Shopping for Your Baby's First Pillow?
You’ve come to the right place.
A baby’s head needs tremendous support for proper development, especially in the first few months.
Babies have weak neck muscles, and their skulls are also quite tender due to fontanels or soft spots. If not provided adequate support, they can develop issues like flat or misshapen heads or inability to move their head.
If your baby’s head looks more square than round, you can use a good baby pillow to restore its shape.
The best baby pillow for flat head syndrome not only helps reshape their head but also provides adequate support to their neck muscles, allowing them to develop properly.
While some misshapen heads usually go back to normal as your baby grows, here’s everything you need to know to buy the best baby pillow.
What’s In This Buying Guide
Buying baby gear is not easy, especially for first-time parents. In this buying guide, you will find our top picks for the best baby pillows.
We first compare the different baby pillows and then review them in detail. We list their pros and cons and summarize the features to offer you better insight.
Then, we list the essential features to look for in a baby pillow and round up their pros and cons.
Lastly, we include a FAQ section to address common queries most buyers have.
The Best Baby Pillows
Disclaimer: All links below go to Amazon.com
- Best Overall: Babymoov Lovenest Organic Baby Headrest
- Runner-up: Mokeydou Infant Head Shaping Pillow
- Best Organic Baby Pillow: JOHN N TREE Organic Cotton Breathable Baby Pillow
- Most Versatile Baby Pillow: Babymoon Pod Multipurpose Baby Pillow
- Best Memory Foam Baby Pillow: AtoBaby Baby Pillow
- Best for Toddlers: Biloban Baby Toddler First Pillow
| Product | Award | Fill Material | Cover Material | Size | Weight | Limit | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Babymoov Lovenest | Best Overall | Memory foam | Soft cotton jersey | 10 x 10 x 1.5 inches | 4.8 ounces | Up to 1-year-old | Lifetime |
Mokeydou | Runner-up | Memory foam | Hypoallergenic Cotton | 18 x 10 x 1.2 inches | 1.26 pounds | 0 to 24 months | 3-months |
JOHN N TREE | Best Organic Baby Pillow | Polyester | Organic Cotton | 14 x 9 x 3 inches | 6.4 ounces | Up to 6 months | 100% satisfaction guarantee |
Babymoon Pod  | Most Versatile Baby Pillow | Polyester | Available with 100% cotton or plush polyester covers. | 10 x 10 x 3 inches | 6.4 ounces | 0 to 6 months | Not Specified |
AtoBaby  | Best Memory Foam Baby Pillow | Memory foam | 100% Cotton | 9.88 x 8.9 x 1.38 | 8.1 ounces | 0 to 12 months | Not Specified |
Biloban | Best for Toddlers | Poly cluster fiber filling | 100% premium cotton | 9.88 x 8.9 x 1.38 inches | 1.05 pounds | 0 and up | Biloban’s Life Guarantee |
1. Best Overall: Babymoov Lovenest Organic Baby Headrest
The Babymoov Lovenest Organic Baby Headrest is an excellent choice for parents looking to reshape their baby’s head. It features a pediatrician-designed 3D heart shape with a concave hollow in the center.
The Lovenest is great for comfortably restricting the head to reshape it. The memory foam fill offers both comfort and support to your baby’s head and neck to promote healthy growth.
Pros
- Pediatrician designed
- Made using organic cotton
- It can be used with various baby gear
- Certified and patented design
- It comes with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Lifetime warranty coverage requires registration
- A bit small
Our Review
Advertised as “The World's First Pediatrician Designed Head Support to Prevent Infant Flat Head,” the Babymoov Lovenest Organic Baby Headrest is designed by a French pediatrician Dr. Manuel Maidenberg.
The pillow features a unique 3D heart-shaped design with a concave hole in the center. When you place the baby’s head in the concavity, the restricting structure distributes the pressure to reshape the head.
Lovenest is entirely organic. It contains 100% soft organic cotton memory foam fill encased inside a soft cotton jersey cover. Both materials are hypoallergenic and safe to use for your baby. The pillow has been around since 2005 and is trusted by both parents and pediatricians.
