A newborn sleeps at least 16 hours a day; with this in mind, any parent would want to create the safest and most comfortable sleeping area for their little one.
Although a head pillow is not something a baby needs until a later stage, there are a few other options to make babies’ sleep time more comfortable.
Safety note: For sleep, the NHS advises placing babies on their backs on a firm, flat mattress with no pillows, bumpers or soft toys in the cot.[1] The products below are not for unsupervised infant sleep. This article is general information, not medical advice.
Key Specs
| No. | Product | Type | Fill / material | Cover | Sizes | Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PandaEar Baby Head | Pillow | – | Cotton | Toddler | Machine washable |
| 2 | Foileon Portable Baby | Pillow | – | – | – | – |
| 3 | Little Sleepy Head Toddler | Pillow | Polyester fiber | Cotton | Toddler / Travel | Machine washable |
| 4 | Reste Sleep Positioner | Pillow | – | Cotton | 28 x 28 x 2.5 in | – |
| 5 | Babymoov Cosymorpho | Pillow | – | – | 23.6 x 13.4 x 2.8 in | – |
| 6 | Zixnexkoo Baby Lounger | Pillow | Polyester fiber | Cotton | Travel | Removable cover |
– = not stated on the Amazon listing. Specs as listed by the seller, not tested by us.
When are Pillows for Babies Safe?
Although you may think your precious little one will benefit much more from a pillow cradling their sweet little head, why not use it yourself? It’s a DEFINITE NO GO!
Babies and adults are so different, and a baby by no means requires a pillow; it can be very dangerous for a baby to have a pillow.
Over 32 infant deaths yearly are caused by pillows or props in babies’ cribs. A pillow can block a baby’s nose and mouth, causing them to suffocate.
In the first few months, your baby cannot move or roll around much to help themselves out of an award or dangerous position; therefore, less is best for their sleeping space. Avoiding heavy blankets and soft toys in the first few months would be best.
The only pillow types with caution for newborns and young infants are wedge pillows or sleep positioners.
It is safe to give your baby a pillow to sleep on from around 18 months when the baby starts sleeping in a toddler bed or bed.
Moreover, you can also use these pillows with excellent quality crib bumper pads. They are small and can fit perfectly inside a crib.
Pillows and Positioners Safe For Infants
Positioning Pillow
As they are called sleep-positioner or side pillows for babies, you can find a positioner in many shapes; some accommodate side sleeping and those for back sleeping. A sleep-positioner has edges restricting your baby from rolling and keeping them in a safe sleeping position.
Wedge Pillow
You can place the Wedge pillow on or under your mattress at the top of the crib, which I used for both babies. This pillow has a wedge shape and narrows to the end, slightly elevating your baby when sleeping. The elevated level helps with acid reflux and promotes breathing, mainly when a baby is congested.
The Headshaping Pillow
Safe Sleeping Tips for Baby
A few tips that are ideal for baby to sleep safely;
- Never place a small or newborn baby directly on their side or tummy; the safest position is on their back or slightly to the side.
- Do not sleep with a newborn or small baby in bed or on a sofa.
- The safest is for your baby to sleep in their crib.
- Never cover a baby’s face with a blanket.
- Try to avoid stuffed toys, pillows, loose blankets, and bedding.
- Babies have a higher chance of overheating than getting too cold, so make sure the temperature is just right, and preferably avoid trying to keep the baby too warm.
- A flat waterproof mattress is always your best option.
- Try to keep your baby’s cot or crib in your room for the first six months, at least for better peace of mind and safety.
The NHS advises always placing a baby on their back to sleep on a firm, flat mattress, and keeping the cot clear of pillows, duvets, cot bumpers, loose blankets and soft toys.[1]
For heartburn and acid reflux, the NHS suggests raising the head of your bed by around 10 to 20cm so your chest and head are above your waist, and advises against using extra pillows to do this, as that can increase pressure on your belly.[2]
The NHS lists house dust mites among the most common allergens, along with pollen, foods and animals such as cats and dogs.[3]
Our Picks: Pillows for Babies and Toddlers
Check out the best baby pillows;
We hope you love the baby pillows we recommend!
We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.
1
The PandaEar Baby Head is a plush washable contoured adjustable pillow with a cotton cover and sizes of Toddler.
- Adjustable Loft – Fill or inserts can be added or taken out to change the height of the pillow.
- Contoured Shape – A shaped profile is meant to support the neck and keep the head in line with the spine.
- Temperature – Breathable materials help it sleep cooler.
- Cover – The outer fabric is cotton.
- Size – Offered in Toddler sizes.
