The Best Infant Pillow | 2023

Parenting a newborn is stressful. Not only are you losing a lot of sleep, you often encounter elements you didn’t know were possible. Plagiocephaly or brachycephaly, also known colloquially as flat head syndrome, is a common occurrence in newborns who sleep on their backs. When they are young, they are unable to turn over, and so the back of their head begins to flatten out since their skull is still soft at that age. While it can seem scary, know that there are some simple solutions you can try at home to reduce the amount of flatness.

An infant pillow is designed to reduce the flat head syndrome in babies. This is a kind of small, firm pillow with an opening or dip in the center. The baby’s head goes right in the middle so part of it is in the opening. The sides of the pillow apply minimal pressure and help to slowly shape the baby’s head over time by keeping it off the bed, reducing the appearance of a flat head.

Safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to infant products, so it’s vital to always read the instructions on sleep products carefully and use your best judgment. Many infant pillows are not recommended for babies who are under one year old. If you need to use an infant pillow on a baby who is younger than that, then keep in mind that you will need to monitor them at all times. As a result, many parents only use infant pillows at nap time during the day while they are awake and can stay with their baby while they sleep. If you’re also sleeping while baby is sleep, it’s best not to use the infant pillow at that time.

• When you’re looking for an infant pillow for your baby, always keep safety as your top priority. Do not use a pillow that’s designed for toddlers, as that may be too soft for an infant. They will need a firm pillow that is small in size, and that has an opening in the center or a small dip. This donut shape is important for helping to reduce flat head syndrome and also keeps the baby’s head in place to reduce the risk of suffocation.
• Infants have sensitive skin, so opt for an infant pillow that has an organic cotton cover. This way you can reduce any irritation or allergies. The pillow is usually filled with memory foam or similar material that is firm but comfortable. Be sure not to get a pillow that is too soft and fluffy as that can increase the risk of suffocation in infants.
• If you want to extend the use of the infant pillow, look for one that can be used outside of the crib as well. For example, some infant pillows can also fit well on a bouncy chair or infant swing as well. This way, you can work on reducing flat head syndrome even while baby is awake. Check the shape and size to see if the infant pillow will work elsewhere on baby’s things.
• Babies often drool and spit up, so getting an infant pillow that has a washable cover is a key. This way you don’t need to worry about spot cleaning the pillow every time there is a mess. Having an extra cover is handy because you can use it while the other one is in the wash.