When your toddler transitions out of their crib and into a toddler bed, it might be a good time to introduce them to a pillow. Because toddler pillows are smaller than adult-sized ones, they’re just the right size for their little heads to feel comfortable and their necks to be in alignment. To find the best toddler pillows, I looked for ones that are lightweight, firm, made with premium materials and are easy to wash. Coop Sleep Goods’ Original Toddler Pillow is our top pick because it meets these criteria—plus it has a generous five-year warranty.
Toddler pillows should be flat, firm and easy to wash, according to the pediatricians I interviewed. … More
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Keep in mind that children under the age of 2 should not have pillows, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics—a point that was reiterated by the pediatricians I interviewed. For young children, parents should focus first on safety and functionality, says Dr. Mary Aitken, pediatrician-in-chief at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. “Many products are either unneeded or for our adult aesthetics,” she adds. Informed by guidance from child health experts, my own experience transitioning my toddler out of the crib and deep market research, these are the six best toddler pillows in 2025.
Coop’s toddler pillow tops this list for many reasons (and not just because its adult version tops our list of the best pillows after testing). First, it’s adjustable—the mix of shredded memory foam and microfiber can be removed from the inner pillow to be the right height for your toddler. This also lets the pillow grow with your child, because as they get bigger, you add more fill to provide a puffier and more supportive place for them to rest their head. Second, the entire thing can be machine washed and tumble dried—although, you should remove the outer case before putting it in the laundry, and the inner pillow might need more than one dry cycle.
I also like that the pillow is Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it’s third-party tested to ensure fewer concerning chemicals (the foam also earned the CertiPUR-US seal, but this is a less encompassing standard). Another clever feature is that the thick outer case has a zipper that isn’t easily pulled by curious little fingers. To open the case, a grown-up needs to hook a paperclip into the zipper’s slider to create a pull tab. You then remove the clip when it’s time for the pillow to go back in your tot’s bed.
Size: 13 x 18 inches | Fill: Polyester cluster fiber | Cover: 100% cotton (shell and pillowcase) | Washable: Yes | Certifications: Oeko-Tex 100 Standard
What you’ll love:
Over three dozen pillow case designs to choose from
Envelope-style case offers a snug fit that’s easy to remove for washing
Keep in mind:
May need extra re-fluffing post-wash
While several of my toddler pillow recommendations include a case, the envelope-style design of Little Sleepy Head’s pillow case offers a snug fit. This helps it stay in place if your child wiggles around a lot at night while also being easy to remove for washing. Not to mention, there are over three dozen adorable colors and patterns to choose from, and both the case and pillow shell are made from 100% cotton. In addition to being a great value, the price means it’s ideal for sending to daycare, too—you might be less annoyed if it gets misplaced.
“I bought this pillow for my youngest when she transitioned out of the crib,” says Rose Gordon Sala, Forbes Vetted deputy editor and mom of three. “I really appreciate that the whole thing can go into the washing machine—and it fit my budget given how many pillows we’ve had to purchase over the years for a family of five.” Note that there is an organic version of this pillow that users report being satisfied with, and for a similar pick with an additional GOTs certification, there’s the Keababies My Little Dreamy, below.
Available in over 60 adorable designs to go with your nursery
Keep in mind:
Some say case is lesser quality than the pillow itself
If your toddler is just transitioning to their first-ever pillow, the not-too-thick, not-too-fluffy My Little Dreamy Pillow from KeaBabies is a good pick. It’s lightweight at just over half a pound, and like the Little Sleepy Head, above, it comes with its own 100% cotton pillowcase in a huge range of cute prints. (If you’re undecided between the two, the biggest differences include aesthetics, pillow case design—Little Sleepy Head’s is envelope-style—and safety certifications; this Keababies pillow has an additional GOTs seal.)
The brand says its toddler pillow was designed to provide the ideal amount of ergonomic support for toddlers based on testing with kids of varying ages. It’s worth noting that KeaBabies cofounder Jane Neo is a certified pediatric sleep consultant and an associate member of the International Association of Child Sleep Consultants. The brand backs the pillow’s quality with its KeaCare 365-day money-back warranty, and the whole thing can be machine washed and dried.
