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Best Infant Pillows

By Amanda Lasater

For the first year of a baby’s life, they sleep a lot. Their days are filled with numerous naps that can last between 15 minutes and 4 hours and nights that are categorized by more naps sprinkled between consistent feedings. And, as we all know, the CDC has been adamant about having your newborn sleep on their backs most of the time for safety reasons. 

With all the time that your infant will spend sleeping on their back, it only makes sense that you should have a high-quality baby pillow on hand. But, how do you choose the best infant pillow for your little one? And how important is an infant pillow? To answer these questions and more, continue reading and find out which infant pillows are the best for your baby and why.

Our Picks for the Best Infant Pillows

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keababies

Best for Toddlers

KeaBabies

KeaBabies Toddler Pillow went through rigorous testing and consulted numerous children’s chiropractors to develop the most ergonomic pillow for supporting sleeping toddlers ages 2 to 5.

The pillow that KeaBabies created provides the best level of spinal support for toddlers while still maintaining a high level of comfort. This pillow’s softness and height is exactly right for any type of sleeper and will aid in your toddler’s spinal development to ensure optimal growth throughout childhood. In addition, because this pillow promotes quality sleep, your toddler is more likely to experience healthy brain development and feel less irritable during the day. It is made from ultra-soft, 100% cotton and both the pillow case and the pillow are machine washable. 

  • Pros
    • Perfect for traveling
    • Easy to clean
    • Unisex design
  • Cons
    • Cannot be machine dried
mokeydou pillow

Best Head Shaping Pillow

MOKEYDOU

During infancy, your baby will spend a great deal of time lying on their back. And, while this is the safest position for them to sleep in, if the proper precautions are not taken it can cause the development of flat head syndrome.

MOKEYDOU’s Memory Foam Infant Pillow is the best pillow we’ve found that was made specifically to prevent flat head syndrome. The pillow is made of slow rebound memory foam and features a concave center design to ensure that your child is not laying flat on their head. This pillow is best suited for infants ages 0 to 24 months. 

  • Pros
    • Zipper free to prevent risk of injury
    • Arc curve supports the neck and protects the cervical spine on infants
    • Moisture wicking
  • Cons
    • Memory foam pillow insert is not washable
bliss'n baby pillow

Best Organic Pillow

Bliss n’ Baby

The Bliss n’ Baby Head Shaping Pillow is another great pillow dedicated to preventing and correcting flat head syndrome as well as torticollis.

The ergonomic design and the size and position of the indentation of this pillow gently cradle your infant’s head and distributes pressure evenly to prevent and flat spots from forming. The pillow is made of 100% organic cotton and is hypoallergenic, free of toxins, and free of fluorescent agents so you don’t have to worry about exposing your infant to harmful chemicals and irritants. The back of this pillow features a highly breathable Oeko-Tex Certified 3D Air Spacer Mesh surface to draw out heat, prevent moisture, and keep your baby’s head perspiration free.   

  • Pros
    • Hypoallergenic
    • Free of harmful chemicals
    • Machine washable 
    • Dryer safe
  • Cons
    • Only suitable up until 14 months
    • Comes in one design only
boppy pillow

Most Versatile Pillow

Boppy

The Boppy Noggin Nest is brought to us by Boppy, the creator of the original and beloved Boppy Nursing Pillow. The Boppy Noggin Nest is the perfect way to keep your newborn safe and supported while in their stroller, bouncer, or swing.

The head supporting pillow works with either a 3- or 5-point harness system and the patented cut-out design helps to relieve pressure while keeping your baby’s head safely cradled. The Boppy Noggin Nest offers a generous amount of padding in a cute, gender-neutral print to provide your little one with stability and comfort while in the recline position.   

  • Pros
    • 100% machine washable
    • Highly versatile – works with rock n’ plays, car seats, strollers, bouncers, or swings. 
  • Cons
    • Only for use from 0 to 4 months
    • Thin back support

What to Look For in Your Next Infant Pillow

You want to make sure that you purchase an infant pillow that offers the following features:

  • Supportive. It is important that your next infant pillow offers the appropriate level of support. Specifically, it should not allow your child to rest on a flat surface to prevent flat head syndrome. 
  • Safe for the skin. Your infant’s skin is super sensitive, so you do not want to expose them to any toxic or harmful chemicals. 
  • Soft. Your baby will not be able to get a good night’s sleep if they are not resting on something that is soft.
  • Easy to wash. Accidents happen – especially with babies. You don’t want your baby’s pillow to become a breeding ground for bacteria, so it is important that you can easily wash the pillow cover and pillow insert.  

Frequently Asked Questions

How much sleep does my infant need?

The amount of sleep your baby needs varies, but here is a general guideline:

  • 0 to 4 months: up to 18 hours a day
  • 4 to 12 months: between 12 and 16 hours a day
  • 1 to 2 years: between 11 and 14 hours a day

What is flat head syndrome?

Flat head syndrome – or positional plagiocephaly – refers to the formation of flat spots on one side of the back of the skull. It affects almost 50% of newborns aged 7 to 12 weeks and is caused by the amount of time infants spend on their backs. Newborns’ heads are soft and malleable, so the pressure of sleeping on their backs can cause the development of flat spots. Thankfully, positional plagiocephaly can be corrected and does not have any adverse effects on a baby’s brain development. 

How do you prevent and correct flat head syndrome?

The best way to both prevent and correct flat head syndrome is to use a specially designed pillow. These pillows, like the ones we’ve highlighted in this article, will allow the head to maintain or return to its normal shape due to an indentation in the pillow. 

What is torticollis?

Torticollis – sometimes called “wryneck” – is a condition involving the neck muscles that causes the head to tilt downwards. If a baby is born with torticollis it is considered congenital torticollis, while if they develop it after birth, it is called acquired torticollis. Acquired torticollis can be caused when an infant spends time sleeping on his/her back without the proper supportive pillows.

Conclusion

When it comes to your baby, you want to give them the best of the best, especially when it is something as important as head and neck support.

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