When you have a newborn, there is so much new information, new schedules, new items, and always—a forever run to the store for last-minute things that your baby definitely needs—you just hadn’t known. A pillow for newborn babies should definitely be on your shopping or your wish list if you’re expecting. The need for them? To help prevent plagiocephaly or “flat head” syndrome. Even though you might have heard that babies can’t use certain pillows until at least one years old, these pillows are designed to be safe and comforting in cots and cribs for your less-than-a-year-old baby.
So, what are “baby” pillows? These are pillows that are specifically designed to fit perfectly around a baby’s extremely delicate head—to help avoid flat-head syndrome. Manufacturers use high-high-tech fabric to anatomically shape and perforate the pillow so that it can evenly support and protect that baby’s head while sleeping or laying down. There are a few things that most other pillows come with that are not good for a baby and his or her development. For example, the manufacturers leave out a cover, which can make it hard to breathe for your baby, it keeps an even temperature and is not made with foam-based products, making it extremely safe to use.
We’ve looked through numerous reviews, we’ve asked for a first-hand opinion of our co-workers who have used the product and finally, we’ve talked to specialists on the main qualities a perfect baby pillow should have. In our review, we’re going to highlight the features of each of these products and present you with the best baby pillow that money can buy for your little one. Through our table, in-detail reviews, buying guide that goes through the details of all the features like size, filling, cover, and hypoallergenic ability, this guide can help you pick out the perfect baby pillow for your perfect baby.
More features: pillowcase included, machine washable and dryable, gentle head and neck support for proper spinal alignment
The KeaBabies My Little Dreamy Toddler Pillow measures 13 by 18 inches, so it is sized for a small child rather than an adult and keeps the head and neck in line with the spine. The fiber fill offers a balance of softness and firmness at a height meant for toddlers from about two to five years old.
The cover and the included pillowcase are made from OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified organic cotton, and both go in the washing machine and the dryer. Its compact size also makes it easy to bring along for preschool naps, sleepovers and road trips.
More features: two carrying handles, reversible cover, 360 degree cushioned surround, for supervised awake time only
Made for the hours when your baby is awake and you still need to get things done, the Alened Baby Lounger for Newborns gives your little one a soft, familiar place to lie while you stay close by. The thick support pad and cushioned 360 degree surround create a gentle nest for supervised tummy time, floor play, diaper changes and bonding moments, and the 100% cotton cover breathes well, zips off for a machine wash and is reversible for two looks.
At roughly 3.2 lbs with two sewn-in handles, it is easy to carry from the living room to the nursery or over to the grandparents. Just remember that this is a supervised awake-time product only, never a sleep surface, and the maker recommends airing it out for two to three days after unpacking before first use.
More features: gentle incline for feeding, resting and tummy time, breathable, cartoon bear design, lightweight and portable
If you want something purpose-built for the first months, the Yevclihds Baby Infant Support Cushion is a sensible choice for newborns. Its gentle slope keeps your baby in a natural position while you feed or let them rest, and the memory foam core gives soft, even support for a small head.
At just under 10 inches across and a little over an inch thick, it is easy to carry between rooms or drop into the stroller or car seat, and it stores away in seconds when not in use. Keep in mind that the core is not washable, so the maker recommends laying a small towel over it and wiping the cushion down with a damp cloth when needed.
More features: fits under most standard bassinet mattresses, zippered machine-washable cover
If your pediatrician has suggested raising the head of the bassinet a little, the Anti-Reflux Bassinet Wedge Pillow is a straightforward way to do it. The wedge slides under the bassinet mattress rather than sitting on top of it, and its 15 x 12.5-inch footprint is sized to fit most standard bassinets, so the gentle slope is built into the sleep surface instead of being a loose pillow in the bed.
The core is a high-density foam that balances firmness with softness, and the whole thing is wrapped in a hypoallergenic, waterproof cover that unzips and goes in the wash after a diaper leak or spit-up. Keep in mind that the manufacturer does not state the exact angle of the incline, so if your doctor has asked for a specific elevation you may want to measure it once it is in place.
