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5 Best Toddler Pillows for Comfortable & Healthy Sleep

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Written By Connie Hack

Sleep Consultant

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How We Test

Our testing process

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27 November 2023 4 min read

Looking for the best toddler pillows? Look no further! We've fou8nd top 5 picks for your little ones!

A good night's sleep is crucial for toddlers – it helps them stay alert and focused during the day. That's why it's important to find the best toddler pillow for them.

We've tested over 40 pillows to come up with a list of the 5 best toddler pillows on the market today.

The ones we chose are not only comfortable but also crucial for your child's development. So, let's meet them, shall we?

Our top picks

After careful consideration and meticulous testing, we've chosen the following five toddler pillows as our top picks. They are:
Baby 1
a product image of Panda Kids Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow 4+
Panda Kids Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow
Best Overall
Baby 2
product image of Silentnight Safe Nights Cot Bed Pillow
Silentnight Safe Nights Cot Bed Anti-Allergy Pillow
Best Value
Baby 3
a product image of KeaBabies Toddler Pillow with Pillowcase
KeaBabies Toddler Pillow with Pillowcase
Upgrade Pick
Baby 4
a product image of ClevaMama ClevaFoam Toddler Pillow.
ClevaMama ClevaFoam Toddler Pillow
Best Leak-Proof
Baby 5
Product image of Pharmedoc Little Garoo Toddler Pillow.
Pharmedoc Little Garoo Toddler Pillow
Best Machine-Washable

Best Overall: Panda Kids Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow

Cushy, affordable, organic – toddler pillow for every child's head!
Best Overall
a product image of Panda Kids Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow 4+

If you're looking for a pillow that will support your child's spine and neck alignment, the Panda Kids Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow is a great option. Made with 3rd generation memory foam, toddler pillow from Panda provides a medium-firm level of support that will contour your child's weary head.

The bamboo cover is soft and breathable, helping to keep your child cool and comfortable all night long. Plus, it's anti-bacterial and fully machine-washable, so you can rest assured your toddler's runny nose won't be caused by allergies.

As icing on the cake, the pillow comes with a 10-year guarantee, ensuring many years of sweet dreams, for more than one child.

KEY FEATURES:
  • Size: 53 x 38 x 6 cm
  • Firmness: Medium firm
  • Cover & Fill: Bamboo, polyester, memory foam
  • Suitablre for : 12-48 months

Advantages

An icon depicting a leaf indicating hypoallergenic properties
Hypoallergenic
100% safe for babies
An icon depicting a washing machine, illustrating a product that is suitable for machine washing
Easy maintenance
Super-easy to keep it clean

Disadvantages

An icon depicting off gassing
Slight off-gassing
There might be some slight off-gassing

Best Value: Silentnight Safe Nights Cot Bed Anti-Allergy Pillow

Quadruplets? Not a problem for Silentnight!
Best Value
product image of Silentnight Safe Nights Cot Bed Pillow

If you're shopping on a budget, but looking for a soft and slim pillow that your one-year-old will adore, the Safe Nights Anti-allergy Cot Bed Pillow by Silentnight is a great option.
It's been uniquely designed with your child's comfort in mind and is filled with anti-allergy hollowfibre to keep bacteria and dust mites at bay. Microfibre and cotton pillow cover feels good on their skin and won't cause any rashes, irritations or redness.

The pillow is fully machine washable, so you can keep it fresh and clean for a very long time, ensuring your little one stays in perfect health for years to come.

KEY FEATURES:
  • Size: 60 x 40 x 6 cm
  • Firmness: Medium
  • Cover & Fill: Microfibre, cotton, hollowfibre
  • Suitable for: 18-36 months

Advantages

An icon depicting a good value product
Amazing quality-price ratio
Great value for money
An icon depicting a leaf indicating hypoallergenic properties
Hypoallergenic
Safe for toddlers & babies

Disadvantages

An icon depicting the product may be too soft
May be too soft
Overly soft for young toddlers

Upgrade Pick: KeaBabies Toddler Pillow with Pillowcase

Let your toddler use a pillow they find pretty!
Upgrade Pick
a product image of KeaBabies Toddler Pillow with Pillowcase

The KeaBabies Toddler Pillow is designed to provide your child with the ergonomic support they need during sleep.The pillow is soft and fluffy, ensuring that your child will be super cosy while using it. And because the pillow is made with OEKO-Tex certified organic cotton, you can rest assured knowing that your child is sleeping on a natural, skin-friendly material.

