When your baby is a newborn and for several months after, the official advice is not to use a pillow, so it's quite an exciting step when you can buy them some toddler pillows and their very first bedding set.
It's best to wait until they are a toddler and ready to move to their big bed before you introduce a specifically designed toddler pillow and a duvet that's suitable for toddlers. You may be tempted to buy a regular pillow, but toddler pillows are definitely the right bedtime choice for your little one.
NHS advice is not to use a pillow under the age of one year, as having a pillow in your baby's cot creates a risk of suffocation and overheating. The Lullaby Trust also advises: "Pillow use alone has been shown to increase the chance of SIDS occurring by up to 2.5 times." But once your little one becomes a toddler and moves into a cot bed or toddler bed, you might find they're more comfortable with a pillow and toddler duvet, and they might enjoy sleeping in their own bed.
Take a look at our picks of the best toddler pillows available for you to buy right now. We have taken price, size, and design into consideration when choosing our favourites below.
The best toddler pillows at a glance
• Best toddler pillow overall: ClevaMama ClevaFoam Toddler Pillow
• Best sustainable toddler pillow: Panda Kids Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow
• Best affordable toddler pillow: Slumberdown Little Slumbers Toddler Super Soft Pillow
Best toddler pillows 2024
Best toddler pillow overall
Description
This toddler pillow is made from ClevaFoam, the creation of ClevaMama. It's breathable and hypo-allergenic, with an open cell structure to support your little one's head, neck and spine during sleep.
The ClevaMama ClevaFoam Pillow is also PH-balanced, meaning it's ideal for children with asthma or allergies. You can remove the cover to machine wash it – the zipper is reversed to protect your toddler's face from catching on it. You can also buy it as a set with a cotton pillowcase to match, too.
Hannah James, Mother&Baby writer and reviewer, said: "When I first opened this pillow, I thought it might be a little bit too hard. However, it feels sturdy and safe. I have seen a big improvement in my one-year-old's sleeping pattern. He now spends the entire night on his back rather than rolling and sleeping on his front. He falls asleep much quicker and sleeps for longer."
Pros
- Keeps toddler's head and spine correctly aligned
- Moulds to fit toddler's head
- Ideal for toddlers with eczema and asthma
Cons
- Doesn't come with a pillowcase
Best sustainable toddler pillow
pandalondon.com
Description
A memory foam option, which you might have as your own adult pillow. Panda Kids Memory Foam Pillow is designed to mould to your child's head and keep the neck and spine aligned during sleep (although that only works if your toddler doesn't wriggle around and come off the pillow!).
Bamboo is naturally hypo-allergenic and anti-bacterial, resisting mould and dust mites, so it's ideal if your little one has asthma or allergies. It's also anti-static, so it's super comfy against your skin. This pillow cover is machine-washable, and bamboo dries quicker than cotton; you can't machine-wash the foam pillow, but you can wipe it clean.
Pros
- Memory foam keeps toddler's neck and spine correctly aligned
- Temperature-regulating technology helps keep toddlers cool in summer
- Comes with soft bamboo cover, which is machine washable
Cons
- Sells out quickly
Best Silentnight toddler pillow
Description
You will have heard of the Silentnight brand, and it's a reputable company to put your trust in for a toddler pillow. Designed to be comfy for your little one's sleep but also anti-allergy, the Silentnight Safe Nights gives you extra peace of mind if your child has any allergies. The inner is 100 per cent hollow fibre, while the cover is poly-cotton. It's machine washable, and you can tumble dry it, too.
One review said: "Very happy with our purchase, suits our toddler perfectly."
Pros
- Affordable
- Pillow suitable for washing machine and tumble dryer makes it easy to keep clean
- Part of Silentnight's award-winning Safe Night's collection
Cons
- Some mentioned it loses shape when washed
Best toddler pillow with pillowcase
Description
An ergonomic pillow designed to look after your toddler's spine, neck and head. The KeaDreams Toddler Pillow is made from 100 per cent cotton, and both the pillow and pillowcase (which comes included) are machine washable; it's recommended to air dry this pillow, not tumble dry, and it is made out of microfibre fill.
One review said: "Lovely pillow, perfect size for my 20 month old. Stays nice and cold for him all day. He's not interested in the pillow case but I love it (donuts). He enjoys hugging it to sleep and it means he won't steal my pillow anymore so an added bonus."
