Best Pillows for Toddlers

When your baby graduates from their crib to a larger bed, it is naturally assumed you should add a pillow to their bedding if you haven’t already. If you have done this in the past, then you are aware of how large even a standard size pillow looks under their small heads, and it often props them up much more than what is considered comfortable.

Children’s sleep posture and support is important to keep an eye on as we rarely have a child that will vocalize their discomfort and associate it to an uncomfortable night. What you may notice, however, is their lack of sleep as they toss and turn more than normal, or wake often through the night- which could be associated with physical discomfort. The best pillow for toddlers should take into account their choice of sleep position, and be of a size to fit their smaller bodies.

Best Toddler Pillow Picks

When looking for your child’s first pillow, you will quickly discover most toddler pillows are similar to one another. The differences lie in their quality, rather than shape and size like adult pillows, and choices below are based on the top rated reviews from current consumers.

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When Should a Toddler Begin to Sleep with a Pillow?

It is not suggested that an infant (considered 12 months and younger) sleep with a pillow due to how their movements through the night could block airway passages. Depending on the child’s age and strength, they may not be able to remove the pillow from their face, causing distress, or even suffocation. As a child grows in size and strength, and are able to move about freely, the addition of certain light blankets and other bedding often is the norm. But most children stay in a crib until they are 18 to 24 months before transitioning to a larger bed, which is a great time to introduce the use of a pillow.

Sleep Position and Pillow Comfort

Your overall health is very much dependent on your spinal support and alignment. This is especially true through the night as you are in a fairly stable, non-moving position for long periods of time- making proper alignment an important concern. Your choice of bedding is especially helpful in providing the support you need, and pillows focus especially on cervical alignment: the main gateway of your brainstem to the rest of your central nervous system.

As children grow, their bodies are under a tremendous amount of exertion, making their sleep integral to both physical and mental development. Their bodies need the proper amount of uninterrupted sleep each night – an average of 14 hours for toddlers – to grow as they should. Too little, or too much, can result in behavioral problems, and struggles with focus and growth.

• Back Sleep Position Needs

Back sleepers need a very thin pillow to help support the head and provide a place for the neck to rest. Do not allow the head to fall too far back, or be lifted too high.

• Stomach Sleep Position Needs

Stomach sleepers are best left without a pillow as the turn of their head already compromises their spine. If a pillow is required, choose a thin, soft choice that provides little to no lift.

• Side Sleep Position Needs

Children that sleep on their sides need enough of a lift to allow for proper head support, and fill the gap between their head and shoulders. Most toddlers are still very narrow shouldered until they reach their elementary years, as so many toddler pillows can work for combination back and side sleepers with very little problem.

What to Consider When Choosing a Toddler Pillow

Obviously your choice of pillow is going to be dependent on your own observations of your child’s sleep habits, as well as their size. Keep in mind the following questions while looking over your top choices:

What is your child’s main sleep position?

Even if your child moves around through the night, they usually have a preferred comfort in which they fall asleep in and move back to for a deeper rest. Watch your child to see mainly if they are a back and side sleeper, or more of a stomach sleeper to determine if a pillow is even necessary.

Does your child sleep warm?

Some children sleep hot no matter what you do to help cool them off. If this is the case, you may want to avoid certain materials that may retain heat. Memory foam often creates heat sinks, so be sure to read up on the product to see if it has any cooling properties.

What percentile of growth is your child within?

Children grow in relation to genetics more than anything, and if they already are in a higher percentile for their age, you may want to consider the fit of the pillow for the time you need it for.

You may want to read: Best Duvet for Toddler Beds

Conclusion

Toddler head and neck alignment is just as important to a good night’s rest as it is for an adult. And paying close attention to the construction and quality of a toddler pillow can help your child get a better, deeper night’s rest. The above choice highlight the variances you may find from one product to the next, but all highlight safety in the materials used, and qualities to create a safe, comfortable environment.

Your choice of pillow for your child should be based on the needs your toddler has, how they sleep, and their overall size. Most toddler pillows are too small for a child past 5, unless specifically stated. All these pillows are made to be used without a pillowcase, but each company does offer a case that can be purchased separately. As with any pillow, be sure to check dimensions to provide a good fit.