Best Toddler Pillows for Restful Sleep 2024

Getting your tired toddler to sleep can be quite a feat. Even if you have the best toddler mattress in the world, the pillow can make or break the whole thing, leaving your child groggy and grumpy in the morning. Unfortunately, there are some things the best toddler alarm clocks can't fix.

Luckily, there's no shortage of choices when it comes to good pillows. And honestly, the best toddler pillow is the one that helps your child sleep.

How to choose the best toddler pillow

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), toddlers can safely sleep with a pillow and a blanket once they've graduated from a crib to an older kid's bed, but make sure to choose something made specifically for your little one (not your adult-sized sleep sack, body pillow situation).

With so many options (down, foam, firm, light as a feather), it shouldn't be a chore to find the perfect place for your toddler to lay their head at night. But, there are a few things to consider before you make the purchase.

• Size: When selecting a toddler pillow, think like Goldilocks—not too large or too small. If you're looking for a contoured fit, you might need a smaller pillow whereas a taller toddler might need something larger. It's also important to note whether the pillow is compact enough to on the road.
• Material: Down, cotton, polyester, microfiber, down—pillows come a lot of different ways. The trick is to find one that's not only breathable, but safe, comfortable, and mold and mildew resistant.
• Support: There's a lot to think about when it comes to support because of a toddler's body mechanics. According to leading pediatricians, the biggest thing to look for in a pillow is proper spinal support. Whether it's firm or soft, ensure the height of the pillow aligns with your child's neck to avoid discomfort or injury.
• Maintenance: Toddler are notoriously messy so you'll likely want to find a pillow you can throw in your best washer and dryer for easy cleanup, but also one that holds its shape and softness.

The best toddler pillow options 2024

• Best overall: My Little Dreamy Pillow
• Best budget: Babebay Toddler Pillow
• Best organic: Little One's Pillow
• Best luxury: Coop Home Goods Toddler Pillow
• Best hypoallergenic: Little Sleepy Head Toddler Pillow
• Best rated: Celeep Toddler Pillows
• Best cooling toddler pillow: Nook Little Pebble Pillow

Best overall

My Little Dreamy Pillow

With more than 26,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this toddler pillow by KeaBabies is a hit among parents everywhere. The ergonomically-designed, kid-tested and approved pillow provides the correct spinal support while maintaining its lightweight, cozy feel.

The polyester fiber filling is made from Certified Cotton and Certified CU, meeting international OEKO-TEX standards. That means this "Climate Pledge Friendly" pillow is screened for things like lead, carcinogenic dyes, and pesticides to ensure your child's safety from anything harmful.

More than 20 pattern options sure to dazzle your little one, the My Little Dreamy Pillow is durable, machine washable, and perfect for travel. It's no wonder it's been deemed the best toddler pillow overall.

Pros

• Retains shape even after washing
• Breathable, fun fabric
• Provides ideal spinal support vetted by chiropractors
• Travel-friendly
• Kid-tested and approved

Cons

• Some reviewers stated the pillow is smaller than expected, though our experience found the pillow to be appropriately sized for toddlers

Best budget

Babebay Toddler Pillow

For parents searching for a good deal without sacrificing quality, the Toddler Pillow hits the mark. This hypoallergenic comfort essential is made with high-quality fill material that offers both cushioning and ample support. It's machine washable, too (just remember to use one of the best laundry detergents for your little one's sensitive skin).

This budget-friendly pillow touts the perfect thickness for spine support. With multiple patterns to choose from, this wallet-friendly Toddler Pillow holds its shape with soft, high-grade 3-D microfiber filling. This sought-after filling gives the pillow its fluff and support and hug-worthy squishability.

Pros

• Affordable price point at about $20
• Multiple designs to choose from
• Supports spine health
• Hypoallergenic
• Affordable without sacrificing quality

Cons

• Some buyers said the filling is too thick and holds a chemical scent

Best organic

Little One's Pillow

If you're looking for a toddler pillow that's both cozy and environmentally friendly, Little One's 100% certified organic cotton shell pillow checks the box. Hand-crafted in the USA by a family-owned company this pillow holds a proprietary cluster fiber filling that's been repeatedly tested to ensure the highest comfort for the best night's sleep.

Designed with top chiropractors and pediatricians, the Little One's Pillow is guaranteed to be a perfect fit or the company will even tailor-fill a pillow for free.

