If your child wants a “grown-up” pillow, but still sports a tiny noggin, then read on to find out which pillow is right for your little love’s head. We searched high and low to find all the best toddler pillows and put all their pros and cons into one nifty article to simplify your life.
Best Toddler Pillows
Unlike the Disney Toddler Pillows, the Zach & Ali and Little North Star pillows are made with 100% organic cotton. As for size, the Disney Pillows (12″x16″) are smaller than the Zack & Ali and the Little North Star (13″x18″) pillows.
My Little North Star Toddler Pillow
What’s better than a toddler pillow that’s made locally, uses organic cotton, harbors no chemicals, and has some of the best ratings across the internet? Not much! That’s why we had to include the My Little North Star Toddler Pillow on our list.
What I Love
Price: This is one of the most affordable pillows on this list, which is a bit shocking, considering that it’s also one of the best. But don’t let the price fool you, you are still getting a quality item!
Filling: The poly cluster fiber filling is machine washable and dryable, but it’s also free from any toxins or allergens. And it’s filled and designed in a way to prevent lumping.
Pillowcase: There is not an included pillowcase, which is a bummer. But the good news is that you can machine wash this as many times as you need to, and by the time it really breaks down, your kid will have outgrown it anyway.
Shell: This is 100% organic cotton that’s been both grown and woven right here in the US. No chemicals, no GMOs, nothing sketchy.
What I Do Not Love
Size: This is the standard 13 in by 18 in toddler pillow. And at only 3.5 inches thick, it’s really not that huge or thick, but it’s just right for a kid from about ages 2 to 5.
Support: There isn’t a ton of filling in here, so it’s not super supportive. If you want something that’s really thick and super supportive, opt for memory foam over a poly filling.
Fluff: This starts out pretty puffy, but then it tends to go down over time. That’s pretty standard with any pillows for toddlers you buy.
Zack & Ali Toddler Pillow
Zack & Ali Toddler Pillow is a hardcore head-cradling pillow your child will love. Hundreds of happy customers love the soft pillow for toddlers with tons of options for fun pillowcase covers. While this adorable pillow starts out very poufy, all pillows will flatten out with time, so begin big to stay big.
What I Love
Fabric: You can’t beat 100% organic cotton to cushion your toddler’s head. Even better, the fabric is cream instead of standard white, so probably not bleached.
Filling: Filled with Hypoallergenic Poly Micro Gel Fiber, this sturdy pillow feels down but with no feathers poking out. Also, no chemicals. A major win for moms looking for non-toxic pillows.
Pillowcase: You need to buy pillowcases separately but with lots of fun options.
Shape: Stand sized at 13 x 18 inches, your little guy’s head will sleep well on this rectangular shape.
Price: It is a bit pricey, but one that won’t go flat fast, comes highly recommended and you’ll get years of use.
What I Do Not Love
Size: The pillow measures a bit smaller than claimed by the company.
Disney Minnie Toddler Pillow
This review may focus on the Disney Minnie Toddler Pillow but Disney offers several other character option for movie-loving toddlers. While not the best quality, the pillow will be the pillow of choice for kids who want everything Disney or Minnie.
What I Love
Pillowcase: No case needed for this fun washable toddler bed pillow. Look for other festive characters as well.
Price: Under ten bucks is a fantastic deal for a fun character pillow.
What I Do Not Love
Fabric: Polyester and Fleece fabrics tend to heat your baby’s face faster than cotton. Don’t use this pillow in the summer or hot areas.
Quality: After a few uses you may find the seams coming apart. Maybe keep a sewing kit on hand.
Size: The pillow may not be as big as advertised. It’s among the small pillows for toddlers.
Shape: The pillow is overstuffed and may cause neck pain.
Best Cotton Toddler Pillows
Both the Little Sleepy Head and Celeep/easyazon_link] pillows are 13″x18″ in size and hypoallergenic. Unlike the [easyazon_link identifier="B0C63C5YJH" locale="US" tag="experiencedmommy-20"]Little Sleepy Head pillows, the Celeep pillows are said to be Chiropractor Recommended.
Little Sleepy Head Toddler Pillow
Little Sleepy Head’s pillow doesn’t just have an adorable name but an impressive product. While not an organic pillow, your little sleepyhead will sleep like a rock with their big kid pillow. If you or your child are not totally in love with this pillow return it for a refund as the company offers a full guarantee! For the do-good mom’s a percentage of each sale goes to fund Children’s Cancer research.
What I Love
Fabric: 100% cotton with 200 thread count is just what your toddler’s head needs for a good night’s sleep.
Filling: Hypoallergenic will keep your little one safe from allergens and provide tons of soft support. Feel free to toss this pillow in the wash.
Pillowcase: This company offers a wide selection of cases for a little bit more to decorate to your child’s tastes.
Price: The price will not give you sticker shock.
Shape: The standard size fits the bill for comfort and fitting small toddler beds.
What I Do Not Love
Firm: Little’ Sleepy Head’s pillow tends to be on the soft side and loses its shape after extended use. If you need a firm pillow look elsewhere.
