Find the best options here to help with flat head or other issues like acid reflux, colic, congestion, or just for a little extra comfort. And be sure to read our buying criteria for important information about your baby’s health.
Best Baby Pillows
Unlike the Celeep Baby Pillows is a hypoallergenic pillow but a typical pillow; however, the Bassinet Wedge Pillow is great for reducing reflux, colic, and congestion.
Celeep Baby Pillow Set
Grab a pack of 2 baby pillows with the Celeep Baby Pillows. These pillows are made from 7D Hollow Microfiber Filling and are 13″ x 18″ which is the ideal size for most baby cribs.
Other features of the Celeep pillows include them being hypoallergenic and mold, mildew, and dust mite-resistant. This baby pillow is actually chiropractor-recommended! For two pillows, you’re getting a pretty great deal compared to other baby pillows.
Simple Being Memory Foam Baby Pillow
The Simple Being Memory Foam Baby Pillow is a hypoallergenic, bamboo pillow with airflow fabric that draws away moisture.
The pillow measures 15″ x 8″ that helps align the head and spine for a good night’s sleep.
Baby’s First Pillow
For a more traditional pillow-like mom and dad use, get your baby the Baby’s First Pillow. Not only do you get two pillows, but pillowcases, too.
Each pillow measures 13 x 18 inches. As for the thickness, it measures 2.5 around the sides and 1.9 inches in the center.
The pillow is the right size to use for babies, and then they can continue using the pillow as toddlers. It’s got just enough stuffing to support the baby’s spine, head, and neck without causing issues.
Trust us, the pillow won’t bunch around thanks to the inner seams keeping all the filler inside safely. Wash the pillow in the machine and air dry, although the pillowcases can go in the machine to dry.
Furthermore, the pillow is free of chemicals and uses Oeko-Tex 100 class cotton for the pillowcase to cradle tiny heads in comfort. The pillows use an envelope design to prevent zippers that can attach to babies’ hair or clothing.
Bassinet Wedge Pillow
The Wedge Pillow offers a great way to help congested babies sleep better. It’s also great for babies with acid reflux or a sensitive stomach. What makes it even better is the anti-skid bottom keeping the pillow from sliding.
Moreover, the pillow is a great option for parents not comfortable with memory foam. This one is made with regular foam. The pillow comes with luxurious 100 percent cotton with an inner waterproof layer to protect the foam. All with a waffle-designed fabric and materials free of BPA, latex, phthalates, lead, and other toxins.
The hypoallergenic cover is easy to remove and wash and travel with, too, thanks to the storage bag with a handle. You can also pick from two sizes on the width, including 15 or 18 inches to suit your needs and baby furniture. The pillow elevates gradually to a full 15-degree slope to maintain comfort and help with issues like a runny nose and sniffles.
Fit the pillow in a bassinet or even on the floor for tummy time. Make sure to monitor your baby when using the pillow.
Best Flat Head Pillows
The WelsLife Breathable Baby Pillow is made with 100% Organic Cotton. The Memory Foam Pillow with Washable Pillowcase offers a good memory foam pillow option. The Boppy Head Support is great for car seats, swings, and more.
WelsLife Breathable Baby Pillow
The WelsLife Breathable Baby Pillow is a infant pillow with a dedicated shape for infants’ heads. It’s made of a breathable sequential 3D-air mesh construction so you can use it for summer or winter.
Furthermore, it’s well-ventilated with 100 percent organic cotton fabric. Pick from nine adorable patterns for the tiny pillow.
A specifically designed indent keeps your baby’s head in place and helps to prevent flat head syndrome. It measures 13 x 9 inches, making it small enough to fit almost anywhere.
fGMemory Foam Pillow with Washable Pillowcase
Use the Memory Foam Pillow with Washable Pillowcase for babies with flat spots from sleeping on their back. It’s made with a soft and breathable memory foam core. Plus, its unique center shape helps to keep your infant’s head from losing its natural rounded shape.
Flat surfaces cause flat shapes, which is why you need a pillow with a little shape to evenly distribute pressure and help create the perfect head shape. Also, the pillow retains its shape and bounces back after use.
The pillowcase is removable and washable. You can use the tiny pillow in the stroller, bassinet, play mat, or anywhere else where you can easily monitor the baby. Take the pillow with you anywhere you go because the tiny size measures 17 x 10 x 1.2″ and is ultra-lightweight.
