Buying guide: How to find the right pillow for your baby & toddler

Everything you need to know about choosing the right baby pillow. When such a special variant makes sense at all and what you absolutely have to consider when buying. With 5 recommendations.

Babies and toddlers need a lot of sleep. As a parent, you naturally want your child to rest as comfortably as possible.

The question arises again and again:

  • Does my baby need a special pillow to sleep well?
  • If so, when is a baby pillow recommended?
  • And what kind of pillow is the right one?

In this comprehensive guide I try to answer all of these questions (and many more).

You can use the links below to jump to a specific section or read the entire guide – it is packed with helpful information.

Quick overview: The best baby pillow recommendations:

Amazon advertising links / images from the Amazon Product Advertising API

And here it goes on with the buying guide and all the things you should consider when choosing a baby pillow.

Does a special pillow make sense for babies and toddlers?

A healthy baby doesn’t need a pillow to begin with.

But as soon as your child begins to turn and move on their own, a pillow makes sense.

At the latest then you should think about a suitable sleep aid, because:

As a result, your little one can sleep better at night and in this important development phase, a suitable pillow even compensates for slight head deformations.

But one after anonther:

What a baby pillow speaks for

Perhaps you have never heard of baby pillows and are now wondering why your baby or toddler should need a pillow at all – or whether a conventional pillow would not also do the job.

Do babies even need a pillow?

It is true that newborn babies don’t actually need a pillow – many experts even warn against using a pillow too soon:

This is because the baby cannot turn easily by itself in the first few months and could choke on a pillow if it accidentally lies on its stomach.

Certain asymmetrical head deformations are an exception: if the baby’s head is extremely flattened on one side, for example, the baby can no longer center itself without support.

For such cases there are therapeutic pillows and mattresses for the baby bed , which can already be useful for newborns and which are also safe.

Otherwise, a pillow will be necessary at the earliest when the baby begins to turn around and pull itself up in the cot.

A pillow can then provide your baby with the necessary support during the night to find the optimal sleeping position.

Why not a normal adult pillow?

Traditional pillows are designed to support the head and neck of adults.

  • However, a baby or toddler has completely different head proportions and a normal pillow could put wrong pressure on his neck and shoulders.
  • Constant incorrect pressure application, in turn, leads to tension and insomnia. In the worst case, this can lead to bad posture.

Baby pillows have been specially developed for the proportions of small children: This means that a good pillow optimally supports your child’s head and at the same time enables a comfortable sleeping position.

In the cramped cot nest , a pillow that is too big can even be a real danger.

When does my baby need a pillow?

There are numerous discussions about when a pillow makes sense for children.

Many experts believe that the right time has come when your child reaches the crawling age and changes from the cradle or crib to a cot.

Usually this happens between 18 and 24 months of age.

However, opinions differ widely among parents. There are many parents who have given their child a pillow much earlier without any problems.

For some head deformities, orthopedic pillows are a sensible therapeutic measure even in infancy and are also recommended by midwives.

Signs that your baby is ready for a pillow

Ultimately, as a parent, you know best when the right time for a pillow has come:

  • Because every baby develops and behaves differently, so that “the” universally right time for a head cushion simply does not exist.
  • If you watch your baby or toddler closely, you will notice the smallest signs and changes.

Possible indications that your child is ready for a pillow:

  1. Is becoming increasingly mobile
  2. Has outgrown the old bed
  3. Ca n’t sleep well without a headrest
  4. Always place your head on a ceiling corner or a stuffed animal
  5. Lays your head on a pillow by itself if it’s on the couch or in the parents’ bed

Your baby’s shoulder width can provide another clue: as soon as the shoulders are wider than the head, your child will probably feel more comfortable with a headrest at night than with just the flat mattress.

  • The main idea behind a baby pillow is to give your child a more comfortable sleeping position.
  • If your baby is already a toddler but still sleeps well without a pillow, you don’t necessarily have to get one.

Your little one will let you know when they are ready (and complain, for example, of restless sleep or tension / pain)!