Size: 12 x 20 inches | Fill: Latex and kapok fiber blend | Cover: Cotton | Washable: Spot-clean only | Certifications: Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), Greenguard Gold, Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Made Safe, Forest Stewardship Council
What you’ll love:
Backed by 100-night sleep trial and 1-year warranty
Sleeps cool
Retains its shape well
Keep in mind:
Not machine washable; Spot-clean only
If prioritizing nontoxic materials and ethical production is important to you, the Avocado Organic Toddler Pillow is a great choice. I’m personally a big fan of this brand; it makes some of our favorite kids mattresses and crib mattresses. And it’s popular among other parents, too, says Katie Montell, baby gear and care expert and founder of The Baby Planner. Avocado has an impressive array of trustworthy third-party certifications, and the company as a whole is Certified Climate Neutral, meaning it offsets emissions associated with operations.
The fill is a unique blend of shredded organic latex and kapok fibers—a breathable fluff that’s produced by a tropical tree and sustainably collected. The pillow cover is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified. This pillow itself is a bit on the heavier side at 1.5 pounds, and the main downside is that it isn’t machine washable (the brand recommends spot-cleaning only). However, Avocado sells a waterproof pillow protector, and the whole thing is backed by a 100-night sleep trial and a one-year warranty.
Many caregivers—and healthcare professionals—I’ve interviewed over the years say they prefer natural fibers for children’s bedding because they breathe well and are less likely to contain undesirable chemicals. This toddler pillow from ErgoPouch has a cotton cover made with 95% certified organic cotton, includes an organic cotton pillow case and is filled with organic cotton batting, which is somewhat harder to find. And at just 1 inch in height, it has just the right loft to be ergonomic for young toddlers. An advantage that it has over the Avocado toddler pillow is that it’s fully machine washable and can even be tossed in the dryer, so if you’re looking for a mostly organic pick that’s easy to clean, this is also a good choice.
Size: 14 x 20 inches | Fill: Polyester fiber | Cover: Cotton | Washable: Yes | Certifications: Oeko-Tex Standard 100
What you’ll love:
Built-in animal design so toddlers will want to tote it with them
Lightweight and portable
Keep in mind:
Fill can shift around and require re-fluffing
Toddler pillows are generally easy to pack, but this option from Choc Chick happens to be extra lightweight at just under a pound. But what makes it especially nice for travel is that it can be used without a case and doubles as a stuffie due to its built-in animal design. If your child doesn’t need that one certain teddy bear to sleep with, it just might mean you can pack fewer things. The design options include this cute bunny, an elephant, a cat and a bear. Cleanup is easy, too: The whole thing is machine washable.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted baby and kids gear team has extensive experience researching and testing products across the board. As parents ourselves, we know how much care can go into making the best purchase decisions for the kids in our lives.
I’m Margaret Badore, the author of this story and the baby and kids gear editor at Forbes Vetted. I have over 15 years of journalism experience and am the mother to a 3-year-old toddler. I’ve covered a range of sleep gear stories for kids, having best travel cribs and the best baby blankets.
This story was edited by Rose Gordon Sala, a deputy editor who oversees the baby and kids gear section of Forbes Vetted. She’s a mom of three and has spent the past decade reporting on parenting subjects.
We align our product picks with the most up-to-date health and safety recommendations. For this story, I reviewed the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines on toddler sleep. I also consulted with several experts, including: Dr. Mary Aitken, M.D., pediatrician-in-chief at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and chair of pediatrics at UTHealth Houston; Katie Montell, a baby gear expert and founder of The Baby Planner, which offers registry concierge services; and Dr. Jennifer Stiff, M.D., a pediatrician at Norton Children’s healthcare network in Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
Our team regularly reviews this story for accuracy and timeliness. It was most recently refreshed in May 2025 by parenting writer Fran Sales.
How We Chose The Best Toddler Pillows
My best toddler pillow picks are informed by expert health advice and are the result of combining market research and firsthand experience.
I collected health and safety advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics and two pediatricians. The doctors I interviewed provided general guidance on what parents should look for when choosing a toddler pillow.
I gathered information about what brands and pillows are popular and well-liked, including speaking with a baby registry expert. I collected insights from other parents and read through many online reviews.