Nuby Support Pod Pillow
The Nuby Support Pod Pillow is a not a pillow to be used in a crib but it is a support lounging pillow for baby as well as a breastfeeding pillow for Mom to use. If your child is struggling with laying on one side and showing signs of a flat head, you can use this lounger under supervision to help them from laying on their favorite side.
The Nuby is also great for tummy time which can also give much needed time off of their flat spot. This is a great, multi use pillow for both mom and baby.
Baby Support Pillow
The Baby Pillow provides a concave indent for a baby’s head. Use this pillow to effectively prevent a flat head on your tiny little love.
It measures 9.65 x 9.21 x 1.77 inches.
XOCOY Memory Foam Pillow
If you’re looking for a great head-shaping baby pillow that is reasonably priced, consider the XOCOY Memory Foam Pillow. This baby pillow is designed with a 3D concave shape so that your baby’s head weight is alleviated when laying, which helps prevent a flat head.
The pillow is made of breathable memory foam and at 9.4″ x 9.4″, it is the perfect size for an infant’s head. A really cool feature of this baby pillow is that it can be used when baby is laying on their back or sides. You can also use this in a stroller, car seat, and more! Per the pediatrician’s recommendations, you should replace this pillow every 3 months to ensure your baby is using a firm pillow.
Memory Foam Baby Pillow
The Memory Foam Baby Pillow provides a concave design in the middle of the pillow. This helps to offer neck support and shoulder support while balancing the head support with a little dip in the middle.
No matter where your baby has a flat spot, this pillow can help with its memory foam that distributes the pressure on the baby’s head evenly. Babies can have flat spots on the left, right, or on the back, and this pillow fixes it all with mild comfort.
Boppy Head Support
Instead of just offering a pillow, the Boppy Head Support offers a positioner to keep the pillow in place for your tiny one. The pillow makes the perfect addition to a bouncer, high chair, rocker, or swing.
Next, the unique cut-out design offers a patented cut-out ready to relieve pressure on your baby’s head. Once perfectly cradled, even fussy babies fall asleep in a comfortable cradle. Even if their head does lull to the side, they can get support from the rolled edges, too.
If you want a pediatrician endorsed pillow, this is the one! It works with a three and five-point harness system. Do remember to remove any existing infant inserts to use this one, which helps to combat flat-head syndrome.
It’s best to use this head support in a reclined position for younger infants. Moreover, the pillow insert works best for babies from birth to four months old.
Choose from four different gray patterns and then toss it in the machine when it needs a wash. Consider Boppy for all of your baby pillow needs from nursing to lounging.
Best Baby Pillow Bed
Nuby Baby Nest
You probably know Nuby for their fantastic baby product, but they also make the Nuby Baby Nest. It’s the perfect nest to lay in when mom or dad are nearby to monitor. Mind you, only use the pillow until your baby can roll over, as they can then roll off the pillow.
The pillow includes a portable design so you can take it on the go by grabbing the convenient handle. Take it with you to a friend’s house or grandma’s house or even room to room.
Use this pillow for your baby’s awake time and make sure you watch them since some babies can learn to roll over at just a few weeks old. Otherwise, the pillow offers a comfortable, snug place for your baby to relax when they cannot move.
Next, the pillow is easy to care for and it’s machine washable. The fabric wipes clean of little messes, and you can toss it in the machine for bigger messes.
Make sure to only use the pillow on the floor or right next to you on the couch. Do not place the pillow with your baby in it on a high surface in case your baby decides to roll off. While it has a recessed interior to cradle your baby, it’s only safe on the floor or right next to you.
It’s a great option for moms with twins who want to nurse one baby at a time. You can keep the other baby right next to you in this pillow for a cozy place to wait.
Last, of all, the pillow comes in multiple fabrics to suit your design choice.
Best Toddler Pillows
The My Little Dreamy Pillow is Chiropractor-recommended and made in the US whereas the KeaBabies Pillow is made with Organic Cotton. Both are about the same size.
KeaBabies Pillow with Pillowcase
The KeaBabies Pillow with Pillowcase is designed for children ages 2-5 years old so this would be a great pillow option once your baby is older.
The 18″ x 13″ ergonomic pillow is machine washable along with the pillowcase. You can choose from 13 different pillowcase designs to match this pillow with your toddler’s personality. Many parents like this pillow for their toddlers but some find that the pillow becomes dingy after washing it.
My Little Dreamy Pillow
For children ages 2 and up, the My Little Dreamy Pillow offers a 100% hypoallergenic, mold-resistant, and mildew-resistant option for toddlers. This comes in a 2 pack.