The most important things in a nutshell: Baby pillows have been specially developed for your child

  1. To enable a comfortable night’s sleep
  2. To ensure an optimal temperature compensation
  3. Support & prevent the regression of head deformations

How to choose the best pillow for your child

In order to find the optimal pillow for your baby, you should think about a few points in advance.

 

If you are short on time, you can skip these helpful tips and go straight to the baby pillow recommendations below:

Do you need an orthopedic pillow?

There are basically two types of baby pillow:

  1. On the one hand, orthopedic pillows that prevent head deformations such as asymmetrical flattening of the back of the head (“flat head”), or are intended to compensate for them. Such pillows are usually made of a completely breathable material that is also safe for babies.
  2. There are also non-therapeutic pillows for babies and toddlers. This means normal sleeping aids that match the shape of the little one’s head. Often these variants also have certain extras such as a cute appearance or particularly soft upper material.

Another question is also decisive when choosing:

Does your baby suffer from allergies?

For example, if your baby is allergic to sheep’s wool, then you certainly wouldn’t want to buy him a wool pillow – as that would only make his allergy worse.

Knowing your child’s allergies will make it easier for you to choose the perfect pillow.

We recommend pillows and mattresses made of viscose foam ( e.g. from manufacturers such as Tempur ) or other plastic, as bacteria and germs do not spread as quickly in them. In addition, these materials can also be washed at high temperatures.

Special bed linen for allergy sufferers is also recommended.

This protects the children’s mattress from house dust mites and prevents germs from nestling in the mattress filling. I will go into more detail about the filling below.

How hard or soft does the pillow have to be?

The ideal pillow should fulfill two purposes that call for opposing properties:

  1. On the one hand, the pillow must be hard enough to provide sufficient support for the head and neck area.
  2. On the other hand, it should be soft enough to offer a comfortable surface to lie on.
ss and softness is therefore not always easy to find and an important characteristic when it comes to choosing the ideal pillow.

An aid to choosing the hardness

Here are 2 simple tests that can tell if a pillow is too hard or too soft:

  • If you push the pillow down and it doesn’t return to its original shape afterwards, then it’s too soft. Pillows that are too soft pose a risk of suffocation and are therefore not safe for babies and toddlers.
  • On the other hand, if a pillow does not give in at all to pressure, then it is likely too hard to be comfortable.

Most baby pillows have been developed to optimally support the child’s head. Nevertheless, you should pay attention to the features described above before buying.

Fabric of the pillowcase

The outer pillowcase is mostly made of cotton, a distinction being made between conventional cotton and organic cotton.

Important to know: Cotton production often uses harmful toxins, bleaches, and colors that your baby shouldn’t breathe.

Certified organic cotton does not contain any of these pollutants and is always clearly labeled. If you cannot find a clear label for a product, then in case of doubt you have to assume that it is not organic.

The most common materials for baby pillow cases are:

  • cotton
  • Synthetic fabrics
  • Cotton-polyester blend, also known as polycotton

In principle, natural materials such as cotton are more suitable for baby pillowcases than synthetic materials. For example, polyester is a plastic that is one of the types of plastic.

  1. Although it has the advantage of drying quickly and being hygienic, it is not breathable. In its pure form, this makes it questionable for babies and toddlers.
  2. Polycotton, on the other hand, can combine the advantages of both materials used: Ideally, it is air-permeable, but sweat-repellent and mite-resistant.

Another important point is the number of threads. The higher the specified thread count, the higher quality & softer the cover is usually.

Personal preferences decide here. A “rough” cover with few threads may not feel as supple, but it may be a little more breathable.

Material of the pillow filling

Under the pillow case is the material that offers your baby the necessary support and comfort during sleep.

There are many different fabrics that are used to fill children’s pillows. The most common materials are:

  • down
  • Plastic fillings such as polyester or polyamide
  • Foam or memory foam

The advantage of all of these materials is that the pillow is easy to clean.

