Best Infant Pillows: Can Your Baby Use a Pillow?
It is not recommended to use a traditional pillow or any sort of loose bedding (including stuffed animals) with an infant. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t pillows made for infant use to help with certain issues or help support babies while awake or in a sitting position.
If you are looking to help remedy flat head syndrome, avoid it, or want a supportive lounger, our suggestions below are exactly what you are looking for. Learn about the various pillow styles you can use safely with your infant and how it is beneficial to their sleep and growth.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  Hidetex Baby Pillow
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| #2 |  BebeBay Head Shaping Pillow for Flat Head Syndrome Prevention
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| #3 |  Boppy Original Nursing Pillow and Positioner
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| #4 |  Baby Wedge Sleep Positioner & Swaddle by ModTickles
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| #5 |  Leachco Podster Sling-Style Infant Seat Lounger
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Table Of Contents
- Dangers of Traditional Pillows
- Type of Infant Pillows and Their Benefits
- — Flat Head Pillows
- — Nursing Pillow
- — Baby Positioner
- — Baby Lounger
- Best Infant Pillows
- 1. Hidetex Baby Pillow
- 2. BebeBay Head Shaping Pillow for Flat Head Syndrome Prevention
- 3. Boppy Original Nursing Pillow and Positioner
- 4. Baby Wedge Sleep Positioner & Swaddle by ModTickles
- 5. Leachco Podster Sling-Style Infant Seat Lounger
- Conclusion
Dangers of Traditional Pillows
Babies should sleep on a flat firm surface until they are toddlers and can freely lift and move their bodies. Loose bedding, such as pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals can shift, fall, and tangle and create dangerous situations. Suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) can occur due, and it is best to avoid the use of these types of products without supervision.
Although there are safe options to help aid with various afflictions, care should always be taken in these situations and it is not recommended to use any sort of pillow without a way to supervise your infant.
Type of Infant Pillows and Their Benefits
There are quite a few styles of pillows you may want to consider for use with an infant. These are made specifically to help support your baby in different situations through the night or as they grow. All are designed to launder well and hold up to heavy use.
— Flat Head Pillows
When your baby lies in the same position during naps and at night, it can begin to produce a flat area. Even though this is not life-threatening and generally resolves itself quickly, it can be a concern and some care does need to be taken to help your child’s head become round again. Anti-flat head pillows can help cradle the head to keep it from being against a flat surface. To make them safer, slip them under the fitted sheet to avoid any possibility of them covering your baby’s face.
Benefits
Although extra care needs to be taken to supervise the use of these pillows, such as using them only during naps and not through the night while you can keep a closer eye on the child, they are very helpful.
— Nursing Pillow
Cradling your child in a proper position while nursing is very important for a good latch and head support for swallowing and nursing. Nursing pillows are designed specifically for nursing positions. Some even double for lounging and sitting support as your child grows.
Benefits
A good nursing pillow helps support a nursing baby, but even more so, helps ease the weight from the mother to make it a more comfortable experience all around. Those that double as a lounger and sitting support also help make these types of pillows even more affordable due to how long you can use them.
— Baby Positioner
Baby positioners are made to help support your child on their side or to help lift their head while they sleep. They can be used on either the left or right to help position the baby in different ways to avoid constant pressure in only one place.
Benefits
These pillows can also easily fit under fitted sheets for safety purposes. They are quite stable overall and provide the means to help support your child on their sides to help lessen the effects of pressure on only one area of the head. They also can help with reflux.
— Baby Lounger
These are often donut-shaped pillows with a soft outer and an inner indent. They are designed specifically for body support when awake and are not for sleeping. Often, they double as a nursing pillow as well.
Benefits
Loungers are generally very versatile and can cradle a baby while they are awake, looking around, during tummy time, and when they need a little extra support while learning to sit on their own.
You may be interested in: Best Baby Lounger
Best Infant Pillows
The following picks are some of the most popular with parents to help your child avoid flat head syndrome, and also support them as they grow. Pursue your options and pick out a few of your favorites to help with your baby’s needs.
1. Hidetex Baby Pillow
Specs:
- Type: Anti-flat head pillow
- Material: Memory foam and Cotton
- Features: Low-profile, soft memory foam, breathable cotton, adorable bear design, and multiple color options
Best Low-Profile, Anti-Flat Head Pillows
Although you should always take care with the use of an anti-flat head pillow, this low profile design is a good one to fit under the fitted sheet to avoid aunty loose edges. Made from memory foam and a soft, breathable cotton cover, the design provides a shallow cradle within the middle to help cradle the headband avoid a fully flat surface.