Babymoov Lovenest is lightweight and portable, and you can use it with a variety of baby gear. You can use it on the floor, inside the crib, bouncer, car seat, swing, and more.
The entire pillow is washable. You can even wash in a washing machine on a gentle cycle for faster cleaning. Plus, it comes with lifetime warranty coverage.
2. Runner-up: Mokeydou Infant Head Shaping Pillow
Mokeydou Infant Head Shaping Pillow is a high-quality product designed for babies with extremely sensitive skin. It features a supportive design that helps reshape the head and promotes proper growth.
The Mokeydou pillow has a memory foam filling encased inside a hypoallergenic cotton pillow cover. The foam has a slow rebound, which ensures adequate support to your baby. The pillow cover is also removable and washable, so you don’t need to wash the entire pillow.
Pros
- Gentle and safe for your baby’s skin
- Provides stable positioning
- Removable cover
- Promotes airflow and temperature regulation
- Supports and aligns the upper body region
Cons
- Memory foam fill is not washable
- A bit bulky to carry around
Our Review
We really like the Mokeydou Infant Head Shaping Pillow for its unique design. It features a rectangular memory foam filling with a hollow center to accommodate the head adequately.
It is quite soft and comfortable and exerts minimum pressure on the skull, so your little tot can move his head comfortably. The pillow helps distribute pressure across the skull to flatten cones and restore the baby’s head’s round shape.
With its exceptional memory foam filling, the Mokeydou baby pillow can retain its shape for a longer period. So, you can use it till your baby is two years old.
This supportive and safe filling is encased inside a hypoallergenic cotton pillow cover. You can remove it for washing and also choose from the various cute patterns available at the Mokeydou store.
3. Best Organic Baby Pillow: JOHN N TREE Organic Cotton
The John N Tree Organic Cotton Breathable Baby Pillow is not just affordable, but it is also one of the safest and healthiest.
Made using certified soft organic cotton materials, this pillow is available in various cute animal shapes. It is double-sided with a built-in indent in the center to hold your baby’s head in a stable position. Plus, it is also machine washable.
Pros
- Affordable
- Super Soft Global certified 100% Organic Cotton fabric
- Double-sided
- Available in different cute animal shapes
- Soft yet sturdy
Cons
- May shrink post washing
- The exterior is a bit rough
Our Review
The John N Tree Organic Cotton Breathable Baby Pillow features 100% Global Certified organic cotton construction. It comes in various cute animal shapes like sheep and elephant, making it tricky to choose.
This organic pillow features a double-sided design, allowing you to use it either way. A built-in indentation in the center of the pillow holds your baby’s head. It provides adequate support to their neck while evenly distributing the pressure to reshape their head.
The high-quality John N Tree is very simple and easy to clean. It is safe to wash in a washing machine. But be sure to use a laundry bag; otherwise, the shape can alter. You can also wash it by hand.
Since it is made entirely of cotton, you might notice some shrinkage but rest assured that the pillow is sturdy enough to last your baby for at least six months.
Plus, it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so even if you change your mind about it, you can get a prompt refund, no questions asked.
4. Most Versatile Baby Pillow: Babymoon Pod Multipurpose
If you like the idea of the baby pillow growing with your baby, the Babymoon Pod Multipurpose Baby Pillow offers everything you can ask for. This donut-shaped pillow has a hollow center and detachable, Velcro-equipped ends.
You can use it from birth for head shaping, as a nursing pillow, or even during tummy times. And when your baby is old enough, you can use it as a travel pillow and place it around his neck for additional support.
Pros
- Grows with your baby
- Suitable to use with strollers and bouncers
- Available in various colors
- Hollow center for support and pressure relief
- Adjustable size
Cons
- Expensive
- Not recommended to use in cribs
Our Review
The circular Babymoon Pod Multipurpose Baby Pillow is quite versatile. It features a donut-shaped design with detachable ends. One of the ends has a soft Velcro dot that allows you to adjust its size according to your baby’s comfort.
Unlike some other baby pillows, this Babymoon pillow is not restricted to floor use only. You can pair it with baby gear like strollers, bouncers, and car seats. In fact, you can use it as a nursing pillow or for tummy time support too. Just be careful not to use it as a sleeping pillow inside a crib.