However, when choosing your baby pillow, you should make sure that the filling material is not too loud when your child moves their head.

Some synthetic fibers, as well as spelled husk fillings, tend to crunch loudly with every head movement. In the worst case, this will lead to your baby waking up: Not a scenario that parents want!

Is the pillow washable?

Babies and toddlers are not exactly known for their cleanliness. If there’s one thing they can do, it’s messing up.

Maybe your toddler is specializing in sticky fingerprints right now, or your baby is turning into a drool monster at night:

Either way, sooner or later you will have to clean the pillow. Baby pillows defy dirt in one of two ways:

  1. Either the entire pillow is machine washable. Then you only have to put the upholstery in the washing machine every now and then to restore its radiantly pure original condition.
  2. Or the pillowcase is removable and washable. The outer protective cover can be easily removed and machine washed, while the pillow itself is not allowed in the machine.

Proper care of baby pillows

A little care is required to ensure that your baby or toddler pillow remains comfortable and hygienic in the long term.

Sometimes it may even be necessary to adjust the thickness of the pillow. In the following section, I explain how this works and what you should look out for in terms of overall care.

Wash the baby pillow

As we know, babies and toddlers are masters at making dirt.

Therefore, when buying a pillow, you should take a look at the washing instructions and then follow them later. This ensures that the upholstery lasts a long time and stays beautiful.

  • It is better to use a mild liquid detergent than washing powder when washing children’s pillows.
  • When using washing powder, there is a risk of detergent residue being left behind.
  • Because babies are much more sensitive than adults, they shouldn’t have to inhale soap scum at night.

Another tip is to send the pillow through the rinse twice when washing, without using detergent. So you can be relatively sure that all detergent residues have been removed.

If you have a tumble dryer , you should only dry the pillow on a low setting. Excessive heat can cause the pillow filling to clump inside.

When the pillow is too thick

It is extremely annoying to buy a baby pillow and then discover that it is too fat.

  • Babies and toddlers have much shorter necks than adults and therefore cannot lie comfortably on pillows that are too high.
  • In the worst case, too voluminous padding can even lead to chronic tension in the neck and shoulder area.

 

Fortunately, there is a solution that saves you having to buy a new pillow. With these simple instructions you can quickly reduce a baby pillow that is too thick to the desired dimensions:

  1. Open the seam on the long side of the pillow with fine scissors
  2. Take out a small part of the filling and redistribute the rest
  3. Try to see if the thickness is right for your baby
  4. Sew the pillow back up
  5. Voila! The perfect volume for your little one

If sewing isn’t your thing, you can simply take the pillow to the nearest tailoring shop. Your alteration tailor can customize it for you quickly and cheaply.

(It works the other way around, of course. For example, if your child grows and sinks too deep into the pillow due to its higher weight). Additional pillow fillings are available on Amazon * , for example .

When should I replace the pillow?

With heavy use, you may need to replace your baby pillow before your baby has outgrown.

Look out for the following warning signs:

  • The pillow no longer keeps its shape
  • The pillow filling forms lumps
  • You have to keep shaking the pillow because it will sink in
  • If you fold the pillow, it will not open up on its own

With high quality pillows that come with a guarantee, these problems should not occur at all.

Good pillows keep their shape for around 5 years – then you should replace the sleeping aid anyway for hygienic reasons.

To make it easier for you to choose from the often confusing baby pillow market, I will introduce you to my five favorites in the following section.

The best baby pillows: 5 recommendations

Here are the five best baby pillows I could find on the web.

I have organized the cushions into categories so that you can find the optimal pillow for your child’s needs more easily.

My test winner: Babymoov support pillow

The Babymoov Cosydream baby pillow is my test winner in the orthopedic pillow for babies category for several reasons.

Firstly, numerous customer reviews testify that the filling made of breathable foam with an integrated head recess actually works well to prevent a flat head or to alleviate existing head deformation.

It also supports not just the head, but the entire body to keep your baby in a stable supine position.

