The 6 Best Certified Organic & Non-Toxic Toddler Pillows
As a parent and a consumer, you want the safest and most comfortable bedding for your little one, whether it’s for nap time, night time, or just lounging during the day. But with so many options out there, you might be wondering where to start. You’ve probably come across buzzwords like “certified organic,” “non-toxic,” “toxin-free,” or “natural,” but what do they really mean when it comes to finding the perfect pillow for your child? And why does it matter?
In this guide, we’ll cover why organic materials are so important, what certifications to look for when purchasing your child’s first pillow, and how to choose the perfect size to ensure proper support and alignment. We’ll also talk about accessories like organic pillowcases that pair perfectly with your new toddler pillow when toddlers should use a pillow, and what certifications to look for.
Why Organic
Conventional cotton is known as one of the dirtiest crops. We always want to choose organic cotton as traditional cotton is heavily sprayed with pesticides and herbicides, at a rate of about 25 pounds per acre. And cotton accounts for over 50% of all the pesticide use in our country – that’s more than any other crop! Cotton also requires heavy amounts of water to grow; it takes almost one gallon of water to produce just one ounce of cotton fabric.
What to Look For When Purchasing a Toddler Pillow
When it comes to our little ones, safety and comfort are top priorities, which is why finding the right toddler pillow is so important. For parents seeking non-toxic and organic options, the process can feel a bit overwhelming with so many choices on the market. However, knowing what to look for can make all the difference.
First and foremost, materials matter when it comes to quality products. Look for pillows made with certified organic fabrics, such as organic cotton, and natural fillings like organic wool or natural latex. These materials are not only breathable but also free from harmful chemicals, pesticides, and synthetic additives.
Certifications can also provide peace of mind. Reputable labels like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or OEKO-TEX ensure the product has been rigorously tested and meets strict safety and environmental standards.
Another key consideration is the pillow’s firmness and size. A toddler’s neck and spine are still developing, so a pillow that’s too soft or too high can affect their alignment and quality of sleep. Opt for a pillow designed specifically for toddlers, with the right balance of softness and support.
Finally, think about ease of care. Toddlers can be messy, so having a pillow with a washable cover or the ability to spot clean easily is a practical bonus.
By focusing on these essential features, you can ensure your child’s pillow is not only safe and comfortable but also aligns with your values for non-toxic, sustainable living.
Additional Features to Consider
- Organic Cotton Cover: A soft and breathable organic cotton cover ensures comfort while being free from synthetic fabrics and harmful treatments.
- No Synthetic Materials: Avoid synthetic fillers like polyester, which can off-gas harmful chemicals. Stick to natural options like organic wool, latex, or kapok.
- A Removable Case That Is a Machine Washable Cover: For easy cleaning, choose a pillow with a removable, machine-washable cover. This feature helps maintain hygiene, especially for toddlers prone to spills or accidents.
The 6 Best Organic Toddler Pillows
Crunchy & Curious, LLC recommends products that are genuinely loved and well-researched. Many of these links are affiliate. If you end up purchasing through an affiliate link, I may earn a commission (at no extra charge to you.) Commisionable links will be marked with an asterisk*. You can see my full disclaimer, here.
Naturepedic Organic Toddler Pillows

The PLA Pillow with Organic Fabric (Kids Collection)* from Naturepedic comes in a standard fill and low fill option depending on how much “height” your toddler prefers. The PLA filling is derived from 100% renewable sources and is formulated from non-GMO sugarcane.
The cover is a luxurious 300 thread count organic cotton fabric.
Naturepedic also offers an Organic 2-in-1 Adjustable Latex Pillow for kids as well. PLA is known for its moisture-wicking properties.
Naturepedic is made in the USA. Naturepedic is a top choice for an organic crib mattress as they follow the highest quality standards and know that organic matters so no wonder they also provide great choices for all organic toddler pillows!
Avocado Organic Toddler Pillow

Avocado’s* mission is to be one of the world’s most sustainable brands especially when it comes to sustainable sleep. Their mattresses and bedding are certified organic and non-toxic using materials that include GOLS certified organic latex, GOTS certified organic wool, GOTS certified organic cotton, and GOTS certified organic kapok fiber.
Most of their products are certified by Greenguard Gold and MADE SAFE®. They are the world’s only Climate Neutral Certified® mattress and bedding brand and are certified B-Corp.
Avocado products are USA-made and are designed in Hoboken and handmade in California. Avocado’s organic cotton toddler pillow is a great choice for young children with its certified organic cotton fabric.
Brentwood Home Organic Toddler Pillow

