The flat head syndrome is a common occurrence in infants who lay in the same position over extended periods of time. As a result, parents need to find the best baby pillow for the flat head syndrome to give their babies the most comfort. The right pillow can even prevent toddlers from developing this condition in some cases.
I’ve scoured the web for the best pillows and honestly, tried so many with my own kids. My firstborn was stubborn and decided to sleep on only one side all the time, so I was desperate to straighten his head. Outside of the US, where we lived, it’s not normal to get a helmet for babies so we tried baby pillows for flat head syndrome and truth to be told, it worked just fine.
How to Prevent Flat Head Syndrome
There are three important tips that parents should use to prevent the flat head syndrome. At least to a certain extend, because in some cases of stubborn kids it might be more difficult.
- Relieve the pressure on your baby’s head as much as possible by tummy time and changing sides.
- Another way of prevention is to alter the child’s sleeping position. This is the most recommended tip for preventing flat head syndrome. Reposition the child and supervise them as they sleep.
- Distribute pressure while the child is lying with their face and torso up. Don’t let them stay in this position for too long without support.
Wellifes Baby Pillow – Oval cradle for support
Dimensions: 12.6 x 9.5 x 1.1 inches
Material: Cotton
Weight: 5.3 ounces
Age: 0 to 12 months
The rectangular shape of this amazing pillow gives it a traditional appearance but the center is designed with a slope for comfort.
This oval cradle will support a baby’s neck to prevent flat head syndrome. On top of comfort, the Wellifes pillow has a cute theme.
It’s designed for babies who are 12 months or younger. Furthermore, it can also be used to prevent the flat head syndrome.
PROS
- Almost 20 cute designs.
- 100% Hypoallergenic 3D Air Mesh filling.
- 3D-air Mesh construction for cool air in summer and warm air in winter.
- Soft and supple.
CONS
- Too many colors to choose from, you end up buying more than one!
Wellifes Baby Pillow
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John N’ Tree Pillow – High cuteness quotient
Dimensions: 15 x 8 x 1.1 inches
Material: Cotton
Weight: 6.4 ounces
Age: 0 to 6 months
This fully organic cotton pillow is an amazing choice and lands at the top of a lot of parents’ lists.
It comes in a variety of amazing options to ensure that you can find the perfect match for your child. If that’s not enough of a reason to consider this pillow, it’s also crafted from hypoallergenic materials that will not agitate babies with sensitive skin.
This pillow also comes in a lot of different themes and will match most nursery designs. Keep in mind that this is a smaller pillow so it’s best used by infants 6 months or younger.
PROS
- Global Organic Textile Standard certified 100% cotton.
- Adjustable neck support.
- Machine washable.
- Both sides are usable.
CONS
- Best for infants under 6 months.
- Gets a bit hot sometimes.
John N’ Tree Pillow
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Babymoon Pod Infant Pillow – Best Neck & Head Support
Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 3 inches
Material: Polyester
Weight: 6.1 ounces
Age: 0 to 12 months
This is a super versatile two-in-one pillow that is specifically designed for babies lying on the ground. But, it can obviously be used in the crib as well, and it can also be used as support while breastfeeding.
What’s important is that this 4-in-1 pillow supports nursing, tummy time, travel, and is used to prevent flat head syndrome.
One of the best features of this amazing pillow is its longevity. It can be used well into a child’s toddlerhood. The downside is that the bottom uses Velcro to attach so you need to make sure the flap is closed in order to protect your baby’s delicate skin.
PROS
- Head support 0-6 months & neck support 6-12 months.
- Adjustable size.
- Also useful as a nursing pillow or travelling pillow.
CONS
- Uses a velcro dot attachment.
Babymoon Infant Pillow
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Babymoov Lovenest Pillow – Pediatrician-designed
Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 1.5 inches
Material: Cotton
Weight: 3.52 ounces
Age: 0 to 4 months
The Babymoov pillow is another amazing choice and is designed with head support in mind. This pediatrician-designed pillow encourages proper head development and reduces flat spots.
It will not only help your baby sleep but will also spruce up the nursery! Plus it’s machine washable, so it’s easy to keep clean.
The Babymoov pillow is one of the best solutions to flat head syndrome.
PROS
- Machine washable.
- Pediatrician designed.
- Ultra-soft organic cotton.
CONS
- Cover isn’t removable making it hard to clean from spits.
Babymoov Lovenest Baby Pillow
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Babebay 3D Pillow – Pediatrician recommended!
Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.8 x 1.18 inches
Material: Memory foam
Weight: 7.4 ounces
Age: 0 to 12 months
This is another pediatrician recommended pillow and for good reason! It’s highly comfortable and uses a head-shaping design to ensure that babies with flat head syndrome are comfortable.
It even comes with a beautiful pillowcase that’s washable, making it easy to keep this pillow clean.
Parents will even find the memory foam easy to clean since it’s removable and can be wiped down to keep away the germs. It’s designed for toddlers of up to 12 months.
One thing I did notice is that switching between this pillow and Welliefes helped a lot, because otherwise baby’s head while straightening from flat head syndrome started creating a hole in the baby’s head due to this pillow shape.
PROS
- Fixes flat head, skew head, sharp head and other heads.
- Easy to clean memory foam.
- Hypoallergenic material.
CONS
- Not for daily usage for weeks at the time
Babebay 3D Pillow
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Are These Types of Pillows Really Safe for Babies with Flat Head Syndrome?
Finding the best baby pillow for flat head syndrome requires a lot of careful research. It’s not just a cosmetic issue!
Babies with this condition can develop aches in their necks. But worst of all, they can actually have trouble breathing. So to answer this question, only certain pillows are safe for babies with flat head syndrome. It’s your job to find the perfect match for your baby.
Pillows designed for flat head syndrome are designed using breathable material so that they will never obstruct the breathing of a baby. They are safe.
One rule of thumb is that if you are ever in doubt about a pillow, ask your pediatrician. Finally, never let the baby sleep on a pillow unattended.
How do Special Pillows for Flat Head Syndrome Work?
The biggest cause of flat head syndrome is that your baby will only lie in one position so their head gets flat on one side. These special pillows are designed with that in mind. They remove the pressure from the baby’s head, thus keeping it from getting flat.
Pillows for flat head syndrome are the best preventative tool for this condition too.
What are the Causes of Flat Head Syndrome?
During the developmental stages of their lives, babies tend to have a soft skull so when they lay in one position for too long and repeatedly, then their skull can be molded in a specific way until they turn 2 years. This leads to flat head syndrome.
Specific pillows ensure that even if a baby lies in the same position, there is no pressure on the skull. That’s why investing in the right pillow is so important!
Flat head syndrome is a scary phrase but with a little precaution, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about. Finding the best pillow for flat head syndrome is always the first step. Hopefully, this list helps make that choice easier.
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