When Can a Child Use a Pillow? What Pediatricians Say
Most children should not use a pillow until they are about 2 years old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). For babies and toddlers under 2, a pillow does not belong in the sleep space at all. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) puts it simply with its "Bare is Best" message: nothing but a fitted sheet in a crib, bassinet, or play yard. Once a child is past age 2 and has moved to a toddler bed, the AAP says any pillow should be small and firm.
This guide walks through what the major safety authorities actually say, why the age-2 mark matters, and what to look for in a child's first pillow. None of this is medical advice. Always follow your own pediatrician and current AAP safe-sleep guidance.
Key takeaways
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and CPSC advise keeping cribs 100% pillow-free for the first 12 to 24 months until a toddler transitions beds:
- No pillow before age 2. The AAP recommends waiting until a child is about 2 years old before introducing a pillow.
- For infants, the sleep space stays bare. CPSC and AAP both call for a firm surface with only a fitted sheet, and no pillows, blankets, bumpers, or stuffed toys.
- The reason is suffocation risk. Soft items like pillows can increase a baby's risk of suffocation, entrapment, and SIDS.
- The first pillow should be small and firm once a child is over 2 and in a toddler bed.
- When in doubt, ask your pediatrician. Children develop at different rates, and your doctor knows your child.
At what age can a child use a pillow?
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises waiting until a child is about 2 years old before giving them a pillow. Before that point, a pillow adds an unnecessary suffocation hazard to a young child's sleep space without any real benefit. Babies and young toddlers do not need a pillow to sleep comfortably.
Age 2 is a guideline, not a hard switch. Many children move from a crib to a toddler bed around this age, which is the natural moment to consider a pillow. But readiness varies from child to child. If you are unsure whether your toddler is ready, your pediatrician is the right person to ask.
Are pillows safe for babies and toddlers?
No. For infants under 12 months, pillows are not safe in the sleep area. The AAP states that pillows, along with quilts, comforters, sheepskins, bumper pads, and stuffed toys, "can increase your baby's risk of entrapment, suffocation or strangulation." A baby can press their face into a soft pillow and be unable to turn away, or sink into it, and both of those can block breathing.
The CPSC reinforces this with its "Bare is Best" message: the only thing that belongs in an infant's crib, bassinet, or play yard is a fitted sheet over a firm mattress. The agency reports that between 2018 and 2020 there was an annual average of about 100 infant deaths associated with extra bedding (including pillows, blankets, and comforters) in cribs, play yards, and bassinets.
For these reasons, keep pillows entirely out of the sleep space for babies and toddlers under 2.
Why wait until age 2?
The waiting period comes down to 2 factors: physical development and risk.
Younger babies have limited head and neck control and may not be able to move away from something covering their nose and mouth. A pillow placed in or near a sleeping infant becomes a soft surface they can roll into or sink against. As the AAP notes, soft bedding is a problem in part because babies sink into it.
By around age 2, most children have stronger motor skills, more reliable head control, and the ability to reposition themselves during sleep. They have usually outgrown the crib stage where loose bedding is most dangerous. The AAP ties the safe introduction of a pillow to this stage rather than to a single birthday, which is why "about 2" and "ready for a toddler bed" tend to go together.
What kind of pillow should a child use once they're old enough?
When a child is past age 2 and sleeping in a toddler bed, the AAP recommends a pillow that is small and firm rather than large, plush, or overstuffed. A few practical points that follow from that guidance:
- Keep it small. A toddler-sized or small pillow suits a small body and a toddler bed better than a full adult pillow.
- Keep it firm. A firm pillow supports the head without letting a child sink in.
- Keep the bed otherwise simple. As children transition, the AAP and CPSC guidance on minimizing soft, loose items in the sleep area still informs good habits.
- Keep it clean. Children drool, sweat, and carry everything to bed, so a pillow that is easy to keep fresh is a practical choice.
The Pillowash Crisp Pillow is a fully washable adult and older-child bed pillow. To be clear: it is not designed for infants or toddlers, and no pillow, washable or otherwise, should be placed in a baby's or young toddler's sleep space. For any child, follow your pediatrician's advice and current AAP safe-sleep guidance on when and what kind of pillow is appropriate.
Pillow safety by age stage
Compare pediatric sleep-safety rules across 3 developmental stages from birth through age 2 and beyond:
| Age stage | Pillow guidance | What the sleep space should hold |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn to ~12 months (infant) | No pillow | Firm surface + fitted sheet only ("Bare is Best") |
| ~12 months to under 2 (older infant / young toddler) | Still no pillow | Firm surface + fitted sheet; keep soft, loose items out |
| About age 2 and up (toddler bed) | A small, firm pillow may be introduced | Simple bedding; confirm readiness with your pediatrician |
Sources: AAP / HealthyChildren.org and CPSC. Ages are general guidelines; follow your pediatrician.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 1-year-old sleep with a pillow?
No. A 1-year-old is still under the age-2 mark, so the AAP guidance to avoid pillows applies. Keep the sleep space free of pillows and other soft, loose items until your child is about 2 and your pediatrician agrees they are ready.
What can I put in my baby's crib instead of a pillow?
Per CPSC "Bare is Best" guidance, the safest crib holds nothing but a fitted sheet over a firm mattress. If you are worried about your baby being cold, the CPSC suggests warm pajamas or a wearable sleep sack rather than blankets, pillows, or padding.
Is the Pillowash Crisp Pillow safe for a toddler or baby?
No. The Pillowash Crisp Pillow is an adult and older-child bed pillow and is not intended for infants or toddlers. No pillow belongs in a baby's or young toddler's sleep space. For a child past age 2, follow AAP guidance to choose a small, firm pillow and check with your pediatrician first.
When can my child use a regular adult-size pillow?
Major safety guidance focuses on introducing a small, firm pillow at around age 2; it does not set a specific date for moving to a full adult-size pillow. That step depends on your child's size and comfort as they grow, so use your judgment and ask your pediatrician if you are unsure.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Infant and child sleep safety is highly individual. Always follow your pediatrician's guidance and the current safe-sleep recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Pillowash Crisp Pillow is an adult and older-child pillow and is not intended for infants or toddlers.