Your two-year-old might be ready for a pillow if they're switching to a bigger bed, struggle to get comfortable while sleeping, or express interest in a bed pillow. There's no rush, but this can be an exciting milestone for a young child.
Introducing a pillow is a big step in your toddler's sleep journey. For safety reasons, you shouldn't place a pillow in your child's crib at least before age one and possibly not until they're closer to two (more on this ahead).1,2 Beyond that, how do you know when to let your child sleep with a pillow?
Though there's no set age that works for every child, you can look out for certain signs your toddler needs a pillow. This will help you figure out if your little one is ready for added comfort and support during the night.
Should I Give My Toddler a Pillow?
You might want to give your toddler a bed pillow if:
- They've transitioned to a toddler bed or big-kid bed
- They're restless or uncomfortable during sleep
- They're using stuffed animals or blankets as makeshift pillows
- They show interest in having a bed pillow
- Their sleeping position has changed
- They seem to have head or neck discomfort
Keep scrolling for more insight into these signs your toddler needs a pillow.
1. They've Transitioned to a Toddler Bed or Big-Kid Bed
Moving out of the crib can be a first sign of pillow readiness. At that point, most toddlers have the head control and neck strength needed to safely use a pillow.3
Some children start sleeping in a toddler bed (typically a converted crib with one side open) as early as 18 months. But it's often later—sometimes not until about age three or even three-and-a-half—due to the safety benefits and peace of mind of ensuring your child stays in bed until you retrieve them.4
As long as your child isn't trying to (or succeeding at) climbing out of the crib, which poses a risk of injury from a fall, there may be no need to transition them into a toddler bed. Some experts say kids can safely sleep in cribs until they're 35 inches tall—a height that gives them a better chance at climbing out with the crib mattress at the lowest setting.2 (For reference, the average two-year-old is 34 and a quarter inches tall, and the average three-year-old is 37 and a half inches tall.)5
Some children bypass the toddler bed altogether. Once they grow out of the crib, they might just switch to a twin mattress. But it depends on age, readiness, bedroom setup, available space, and other factors.
If you opt for a twin for your little one, our twin-size bed frame dimensions guide can give you an idea of how much space you'll need for this big-kid bed.
2. They're Restless or Uncomfortable During Sleep
Sleep regressions can keep happening beyond the infant stage. It's not uncommon for two-year-olds to stop sleeping as soundly. A sleep regression should be temporary, but if your child is waking up frequently during the night, it could be a combination of their growing body and developing mind making them less physically comfortable in bed or a sense of independence provoking rebellion against rest.6
A comfier bed setup could help. A pillow can make things cozier while offering head support. The elevation can be good for stuffy noses, too, helping drain congestion so your child can breathe easy.7
3. They're Using Stuffed Animals or Blankets as Makeshift Pillows
If you notice your toddler is propping their head up on a stuffed animal, a balled-up blanket, or their arm in place of a real pillow, it could be a sign they want or need head support.
When do kids start needing head support while sleeping? It's hard to say exactly, but there are a few guidelines and clues.
It's recommended that babies be placed on their backs to sleep to prevent the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and suffocation. But once they can roll over on their own, it's generally safe to let them sleep on their stomach. After their first birthday, SIDS isn't considered a risk anymore.1 (Of course, ask your pediatrician for personalized guidance on this.)
At some point in the next year or two, a young child may start sleeping on their side. That's when a pillow can be especially crucial for spinal alignment and neck comfort.8
4. They Show Interest in Having a Pillow
Some two-year-olds might verbally express interest in a bed pillow. They may see that an older sibling uses one at night or notice the pillows in your bed.
Many young children are eager to hit the next milestone and feel more like a big kid, and using a pillow could be one such occasion. If your child is specifically asking for a pillow, there's a good chance they're developmentally and physically ready.
5. Their Sleeping Position Has Changed
As mentioned above, people who sleep on their sides really benefit from neck support, even young children.8 Once past the infant stage, many children will begin side sleeping. But again, every kid is different, and some may never sleep on their sides.
If you notice your toddler is shifting positions in an attempt to get comfortable or favoring their side, a pillow might make a big difference. The right pillow can support the weight of their head while keeping their neck straighter with slight elevation, which is important for spinal alignment.9
6. They seem to have head or neck discomfort
Waking up with a stiff neck is undoubtedly something adults experience more than kids.10 But it can happen to young children, too, possibly because of a less-than-ideal sleeping position that lacks neck support.11
An 18-month-old might be too young to verbally express soreness or discomfort. And even if you can tell they're in pain or uncomfortable—or wake up cranky more often than not—you can't always be sure what the cause is. Having said that, a two- or three-year-old may be able to tell you their neck is hurting. In that case, a supportive pillow could help relieve pressure and improve rest.