2
The Foileon Portable Baby is a soft hypoallergenic adjustable pillow.
- Adjustable Loft – Fill or inserts can be added or taken out to change the height of the pillow.
- Contoured Shape – A shaped profile is meant to support the neck and keep the head in line with the spine.
- Temperature – Breathable materials help it sleep cooler.
- Allergies – It is hypoallergenic.
3
The perfect toddler-sized pillow from Little Sleepy Heads
- It is made with Hypoallergenic cotton.
- Ideal size and loft for toddlers.
- Portable and easy for travel use.
- Durable and soft materials.
- Completely non-toxic and hypoallergenic.
4
The Baby sleep positioning pillow from Estink has a multipurpose design to keep the baby from rolling and aid in digestion and acid reflux.
- It is manufactured from durable and firm foam with a breathable mesh cover that is completely damp-proof and ametabolic, preventing bacteria or organisms from growing in the pillow.
- A great portable size with a non-slip handle creates a safe sleeping environment for the baby anywhere.
- The handrails are breathable and provide constant airflow, eliminating the risk of suffocation and overheating while sleeping.
- Very easy to wash and dry, this pillow will keep its shape.
5
I love this design from Babymoov for newborns and younger babies.
- You can use the Babymoov pillow with all your baby gear, crib, car seat, pram stroller, and even rockers.
- The ergonomic headrest and body support with padded edges create a snug and comfortable little nest, which is the ideal position for a newborn or young infant to sleep in.
- This pillow is safe for newborns up to around four months old.
- Filled with soft and resilient memory foam and covered with a light and breathable fabric cover.
6
The Zixnexkoo Baby Lounger is a soft travel plush pillow with polyester fiber fill, a cotton cover and sizes of Travel.
- Fill – The pillow uses polyester fiber.
- Temperature – Breathable materials help it sleep cooler.
- Cover – The outer fabric is cotton, and the cover comes off for washing.
- Size – Offered in Travel sizes.
- Setup – It ships compressed, so give it some hours to expand before judging the loft.
In Conclusion
There are many different opinions and statements regarding sleeping safely in younger babies.
General head pillows are only advised for toddlers aged 18 months and older. Sleep positioners and wedge pillows for babies have been introduced as safe, but likewise, controversies surrounding them.
As a mother, I used a Wedge Pillow under my baby’s mattress for slight elevation to help with breathing and acid reflux, and nothing else; this seemed the safest way for me.
The choice of pillow and when to use it is up to your personal preference, considering which studies have shown to be true. A baby should only need to use a pillow once old enough to sleep on their bed.
Index Table: Pillows for Babies
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PandaEar Baby Head - Plush Washable Contoured Adjustable Pillow |  |
| PandaEar |
| 2 | Foileon Portable Baby - Soft Hypoallergenic Adjustable Pillow |  |
| Foileon |
| 3 | Little Sleepy Head Toddler - Toddler Baby Pillow |  |
| Little Sleepy Head |
| 4 | Reste Sleep Positioner - Best Baby Pillow |  |
| Reste |
| 5 | Babymoov Cosymorpho - Best Pillow for Newborn |  |
| Babymoov |
| 6 | Zixnexkoo Baby Lounger - Soft Travel Plush Pillow |  |
| Zixnexkoo |
Sources
Background reading from consumer and health agencies.
- NHS: Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- NHS: Heartburn and acid reflux
- NHS: Allergies
Update History
- Oct 2026: Replaced unavailable products: Bliss n Baby Organic Pillows with PandaEar Baby Head Pillow; Haimian Head Shaping Pillow with Foileon Portable Baby Pillow; OCCO Baby Memory Foam Pillow with Zixnexkoo Baby Lounger Pillow
- Oct 2026: Removed Dreamtown Kids Toddler Pillow, Little One’s Pillow Toddler, John N Tree Organic Pillow, Babymoon 4 in 1 Pillow, Bebo Beba Newborn Pillow, Shantoo Flat Head Pillow, XIANGGUI Neck Support Pillow, Biloban Toddler Pillow and Clevamama Breathable Pillows (unavailable)
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs comparison table and a Sources section
- Feb 2022: Added Reste Sleep Positioner Pillow
- Nov 2021: Added XIANGGUI Neck Support Pillow and Haimian Head Shaping Pillow
- Mar 2020: Added Little Sleepy Head Toddler Pillow, John N Tree Organic Pillow, Babymoon 4 in 1 Pillow, Shantoo Flat Head Pillow, Biloban Toddler Pillow, Clevamama Breathable Pillows, Bliss n Baby Organic Pillows and OCCO Baby Memory Foam Pillow
- Jan 2019: Published
