Sleep is extremely important for your little one, they are growing so quickly that their bodies need the daily rest. Moving your toddler to a bed is a big deal and so is ensuring you pick the best toddler pillows for your little one to rest their head on, so that they sleep as comfortably as possible.
We have found the best toddler pillows for you to consider.
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What's the Goal of This Guide?
If you are introducing a pillow for the first time, it is recommended that you wait until your toddler is at least 18 months old. Once your child has reached 18 months of age the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is considerably reduced, making it safe for your little one to sleep on a pillow.
Most parents start the transition from cot to bed at around 18 months of age, but you can wait longer if you feel your child is not ready to make the move. You do not need a pillow for a 1-year-old, it is better to wait until they are older.
Creating healthy sleeping habits from an early age is important and this includes making sure you have the best toddler pillows for your child. When you start your search, you will find many different toddler pillow types, but it can be overwhelming finding the safest toddler pillow. This guide will help you in choosing a toddler pillow that works for your little one.
What Doctors & Pediatricians Say?
You might be asking yourself if your toddler really needs a pillow. Toddlers older than 18 months can start sleeping on a pillow. Babies younger than that should not sleep on a pillow as it increases their chances of SID and suffocation. If your child suffers from allergies you may notice these increases when they start sleeping on a pillow, especially if the pillow is fluffy or not a good quality hypo-allergenic pillow.
Another consideration when introducing a pillow is Flat Head Syndrome. This happens when a baby sleeps with their head turned to the same side, resulting in a flat spot on the back of their head. The reason this happens is because babies spend so much time in their cribs sleeping or lying down. Whether they have a pillow or not, it is important to change the position you place your baby in.
As a result of these health and safety concerns, it is important that you take time to research the best toddler pillows so that you make the safest choice for your 18-month-old. Remember, what you find comfortable and what your toddler find comfortable could be two different things, so they may not need big fluffy pillows and blankets to get comfortable at night.
Safety First - What to Look When Choosing Toddler Pillow?
When looking for the best toddler pillows, there are a few things you need to consider before making your purchase.
Let’s take a look at what the most important factors are you need to consider.
How to Pick Ideal Pillow for My Toddler?
It might take you a few tries to find the perfect pillow for your toddler. The good news is that these little pillows are not too expensive, so if it doesn’t work, it is easy to get a different one that will work.
Also remember that everyone is different and everyone, even your toddler, has their own preferences when it comes to the type of pillow they sleep on. You might like a big fluffy pillow, but your toddler might prefer a flat, firmer pillow. The important thing is to make sure you find the right toddler pillow for sleeping, even if it takes a few tries.
8 Best Toddler Pillows
We have found 8 of the best toddler pillows for you to consider when you are ready to introduce a pillow to your child’s sleep routine.
1. Best Organic Toddler Pillow Kea Babies (Cotton 100%)
This little pillow is one of the best organic toddlers pillows you will find and comes with many benefits for your little one. Rated very highly by parents (and toddlers) this is a really great pillow for you to consider for your toddler.
Potential trade-offs:
2. Best Toddler Pillow for Allergies - Coop Home Goods
Toddlers who suffer from allergies will want to sleep on this pillow. It comes with the Green Guard Gold certification. This means that they do not contain PVC or Vinyl and are hypoallergenic. When your child sleeps on this pillow you will have peace of mind that they are safe.
Potential trade-offs:
3. Best Ergonomic Pillow for Toddlers - Clevamama Toddler Pillow
Even toddlers need a little luxury and this Clevamama toddler pillow is all about luxury and comfort. It is the perfect pillow for toddlers up to around 3 years of age. If you are looking for a luxurious and comfortable pillow for your child, then this is one to consider.
Potential trade-offs:
4. Best Pillow for Having Fun: Animal Adventure Toddler Pillow Chair
Pillows don’t just have to be used to sleep on. You can get your toddler, this fun toddler pillow chair to make reading their favorite book or enjoying family time even more comfortable for them. This little animal chair is the perfect addition to any nursery or toy room.
Potential trade-offs:
5. Toddler Pillow for Car Seat - H Homewins Travel Pillow
Traveling long distances means your little has to be in their car seat or on an airplane or train for an extended period. This can get uncomfortable for them which is why a pillow for toddler car seats is a good idea.
Investing in toddler pillows for travelling like this one, can make them a lot more comfortable, especially while they sleep. This is the best pillow for 3-year old’s who are in the car a lot.
Potential trade-offs:
6. Best Gel Pillow for Toddlers - Nestl Coolest Pillow
Everyone sleeps differently, some people (including toddlers) get very hot while they sleep and when this happens it is essential to look for a pillow that doesn’t cause you to overheat even more. This pillow has been designed with hot sleepers in mind and will prevent them from overheating.
Potential trade-offs:
7. Best Pillow for Toddlers Made of Wool - Woolino Pillows
When you start your pillow search you will see that pillows can be made from a range of different materials – including wool. This soft wool pillow offers something a little different.
Made from Australian wool this pillow is guaranteed to provide your toddler with a comfortable and luxurious place to rest their head. This is a thin pillow, so could also be considered the best toddler pillow for stomach sleepers.
Potential trade-offs:
8. Cutest Toddler Pillows in the World
If you are looking for something cute, fun, and useful, then this toddler pillow is a must-buy item. It is super cute and can come in very handy.
It can help to prevent your little one from bumping their head while they are learning to walk. It is also very hand when you want to lay your baby down on a blanket to play.
Potential trade-offs:
FAQs
Can toddler pillow be used for 18 months old baby?
Toddler pillows can start to be introduced to your child’s sleeping routine from when they are around 18 months. The longer you wait to introduce a pillow the better though.
Can toddler pillows go into machine and dryer?
Most toddler pillows can be easily washed in your washing machine and then dried in the dryer. It is important to read the care instructions to see how the pillow needs to be cleaned.
Are toddler pillows hypoallergenic?
Most pillows designed for toddlers are hypoallergenic. If you are looking for a pillow that is hypoallergenic, research the pillow first to make sure that it is in fact hypoallergenic. Most pillows will make this information clear.
Do toddlers need pillows?
Toddler pillows can be introduced once your child is 18 months, but it is not something you have to introduce then. If your child is sleeping comfortable then you can wait until you move them from their crib to a bed.
When choosing toddler pillow should I focus on Flat Head Syndrome?
Flat Head Syndrome is something you should consider, but the older your child the less the risk of Flat Head Syndrome. Focus on finding a pillow your child finds comfortable.
Why can’t I use normal pillow for my baby?
Adding lose items, like pillows, blankets, toys etc., to your baby’s crib can increase the risk of SID’s and suffocation. This is why it is better to reduce the number of items you place in the crib with your little one.
Conclusion
By now you should have a better understanding of everything you need to know about choosing the best toddler pillows. It is important to take into account all the factors we mentioned to ensure the pillow you settle on is safe and comfortable for your toddler to sleep on.
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