At 13″ x 18″, this is a fairly large pillow compared to baby pillows but the larger size helps keep children’s heads from rolling off the pillow when snoozing. This product is made in the USA if you’re looking to support a small family-owned business.
This pillow is also offered in a two pack.
Baby Pillows Compared
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Nuby Baby Nest | 3.9 | - | 39.99 |
| Nuby Support Pod Pillow | 3.9 | - | 39.99 |
| Bassinet Wedge Pillow | - | - | 32.99 |
| Baby's First Pillow | 9.5 | 9.4 | 27.97 |
| KeaBabies Pillow with Pillowcase | 9.9 | 9.4 | 24.96 |
| Boppy Head Support | 8.7 | - | 21.99 |
| Simple Being Memory Foam Baby Pillow | - | - | 19.99 |
| XOCOY Memory Foam Pillow | - | - | 19.99 |
| fGMemory Foam Pillow with Washable Pillowcase | 9.5 | - | 19.99 |
| Celeep Baby Pillow Set | 9.4 | - | 19.98 |
| WelsLife Breathable Baby Pillow | - | - | 19.95 |
| Baby Support Pillow | - | - | 13.99 |
| Memory Foam Baby Pillow | - | - | - |
Buying Criteria for Baby Pillows
Safety
Baby pillows are only safe when babies are fully monitored by adults. Do not use a baby pillow for your baby unless you are in the room. This means you should not use a baby pillow overnight for your infant.
Baby pillows can increase the risk of SIDS, which is why you should watch your baby when they are using any pillow. As babies cannot control their bodies, the best sleeping arrangement includes the least amount of items in a crib or bassinet. Cribs should be free of blankets, pillows, bumpers, and positioners.
You can still use baby pillows, but opt to use them outside the crib. Pillows can be used in strollers, bassinets, co-sleepers, cradles, swings, rockers, and even in a car seat, but only when you or another adult is nearby. A flat head is better than a baby who suffocates in their sleep.
Benefits
If your baby has a flat head, then you know why a baby pillow is desirable.
Babies lay on their back a lot because it’s the safest position, and this can lead to flat spots on the side of the head or back of their noggin. You can prevent flat head syndrome, or plagiocephaly, with a smart baby pillow.
The best way to use a pillow is to use it when your baby is awake, or you are awake. Pillows can help with play mat time, tummy time, and so much more to get your baby off their back. Soon your baby will be rolling over, and they will naturally be able to spend less time on their back.
Moreover, pillows can help babies with colic or acid reflux, along with babies battling congestion. Wedge pillows are a great option to elevate babies gradually and open up their airways for better sleep. Whichever option you choose, make sure to always watch and listen for sounds of distress from your baby.
Materials
Always pick baby pillows with high-quality materials like organic cotton and quality foam.
Memory foam is safe for babies and very comfortable. Also, the filling is safe for babies so long as it is sewed down to prevent it from moving around.
The best pillows are firm and help to position your baby correctly. Try to also find materials free of dyes and chemicals which and irritate sensitive skin.
FAQs – Baby Pillows
Will my baby’s head round out on its own without a pillow?
Most babies’ heads will correct on their own within six weeks of spending less time on their backs.
If your baby has a severe case of flathead, your doctor will be able to help with a special helmet, as some cases are more severe.
Allow your baby tummy time every day to prevent severe flat spot problems or hold them more often!
Is a flat head pillow or regular pillow better for baby?
A flat head pillow is a great starting pillow for baby because of its ergonomic shape and way of helping to prevent flat head.
Flat head pillows also help keep your baby’s head in place while sleeping which could allow them to sleep better and for a longer period of time.
Do flat spots cause mental health issues?
No. Your baby’s head is still growing for the first few months of his or her life.
The skull can change over time, which means your baby will have time to outgrow flat spots, which are usually a minor issue. Soon your baby will be able to move more and can shift his or her head around instead of keeping it a single spot for several hours.
However, malformation can cause issues with the alignment of the ears, eyes, or jaw. If your baby has a flat spot, make sure to talk to your doctor at the next well-baby appointment.
What pillows should I avoid?
While we adults love soft fluffy pillows, they can cause a suffocation problem for babies. Your baby’s safety is the most important priority, which is why you should never choose an overly soft or plush pillow. Pillows should also have extra stitching if they are not made of foam to keep the inner filling from moving around.