The Babymoon Pod boasts a 100% soft polyester filling. But for the cover, you can choose between 100% cotton and plush polyester.
It is designed to grow with your baby. You can use it as a head shaping pillow when they are small, and as they grow up, you can continue to use it as a travel pillow to protect their fragile necks.
The Velcro end has a peek-a-boo sleeve that slides over the Velcro dot to cover it when not in use. This way, your little darling won’t suffer from itchiness or irritation that Velcro can cause.
5. Best Memory Foam Baby Pillow: AtoBaby Baby Pillow
If you are a true memory foam fan, check out the AtoBaby baby pillow. It is an excellent option for parents seeking true comfort for their baby.
The 3D design is not just supportive to their weak necks, but the strategic hole in the center also plays its part in flattening the cone or rounding flat spots on your baby’s head.
Pros
- Cute designs and colors
- 3D memory foam structure
- Affordable
- 100% organic construction
- Breathable, antibacterial, and hygroscopic
Cons
- Somewhat smaller
- Can shrink
Our Review
If you want a functional, comfortable, and cute baby pillow, the AtoBaby Baby Pillow has it all. It is a super-cute bear-shaped structure that supports and protects your baby’s head from going flat.
It is soft yet supple with 100% organic memory foam filling. The slow rebound action is both comfortable and supportive for their head, and it aligns the neck region to prevent discomfort.
The AtoBaby Baby Pillow is specially designed for small babies. It is lightweight, plush, and small enough for them to sleep with at night.
You can also use the pillow in baby gear like a trim bed stroller, car seat, and more to keep the baby’s head positioned and supported. The shape and design are useful for pressure distribution, so the head and neck remain comfortable.
6. Best for Toddlers: Biloban Baby Toddler First Pillow
The Biloban Baby Toddler First Pillow is suitable for babies from birth and can be used until their toddler years. This baby pillow comes as a pack of two pillows with two pillowcases.
Each pillow is filled with a soft poly cluster fiber filling, while the pillowcases are made using 100% premium cotton. It is dye- and chemical-free, so it is pretty safe for your baby’s skin.
Pros
- Suitable for sleeping
- It comes as a set of two pillows
- Flat, fluff, and wide
- Pillowcase is Oeko-Tex 100 Class
- It comes with a Biloban Life Guarantee
Cons
- Some users find it extremely flat
- Pillowcases can shrink
Our Review
The Biloban Baby Toddler First Pillow is more like a traditional pillow that most moms and dads use. It features a rectangular design with thicker sides and a thin center. It is designed uniquely to support your tot and function as a regular pillow when they grow up.
We really like this Biloban baby pillow because it comes as a set of two pillows, each with its own pillowcase. So you don’t need to worry about washing and drying the pillow in time for the baby’s use. With this set, you can easily switch between pillows for washing and drying.
Another noteworthy feature of this Biloban baby pillow set is its construction. The filling is poly cluster fiber encased inside a 100% super-soft cotton shell.
The pillowcases are made using 100% premium cotton with a high thread count and a special tight weave. Plus, they are incredibly soft to touch and sleep on.
What Are Baby Pillows?
Have you ever tried lying flat on a mattress without a pillow for hours at a time? We bet you got up with a stiff and creaky neck, as there was no pillow to provide support.
Now, imagine your newborn in the same position. Their necks are already weak, and their skulls are very fragile.
Baby pillows are soft and fluffy headrests that support and protect your baby’s head and neck region.
These pillows are designed specifically with infant skulls in mind. They exert minimal pressure on the back of the baby’s head and help distribute the pressure equally on both sides of the skull, preventing it from being pinpointed at a “dangerous” angle.
The cushioned base also ensures better pressure distribution to avoid skull flattening.
Baby pillows also promote healthy growth and development of neck muscles and provide the right amount of support until the infant's neck muscles become strong enough.
Pros and Cons of Using a Baby Pillow
Baby pillows have been a topic of enormous debate for quite some time. Some people trust them to prevent flathead-related issues, while others express concern about the increasing rate of Sudden Infantile Death Syndrome (SIDS) in correlation with infant pillows, soft objects, and loose bedding.
