Three Things to Look for in a Great Toddler Pillow

Babies aren’t supposed to sleep with anything in their crib or sleeping space to avoid suffocation risk. When you get the all-clear to use a pillow—usually between eighteen months and two years—it can be tough to figure out the best choice for your baby. Toddler-specific pillows are smaller and firmer than their adult-size counterparts. That makes them easier for toddlers to handle and easier for them to fit in a crib or toddler bed. Toddler pillows may also be made of hypoallergenic materials or materials that wouldn’t be a choking hazard if they were to come loose. Here’s what to consider when choosing a toddler pillow.

A smaller pillow is ideal to bring along and stow at daycare for naps. Before you buy a toddler pillow, consider how they sleep. You may want to wait a few months if your young toddler thrashes and is still in a crib. Crying over a lost or stuck pillow may lead to missed sleep for yourself and your child.

A toddler pillow should be tossed in the wash frequently, especially if it travels with your little one or goes in the car. Look for material that can withstand a wash cycle—you may want to wash a pillow that goes to daycare or grandma’s house more frequently than one that stays in the house 24/7.

While one pillow in the bed is plenty for toddlers, consider all the places your kiddo sleeps and make sure you have enough pillows. Having one stowed at grandma’s house—or anywhere else your toddler regularly spends the night or naptime—can be helpful to have on hand to minimize meltdowns.