Best All-Natural Organic Toddler Pillows

Ready to move your big kid to a toddler bed, and looking for an organic toddler pillow for them to rest their head on? Avoid greenwashing by choosing a truly all-natural toddler pillow from our in-depth research below.


Best Choice

Best overall

The Best on a Budget

Magnolia Organics Organic Cotton Pillow

Organic Lifestyle Cotton Pillow

Mother Sheep Organics Toddler Pillow

If it seems like just yesterday you were bringing your little bundle home from the hospital, you’re not alone. The first years with a baby-turned-toddler fly by, and before you know it, your little one will be ready for an organic kids mattress and a big kid bed. 

Once the risk of SIDS is in your rearview mirror and your child is ready to transition out of their baby crib and into a real bed, it’s also time to introduce a pillow to their sleep routine.

And while there are plenty of toddler pillows marketed as organic, most are made of synthetic materials, with an organic cotton cover, only. 

I don’t know about you. But after keeping my kid away from toxic chemicals in their first year – spending hours researching a non-toxic crib and an organic crib mattress, for example – I’m not exactly keen to let them rest their head on a polyurethane foam or soybean foam pillow, organic cover or not. Nor am I happy to put her down to sleep on something grown with plenty of pesticides.

These organic in name only toddler pillows have no place on our list (or in our toddler’s bed).

The good news for parents who want a truly organic toddler pillow? There are many great options out there that use natural materials, and come at an affordable price.

I have recently updated this article to include the Naturepedic PLA Filled Kids Pillow. Naturepedic is such a trusted brand, and PLA is a sustainable fiber made from non GMO sugarcane. Their crib and toddler mattresses are super well-known in organic crib mattresses, and they also have great pillows! This one is filled with non-toxic and sustainable fiber which we love!

And if you’re feeling really crafty? Why not pair your little one’s new pillow with DIY pillow covers!

What are the Best Organic Toddler Pillows?

Our Top Organic Toddler Pillows for 2019

Best Organic Cotton Toddler Pillows

Cotton filled pillows are a great choice for those with latex or wool allergies. It offers a medium-firmness, and can typically be made softer by removing some of the filling. Choose a toddler pillow with GOTS certified organic cotton stuffing to ensure your toddler isn’t exposed to pesticide or textile processing residues. 

Most Affordable Choice

We give the Magnolia Organics Organic Cotton Pillow a 5/5 rating

The best overall organic toddler pillow

GOTS certified cotton stuffing and casing creates an all natural toddler pillow at a reasonable price.
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This pillow is made of non-toxic, safe organic cotton and comes at an affordable price. 

Made in the USA and from GOTS certified cotton, you can be confident in the quality control that’s gone into this pillow. 

Whether your little one enjoys a more firm pillow or something squishier, this pillow will work for your toddler. You can easily remove filling through the zippered enclosure to make it softer, or leave it as it is for a firm pillow. Past customers rate this pillow as an 8/10 or 9/10 in terms of out-of-the-box firmness.

This pillow is extremely well-made. Chances are, your child will outgrow it before it begins to show any wear. And if you have any problems, Magnolia Organics is fairly responsive, although the pillow doesn’t come with a warranty.

The organic cotton case for this pillow is also GOTS-certified and densely woven. Your toddler can rest their head without fears of pesticide or herbicide residue. And the dense weave is designed to provide allergen protection, creating a barrier against dust mites, pollen, and more.

Good to Know:

  • 14” x 20″ in size, which isn’t standard size and may make it harder to find pillowcases.
  • Made in Connecticut
  • GOTS-certified cotton casing and organic cotton stuffing
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Ultra-dense organic cotton provides a barrier against dust mites and allergens
  • Flame retardants free
  • Completely free from chemicals

Learn More and Read Reviews

Luxury Choice

We give the Organic Lifestyle Cotton Pillow a 4.5/5 rating

Luxury Organic Cotton Toddler Pillow

Made in the USA with USA grown cotton. Choose between light, regular, and extra thick filling.

This pillow is filled with carded and rolled Texas Organic Cotton and covered with a USDA certified organic cotton cover. 

Organic Lifestyle pillows tend to be at the higher end of the price spectrum, but the company takes sourcing seriously, and you’ll often find their products are filled with made in the USA ingredients (which comes with a premium).

Add to that, the choice of light, regular, and extra thick filling means you can customize this pillow to your toddler’s size and preferences – meaning the best chance of a comfy and healthy sleep. Chances are the light fill will be best for most children.