Machine washable and durable, we like this toddler pillow's smooth organic cotton cover and plush feel. It is easily one of the most affordable organic toddler pillows on the market, and worth every penny. Our suggestion? Buy a few backups.

Pros

• Certified organic cotton (Global Organic Textile Standard/GOTS)
• Made in the USA
• Customizable proprietary fiber filling for the right support and fit
• Family-owned, designed with chiropractors and pediatricians for the most support

Cons

• Does not come with a pillowcase

Best luxury

Coop Home Goods Toddler Pillow

When you have a little more wiggle room in your pillow budget, the Coop Home Goods Toddler Pillow comes with all the bells and whistles. For a slightly higher price, this PUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold Certified pillow keeps harmful chemicals at bay while its removable memory foam promises a peaceful night of sleep.

This breathable and durable pillow, which comes in multiple sizes, is machine washable and comes with a 100-night guarantee, which means if your toddler doesn't fall in love with the supportive pillow, simply return it for a full refund. The brand also makes award-winning adult pillow options.

Pros

• High-end construction with a luxurious hotel-like feel (just smaller!)
• 5-year warranty
• 100-night satisfaction guarantee
• Removable fill
• Multiple sizes available
• Hypoallergenic to keep your child safe from chemicals

Cons

• Removable memory foam fill might be tempting to toddlers to pull out

Best hypoallergenic

Little Sleepy Head Toddler Pillow

For all the babes whose allergies run amuck, the Little Sleepy Head Pillow offers premium polyester cluster fiber fill that's 100% hypoallergenic. Perfect for an overnighter at grandma's house, this breathable pillow is travel-friendly, plush and machine-washable.

Backed by a "Love the Fluff Guarantee," this family-owned company pledges to replace your toddler pillow or change the amount of fluff if it's not a perfect match. It's a medium soft pillow option that promises hours of sound sleep. We even like it more than the popular Keababies My Little Dreamy pillow.

Pros

• Hypoallergenic—perfect for sensitive toddlers
• Guaranteed to please or return for a refund or re-fill
• Machine washable
• Breathable and durable materials

Cons

• This pillow does not come with a pillowcase case

Best rated

Celeep Toddler Pillow

While the Celeep Toddler Pillow isn't the highest rated on Amazon (My Little Dreamy Pillow took the top spot), it's a close second. With more than 11,000 reviews and an average 4.6 rating, Ceeleep created an ultra-soft 100% cotton cover pillow with a 7-D Hollow Siliconized Microfiber Filling.

So what does that mean? Mega comfort, breathability, and the perfect amount of fill to keep your toddler's spine aligned. Your little one is growing by leaps and bounds each day, making spine, neck and cranial support extremely important.

This highly-rated pillow is machine washable, has six color options, and according to multiple reviewers, remains "thick and fluffy" even after a run through the washer. It's a good start if you're looking to introduce a pillow that other parents already rave about.

Pros

• Over 11,000 ratings with an impressive 4.6-star average rating
• Machine washable
• Multiple color options
• Won't break the bank
• Soft and supportive

Cons

• Does not come with a pillowcase

Best cooling toddler pillow

Nook Little Pebble Pillow

This 12-inch by 20-inch toddler pillow is perfect for hot sleepers and sweaty necks. It's designed to wick heat and moisture away from your little one's body to offer a cooler, comfier night's sleep. Recommended for children ages three and up, the zipper-free encasement promises a scratch and irritation-free experience.

Pros

• Cooling design
• Comfortable pebbled texture
• Machine washable
• 12" by 20" toddler pillow size
• Zipper-free encasement

Cons

• Made of synthetic materials

FAQs

What is the right age to start using a toddler pillow?

Toddler pillows aren't recommended for anyone under the age of two. The risk of suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrom (SIDS) is too high before children are deep into toddlerhood. By age two, most little ones are able to walk, move freely and support their own bodies.

You should never put pillows in a crib (or stuffed animal toys for that matter), and should wait till you've transitioned to a toddler bed or a convertible baby crib that has a toddler bed function. Your pediatrician may also note when your child is ready.

How to wash a toddler pillow

All the pillows mentioned are machine washable, which is a huge plus because, toddlers. To keep them clean, each pillow has its own instructions. Some say to wash cold by itself and tumble dry, while others note tossing it in with your regular load, so be sure to read the label's instructions to not to ruin your new purchase.

Some parents opt to add a pillow protector to reduce wash frequency as well.