Although they help reshape the head and promote good neck muscle growth, we still suggest that you use your baby pillow under supervision.
Here are the pros and cons of using baby pillows to help you choose better:
Pros
- Using the best baby pillow provides necessary support and stability to your baby’s head and promotes the proper development of neck muscles.
- After spending considerable time in the birth canal, baby heads can be molded. Using a good baby pillow helps reshape it from conical to round.
- Baby pillows are great for temperature regulation. They support their head and shoulder, allowing airflow and preventing sweat build-up.
- The best infant pillows for a flat head provide tremendous support to the weak and fragile skull until the bones harden.
Cons
- Some baby pillows are filled with foam chips or thermocol balls. If such a pillow splits, it can cause a choking hazard for your baby.
- If not cleaned and maintained properly, these pillows can hoard harmful allergens like dust mites, mold, and mildew.
- If used improperly, a baby pillow can cause suffocation.
- Some low-quality baby pillows can lock the baby’s head in one position for a longer time, resulting in a flat spot at the back of the head.
What to Look for When Shopping for a Baby Pillow
While all baby pillows have essentially the same purpose, a few features distinguish them from one another.
To pick out a comfortable and safe baby pillow for your little darling, make sure you consider:
Material & Filling
Knowing the material and filling inside a baby pillow is important for two reasons.
First, it lets you know whether the pillow is hypoallergenic. Second, it also helps you determine the pillow’s comfort level.
For example, traditional horse-shoe shaped baby pillows were initially filled with mustard or rye seeds. But most pillows today contain tiny thermocol balls or sponge chips. These pillows may be very supportive but pose a choking hazard if split.
You can also find baby pillows with memory foam inserts. These are not only comfortable but also extremely helpful in formation. You can also consider getting something softer like cotton filling. Such pillows are not only softer but can also fit and form into any sleeping receptacle.
You should also never compromise on the quality of materials used in making the baby pillow. Always pick baby pillows with high-quality materials like organic cotton and quality foam.
Many experts consider memory foam to be the best material for baby pillows. It is both comfortable and supportive for your baby and quite safe to use under supervision.
When looking at different products, try to purchase ones free of harmful dyes and chemicals as they can trigger skin allergies and irritation on sensitive baby skin.
Size & Shape
A baby pillow’s size and shape matter because these determine how comfortable the pillow is for your baby.
If you purchase a pillow that is too small for your baby, chances are it will slip out of place, possibly resulting in the baby sleeping in an uncomfortable position. Meanwhile, a pillow that is too big may not offer the right amount of support that they need.
A decent-sized pillow effectively keeps their head in a stable and comfortable position. But if you are constantly on the move, you should prefer a smaller pillow as it is more portable and easy to carry around.
As for the shape, look for a pillow that allows for a little extra shoulder room. This way, your baby will get the necessary support both for the head and the neck without anything hurting.
Comfort
Of course, your baby’s comfort is something you don’t want to compromise. You should choose a pillow that maintains your baby in a comfortable position while in use.
A very firm pillow will put unnecessary pressure on their neck and muscles, while a very soft won’t provide adequate support.
It is also important to note how high the pillow is. A very high pillow will make your little bundle slide off and put their head and neck in an uncomfortable placement.
You should try to find a pillow that offers a healthy balance of softness, support, and height so that the baby not only feels comfortable but also receives the necessary support.
Ease of Cleaning
With all the dribbles and drooling, you can’t expect your baby’s pillow to stay spotless. This is why it is important to find a washable and easy-to-clean pillow.
You’ll come across many products claiming to be machine-safe. However, many pillows lose their firmness or shape during the washing cycle. You also have to factor in the drying time as pillows can take quite a while to dry completely.
Some pillows are solely suited for hand-washing, while others are safe to wash in a washing machine on a gentle cycle. You should check out the washing instructions provided by the manufacturer to make sure the pillow suits your needs.
Cost
Although baby pillows are one of the affordable baby gear items, some models are a bit costlier than others.
However, the difference is not drastic. You can find amazing products at very reasonable prices, so there is really no need to set a specific budget.
