Organic Toddler Pillows Buyer's Guide
Questions to Consider
1. Does the child have any allergies (for example, to latex, dust mite, or wool)?
This may guide your choice of fill material and may also necessitate that you buy a barrier cloth pillow protector, a machine-washable pillow, and/or a pillow with a dust-mite barrier cover built-in.
2. How old is the child?
For younger children (approximately 18 mos. - 4 years) we recommend our lower-loft pillows, while children older than 4 usually prefer our higher-loft pillow or a standard size pillow.
3. Is your child very sensitive to sounds/smells?
If so, you may wish to avoid buckwheat (sound) and/or natural latex rubber (smell).
4. Are you on a very limited budget?
In this case you may wish to purchase a machine-washable pillow instead of one that will need to be replaced if it gets soiled, or a pillow with a dust-mite barrier cover built-in so you will not need to purchase one separately.
5. Do you want a 100% natural pillow that is completely biodegradable?
All of our toddler pillows meet this requirement.
Now you should have an idea of the kind of qualities that you and your child need. Let's look at some of the characteristics of our pillows in-depth to help you with your decision.
Fill Material
First, let's look at fill materials. The fill is the bulk of the pillow, the stuffing inside. The type of fill used in a pillow usually determines whether the pillow is machine washable, whether it is resistant to dust mites, and ultimately whether it is biodegradable.
We offer pillows made from the following fill materials:
- kapok - from the seed pods of the kapok tree, kapok fibers are light and fluffy, and are a cruelty-free alternative to down
- organic cotton - certified organic cotton batting is our firmest fill material and is used in our most popular pillows, but cannot be machine-washed
- organic buckwheat hulls - certified organic buckwheat hulls are hypoallergenic, insulative (this makes this fill ideal for children who sweat at night), and provide contoured support
- shredded natural latex rubber - anti-microbial, mold-resistant, mildew-resistant; soft and supportive; does have a detectable odor that will significantly diminish over time; can be an allergen
Next, let's look at pillow size (length x width) and loft (height). We offer toddler pillows in three sizes, and usually indicate each product's size in its name:
- 15" x 19" - this larger size makes this pillow better suited for older children, about 4 and up
- 14" x 20" - this medium size makes this pillow an excellent choice for toddlers age 2 and up
- 12" x 16" - this smaller size makes these pillows ideal for your child's first pillow from about 18 mos. and up, and also for travel pillows
- 3" - as with the size above, this larger loft makes this pillow better suited for older children, about 4 and up
- 2 1/2" - this lower loft makes these pillows ideal for younger children, about 18 mos. - 4 years
Pillow Care
Now this is a deciding factor for many parents. We recommend using a pillowcase with any organic toddler pillow to protect it from everyday wear. If they become too soiled (for example, if your child gets vomit or urine on the pillow), most of our organic toddler pillows cannot be machine-washed and must instead be replaced. Even with this extra cost of replacing a pillow every so often, we still feel natural, organic pillows are a safer, more eco-friendly choice than synthetic pillows that are treated with
Organic toddler pillows that are NOT machine washable may be spot-cleaned as needed with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. They should be aired once each season in a sunny spot, preferably outdoors. For kapok pillows only: you may re-fluff the pillow by placing it in a hot dryer for about 10 minutes each time you wash your child's bedding.
- machine washable - natural latex rubber
- not machine washable - kapok, organic cotton, buckwheat
All of our organic toddler pillows are made with organic cotton casings (the fabric "bag" that holds the fill/stuffing). The fill material used for the pillow will typically determine whether it is dust-mite resistant, with one exception noted below. Pillows that are NOT dust mite resistant should be enclosed in a barrier cloth pillow protector.
- naturally dust-mite resistant fills - natural latex rubber, buckwheat
- not dust-mite resistant - organic cotton*, kapok
The following table summarizes this information.
| Product | Origin | Fill | Size | Machine Washable | Dust Mite Resistant | Price | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naturepedic Organic Cotton Toddler Pillow | USA | organic cotton | 14"x20"x2 1/2" | No | Yes | $39 | Firmest fill option. Will compress over time. Made completely from US-grown organic cotton. Economical option since a separate dust-mite barrier cover is not required. |
| Heart of Vermont Child-Sized Organic Cotton Pillow | USA | organic cotton | 12"x16"x2 1/2" | No | No | $27 | Firmest fill option. Will compress over time. Casing made from foreign-grown organic cotton, filling made from US-grown organic cotton. |
| Sachi Organics Organic Cotton Toddler Pillow | USA | organic cotton | 12"x16"x2 1/2" | No | No | $33 | Firmest fill option. Will compress over time. Made completely from US-grown organic cotton. |
| Organic Cotton & Shredded Latex Rubber Toddler Pillow | Canada | shredded natural latex rubber | 15"x19"X3" | Yes | Yes | $50 | Larger than other styles, so better for older children. Molds to your child's neck and head. |
| Sachi Organics Organic Buckwheat Toddler Pillow | USA | organic buckwheat hulls | 12"x16"x2 1/2" | No | Yes | $29 | Bean-bag like feel. Known for minimizing stress and tension. Provides good insulation. Does not retain odors. Compresses very little. |
| Sachi Organics Organic Kapok Toddler Pillow | USA | kapok fiber | 12"x16"x2 1/2" | No | No | $33 | Cruelty-free, hypoallergenic alternative to down. Light and fluffy feel. Our thinnest, lightest pillow. Ideal for the youngest toddlers. |
