken. The best toddler pillows can be machine washed and dried, although it’s a good idea to pay attention to the manufacturer recommendations for washer and dryer settings.
Fill Material
Although suffocation risks do decrease as toddlers grow, they’re more easily avoided with a flat and firm pillow. Common pillow fill materials are memory foam, polyester/microfiber, down and latex. Aitken recommends avoiding particularly soft memory foams because it conforms to your child’s face very readily. “I would stay with something firmer in this age group,” she says.
Latex is natural and firm, but it’s often harder to clean. Polyester fill is usually machine-washable and light, but may be made with concerning chemicals, so if you opt for a pillow with synthetic filling, it’s best to look for ones with chemical safety certifications like Oeko-Tex or Greenguard Gold.
For children with dust or dust mite allergies, a polyester or cotton filling may be a better choice than down. “I would also advise parents to watch for signs of increased stuffiness or allergies because of the presence of dust mites and dust in all of our bedding and pillows,” says Aitken. “If that happens, they should consider discussing with their pediatrician, but consider using hypoallergenic wrap around the pillow.”
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