Best Toddler Pillow

Top Toddler Pillows

Best Overall: My Little Dreamy Toddler Pillow with Pillowcase

One of the most popular toddler pillows on Amazon, with tens of thousands of ratings behind it. It's sized at 13x18 inches, the right proportions for a toddler-sized head and neck, and comes with a hypoallergenic pillowcase included.

Best Splurge: Snuggle-Pedic Travel Shredded Memory Foam Support Pillow

A slightly pricier option that comes with Snuggle-Pedic's signature Kool-Flow bamboo cover over shredded memory foam. The shredded fill lets you adjust the loft to your child's preference, and the cooling cover helps prevent overheating overnight.

Best Value: Utopia Bedding Toddler Pillow (2-Pack)

This one comes as a 2-pack, which makes it a great value option if you need pillows for more than one bed, or want a spare for laundry day. It's soft, machine washable, and sized appropriately at 13x18 inches.

Best Memory Foam: Coop Home Goods Original Toddler Adjustable Pillow

Coop Home Goods uses an adjustable shredded memory foam fill, so you can add or remove filling to change the loft and firmness as your toddler grows, helping avoid the flat, unsupportive feel some fixed-fill pillows develop over time.

Best for Hot Sleepers: Coop Home Goods Cool+ Adjustable Cooling Toddler Pillow

Built with cooling gel memory foam specifically to prevent your child from waking up hot and sweaty, this is the pick worth reaching for if your toddler tends to run warm at night or you live somewhere without air conditioning.

Best Organic: KeaBabies Organic Toddler Pillow with Pillowcase

A great first toddler pillow for parents who want to keep harmful fillers and chemicals away from their child, made with organic cotton fill and cover for a naturally hypoallergenic option.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Toddler Pillow

If you haven't bought a toddler pillow before, or bought one without giving it much thought, it's worth spending a couple of minutes understanding what makes a good pillow for your child.

Your Child's Age

You shouldn't move your child to a pillow before a certain age. The best way to tell if your child is ready is when they start getting uncomfortable without one, or start resting their head on other toys or materials, usually around age two.

How Big or Small the Pillow Is

A larger pillow can put more strain on your child's neck while sleeping, while a pillow that's too small may not give them room to move around comfortably. The right balance is usually about 13 x 9 inches with roughly a 3-inch height.

Fill

You'll mostly choose between polyester and memory foam. Polyester is cheaper and machine washable but can trap heat, while memory foam offers better neck support but can carry a temporary off-gassing smell when new.

Durability and Washability

Your child may end up playing with the pillow, so make sure it's built well enough that no filling falls out. It should also be easy to wash, ideally in a machine, once it inevitably gets messy.

When Should My Child Start Using a Pillow?

The right time varies by child, but most parents notice their toddler getting uncomfortable without a pillow somewhere around the 18-month to 2-year mark.

Would a Regular Pillow Work for My Toddler?

A standard adult pillow is usually too large for a toddler to lie down on comfortably, which is exactly why specialized toddler-sized pillows exist.

What Materials Should I Avoid?

Avoid pillows with chemically treated fillers, or ones where the filling is small enough to pose a choking hazard if the pillow tears. Check for allergy warnings as well.

Is a Pillowcase Necessary?

A pillowcase is recommended even if not strictly necessary, since it's more hygienic and lets you wash just the case if the pillow itself isn't machine washable.

Conclusion

Children are sensitive to almost everything at this age, and it can be difficult as a parent to choose products that won't end up irritating your toddler. With this buying guide and our top picks above, you can feel confident picking up a high-quality pillow that keeps your toddler comfortable and well rested. Pick the one that fits your needs best, and your toddler will thank you.