More features: breathable 3D air mesh construction, head and neck support
The WelsLife Organic Cotton Baby Head Support Pillow is a simple, soft head and neck support that is easy to take along in the stroller, the car seat bag or a weekend suitcase. It is made with certified 100% organic cotton and is hypoallergenic, which matters when your baby is sleeping on it in unfamiliar places.
The 3D air mesh construction keeps air moving through the pillow, so it stays cooler in summer and warmer in winter. When the trip is over, the whole pillow can go in the washing machine, which is exactly what you want from something that spends time in daycare bags and on airplane seats.
More features: Global-Certified, machine washable
The StoHua Baby Pillow Lamb is not only cute—it’s a great buy for your newborn baby! Globally certified and machine-washable, the StoHua Baby Pillow Lamb offers healthy-designed materials that are super soft, safe for the environment and safe for your baby’s sensitive skin.
With its 100% natural, organic cotton design, hypoallergenic polyester filling, and dye-free build, you can rest assured that this is one of the safest pillows out there for your newborn, containing absolutely no outside chemicals or harmful dyes.
Not to mention it is extremely comfortable for your newborn baby’s head—and also extremely helpful to prevent flathead syndrome. On both sides of the StoHua Baby Pillow Lamb is organic cotton, so your baby can sleep on both sides. Not only is this pillow great for a good night’s sleep, it is also helpful in diaper changes, in his or her bassinet, on his or her play mat or during breastfeeding.
The StoHua Baby Pillow Lamb is also easy to wash—either machine-washable on gentle with other baby clothes or hand-washed. With 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can rest assured that you will be satisfied with this product for your baby—or they will give you a full refund!
More features: used up to 12 month old babies, money back guarantee
The DILIMI Nursing Pillow is a great buy if you’re looking to have the best for your baby but still stay within the budget. Designed with cotton and breathable fabric, this pillow can help prevent flathead syndrome for your baby and also be extremely comfortable during nighttime sleeping or feeding.
Designed to fit any bed, bouncer, carrycots and pushchairs, the groove design is not only suitable for a baby’s good night sleep but also to fit into any sleeping area. You will also be able to choose from different color patterns.
The DILIMI Nursing Pillow is proven to work in head-shape development to help prevent flathead syndrome and is recommended by doctors and physicians all across the world. When used in those pivotal first few months, this baby pillow can be extremely helpful in easing the pressure at the back of your baby’s head to prevent and avoid flat head syndrome and plagiocephaly.
The DILIMI Nursing Pillow is also ergonomically shaped and inclined to keep your baby’s spine in the correct alignment, while still not putting too much pressure on your baby’s head. You can also feel assured at the material since it is a great relief for sensitive skin and reduced friction to prevent hair loss.
You can put the DILIMI Nursing Pillow in your baby’s cradle, bed, stroller or crib.
More features: fits any stroller, machine washable, for use up to 4 months
The Boppy Noggin Nest Head Support is a great buy if you’re looking for a portable “Noggin’ Nest” for your baby. Designed with cotton and cotton mesh, you can use this portable pillow for up to four months, making sure to wash and clean it periodically (which is easy since it is machine-washable!)
With its versatility and patented cut-out design, you can easily slip it into your baby’s stroller, swing or bouncer. Made with cotton, it is extremely comfortable and its head-cradling support is also rather unique.
The Boppy Noggin Nest Head Support has generous padding designed within its seams to create an all-over comfort for your baby, whether he or she is just relaxing or sleeping. With its fashionable print, it also fits in with any type of bedding or other design.
Not only does the Boppy Noggin Nest Head Support relieve pressure on your baby’s head, it also keeps your baby’s head cradled and safely supported while using it. The design uses 3 and 5 point harness systems for simple “installment” or adding it into the bedding area.
You can use the Boppy Noggin Nest Head Support from newborn up to 4 months of age.
More features: pillowcase included, machine washable and dryable
The KeaBabies My Little Dreamy Toddler Pillow is a good pick if your little one has outgrown sleeping flat and needs some gentle support under the head and neck. It measures 13 x 18 inches and sits at a height tailored to toddlers, gently supporting the neck and head to promote proper spinal alignment.
