Best Toddler Pillow Of 2020

As your infant grows, so does the list of things that you need to buy or replace. Often, a pillow, which ensures the quality of sleep and comfort, is at the top of that list. Investing in a good pillow could have a substantial impact on your toddler’s health, both physical and emotional.

Is a toddler pillow really necessary?

Between chronic neck pain and muscle strain, sleeping on the wrong pillow can have adverse effects even on adults. These issues are even more severe when dealing with the tender structure of toddlers.

Manufacturers design these pillows specifically to offer adequate support to your baby’s head and neck. This provides them with ample cushion and comfort.

Settling for an adult-sized pillow that’s lying around in your home can save you a few bucks, but it might put your little one at an increased risk of severe sleep impairment or even worse, permanent postural damage.

When is the right time to transition your toddler to a pillow?

There isn’t an exact consensus on when a toddler pillow becomes a necessity. A general rule of thumb is that parents can introduce it after the baby turns two years old.

The toddler will start showing signs of discomfort around that age, with the most telling sign being their inability to sleep without some prop under their head.

Some parenting experts have argued for an even earlier introduction, but several health specialists strongly advise against this, citing toddlers’ propensity to move a lot and turn in their sleep which puts them at the risk of suffocating under the pillow.

What to look for when shopping for a toddler pillow?

To make an informed purchase decision, you need to familiarize yourself with several variables that go into the making of the best toddler pillow.

Firm over soft

The key to a good pillow is its ability to provide the right balance between comfort and proper support to the head and neck.

While the choice between a firm and a soft pillow comes down to personal preference for adults, going for something that’s more on the firm side is the safest option for your toddler, since a soft and loose pillow could expose your baby to the risk of suffocation.

The right toddler pillow should be thin, firm, and not too fluffy, but try not to sacrifice comfort for support completely and opt for a pillow that moves a little bit when pressed down.

How important is the filling material?

The filling is an essential component of what makes a good pillow. Not only is the material beneath the case responsible for its firmness (or lack thereof), it could also have a direct impact on your child’s quality of sleep and health. Here’s a list of materials to avoid when looking for a toddler pillow:

Pillows filled with materials that are prone to making a lot of noise when your child turns in his sleep such as buckwheat.

Pillows with feather filling, since they present a higher risk of suffocation.

Pillows filled with materials that could pose other respiratory health risks if the case rips, like millet hulls.

Organic cotton and memory foam are good options for pillow fillings. Both present no health hazards for your toddler and can conform to various sleeping positions.

Allergy risks

The possibility of allergic reactions should be one of your primary concerns when buying a new pillow.

Some filling materials contain chemicals that could trigger allergies in toddlers and adults alike.

The fabric of some pillowcases can also prove a fertile ground for dust mites, mold, and other contaminants that not only cover the outside surface of the pillow but manage to permeate into the inside of the filling through microscopic tears in the fabric.

To stay on the side of caution, consider only hypoallergenic pillows that contain an organic pillowcase. They’re designed to prevent contaminants from building up on the surface and contain no chemicals that could trigger allergic reactions.

Easy to wash

A pillow is one of the items that you use the most in the house, and with toddlers’ uncanny ability to make a mess out of everything, it goes without saying that regular cleanings are in order.

The ability to clean the surface of the pillow in your washing machine without damaging the fabric is an essential selling point.

Regardless of the type of pillow that you want, it’s advisable to opt for one that comes with a removable, machine-washable cover that is made from a breathable organic fabric.

With the use of the protective cover, the pillow itself will only need to be washed once or twice a year. You also have the option of getting a pillow that is machine-washable in its entirety

Top 5 Toddler Pillows

After going through the various characteristics of different products in the market, we can safely state that we narrowed your choice down to 5 pillows.

Little Sleepy Head Toddler Pillow 

Manufacturers are quick to let you know their products were made in the US, and with this little pillow, the top-quality American craftsmanship is readily apparent the moment you touch it.

The sleepy little head manages to hit that perfect balance between providing adequate support and being snugly and comfortable.

PROS

• checkThe customer service that this company provides is excellent. 
• checkThe quality to price ratio that this item offers is one of the highest in the market. 
• checkThis pillow is remarkably breathable even when compared to higher-priced products. 

CONS

• exclamation-triangleThe pillow is a little bit flat and could use some more filling to avoid premature deflations.
• exclamation-triangleWhile the size is perfect for a toddler, it’s small enough for your baby to outgrow it faster than you’d like.