It also is a good option to use in rockers, bouncing chairs, and strollers, and comes in a variety of colors. The shape looks like an adorable bear also, making it a cute addition to your child’s collection of helpful products.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who This is For
If you are looking for head support for your child in bed or elsewhere, this a good choice. Remember to always use it with care, and make sure you can easily observe your child.
2. BebeBay Head Shaping Pillow for Flat Head Syndrome Prevention
Specs:
- Type: Anti-flat head pillow
- Material: Memory foam and Cotton
- Features: Low-profile, deep cradle, soft memory foam, breathable cotton, compact heart design
Best Compact Memory Foam Anti-Flat Head Pillow
This heart-shaped pillow provides a compact, yet sturdy support and a comfortable cradle for the baby’s head to fit into. Made from conforming memory foam, it has a soft cotton cover and is a design that can be used in a bed for naps, bassinets, swings, strollers, and bouncers. It also provides good neck support.
The thicker design with a deeper cradle helps hold the head more securely and works well with a growing child. But it isn’t a tall design by any means and can be put under a fitted sheet as well.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who This is For
If you are in the market for a nice compact anti-flat head pillow, or support for a baby’s head when in a car seat, stroller, or other product, this is a popular choice.
3. Boppy Original Nursing Pillow and Positioner
Specs:
- Type: Nursing/Lounging
- Material: Polyester, polyfill
- Features: Ergonomic shape for nursing and growing baby support; soft, cushioning fill; easy to launder with a removable cover; doesn’t go flat
Best Versatile Nursing and Positioning Pillow
The Boppy Pillow is a tried and true design that provides a donut shape, stuffed pillow with an opening that you can use to wrap around your body for nursing or comfortably holding your baby. When placed on a flat surface, it works well to help support a lounging baby, tummy time, and for sitting.
The removable cover is easy to launder and can be swapped out with other covers to change up the look or have a few extra on hand if one is soiled. Made from polyester material and polyfill, it keeps its shape through heavy use and is a dependable option popular with families with growing babies.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who This is For
If you have been looking for a good pillow to help with support while nursing, but also want a good option to help support your child as it grows, the Boppy is an option to consider.
4. Baby Wedge Sleep Positioner & Swaddle by ModTickles
Specs:
- Type: Sleep Wedge
- Material: Memory foam and Cotton
- Features: Gentle wedge shape measuring 14 x 16.5 x 3 inches, made to fit bassinets 16 to 18 inches wide, optimal 12 to 14-degree incline, high-density memory foam, protective cover
Best Baby Wedge Sleep Positioner
This baby wedge sleep positioner is an option that helps your baby be supported along their back, or along the top of a bed to help them turn their head slightly to the side. This allows you to shift them slightly each time you lay them down to avoid placing their head in the same position each time. It can also help keep them from rolling.
Made from dense memory foam, it has a soft cotton cover that can be removed for laundering. It also has a waterproof layer to help avoid soiling the pillow. This pillow also comes with a soft muslin swaddle you can use to wrap your infant and later use as a blanket when considered safe.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who This is For
A good wedge pillow works well to help support your infant in a back to side sleeping position. It also helps keep them from rolling and provides a soft surface. Like any added sleep product, you should use it while supervised.
5. Leachco Podster Sling-Style Infant Seat Lounger
Specs:
- Type: Baby Lounger
- Material: Polyfill, cotton cover
- Features: Durable, soft design for cradling baby safely; removable cover that is easy to launder; adjustable cradle area; multiple covers
Best Infant Lounger
If your baby likes to see what is going on but isn’t strong enough to lift themselves or sit, the Leachco lounger is a great alternative. Support your baby and offer them a comfortable, safe position from which to view their surroundings. Made from a durable, supportive polyfill, it will last for as long as you need it without going flat.
The removable cover is easy to launder and is made from breathable cotton. Use for a growing baby, a soft place to rest through the day, and a way to help support acid reflux. It also comes in multiple colors and has an adjustable, sling-style seat for a growing child.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who This is For
This is the perfect option for a baby who wants to take a look around at their world, and need a safe place to rest.
Conclusion
These pillows are excellent examples of some of the best you can buy for your baby’s comfort. They should be used with supervision, but in some cases, fit easily under a fitted sheet to help avoid any edges that can lift to create and sort of surface a child’s face could be pressed against.
Whether you are looking for a way to ease flat head syndrome, provide nursing support, or want a comfortable lounger, these fit the bill! And no need to limit yourself to only one type; get the pillows you and your child needs!