Brentwood Home mattresses, pillows, bedding, and yoga gear are made from natural, recycled, alternative, and non-toxic materials. They also offer a variety of eco-friendly alternatives for those looking to do their part in preserving the environment! Brentwood Home is based in Los Angeles.
White Lotus Home Toddler Pillow

White Lotus Home is a US-based company in which all of its products are handmade by artisans in New Jersey, and their product line includes all American raw materials whenever possible. The pillows from While Lotus home all offer a zippered case option. The zipper allows you to easily adjust the pillow to your own comfort level. Each pillow has the option of 6 fillings. Those options are outlined below.
The Woolshire Toddler Pillow

The Woolshire is a family-run business based in northern Idaho, dedicated to crafting high-quality, non-toxic bedding products. They specialize in handmade wool pillows using locally sourced virgin wool and organic cotton, emphasizing sustainability and traditional craftsmanship.
Woolino Toddler Pillow

Woolino is a company founded by Mimi, a mother who, after extensive research for safe and comfortable sleepwear for her child, created a line of high-quality, natural bedding products. Known for their sleep sacks, they also have other items like blankets and are a great option for a certified non-toxic toddler pillow.
Organic Cotton Pillowcases
When buying pillowcases for your toddler, opting for organic cotton is a smart choice to ensure a safe and healthy sleep environment. Certified organic cotton pillowcases are free from harmful pesticides, synthetic dyes, and toxic chemicals, making them ideal for your child’s sensitive skin. They are also breathable, soft, and durable, ensuring both comfort and longevity. Look for pillowcases with GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification to guarantee the materials and manufacturing processes meet strict environmental and safety standards. Some excellent options for certified organic cotton toddler pillowcases include:
- Naturepedic Organic Cotton Waterproof Pillowcase* – Designed with toddlers in mind, these pillowcases are made from pure organic cotton and offer a luxurious, high-thread-count finish for added comfort. (Use code crunchyandcurious15 for 15% off sitewide)
- Avocado The Mini Pillowcase* – Featuring GOTS-certified materials, these pillowcases are sustainably made and available in neutral tones that fit seamlessly with any decor.
- MakeMake Organics Organic Toddler Pillowcases*– Crafted with certified organic cotton sateen, these pillowcases are gentle on sensitive skin and free from harmful dyes.
- Woolino Organic Cotton Pillowcases* (10% off using this link!): Woolino’s Ecolino® Pillowcases are crafted from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton. This 2-pack includes two charming designs and measures 14” x 19” to fit standard toddler pillows. The envelope design on the back ensures the pillow stays securely in place. These pillowcases are machine washable.
- The Company Store Cool Organic Cotton Percale Sham*: Crafted from 100% organic cotton percale with a 200-thread count, this sham offers a crisp and breathable feel, ensuring comfort for your little one. The envelope closure keeps the pillow securely in place. Additionally, it holds both GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certifications
By choosing organic cotton pillowcases, you provide a safer option for your toddler and have the added benefit of supporting sustainable and eco-friendly practices.

Check out my Amazon list with some great organic pillow and pillowcase options!
Additional Tips & Conclusion
Pillow covers should be kept clean by being laundered in hot water with a mild detergent at least once every two weeks; this will help eliminate dust mites, which feed on human skin cells (dead or alive) that accumulate while we sleep overnight. Some pillows may also be washing machine safe but always follow manufacturer instructions. When washing your pillows be sure to use a non-toxic detergent like Branch Basics or Molly’s Suds.
Pillow Certifications
There are many different certifications out there and it may be confusing to understand which to look for and what they all mean. The most common ones you will find are Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Greenguard Gold Certified, Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), and CertiPUR-US. You may also come across certifications that are specific to certain fabrics and textiles such as GOTS for organic cotton or RDS for down fibers. We will discuss what each of these certifications means, which ones to look for, and ones that may not be as helpful as we would hope.

Oeko Tex Standard 100 is a certification program that establishes and tests limits for harmful substances in textiles. It ensures that all materials used to make the product are free of over 300 specified harmful chemicals, such as lead or formaldehyde. However, it is important to note that Oeko Tex Standard 100 certified products may still contain flame retardants. As a best practice, it is good to reach out to the company if you have concerns about a specific product. Additionally, if you are interested in checking if a company or item still holds this certification you can search them on the https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/label-check portion of their website. The Oeko Tex Standard 100 certification covers both organic and non-organic textiles.

Greenguard Gold is a third-party certification program, (certified by UL) that creates safety standards for products related to indoor air quality including mattresses, furniture, and upholstery. The certification is awarded to products that contain low chemical emissions which are less than 0.05 parts per million for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and interior air contaminants like dust mites. Many mattresses boast that they are Green Guard Gold Certified. As a consumer, it is easy to think that a certified product is safe when in reality this specific certification simply means that VOCs were not detected above a certain level.

The Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) was established by an independent group of experts, certified natural rubber latex suppliers, and leading manufacturers to maintain a uniform standard for the production of all GOLS-certified organic mattress materials made from natural rubber. GOLS-certified products are made with 95% or more organic latex. If the item also includes additional fabric, such as cotton or wool, those fibers must be GOTS or eco-INSTITUT certified.

CertiPUR-US is an independent testing lab for materials used in the home and children’s products. CertiPUR-US® approved foams are manufactured without ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP, or TCEP (”Tris”) flame retardants, mercury, lead, and other heavy metals, phthalates, and/or formaldehyde. It should be noted that there are some hesitations with the Certi-Pur-US certification as it was created by foam companies and chemical lobbyists here in the United States to counteract the more cost-effective foams that were being imported.

GOTS is a certification that has been issued to organic products since 1991. It ensures that the manufacturing process is monitored according to strict environmental criteria as well as social and economic standards. GOTS ensures that any fabric or fiber product bearing its label has been grown and processed organically with respect to both people and the planet starting from growing through manufacturing until disposal/recycling. GOTS provides two levels to its certification: “made with organic” and “organic”. “Made with organic” textiles are composed of at least 70% organic material while “organic” grade textiles are crafted from 95% or more organic fibers. Any of the certified items cannot contain hazardous chemicals or dyes. GOTS is unique in that it also evaluates the entire life of the product including the processing and manufacturing steps an item goes through. If you would like to check if a product is GOTS-certified you can perform a search in the GOTS public database.

MADE SAFE is a newer certification that screens for ingredients and materials that have no known: behavioral toxins, carcinogens, developmental toxins, endocrine disruptors, flame retardants, GMOs, heavy metals, neurotoxins, high-risk pesticides, reproductive toxins, toxic solvents, or harmful VOCs. They also do not permit the use of nanoparticles or synthetic biology. MADE SAFE has a list of over 6500 banned substances that items are screened against. MADE SAFE also requires full transparency from companies while they are going through their certification process. To get a more in-depth look at the MADE SAFE certification process check out their website. https://www.madesafe.org/process/

FSC Certified ensures that the wood used is from responsibly managed forests. The Forest Stewardship Council certification also ensures that no endangered or protected species are affected by the manufacturing process. Additionally, the FSC certification prohibits the use of highly toxic and hazardous chemicals.

RDS Certified Down is also a great option for those looking to purchase organic and clean down. The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) ensures that the geese and ducks used in making the down are not force-fed or live-plucked, as well as ensuring that no harmful chemicals were used during the manufacturing process. Additionally, farms must comply with the Five Freedoms of animal welfare (link: https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/health/five-freedoms-animals).
When Can a Toddler Have a Pillow?
The right time to introduce a pillow depends on your child’s age, sleep habits, and readiness. Most experts recommend waiting until your little one is at least 18–24 months old, as this is when toddlers have better control over their movements and a lower risk of suffocation. Look for a toddler pillow specifically designed for this age group, with the perfect size and firmness to support proper spinal alignment during sleep.
Should Toddlers Sleep with a Pillow?
While pillows aren’t necessary for every toddler, they can enhance sleep quality for those ready to use one. A properly designed toddler pillow provides gentle support to maintain healthy alignment of the neck and spine. It’s especially helpful if your child is transitioning out of a crib or seems uncomfortable lying flat. To ensure safety and comfort, look for a pillow made from certified organic materials, free from synthetic fillers or hazardous chemicals.
Does My Toddler Need a Pillow?
Not all toddlers need a pillow, and some may sleep comfortably without one for a while. However, if your little one frequently tosses and turns, rests their head on soft objects, or appears uncomfortable, they might benefit from the added support of a toddler pillow.
Conclusion
When deciding upon the safest toddler pillows for your family, consider what you value most in terms of sustainability, materials used, warranties offered, etc., before making an informed decision about which brand best suits your needs.
As there is no one perfect choice for every family- our aim was to provide research-based options available today with some insight into their relative strengths & weaknesses so parents can make more confident decisions while feeling good about supporting companies who use environmentally friendly practices & clean ingredients & certified materials!
When deciding upon the safest toddler pillows for your family, consider what you value most in terms of sustainability, materials used, warranties offered, etc., before making an informed decision about which brand best suits your needs. As there is no one perfect choice for every family- our aim was to provide research-based options available today with some insight into their relative strengths & weaknesses so parents can make more confident decisions while feeling good about supporting companies who use environmentally friendly practices & clean ingredients & certified materials!
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