Technical: 

  • 12″ x 16″ in size; will fit a 13 x 18 standard sized toddler pillow case
  • Handmade in the USA 
  • Filled with Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative-Certified Organic Cotton
  • USDA Certified Organic Cotton Sateen Fabric Case 
  • Hypoallergenic

Best All Natural Organic Wool Toddler Pillows

Wool filled pillows are a great choice for children. Soft, yet supportive, wool is a natural temperature regulator, keeping your toddler cool in summer and warm in winter. The naturally-occurring lanolin in wool is antibacterials, and wool is also naturally fire retardant, eliminating the need for fire retardant chemicals

Best Overall Wool

We give the Mother Sheep Organics Toddler Pillow a 4.5/5 rating

Best Organic Wool Toddler Pillow

A GOTS certified organic wool toddler pillow encased in an organic damask cotton cover. Handmade in Canada with a 3-year warranty.
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The Mother Sheep Organics wool pillow is filled with GOTS certified wool sourced from Argentinian Corriedale sheep. Encasing the wool is a GOTS certified organic cotton cover. 

Handmade in Canada by a family-run company, we love the craftsmanship and attention to sourcing safe, organic materials that goes into this pillow. 

Good to Know: 

Learn More and Read Reviews

The Runner Up (Wool)

We give the Woolino All Natural Organic Kids Pillow a 5/5 rating

The Runner Up

An all-natural Merino wool and cotton toddler pillow designed with the perfect amount of stuffing to give your toddler’s head and neck ergonomic support throughout the night. 
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This is an all-natural toddler pillow that’s Oeko-Tex certified. While not organic, the Oeko-Tex should give you confidence the pillow is free from harmful chemicals. 

If you’re looking for a machine washable toddler pillow, you can stop your search and buy this one! When it comes to toddlers, anything that’s easy to clean is a bonus in our books.

Made of Australian Merino wool filling with a sateen cotton cover, your toddler will also find this to be a mighty comfortable pillow, with just the right amount of soft vs. support. 

Woolino also makes adorable Merino wool toddler blankets. And if your toddler isn’t quite ready to switch to a blanket, they also have merino wool sleep sacks with feet. The benefit of a footed sleep sack is your toddler can get out of bed and walk around in it, without it being a safety hazard.

Good to Know:

  • 14″ x 19” in size; should fit a standard 14” x 19” toddler pillowcase
  • Made in China in an Oeko-Tex certified facility 
  • Hypoallergenic 
  • Oeko-Tex certified
  • Pesticide Free
  • No Off-Gassing
  • Fire Retardant Free

Learn More

Luxury Pick (Wool)

We give the Organic Lifestyle – Organic Wool Pillow a 5/5 rating

Luxury Pick

A wool toddler pillow that’s hand-made in the USA from USA sourced, sustainable Eco Wool, and a GOTS certified organic cotton cover.

This pillow comes with exceptional quality control, with the premium eco wool sourced right in the USA, and encased in an organic cotton cover. 

With the bulk of the pillow materials sourced in the USA, and the pillow itself being hand made in the USA, green customers can be happy this pillow likely has a smaller carbon footprint than the others on this list.

When your toddler isn’t using it, you might be tempted to steal it as a neck pillow on airplanes.

Good to Know:

  • 12″ x 16″ in size; will fit a 13 x 18 standard sized toddler pillow case
  • Made in the USA 
  • 100% G.O.T.S. certified organic cotton sateen case
  • NON-GMO
  • Pesticide Free
  • No Off-gassing
  • Premium Eco-Wool Using USA Wool

Best Organic Kapok Toddler Pillows

Kapok is a sustainable crop grown without pesticides and toxins, making it a great healthy choice. It also offers soft support, and if you find it too fluffy, most pillows are designed so you can remove some of the filling. If your kapok pillow flattens out, you can punch it lightly a few times to re-fluff it.

Best Overall (Kapok)

We give the Brentwood Home Sleeping Willow Toddler Pillow a 4/5 rating

Best Overall Kapok Toddler Pillow

At less than $30 per pillow, Brentwood Home knocks it out of the park with this cost-effective toddler pillow made from kapok and organic cotton. They also have the Lilypad Pillow which is another great choice.

