If you're pregnant or a new mum or dad, you may find a pillow spray will help you to relax before bedtime, particularly if even the best pregnancy pillow hasn't improved your sleep. Using sleep aids such as a pillow spray is a great way to sleep better as a parent. Simply give your pillow a few spritz with the spray and allow it to dry.
Like baby pillow sleep sprays, adult sleep pillow sprays can help you drift off easier and quicker because they contain aromas that cause our bodies to produce the sleep hormone melatonin. You can even add a few spritz to your nursing pillow to set the tone of bedtime. Getting into a good sleep routine and using the same products and scents will tell your body it's time to get some rest. Look for ingredients and scents that will help you relax, like lavender and chamomile oil, these are brilliant at reducing anxiety and calming the body down.
The best pillow sprays at a glance
• Best for paediatrician-approved: My Little Coco Sleepy Head Sweet Dreams Pillow Mist - View offer on Boots
• Best for natural ingredients: This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray - View offer on thisworks
• Best for quality: Marks And Spencer Perfect Night's Sleep Pillow Mist - View offer on M&S
• Best for vegans: Neal's Yard Remedies Goodnight Pillow Mist - View offer on Neal's Yard Remedies
So if you've already tried a nice cooling pillow to help you relax at night, have a scroll through our top pillow mists and find your perfect remedy for a good night's sleep. Not to worry if you're not the biggest fan of lavender either, as we've included sprays to suit every preference.
Best pillow spray for paediatrician-approved
www.boots.com
Dermatologically tested, the My Little Coco Sleepy Head Sweet Dreams Pillow Mist not only has cute packaging and smells incredible. It's suitable for sensitive skin and is perfect to use for babies too. We love the lavender, camomile and vanilla scent.
Read our full My Little Coco Sleepy Head Sweet Dreams Pillow Mist review
Our mum tester, Gabriella, said: "This product is really relaxing and actually not just for my baby, when I am sat in his room feeding him his last feed before bed and we have used the sleepy head pillow mist, I too feel very relaxed and content in that final 20 mins of my day with him, and I think that as well has also helped and part of the reason why he goes to sleep with a full chubby just been fed face as he can feel how relaxed I am too!!"
Pros
- Vegan friendly
- Can be sprayed onto sleepsuits and pyjamas too
Cons
- Don't spray directly onto skin
Best pillow spray for natural ingredients
www.thisworks.com
If you're a lover of lavender, vetivert and chamomile, the deep sleep pillow spray is the one for you. This award-winning pillow spray calms your mind and your body and sends you into a deep sleep. It is also suitable when you are pregnant.
A customer review said: "I have a very jaundiced eye towards any "natural" products, particularly something like a sleep aid. However there was a sample bottle of the Deep Sleep pillow spray in a hotel room so I shot some on my pillow. I woke up in the same spot I went to sleep. I was amazed. I brought the rest of that little bottle home and it actually works. Now a full size bottle sits on my night stand. I never get up in the middle of the night any more. I thought that was a natural condition of aging. But it's not. I'm sold. Thank you!"
Pros
- Made from natural oils
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Not for use on pet bedding
Best pillow spray for size
This Sanctuary Spa sleep spray is the perfect solution if you aren't a lover of lavender. Infused with violet, sandalwood and jasmine, this mist will help you drift off to sleep so you can enjoy your much-needed nights of deep sleep.
One review said: "I actually purchased this ready for labour to try and keep me calm and relaxed but I have been using it every night since I bought it so will need to buy more for the actual event!! Lovely smelling and really helps me to fall off to sleep and create a relaxing peaceful atmosphere."
Pros
- Large 100ml bottle
- Affordable price
Cons
- Fragrance is quite mild
Best pillow spray for quality
www.marksandspencer.com
The NEOM Perfect Night's Sleep Pillow Mist only uses 100% natural fragrances. The organic brand's soothing mist includes Lavender, Jasmine, Chamomile, and Patchouli, combined with 14 essential oils to send you into deep relaxation. Just spritz on your pillow three times, lie back, and enjoy your restful sleep.
One customer wrote: "Brilliant product, really does work and smells super. Have had many sleep sprays that smell disgusting. This one is expensive but lasts a long time, I only buy this one now."
Pros
- A blend of 14 essential oils
- Easy-to-use spray bottle
Cons
- Only 30ml
Best pillow spray for vegans
www.nealsyardremedies.com
The award-winning Goodnight Pillow Mist from Neal's Yard will ensure you wake up feeling rested and refreshed. This mist is a blend of organic Lavender, Vetiver, and Mandarin.