Second, the materials used are baby-friendly – they are machine washable at 30 degrees.

Thirdly, the size of the pillow is flexible: with its dimensions, it can be used on the changing table as well as in a bed or stroller.

And ultimately, both the look and the price-performance ratio of this pillow are convincing:

Compared to other models, this therapeutic pillow is also inexpensive.

  • Breathable
  • Pressure equalizing
  • Machine washable

 

 

Inexpensive pillows for babies and toddlers from Zollner

The Zollner pillow for babies and toddlers is the perfect all-rounder: available in the dimensions 35 x 40 and 40 x 60 cm, it is suitable for both babies and toddlers from 18 months.

I particularly like that due to the common standard sizes it is possible to use chic pillowcases from other manufacturers, such as this cute owl cover * made of cotton.

All materials used are breathable, which makes this pillow safe for newborns too. Stressed parents will appreciate that the Zollner pillows are boil-proof and can be machine washed at up to 95 degrees.

Even stubborn stains can be removed. In addition, you can put the pillows in the dryer, which makes them ready for use again quickly.

  • Different sizes
  • (Limited) tested for harmful substances
  • Breathable
  • Easy care

View reviews *

The anti-allergenic variant: Premium baby pillows from Yoofos

If your baby is prone to allergies, then I would recommend this premium pillow from Yofoos. Because the pillow is made of chemically untreated latex, it counteracts fungus, mold and mites.

The m material also has the advantage of adapting to the shape of the head perfectly and not losing its shape even after long use.

The perforation on the top and bottom of the cushion also makes it particularly air-permeable.

  • Particularly breathable
  • Orthopedic function
  • Hygienic & washable

 

The cutest baby pillow: little sheep to fall asleep

This little pillow sheep is so cute that in my mind a baby should sleep well on it .

In addition, I am convinced by the chemical-free cover and the practical dimensions.

However, this takes a back seat to the sheep: Due to its appearance, it simply invites you to cuddle immediately.

  • Hypoallergenic polyester fiber filling
  • Washable

 

 

The best pillow for toddlers: Bread Bunny cuddly pillows

This cute rabbit pillow fulfills a double function in the children’s room: the embroidered rabbit head with protruding ears on the front invites you to cuddle and touch.

The back is made of a fluffy material that children can sleep well on.

  • Although the manufacturer states 0 to 3 years as a suitable age, I would rather recommend this pillow for children from 18 months to sleep.
  • Firstly, the filling material made of polyester wadding is not breathable and secondly, the pillow with a thickness of 9 cm is quite voluminous for babies.

For toddlers of crawling age it is a great combination of toy and pillow.

  • Ideal for children of crawling age
  • Washable
  • Breathable cover made of polycotton
  • Nice decoration element

 

 

Last tips

Your baby will likely grow out of its pillow at some point – but that’s no reason to throw it away!

  • Children’s pillows are often the perfect size to function as adult travel pillows .
  • They are compact enough to fit in any pocket and often offer particularly good neck and neck support .

I also know numerous dog and cat owners who have used the former children’s pillow for their pet. Dogs in particular often appreciate a cuddly pillow for their head.

Summary

As you can see, there are a few things to consider when buying a baby pillow. I hope that this guide has been helpful to you and that it makes your purchase decision easier.

Tips for your sleep

You are also welcome to browse the other sections and find out which measures you can take to improve your sleep:

  1. The bedroom category provides helpful tips on how to best furnish your bedroom .
  2. In the next section you will find more information on common sleep problems and sleep disorders .
  3. We explain current studies (understandable for everyone) in the category of sleep research .
  4. General tips & strategies for a healthy night’s sleep can be found here: Sleep better .

If you want to find out more about the right pillow for adults, then it is best to read the following text:

How to find the right pillow

Please recommend this page to others if you liked the article!

I created Sleep Knowledge to share my interests and experiences on healthy sleeping with others. On this page I am therefore dealing with interesting questions about the optimal night’s sleep & everything else that goes with it.

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