Mold: A few parents reported mold problems so keep this pillow dry.
Celeep Baby Toddler Pillow
If you are shopping for a child who needs a pillow for preschool or daycare and a pillow for the home you may want to try the Toddler Pillow by Celeep instead of the Little Sleepy Head Toddler Pillow. You’ll get 2 pillows for toddlers at a great price.
Best Organic Toddler Pillows
Little One’s Pillow
Little One’s Pillow organic pillow has the comfort little heads need at night and the best quality material mom’s want. Keep your little one supported and soothed while not compromising on quality.
What I Love
Fabric: The organic cotton shell outside will help provide a good night’s rest for your little lovebug.
Filling: The Hypoallergenic Poly Cluster Fiber filling is chemical-free so your kiddo can sleep undisturbed, except for the occasional monster under the bed, that is still your responsibility, not the pillows.
Pillowcase: A highly rated pillowcase by Little One’s Pillow is sold separately. The pillow is washable but you may still want a case as pillows become lumpy after washing.
Size: Nothing special about the size but made to cradle little noggins. It’s a standard-sized pillow for kids and it will fit perfectly on a crib mattress.
What I Do Not Love
Price: High for a pillow, but think of all the comfort you will gain from knowing their head is on a fantastic pillow.
Shape: The pillow loses its shape and becomes flat and lumpy after several months. This could be said of most pillows, though.
Best Down Toddler Pillow
ComfyDown Toddler Pillow
If you prefer the old standard feather filled pillow for your kiddo try the ComfyDown Toddler Pillow. Down-filled pillows lost popularity with the rise of other filling more readily available. But for a good old-fashioned sturdy pillow is sometimes provides the perfect comfort without becoming lumpy or losing shape like all the new-fangled pillows.
What I Love
Fabric: The cover is made of 300 thread count Egyptian cotton for a luxurious pillow and double stitched to keep the feathers contained.
Filling: 800 Fill Power European Goose Down and hypoallergenic to boot and custom stuffed for you.
Pillowcase: No case included.
What I Do Not Love
Price: This is super expensive. Look for some coupons is you want your child to have this old-fashioned luxury.
Size: The pillow comes in at 16 by 11 inches, which is not the typical size and a pillowcase may be hard to find. Could be a great fit for kids though!
Best Hypoallergenic Toddler Pillows
Compared to the Little Pillow Co., the Dreamtown Pillow is Chiropractor Recommended and includes less filling to help prevent neck soreness.
Toddler Pillow by A Little Pillow Company
Toddler Pillow by A Little Pillow Company rates at the top for hypoallergenic pillows to support your little girl’s noggin in style. Chose from several fun fabric patterns if you plan to wash the pillow or grab a pillowcase on the side. Made in Virginia, support a small company whose purpose is to make life more comfortable. That’s right ladies, this pillow can be chucked into the machine to clean up your kid’s drool or sticky messes.
What I Love
Fabric: 100% cotton percale is so much softer than microfiber, which seems to be the standard for most bedding these days.
Filling: No Flame retardants to emit nasty chemicals to your baby and deluxe cluster fibers are 100% hypoallergenic.
Pillowcase: While not included, the pillow is washable and comes in fun patterns instead of standard boring white.
Price: Fantastic price for a decent pillow with no chemicals!
What I Do Not Love
Size: Seems like many people are unhappy with the standard 13×18 size of toddler pillows, maybe it’s time to increase the size to 15×20. But the experts claim that the smaller size is best for toddler pillow safety.
Shape: This toddler pillow seems to be the Goldilocks of pillows, some say it’s too soft and others say it’s too firm.
Dreamtown Kids Toddler Pillow
The DREAMTOWN KIDS Organic Toddler Pillow is a poly/cotton blend pillow that is chiropractor recommended. At 14 x 19 inches, this is the perfect sized pillow for your little one.
What I Love
Fabric: 100% hypoallergic pillow and pillowcase that is mold and mildew-resistant.
Size: 14 inches wide and 19 inches long is a good size for toddlers so they don’t roll off the sides.
Certified. CPSC Certified meaning there are no heavy metals, microbes, or toxins!
Machine Washable. You can toss the pillow and case into the washing machine without shrinkage.
Price. Great inexpensive price.
What I Do Not Love
Feel: Some parents say the pillow feels lumpy and the pillowcase cover is not comfortable.
Bonus: It is made in the United States
Best Foam Toddler Pillow
Aloudy Memory Foam Toddler Pillow
The Aloudy Memory Foam Toddler Pillow is contoured to fit the nook of your toddler’s neck. Even better the pillow is made of 100% hypoallergenic materials. You can’t clean memory foam but you can clean the outer cotton cover that is removable and hand-washable. You can also purchase an extra pillow cover.
Why foam? First, comfort that shapes to your toddler’s head. Bugs hate foam and stay far far away from it, including pillows. If you have ever dealt with bed bugs this pillow will be your new best friend.
What I Love
Filling: Memory foam
Pillowcase: The removable pillowcase is made of cotton to prevent your child’s head from slipping and sliding in the night.