The pillow comes with a matching pillowcase, and both the cover and the case are made of OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified organic cotton that is soft, light and breathable through all seasons. Keep in mind that it is intended for children aged two to five, so it is a pillow to grow into rather than one for a newborn crib.
More features: machine washable and dryable, included pillowcase, intended for age 2 and up
The ZPECC Organic Cotton Toddler Pillow is a simple, well made option for parents who want as little as possible between their child and a natural fabric. The included pillowcase is made from 100% organic cotton that carries both Organic Content Standard 100 and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, so the surface your little one rests on is soft, breathable and free of odor.
Inside, a super soft microfiber insert keeps the pillow fluffy, and the whole set can go straight into the washing machine and dryer without shrinking, pilling or clumping. At 13 x 18 inches it is small enough for a crib, toddler bed, stroller or daycare nap time, and the maker recommends washing and drying it once out of the package to bring the filling back to full fluffiness.
Now that you have all the top products on the market for your baby’s pillow to choose from, it’s time to make a decision. We know that this might be the hardest part of all. However, we’ve created this buying guide to help navigate you through some of the decisions you’ll have to make—especially when it comes to certain features of these baby pillows. Getting the best for your baby is your number one priority and therefore our number one priority, as well. We hope that the buying guide can be beneficial and informative for your decision.
You might not have even heard of a baby pillow and why it’s necessary for your newborn baby. However, there are many advantages for your child’s health. Most of the pillows are labeled as baby head-shaping since it’s the main concern of parents and doctors alike.
The head during these first few months of your baby’s life is pretty delicate, so when it comes to sleeping on a baby’s back, flathead syndrome may occur, which is a flattened area on the back or side of a baby’s head.
When you’re looking at the most severe cases, flathead syndrome can even affect the alignment of your baby’s eyes, ears, and even jaw. This time in a baby’s life is crucial to keeping an eye on development—especially up until the 18-month mark.
Flathead syndrome is caused by an external constant pressure to the softer skull, which is there due to making it much easier to go through the birth canal during childbirth. Flathead syndrome can also be paired with a loss of baby hair—especially on the back, which might be caused by your baby’s sleeping surface. You should also be extremely cautious if you have a premature baby.
So, how would a head-shaping pillow work? Well, they provide extra cushioning that works to disperse the pressure throughout the back of the skull so it is not pinpointed at a “dangerous” angle. The cushioned base should help distribute that pressure and avoid skull-flattening.
As you saw through each product description and review, every baby pillow is different. For example, the Alened Baby Lounger for Newborns should not be used for sleeping during the night and only during supervised daytime lounging so parents can have a hands-free moment. You should invest in a baby pillow for the day (in particular one that can be easily transportable), and one for the evening. A good bassinet wedge pillow, like the Anti-Reflux Bassinet Wedge Pillow is also a great investment to keep all the essentials positioned at just the right angle.
Since there are so many different baby pillows on the market, there are a few things that separate one from another—those are the features. When it comes to features of a baby pillow, you should look at the size, the softness, the shape, the filling, the durability, material, and the safety of the pillow—among many other things.
Here are a few features of baby pillows that you should really look into when considering each product.
What the pillow is made out of is extremely important to know—this is not only for hypoallergenic reasons but also for levels of comfort for your baby. For example, your doctor might recommend something with memory foam, like the OCCObaby Baby Head Shaping Memory Foam Pillow, which is made with memory foam and is extremely helpful in formation. However, they might also recommend something a bit softer and less forming, like the Boppy Noggin Nest Head Support, which is made of cotton and can fit and form into any sleeping receptacle.
The size of the pillow is also beneficial to know. There is a U.S. standard bedding—so any pillow that fits into the U.S. standard size is beneficial since it will most likely fit your baby’s crib. The Anti-Reflux Bassinet Wedge Pillow, for example, uses universal dimensions designed to fit under most standard bassinet mattresses. This makes it easy to give as a baby shower gift since you might not know what type of crib or bed the parents may have already bought or asked for.