Durability
The pillow's durability is an important consideration because it's natural to expect it to last at least a year, after which your baby will definitely need a bigger one.
Some pillows grow with your baby too. So, you can choose to purchase one of these or look into getting a set of two pillows in one package. This way, you can reduce the wear by switching them.
It is also important to check the pillow’s weight and age limit. For example, a certain pillow can support babies up to 16 pounds, making it ineffective for bigger babies.
Similarly, if your baby has already started turning over, a horseshoe pillow won’t serve many purposes. So, be sure to change out the pillow with something more suitable.
Cover Material
The quality and material of the filling aside, you should also not ignore the material of the pillow cover. It is the part of the pillow that makes the most contact with your baby’s skin, so it’s important for it to be safe.
Even if the entire pillow is designed to be hypoallergenic and made using the highest quality and safe materials, you should avoid getting it if the cover is made with poor quality materials.
Out of the various pillow covers available, we believe cotton is the safest and most comfortable for babies.
Warranty
Most baby pillows currently available come with a 30-, 60-, or 90-day warranty. This time frame is enough to test out the pillow and ensure it works for your baby. If not, you can just return it.
The longer the warranty coverage, the more the manufacturer trusts it to stand the test of time and spits. The longest warranty you can find for baby pillows is one year, which is enough because you won’t be using the pillow longer than that.
Cleaning and Maintaining a Baby Pillow
When it comes to cleaning and maintaining your baby pillow, the manufacturer’s guidelines are your best friend. Since the pillow’s integrity is vital for your baby’s comfort, safety, and support, you cannot risk an important task.
If the directions ask to hand-wash the pillow only, you should never put it in a washing machine; otherwise, the pillow will lose its shape and firmness.
And if the manufacturer suggests washing it on a gentle cycle, never wash it in a heavy cycle.
The same holds for drying. Air drying is best for baby pillows, but if the directions suggest it is safe to dry in a dryer, you should go for it.
For hygienic purposes, you should wash your baby’s pillow frequently. We know air drying takes a lot of time. This is why many manufacturers supply their pillows as a set of two so that if one is dirty or wet, you can continue to use the other one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Pillow Is Best for a Newborn?
A horseshoe-shaped pillow is perhaps the most suitable for newborns. However, these days you’ll come across baby pillows of all shapes and sizes, each offering adequate support and comfort to your little tot.
But you should make sure that it is both hypoallergenic and made with quality materials that are safe for your baby’s sensitive skin.
When should babies start using pillows?
It all depends upon the type of pillow you get for them. For example, you can start using certain pillows right after birth, while others have a specific age limit after which you can use them. Similarly, you can only use some until the baby reaches a certain age or weight.
So, you should first note your baby’s needs and choose the pillow accordingly.
Are pillows good for a baby with a flat head?
Pillows are undoubtedly good for a baby with a flat head. However, some flathead pillows are more effective than others. You should read customer reviews to know if the pillow is helpful.
Do pillows help improve an infant’s head form?
Infants have very soft skulls. Their heads can be misshaped during delivery.
In many cases, their heads can go back to their round shape as they grow. But in others, you have to take some measures to reshape their head before the bones harden.
In such cases, baby pillows effectively improve the head form.
Final Verdict: What is the best baby pillow sold today?
Despite the debate surrounding their safety, baby pillows are a sure-fire way to help with your baby’s flat head syndrome. They help reshape the head and provide adequate support for neck development.
After carefully assessing several products, we believe that the Babymoov Lovenest Organic Baby Headrest is the best baby pillow. It is a fully pediatrician-designed product. The 3D heart shape supports the baby’s neck, while the concavity in the center helps reshape the head.
The Mokeydou Infant Head Shaping Pillow is also a great choice. Its hypoallergenic and organic memory foam filling is encased inside a soft cotton jersey shell that is soft on the baby’s sensitive skin.
And, if you want a versatile baby pillow, check out the Babymoon Pod Multipurpose Baby Pillow. The circular pillow is made using quality materials. Plus, it is designed to grow with your baby, functioning as a baby pillow first and a traveling pillow once they grow up.
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