Choosing the Right Pillow for Your Child at the Right Time
Every child is different, so there's no exact right age to introduce a bed pillow to a toddler. Some kids sleep soundly on their stomachs from ages one to three (or longer), while others might be more comfortable with a pillow as early as 18 months.
The main thing is to keep pillows, blankets, padded bumpers, and even large stuffed animals out of the crib until your child is at least 12 months old to prevent suffocation risk.12,13,14
And while you can offer these things at their first birthday, there's no harm in (and possibly even benefits to) waiting a bit longer until you notice some of the signs outlined above. To play it safe, some experts recommend holding off until at least 18 months before placing blankets, stuffed toys, and pillows in a crib.2
Many adults are so used to having a bed pillow that they probably can't imagine sleeping without one. But for infants, it's all they've known. Your toddler might not need or even want a pillow until they're closer to 24 months old.
If your 18-month-old or two-year-old toddler is sleeping through the night just fine without a pillow, napping regularly, and waking up perfectly happy, you might not want to mess with a good thing. There's really no rush with this particular milestone. However, if they're showing one or more signs of needing a pillow, it could be time.
Is sleeping without a pillow bad for you as an adult? Our blog has answers.
What's the Best Pillow for a Toddler?
When your little one is ready for a pillow, consider pillow size and type.
If they're sleeping in a toddler bed converted from a crib, a toddler-size pillow is best. It varies by brand, but these are usually anywhere from 12 x 16 inches to 14 x 20 inches. For two- and three-year-olds sleeping in twin-size beds, go with a standard bed pillow (18 x 26 inches).
You don't want the pillow to be too flat or thick. Something like Casper's Original Pillow offers just enough support without sacrificing softness for comfy sleeping in any position. Plus, it's machine-washable (a must for kids' bedding), and you can count on the clump-resistant down-alternative fill to stay fluffy through multiple years of use.
Our blog has more insight into what type of pillow is best for a child.
Kids' Pillows, Mattresses, and Other Sleep Essentials from Casper
When your child is ready for a big-kid bed (that is, a twin), Casper has what you need to make the switch.
We have thoughtfully designed twin mattresses, breathable bed sheets, and soft, supportive bed pillows for growing sleepers. Our kid-friendly pillows are crafted with comfort, safety, and quality in mind—so your toddler can rest easy and sleep soundly. Shop the collections today.
For more tips and guidance on creating an optimal sleep environment for your kiddo, see our guide on how to choose a mattress for a child.
Sources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Safe Sleep and Your Baby: How Parents Can Reduce the Risk of SIDS and Suffocation. https://publications.aap.org/patiented/article/doi/10.1542/peo_document088/79989/Safe-Sleep-and-Your-Baby-How-Parents-Can-Reduce
- What to Expect. Safe Sleep Tips for Toddlers. https://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler/sleep/toddler-safe-sleep-practices/
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2022 Recommendations for Reducing Infant Deaths in the Sleep Environment. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/1/e2022057990/188304/Sleep-Related-Infant-Deaths-Updated-2022
- Cleveland Clinic. When to Transition to a Toddler Bed and Tips for a Smooth Move. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/from-crib-to-toddler-bed
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Growth, Range of Height and Weight. https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/g/normal-growth
- Healthline. The 2-Year-Old Sleep Regression: What You Should Know. https://www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health/2-year-old-sleep-regression
- Scientific American. Stuffy Noses Are Miserable. These Nasal Congestion Treatments Actually Work. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/stuffy-noses-are-miserable-these-nasal-congestion-treatments-actually-work/
- Manual Therapy. Pillow use: The behaviour of cervical pain, sleep quality and pillow comfort in side sleepers. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1356689X09000459
- Clinical Biomechanics. The effects of pillow designs on neck pain, waking symptoms, neck disability, sleep quality and spinal alignment in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0268003321000838
- Australian Journal of Physiotherapy. Waking cervical pain and stiffness, headache, scapular or arm pain: Gender and age effects. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0004951414602774
- Spine (Phila Pa 1976). Etiology of child acute stiff neck. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19680099/
- Academic Pediatrics. Types of Objects in the Sleep Environment Associated With Infant Suffocation and Strangulation. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28723589/
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Crib Safety Tips. https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/cribs/crib-safety-tips
- Library of Congress. H.R.3182 - Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3182
- University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center. Safe Sleep. https://iprc.public-health.uiowa.edu/2023/10/09/safe-sleep/
