Is my child ready for toddler pillows? At what age are toddler pillows recommended? These are questions asked by hundreds, even thousands of parents each day in parenting forums, and questions that are regularly searched for online. Unfortunately, though, there is no easy, one-size-fits-all answer on the topic of toddler pillows, largely because every child develops at their own rate, and the criteria for allowing children to have toddler pillows depends more on development than it necessarily does on age.

Aside from this, there are many factors to consider when determining whether or not your child is ready for toddler pillows, and in this article we will explore some of these factors in a bit more detail, followed by some information on what type of toddler pillows are best information that will help you when you're finally ready to begin shopping.

If you were to perform an online search for the term "toddler" using your favorite search engine, you'd probably get a myriad of responses. Some might say an infant becomes a toddler when he or she begins to walk or becomes potty trained. Others might say the question is more a matter of age, and that an infant technically becomes a toddler after age two. This diversity in responses can make it difficult for parents to conclude when their child is ready for certain toddler products, including toddler pillows.

The truth is that only parents can determine when their child is ready for toddler pillows, but adhering to the following guidelines is usually a good practice:Age. Most doctors, as well as the manufacturers of toddler pillows, recommend that children should be at least two years old before you even consider switching to toddler pillows.Development. Let's face it. Some 2-year old children are simply more developed than others. They may walk and talk at an earlier age and may be very well-behaved.

Other 2-year olds are bound to be less developed and maybe just beginning to walk and/or talk. This doesn't mean that one is better than the other, just that parents should use common sense before making the switch to toddler pillows. Waiting 6 months to a year may be the best practice in certain situations.Sleeping Arrangement. If your child is still sleeping in a crib, toddler pillows are generally considered a no-no. Placing toddler pillows into a crib increases the chance of injury and suffocation, and for children who are already walking, toddler pillows may augment the likelihood that your child will try to escape his/her crib environment and accidentally fall to the floor.

If you determine that your child meets the criteria for toddler pillows at least 2 years of age, well-developed and sleeping in a toddler bed there are some things you should know before making the purchase. Obviously, toddler pillows should be much smaller than the standard adult pillow, resembling, perhaps, a travel pillow used on airline flights.

Larger pillows may rise up on each side of a child's face while sleeping and can cause him/her to suffocate. Toddler pillows should also be very firm, with very little give. This will help to adequately support your child's head and, again, will lessen the suffocation risk.