Pros
- Comes with pillowcase with a cute design
- Pillow and case can be machine washed
- Designed with experts to provide spinal support
Cons
- More expensive than other pillows
Best affordable toddler pillow
www.argos.co.uk
Description
Made from 100 per cent polyester with 100 per cent recycled polyester filling, the Slumberdown Little Slumbers is a super-soft pillow and is perfect for little tots. As well as being anti-allergy, it's machine washable and tumble dry-friendly. We love how affordable and comfortable it is. It's a great quality pillow with reduced fill, giving great support for little heads.
One review said: "I bought a pillow as my little one had a cough and I think it helped him cough less as his head was slightly lifted but he absolutely loves the pillow and always lies on it."
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to keep clean, suitable for washing machine and tumble dryer
- Anti-allergy protection helps with asthma, eczema and against dust mites
Cons
- Some find it a bit too thick
Best breathable toddler pillow
Description
A great starter pillow, this Baby Works Toddler pillow is made from memory foam and comes with its own hypo-allergenic cover is machine-washable and tumble-dryer friendly. With airflow-treated technology, it's made from breathable, cooling material that your little tot can sleep soundly on.
One review said: "Bought this pillow for my daughter when she was a year old. She won't sleep with any other pillow, we tried. She loves this pillow, so we bought one for our son for when he is old enough.
These pillows are a great starter pillow for kids, and for parents that are nervous about introducing pillows. They are not too thick and the cover does not open easily, so no fear of it coming off during the night."
Pros
- Soft, hypo-allergenic pillow case included
- Pillowcase suitable for washing machine and tumble dryer
Cons
- Some mentioned it's not easy to clean
Best for comfortability
Description
Having a good nights sleep is very important, which is why this cotton rich baby cot bed quilted pillow is suitable for all 4 season use. Completely soft and anti allergy, this breathable material and beautiful stitchied pillow, makes sure that your baby has a comfortable and sound sleep.
One reviewer said: Perfect for my little girl and very comfortable during nap time and especially at night".
Pros
- Quilted cotton rich outer layer makes it dust mite proof, soft and comfortable for the baby and adds durability.
- Machine washable as synthetic.
Cons
- Not much left in stock.
Toddler Pillows: All you need to know
Choosing the right pillow for your toddler
When buying a toddler pillow, it's important to remember to choose materials that are soft against your little ones' skin. It's also handy to get a smaller pillow than your own that fits them better.
When can toddlers have a pillow?
Parenting expert and founder of The Regular Parent, Fi Star-Stone, says little ones really don't need pillows like we do, "They're perfectly comfortable (and safer) without one until they're ready to move to a big bed with toddler bedding (between 18 months - 3 years).
"Until then, quilts and pillows can cause a threat of suffocation or overheating. So, keep these items out of your little one's sleep routine. The emptier the crib or cot, the safer the sleep."
Do toddlers need a pillow?
As adults, we can't imagine going to bed without tucking up with a comfy pillow. But we know how much a toddler moves during their sleep. How often do you nip into their room to check how they are, only to find them upside down, feet hanging off the edge and head at the opposite end of the bed from where they started?
If you're going to introduce a pillow, manage your expectations. Your toddler might not sleep soundly in one position with a neatly placed pillow all night long.
It's best to wait as long as possible before giving your toddler a pillow. Wait until they show interest in one and aren't moving around so much at night. Keeping your child's bed as clear as possible from toys, bedding, and cushions is the best approach for as long as possible.
Remember, when your little one transitions to a bed, you don't need to use a pillow right away. "In fact, to make the transition from cot to bed easier, use their sleeping bag or blankets that they are used to so they feel familiar and settled.
"When they're comfortable with their new bed, choose quilts and pillows that conform to British safety standards," says Fi. "Toddlers don't need a standard-size pillow. Choose a pillow that is small, offers support, and retains its shape so as not to pose a suffocation risk.
"Think about investing in an anti-allergy pillow or pillow protector. Keep an eye on how your toddler gets along with it. If they're throwing the pillow on the floor - don't worry! As long as they're sleeping, then they're comfortable, so don't worry that they don't use it."
Can toddlers use normal pillows?
When you decide your little one is ready for a pillow, you can keep the bedding to a minimum by not using a pillowcase or looking for a pillow with a built-in washable cover instead. And there's no need for an adult-sized pillow – buy a specific toddler pillow that's smaller and firmer.
This article contains expert advice from parenting expert and founder of The Regular Parent, Fi Star-Stone.
Lily Anderson is a Deputy Commercial Content Editor at Bauer Media, where she writes about and reviews products for titles like Mother&Baby, Heat, Closer, What’s the Best and Yours.