These pillows come with many colourful pillowcases to choose from! Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but the pillowcases are also machine-washable, as is the whole pillow, making it easy for you to keep it pristine.

KEY FEATURES:
  • Size: 33 x 46 x 9 cm
  • Firmness: Medium firm
  • Cover & fill: Cotton, microfibre
  • Suitable for: 2-5 years

Advantages

An icon depicting a man laying down in multiple positions indicating comfort & ergonomics
Ergonomic
Ergonomic design
An icon depicting a leaf indicating hypoallergenic properties
Hypoallergenic
100% hypoallergenic
An icon depicting a washing machine, illustrating a product that is suitable for machine washing
Easy maintenance
Super-easy to keep it clean

Disadvantages

An icon depicting a back sleeper
It may be too thick
Too thick for young toddlers

Best Leak-Proof: ClevaMama ClevaFoam Toddler Pillow

Designed by mums – for mums!
Best Leak-Proof
a product image of ClevaMama ClevaFoam Toddler Pillow.

As a parent, there is nothing more important than ensuring your child has a good night's sleep. The ClevaMama ClevaFoam Toddler Pillow is the perfect way to ensure just that. The pillow is made from ClevaFoam – scientifically proven to prevent flat head syndrome and protect the round shape of your baby or toddler's head from the age of one to three.

The pillow is also hypoallergenic, making it suitable for babies who suffer from asthma or allergies. On top of that, this one comes with a removable, washable pillow case, with a hidden, reversible zipper that protects your child's pretty face from scratches.

KEY FEATURES:
  • Size: 50 x 30 x 5.5 cm
  • Firmness: Medium firm
  • Cover & fill: Cotton, memory foam
  • Suitable for: 12-36 months

Advantages

An icon depicting a man laying down in multiple positions indicating comfort & ergonomics
Ergonomic design
Ergonomic design, approved by professionals
An icon depicting air passing through a fabric
Breathable
Breathable and PH-balanced foam
An icon depicting a washing machine, illustrating a product that is suitable for machine washing
Easy maintenance
Super-easy to keep it clean

Disadvantages

An icon depicting off gassing
Off-gassing
Slight off-gassing is possible

Best Machine-Washable: Pharmedoc Little Garoo Toddler Pillow

Keeping things clean was never this easy!
Best Machine-Washable
Product image of Pharmedoc Little Garoo Toddler Pillow.

If you are looking for a toddler pillow that is soft, comfortable, and most importantly the one that's easy to clean, the Pharmedoc Little Garoo Toddler Pillow is a perfect choice! This pillow is made of synthetic and natural fibres and materials, this one features an innovative cooling feature that keeps your child nice and comfortable while they sleep.

The PharMeDoc Toddler Pillow is also safe and ergonomic, designed to provide support for the neck and head. The pillow's also fully machine-washable, so if an accident happens – you can just toss the whole thing in a washer. Plus, it is covered by a lifetime satisfaction guarantee, so you don't have to worry about it losing its fluff any time soon.

KEY FEATURES:
  • Size: 48 x 35 x 11 cm
  • Firmness: Medium soft
  • Cover & fill: Polyester, nylon, spandex microfibre
  • Suitable for: 2-5 years

Advantages

An icon depicting a thermometer illustrating a good thermo regulating properties
Temperature-balancing
Great temperature regulation
An icon depicting a washing machine, illustrating a product that is suitable for machine washing
Machine washable
Easy maintenance
An icon depicting the product that is soft to touch
Soft & fluffy
Soft-to-touch

Disadvantages

An icon depicting a back sleeper
It might be too thick
Too thick for young toddlers

When should you get a toddler’s pillow?