I narrowed the list by carefully reviewing each toddler pillow’s materials, design, third-party certifications, sustainability and ease of cleaning. I eliminated any picks that had consistently poor reviews or didn’t match the recommendations of our experts and criteria.
I aimed to recommend toddler pillows with a range of different materials, because every child is unique and may have different preferences or requirements.
What To Consider When Shopping For A Toddler Pillow
Here are few key factors to consider when looking for the best toddler pillow for your child.
Are They Ready?
In addition to avoiding pillows before your child’s second birthday, you should wait until your child transitions out of the crib and into a toddler bed, pediatricians say. Not only are pillows in the crib a suffocation risk, but they can also become a step that increases your child’s risk of trying to climb out and falling.
Also, look for signs of readiness: If your child sleeps fine without a pillow, there’s no need to add one, says Dr. Jennifer Stiff, a pediatrician at Norton Children’s healthcare network in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. On the other hand, if your child starts turning their blanket into a pillow, they might be ready for one, she says.
Size And Weight
Although toddler pillows aren’t a standard size, most are roughly 13 by 18 inches, which is much smaller than a standard 20 by 26 inch adult pillow. The pediatricians I interviewed recommend lightweight pillows for toddlers, so when making this list I eliminated any options weighing close to 2 pounds or more. They also recommend flat pillows: Your toddler’s head should be in line with their spine when they sleep, so pillows that are too lofty aren’t ideal.
Ease Of Cleaning
As a parent, I know how many times we need to clean up accidents in the night or sanitize after illness, so it’s important to make sure toddler pillows are easy to clean. Pediatricians agree: “Washability is really important,” says Dr. Mary Aitken, pediatrician-in-chief at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. It’s a good idea to pay attention to the manufacturer recommendations for washer and dryer settings.
Materials
Although it lessens as toddlers grow, suffocation is still a risk during sleep, which is why pediatricians recommend choosing a toddler pillow that’s firm and flat. Common fill materials for these pillows include polyester/microfiber, down, latex and memory foam. If you go for memory foam, though, avoid particularly soft versions, advises Aitken: “It conforms very readily [to the child’s face]. I would stay with something firmer in this age group.”
Choosing a pillow made with hypoallergenic, easily washable materials is also important, especially for children with allergies. Stiff says that soft materials like pillows and blankets collect airborne allergens quite easily. “Especially for kids with eczema, allergies and asthma, you want to make sure that that pillow and/or its cover is very easy to wash and that you are not just exposing them to another source of allergens,” she adds. For children with dust or dust mite allergies, a polyester or cotton filling may be a better choice than down. Or, “consider using a hypoallergenic wrap around the pillow,” Aitken adds.
Third-Party Certifications
When curating my recommendations for this story, I paid particular attention to third-party certifications around materials and safety. The most common, reliable labels you’ll find include CertiPUR-US, Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and Greenguard Gold. These certifications are typically helpful indicators that a given toddler pillow is free from harsh chemicals, metals and other concerning substances that can contribute to skin irritation, allergies or off-gassing. As a case in point, if you’re looking at a pillow with a synthetic fill like polyester, you’ll ideally look for a chemical safety certification like Oeko-Tex or Greenguard Gold, because non-certified polyester is often made with concerning chemicals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines, it’s generally safer to wait until after toddlers turn 2 years old to introduce a pillow into their sleep space. Stiff adds that you should also wait until your child has moved out of their crib. “[It’s] more of a suffocation risk within the confines of the crib. And then the other safety thing to think about is, can your toddler use it as a way to climb out of the crib?”
According to both pediatricians I spoke with, the best types of pillows for toddlers are smaller than adult pillows, flat, firm, hypoallergenic and easy to clean. Flatter pillows tend to be more ergonomic for children’s necks and spines, and a firmer fill means less of a risk of suffocation. Hypoallergenic, machine-washable toddler pillows are easier to rid of allergens if your child has allergies or asthma.
If your toddler sleeps just fine without a pillow, even if they’re 2 years old or older, there’s no need to add one to their setup. If you’re uncertain, Aitken advises waiting for them to signal that they’re ready for one. For instance, one sign might be if your child starts using a blanket or stuffed animal to prop their head up.