The softness can also dictate your purchase. For example, if you get a baby pillow that is “too” soft, it might not even help with the formation of the baby’s head. However, you also don’t want to get a too-hard pillow that might harm the baby more than it will help them.
The shape is also another feature to consider. The OCCObaby Baby Head Shaping Memory Foam Pillow, for example, can help more because of its shape because it allows for a little extra shoulder room, which is also keeps your baby’s neck from hurting.
You’ll want a pillow that lasts—at least a year. Some of these products come with two pillows in one package so you are able to switch them out as they wear during the year. You will also want to make sure that the pillow is designed to last the baby up until a certain age and be sure to change it out when your baby gets to that age, too. For example, the Alened Baby Lounger for Newborns is designed for supervised awake time with babies from 0 to 24 months. Once your baby has outgrown that range, you will want to consider switching this baby pillow out for something different.
When it comes to your newborn baby, you’ll want the safest products you can find—especially if they have a skin sensitivity! The WelLifes Baby Pillow for Newborn, for example, is one of the most organic pillows on the market—making it extremely safe for your newborn baby. It is hypoallergenic and designed with extremely eco-friendly and baby-safe material.
Speaking of material, the cover is something you should also watch out for. Some of these baby pillows, like the OCCObaby Baby Head Shaping Memory Foam Pillow is designed with bamboo and cotton material so it is extremely safe for your baby. You will definitely need to pay attention to the material of the cover of the pillow since this is the part of the pillow that will be making the most contact with your baby. No matter if the pillow is already hypoallergenic or designed with special material if the cover and pillowcase are actually made with material that is “bad” for your baby.
Some of these baby pillows have a 30, 60 or 90-day back guarantee. These are pillows that the manufacturer backs up and trusts. You should try and pick a product that will stand the test of time. The longer the warranty is, the better. However, you will most likely only need, at most, a 1-year guarantee since you won’t be using these pillows for the entire baby-stage of your child.
When you have a newborn, there are so many things that you might not be aware of and to learn before the baby comes or during the process. One fact to definitely not ignore is flathead syndrome, which actually occurs in 16 of every 1,000 babies.
Fortunately, you can easily try and prevent this “deformity” happening in your baby by investing in a baby pillow and also:
Making sure that your baby is not all the time on their back while they’re awake. Alternate where your baby is sitting or sleeping during the day so that they are not just in one position the whole time. While awake, allow your baby to lay on their tummy to promote tummy-time and keep them off the back of their heads. Move your baby around the house so they can look around them at different views and sights—they will be more tempted to look around if their surroundings are new.
Swap sides when breastfeeding so your baby can use different muscles when turning his or her head in different directions. If your baby does have flathead syndrome—it will most likely be corrected on its own after a visit to the doctor and doing what the doctor has said—so don’t panic!
Finally, you’ve made it through the individual product reviews, have gone through our buying guide, and eyed our comparison table—but now you still have questions? Don’t worry, here are the answers to our most frequently asked questions by new parents looking to buy baby pillows—just like you!
If you don’t want to read anything else—at least read this section. Here are the three best products on the market when it comes to the best baby pillow:
The OCCObaby Baby Head Shaping Memory Foam Pillow is our editor’s choice for the best baby pillow on the market today. Designed with 100 percent cotton and bamboo material, you can rest assured that it is safe for your baby. It is also extremely comfortable, with its foam and ample amount of shoulder room, it is backed with a 90-day money back guarantee and lifetime warranty.
The Alened Baby Lounger for Newborns is rated as the best baby lounger pillow, perfect for when you are working on tasks around the house and having to monitor your baby’s awake hours at the same time. It has a handle for carrying and is especially lightweight, which makes it easy to move from room-to-room as you go. It can also be easily slipped into the washing machine on cleaning day, and has a one-year warranty, which is more than enough for being useful for your little one.
The Newborn Baby Head Shaping Pillow is not only rated as the best newborn baby pillow, but it also is designed with 100% chemical-free memory foam that comes with a bamboo pillowcase, so you can rest assured that your precious baby’s head is resting on something safe and clean.
We hope that this guide has helped you pick out the very best baby pillow for your precious newborn.
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