Size: The size is different than standard toddler pillows measuring 20 inches by 12 inches. Wider than average pillows for more comfort.
Shape: The neck area is shaped for your child’s head for ultimate comfort and support.
Price: A very reasonable and inexpensive price!
What I Do Not Love
Firmness: Some buyers say that this memory foam pillow is too firm to be comfortable.
Best Toddler 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.
| ComfyDown Toddler Pillow | - | 9.0 | 44.99 |
| Little Sleepy Head Toddler Pillow | 9.9 | 9.2 | 34.95 |
| Celeep Baby Toddler Pillow | 9.8 | - | 31.98 |
| Little One's Pillow | 9.8 | 9.2 | 23.95 |
| Aloudy Memory Foam Toddler Pillow | - | - | 22.99 |
| My Little North Star Toddler Pillow | 9.9 | 9.2 | 19.97 |
| Disney Minnie Toddler Pillow | 9.7 | 9.4 | 19.09 |
| Toddler Pillow by A Little Pillow Company | 9.9 | 9.4 | 15.95 |
| Zack & Ali Toddler Pillow | 9.5 | 9.4 | - |
| Dreamtown Kids Toddler Pillow | 3.9 | - | - |
Guide to Selecting a Toddler Pillow
Pillows for toddlers come with some regulations. Everyone knows you will be tossed in jail for cutting the tag off. Just kidding. Seriously though, you can look up label laws. The CPSC takes toddler pillows seriously as babies who are too young and be harmed and too many cushions can cause problems even for older kids. Check here for those regulations.
Washable
Toddlers drool, spit, spill, seep, and find a thousand other ways to stain and damage anything with fabric making a washable pillow a must unless you have a large budget to devote to replacing your kid’s pillow every time they mess theirs up, which will be often.
Firm
Soft seems more comfortable than firm but a pillow is meant to help your toddler’s head to be in the correct position. Strike a balance between firm and soft to ensure the best toddler pillow.
Hypoallergenic
What goes into a pillow to make it so soft and comfy can be an issue as some companies cut corners and use a filling that can release toxins right by your baby’s head. Look for hypoallergenic to avoid creepy chemicals and to prevent allergens from ruining your child’s sleep.
Fabric
Maybe you do not need organic cotton for your child’s head but the wrong fabric can cause sweating, itching, or be too scratchy. Find a soft fabric that breathes to give your baby the best chance at sleeping through the night. If they sleep through the night, you get to sleep through the night. Win, win.
Stitching
A poorly stitched toddler pillow can be a hazard to young children as the stuffing can come out and cause problems next to your baby’s face. Worse, kids with oral fixations might think it’s vanilla cotton candy and have a stuffed belly by the time you find them.
Support
Every pillow in the world will eventually flatten as heads are heavy and gravity is real. Find one with enough support to compress with time and still give your child the support they need.
FAQs – Toddler Pillows
When can a toddler use a pillow?
This is up to you and your child. There are 2 great times to introduce a pillow:
- When your child transitions from the crib into a big kid bed (like a toddler-sized twin bed)
- When your child is age 2
For most, these two milestones happen around the same time. But in order for your toddler to use a pillow safely, you’ll want to wait until they are at least 18 to 24 months old.
If your child is on the small side, has breathing problems, including asthma or allergies, or is a very sound sleeper, you may choose to wait even longer.
Does my toddler really need a pillow?
Maybe not. For some kids, you buy them a pillow and they don’t use it. But pillows improve comfort and at some point, your child might want one. Better to have it than not.
Can’t I just give my toddler a standard-sized pillow?
Wait until they are older for standard-sized pillows as they are much bigger and toddlers can get lost in the bed at night. A pillow targeted for their size is a much better fit and is better for toddler pillow safety.
Is it better to receive a warranty with a toddler pillow?
A warranty is a good thing if you want to return the pillow. Hopefully, you won’t need to replace or return the pillow but money isn’t cheap and being able to return a faulty product is a win.
What are unsafe materials for toddler pillows?
Any chemically treated filler can be bad for your baby. Avoid fillers that are tiny and can come out and tempt your children, such as buckwheat or millet. If your child has allergies avoid down pillows.
Should I get a machine-washable toddler pillow or one with a pillowcase?
Both would be a better option. Get a pillow that is machine washable for spills that seep through pillowcases. Kids are messy. Buy smart to make your life easier and cheaper.
Do I need a pillowcase for a toddler pillow?
Not really, but they are more hygienic unless you wash the pillow daily. Again, kids are messy. It’s much easier to wash a pillowcase often than a pillow and keep its shape and not get lumpy.
Should I get a flame retardant toddler pillow?
No. Flame retardant is a chemical treatment that can release toxic fumes that can disrupt hormones. It’s best avoided in pillows for toddlers.
Can I put a full-sized pillowcase on my kid’s toddler pillow and fold it over?
A hard no, on using a full-sized pillowcase for a toddler pillow. Try to keep any loose fabric away from your kiddo that can suffocate or cover their face while they are sleeping.