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Dreamtown Kids Toddler Pillow Pillowcase

On top of being resistant to mold and mildew among other dangerous contaminants, this pillow from Dreamtown is made out of a unique blend of Poly and cotton that makes it irresistibly comfy and relatively sturdy at the same time. Its use is not restricted to the bed; it can also help toddlers sleep better on airplanes, cars, etc.

PROS

• checkThe Cotton/Poly blend of this pillow is its strongest selling point. It provides perfect support even for toddlers below the age of 2 and is adaptable to any sleeping position.
• checkIt comes with a bonus washable pillowcase, saving you the hassle of having to look for a new case that fits properly.
• checkThis pillow is also useful for adults. Its shape and composition make it perfect for maintaining good back alignment and as a headrest when you’re lying on your couch.

CONS

• exclamation-triangleThe smell that emanates from this pillow is not pleasant. It decreases after washing it the first time, but faint traces of an industrial-like smell remain.
• exclamation-triangleDespite the manufacturer advertising it as washable, this pillow does not respond well to water and becomes lumpy and deflated after a few washes.

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Printed Toddler Pillow

Who said pillows have to be bland and white? A Little Pillow Company didn’t spare any colors when crafting this sleekly tailored pillow.

The double stitching gives it extra robustness and allows it to remain durable while maintaining some degree of malleability. It’s 100% Hypoallergenic and comes with an organic cotton cover, making it risk-free for people with allergies.

PROS

• checkThe size is perfect and within the dimensions that pediatricians recommend; 13″ x 18″
• checkThis pillow remained intact, retaining its shape after being washed multiple times.

CONS

• exclamation-triangleThis pillow doesn’t seem to be uniformly thick throughout all its sides and is a bit lumpy.
• exclamation-triangleIt doesn’t come with a pillowcase which adds an extra investment to an already highly priced product.

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Milliard Memory Foam Toddler Pillow

You might not even recognize this product from Milliard as a pillow when you first lay your eyes on it. More unique than its design is the numerous features it boasts that you will have trouble finding in similarly-priced items.

The adjustable foam layers make this pillow flexible enough to conform to various proportions and children of all ages.

The cotton velour cover is machine-washable and adds comfort to the pillow on top of shielding it from the microbes that embed themselves on the surface.

PROS

• checkThe adjustability of the foam layers makes it an automatic choice for anyone looking to purchase a product that won’t outlive its usefulness in mere months.
• checkThanks to its shape and dimensions, this pillow is versatile enough for use as a support for an adult’s knees and back.
• checkThe memory foam used in this pillow is substantially dense, resulting in a great an amount of support to the child’s head.

CONS

• exclamation-triangleAs it is the case with any memory foam item, it has a smell that many could find off-putting.
• exclamation-triangleThe pillow is a bit narrow and falls slightly below the recommended dimensions that you’d expect from a good.

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Calla Toddler Pillow

Calla prides itself on the fact that a skilled American workforce crafted this pillow by hand using US grown cotton. While the design is fairly minimalistic and is far from being the most innovative in the market, this item meets all the requirements for a proper pillow for your toddler. It is entirely machine-washable and has no added chemicals that could trigger allergies.

PROS

• checkIt’s fluffy and soft just enough to accommodate a toddler’s sensitive neck and constant turning during sleep. Its flexibility enables you to keep using it as your little one is growing.
• checkThe cover is very smooth and went through several washes without sustaining any noticeable damage. Its cotton composition is certified as 100% organic and poses no health hazards to toddlers.
• checkIt’s very mildew resistant. After months of usage in a humid environment, it managed to fend off any mildew growth on its surface.

CONS

• exclamation-triangleThe price is relatively steep, especially for a pillow that is not 100% organic (only the cover is). You can find some of the same features in more competitively priced alternatives.
• exclamation-triangleThe design is completely lacking in imagination and color. This isn’t the best pillow if you want to add a touch of décor to your toddler’s bed.

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Conclusion

All the products we reviewed are high quality, and each one would make a useful addition to your toddler’s bedroom. Since we have to pick one, our choice goes to the Little Sleepy Head Toddler pillow.

When you compare it to the other products, it’s easy to notice that this pillow doesn’t present any glaring issue. No industrial smell like the Milliard or Dreamtown or the lack of uniform thickness that we noticed in the Printed. It also has a better price to quality ratio than the rest and offers the most responsive customer service.

The little Sleep Head ticks all the safety and comfort boxes. It provides your baby with the necessary support and alignment for his neck and head, ensuring that he gets the best quality of sleep possible.