One review said: "A lovely fragrance. Not too strong or too weak. Makes the preparation for sleep a pleasure and I'm sure I sleep better."
Another customer wrote: "The best addition to my bedtime routine/ritual. The smell is just heavenly and instantly brings a calm vibe. A must have!"
Pros
- Pretty packaging
- Compact size
Cons
- Check the ingredients if you have known allergies
Best pillow spray for a budget
www.boots.com
If you are having anxieties before sleep, the Feather Down Sweet Dreams spray will help you sink into your pillow, and you'll wake up feeling relaxed and calm. The mix of Lavender and Chamomile is a soothing blend, so spray it on your pillow and around your room to help you fully relax.
One review said: "This is my second purchase of this pillow spray. I always use the spray on my fresh bedding and top up mid week. The aroma is subtle and I find it helps calm and settle me for a good nights sleep."
Pros
- Great size
- Affordable price
Cons
- Some customers say that the smell isn't very lavender-like
Best pillow spray for children too
If your little one is struggling to sleep, the magical Very Hungry Caterpillow spray will send them to sleep and give them the happiest of dreams. This mist is also safe for sensitive and eczema-prone skin, as well as being suitable for your newborn.
One review said: "I have been using this pillow spray for the past year which actually helps me relax and drift off to sleep. I absolutely love the scent and have never found anything to compare to it. I do wish there was a larger option to the 75ml."
Pros
- Suitable for newborns
- Dermatologist approved
Cons
- May not work for all children
Best pillow spray for gifting
www.lookfantastic.com
From the Aurelia Probiotic Skincare range, the Perfect Sleep Pillow Mist is pure and natural, as it is made from pure bio-organic oils. A blend of flower waters including Lavender, Chamomile, Geranium, and Neroli, this will rest your nerves before you sleep and ensure you nod off in no time.
One customer wrote: "I have had a lot from Aurelia over the years, lovely product, not too pricey but they also make great gifts. I gave this to my sister, she found it very calming and a beautiful smell "
Pros
- Free from parabens
- Vegan friendly
Cons
- Quite overpowering
Best pillow spray for travelling
This pillow mist is suitable for all sleepers, whether you wake up regularly in the night or find it impossible to settle down after a long, hard day. Now To Sleep Pillow Spray aims to help you get a better night's sleep with a blend of frankincense, hops, and lavender. It is also cruelty-free.
One customer wrote: Love this product, have tried a few pillow sprays but always come back to this. Really rich deep aroma. Doesn’t stain the pillowcases!"
Pros
- Portable size
- Scented naturally
Cons
- Only for adults
Best pillow spray for relaxation
Although this is not a pillow spray, Mrs. Meyer's Room Freshener quickly turns your room into a space of relaxation by freshening any room with a garden-fresh Geranium scent. Easy to spray and lightweight, this quick fix will get you sleeping deeply and easily again.
One review said: "Very fresh scent although very strong. Lasts the same amount as a regular spray freshener. I should have read the size as I thought this was the same size as the all purpose cleaner in lavender. It's very small."
Pros
- Non-aerosol
- Simple pump mechanism
Cons
- Not specifically for your pillow
What ingredients should I look out for?
There are several ingredients which are thought to be brilliant at inducing a lovely, long night's sleep, including lavender, chamomile, bergamot and vetiver, to name a few.
Lavender
Commonly used in pillow sprays, this is one of the most popular fragrances that encourages the body to relax and unwind. You could also try putting a diffuser with lavender oil near your bed before you go to sleep.
Chamomile
Although it's proven to be not as effective as lavender, chamomile is perfect in a sleep spray as it has many soothing properties. It can also be found in tea and is therefore an amazing drink to sip on before you go to bed at night. We recommend finding a spray that has other ingredients (such as bergamot or vetiver) for the maximum effect.
Are pillow sprays safe to use during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, you should be mindful about what products you use, as the body absorbs oils and sprays through the skin, which can go through your circulatory system and reach your placenta, so some essential oils in pregnancy are not recommended for use. Avoid ingredients such as cedarwood, jasmine, aniseed, rosemary, peppermint, basil and rose oils during this time, as they can increase or stimulate your menstrual flow.
How we test and choose recommended products
Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product, and we listen to what you say as well.
Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe consistently provides great insights into which products mums like best and why, helping us highlight the products that will meet your needs.
For essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested. Full reviews from our mum testers can be found on our product pages. The winners and runners-up for each category will also appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.
Ellie Kirwin-Jones is an Editorial Assistant for Mother & Baby. While training as a journalist at the University of Gloucestershire for three years, she was nominated for the Best Feature Category.