A Comprehensive Guide

Materials: Choosing the Best for Your Child

When it comes to material selection for your child’s pillow, safety and quality are the most important factors to consider. Later in this article we’ll dig into other safety considerations as well (such as pillow size and firmness).

• Non-toxic: This should go without saying, but having materials that are naturally non-toxic is important. While there haven’t been many studies on how pillow toxicity impacts a child's development it’s better to err on the side of caution. Make sure the pillow you’re using is free from harmful substances such as phthalates, lead, or formaldehyde. These materials are common in memory foam and synthetic down pillows, be sure to check out our blog post where we dive into more details on these chemicals.
• Hypoallergenic: Some children have sensitivities and allergies so it’s best to get a hypoallergenic toddler pillow. This will help them (and in turn you) sleep better.
• Mold and mildew resistant: Toddlers aren’t the cleanest people and can be prone to spills and accidents so having a moisture resistant pillow is important. Natural latex and wool pillows are the best in this regard, as they are the most resistant to mold and mildew.

At What Age can a Toddler Have a Pillow?

Most resources recommend that after 24 months it's safe to give your toddler a pillow. However, it's important to note that because of your toddlers unique development there may be variations in age when it's safe to give them a pillow. 

Size: Finding the Perfect Fit

It may be tempting to simply use one of the extra pillows in the closet. However because these pillows are sized for adults they could be dangerous for toddlers. Also note, if your toddler doesn’t need a pillow there is no reason you have to immediately introduce it into their bedroom.

• Flat and firm: As a general rule pillows that are flat and firm are safer for toddlers as they don’t pose the same suffocation risk an adult sized pillow might.
• Avoid adult-sized pillows: Since these pillows are heavier and have more surface area they can pose a suffocation risk. The Sleep Foundation recommends a pillow 13 by 18 inches for your toddler.

How to Clean a Wool Pillow

Like we mentioned before, toddlers are not generally very clean people so you will likely need to clean their pillow at some point. Below we’ve explained how to clean a wool pillow, which as you might have guessed, is our favorite pillow material for a toddler. These instructions can be applied to most other pillow types in regards to cleaning.

• Spot cleaning: If you can, you should spot clean as it helps maintain the life of the pillow. Use an organic soap or mild detergent specifically formulated for wool and avoid any heavy detergents. Gently dab the affected area with a clean cloth or sponge. Avoid rubbing vigorously, as this may damage the wool fibers.
• Machine wash: If the pillow is heavily soiled, you can wash it in a machine. Wash on a delicate cycle and with a full load of laundry. Use cold water only, as hot water can cause the wool to shrink or break down. Make sure you hang dry instead of putting it in the dryer.

Conclusion

There are a lot of factors to think about when choosing a pillow for a toddler with safety and comfort at the top. But also remember that it’s not necessary to get a pillow right away.

Another factor worth considering is getting a pillow that will last a while. We designed our toddler pillow to be durable so that when your toddler is all grown up that you can repurpose their pillow as a travel or camping pillow.