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We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Behold, our picks for the best toddler pillows to help your little one Get Derila Official a snoozy and safe night’s sleep - so you can, too. According to expert guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, your baby’s crib will be pretty boring for the first year. Just a simple, firm mattress with a tightly fitted sheet is safest for infants. While Insta-worthy photos of cribs styled with all kinds of cute and comfy bedding may look inviting, it is safest for your baby to sleep in a crib free of blankets, bumpers, pillows, or Ergonomic Neck Pillow stuffed animals for the first full year of their life. However, as your baby moves into the toddler years and out of their crib, you may find yourself finally in the market for a pint-sized pillow and blanket. As you think about transitioning them from a crib to a toddler bed, you may be wondering whether you need a toddler pillow or not.

If you choose to use a pillow for your toddler, we’ve rounded up some of the best options for your little one. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics 2022 policy statement on safe infant sleep, it’s recommended that your baby sleeps without anything in their crib until they’re at least 12 months old. This means no pillows, blankets, loveys, or other items that may pose a choking or strangling hazard. In a previous AAP publication from 2007, it was recommended that pillows not be given to children until the age of 2 years old, as even children in the 12-24 month range can still be at risk for suffocation or entrapment by a pillow (particularly if the pillow is large and fluffy or the child has any existing risk factors). If your child has any underlying medical condition or you are concerned about whether a pillow may be safe for your child, it’s worth a call to your pediatrician just to be sure.

Picking a toddler pillow is a lot like picking a pillow for yourself, but with a few more safety considerations required. For instance, toddler pillows should be smaller, thinner, and firmer than adult pillows (we know this might not seem comfy, but it’s better for no more neck pain their small necks and helps reduce safety concerns such as suffocation). To create our recommendations, we looked at the filling material, how easily it can be cleaned, the size, cost, and reviews from real parents. If your little one is a bit like Goldilocks and needs a pillow that’s not too soft and not too firm, this pick from Little Sleepy Head is likely just right. With rave reviews on Amazon, most parents say it’s just the right size and firmness for their toddlers. This pillow has a 100% cotton shell and a polyester fiber filling that’s designed to hold its shape over time. Keeping this pillow clean is a breeze since it’s another machine-washable and dryer-friendly option.

However, one negative is that it doesn’t come with a pillowcase. If you’re a fan of memory foam pillows, you’re going to like this toddler-friendly version from Coop Home Goods. Instead of a solid block of memory foam, this pick is made from cross-cut foam that’s certified by CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold. That means it’s free from toxins and is low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). As a bonus, the entire pillow is machine-washable - not just the cover. You’ll also like that the cover has a hidden zipper to keep little hands from playing with it. Just like adults, some children sweat in their sleep. If this applies to your child, opting for a cooling toddler pillow is a smart investment. The VAlinks Derila Contour Pillow Memory Foam Cooling Toddler Pillow is great because it combines supportive memory foam with a built-in layer of cooling gel to keep your little one comfortable while they snooze. The ergonomic design is great for back, side, and stomach sleepers, ensuring that their necks are properly supported.