A baby on a pillow

The answer to this question depends on a few factors, but generally speaking, you should introduce your child to a pillow after they turn one.

If your child is under the age of one, it is generally recommended that you do not use a pillow, as their necks are still very weak and there is still more than an insignificant chance of sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS.

Once your child reaches the age of one, you can start to introduce a pillow if you think they would benefit from it. For example, if your child is a particularly restless sleeper, a pillow can help to prevent them from tossing and turning so much.

What to consider when buying toddler pillow

When buying a pillow for your toddler, there are a few key things you need to keep in mind.

Hypoallergenic

A little girl sleeping on a hypoallergenic pillow

Allergies, skin irritations, and rashes are common in young toddlers, and pillows are one of the main culprits. To ensure your child doesn't have a reaction to their pillow, look for one that is hypoallergenic. This means that it is made from materials that are unlikely to cause an allergic reaction, such as organic cotton or bamboo.

Fill

When it comes to filling, memory foam and wool are generally considered to be the best options for toddlers. Memory foam pillow is great because it contours to your child's head, providing them with extra support and comfort. Wool is also a good choice as it is naturally hypoallergenic and temperature regulating, keeping your child comfortable no matter what the weather is like.

Down alternative filling like microfibre and hollowfibre also work, provided they're produced with care. Avoid feather and down as they're often too soft and could cause an allergic reaction. Leave those for an adult pillow.

Size/dimensions

A little girl in bed going to sleep

A toddler pillow is noticeably smaller than an adult-sized pillow, but they can vary quite a bit in size.

The only thing you'll want to make sure of is that the pillow is not too big or too small for your child and that it fits a toddler bed or cot bed.

As a general rule of thumb, you should go for a flat toddler pillow (low loft, no more than three inches) that's about 12 x 16 inches (or 30 x 4 cm). 13 x 18 inches also works.

Firmness

Most toddler pillows should be medium-firm, leaning towards the firmer end. You want to look for something in the middle that will provide your child with enough support without being uncomfortable.

At this point, they're not infants anymore, so you don't have to worry about avoiding any remotely soft pillow. The risk of SIDS is now very low, and they'll likely be able to sleep on any type of pillow they find comfortable.

Removable cover

A little girl sitting with a pillow and with thumbs up

Spills, accidents, and leaks happen, especially with toddlers.

To make sure your pillow lasts as long as possible, look for one with a removable cover that you can easily take off and wash when necessary. If not, at least find a pillow you can machine-wash entirely.

Extra features

Some pillows come with extra features that can be helpful, such as an integrated pillowcase or built-in pillow protector. Pillowcases are great as they help to keep the pillow clean, while pillow protectors act as a barrier against dust mites and other allergens while also keeping the pillow stain-free.

Tips for buying and using toddler pillow

Before you swipe your credit card, here are a few tips to keep in mind when buying and using a toddler pillow.

Following these, your toddler should have no problem getting a great night's sleep.

The advantages of owning the best toddler pillow

There is more than one real-life advantage to owning the best toddler pillow. This guide will explore the top three advantages experienced by parents who have made the switch to this type of pillow for their children.

Following the general toddler pillow safety guidelines can help reduce the suffocation risk by providing the proper support for your child's head and neck.

FAQs about your toddler pillow

When should my toddler start using a pillow?

When should my toddler start using a pillow?

Your toddler can start using a pillow anywhere from 12 to 18 months old.

What is the safest pillow for a 2-years old?

At two years old, your child should still use a toddler pillow.

What is the best firmness for a toddler’s pillow?

The best toddler pillow firmness would be medium-firm, leaning more towards firm than medium.

How thick should a toddler’s pillow be?

The toddler's pillow shouldn't be more than 3 inches (approx 7 cm) thick.

How many pillows should a toddler use?

Only keep a single pillow in a toddler bed until your child is at least three. That means his favourite stuffed animal will also have to wait.

What bedding should I use for a travel cot?

You should use a firm, flat and waterproof mattress that can fit in a travel cot.

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