Brentwood Home does a great job at balancing all natural and organic materials with price, which is why we used to recommend their Wildfern crib mattress as our runner up for best organic crib mattress. Unfortunately the Wildfern is no longer available, so we now recommend our top choice of Naturepedic (We use the Naturepedic Breathable for our own daughter).

However, Brentwood Home does still offer The Sleeping Willow Toddler Pillow, which is made of natural Kapok filling. The kapok filling is encased with an organic cotton cover.

Alternatively, they offer the Lily Pad Pillow, which combines kapok fiber, natural latex, and organic cotton.

Good to Know:

  • 12” x 20” in size; 14” x 20″ in size, which isn’t standard size and may make it harder to find pillowcases.
  • Made in California 
  • Hypoallergenic 
  • Organic cotton cover
  • Natural kapok filler
  • Non-toxic
  • No pesticides

Best Fully Organic (Kapok)

We give the Magnolia Organics Kapok Pillow a 4/5 rating

Best Organic Kapok Toddler Pillow

Magnolia Organics Kapok Pillow uses GOTS certified kapok filling and a GOTS certified organic cotton cover.
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While kapok fiber is quite fluffy, this pillow doesn’t overdo it. Adults may find it lacking a bit of  stuffing, but for most toddlers, the filling should provide an adequate amount of filling for their head, neck and spine.

Magnolia Organics makes high-quality pillows that will outlast everyday-use from kids. It’s easy to customize and fit for your toddler by removing some of the filling. 

We also appreciate the ultra-dense pillowcase to protect kids from dust mites.

Good to Know:

  • 14” x 20″ in size, which isn’t standard size and may make it harder to find pillowcases.
  • Made in Connecticut
  • Hypoallergenic
  • GOTS certified organic kapok from trees grown in Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico
  • 100% G.O.T.S. certified organic cotton case
  • NON-GMO
  • No pesticides

Learn More

Best Low Profile (Kapok)

We give the Organic Lifestyle Kapok Pillow a 4/5 rating

Best Low Profile Kapok Toddler Pillow

If your little one prefers thinner pillows then this is the one for them. It’s made of super-soft kapok and is ready to sleep on as soon as you receive it; no flattening out period required.

This pillow has a similar feel to a down pillow, but is hypoallergenic.  The inside is made of super-supple kapok that is covered with a silky organic cotton case.

Good to Know:

  • 12″ x 16″ in size; will fit a 13 x 18 standard sized toddler pillow case
  • Handmade in the USA 
  • Hypoallergenic 
  • Outside Case Made From USA Grown Certified Organic Cotton from the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative
  • All-Natural Kapok Inside

Best Natural Latex Toddler Pillows

Natural latex foam is a natural and organic material that’s safe and non-toxic – don’t confuse it with polyurethane foam or plant-based foam, which we don’t recommend. Natural latex products tend to be machine washable. Shredded natural latex offers medium firmness, whereas solid natural latex is firmer. Unlike with cotton, wool or kapok filled pillows, natural latex is pretty low maintenance and you won’t need to fluff the shredded foam pillows.

Best Shredded Latex

We give the Organic Lifestyle Travel Toddler Washable Down Alternative Pillow a 4.5/5 rating

Best Shredded Latex Toddler Pillow

A made-in-the-USA toddler pillow made from GOLS certified organic latex and GOTS certified cotton. Machine washable is an added bonus for busy parents and messy toddlers.

This toddler pillow is made of GOLS certified natural latex foam.

The shredded latex offers a comparable feel to a goose down pillow, without the typical allergy concerns. Of course, if your child has a latex allergy, speak to your child’s pediatrician or allergist before purchasing natural latex baby gear.

Good to Know:

  • 14” x 20″ in size, which isn’t standard size and may make it harder to find pillowcases.
  • Made in the USA
  • Hypoallergenic 
  • 100% G.O.T.S. Certified Organic Cotton Cover
  • 100% GOLS Certified Latex Inside 
  • No Off-gassing
  • Fire Retardant Free

Optional For Bigger Kids

We give the Organic Lifestyle – Travel Size Solid Foam Rubber Latex Pillow a 3.5/5 rating

Optional For Bigger Kids

If you want a memory foam toddler pillow (without the toxic chemicals of memory foam), this natural latex foam pillow is the best choice for you.

Foam pillows and mattresses are a popular choice for comfort. Unfortunately, they often come with unhealthy chemicals – not exactly ideal for a young child (or anyone).

Enter natural latex foam. Made from the sap of rubber trees, natural latex offers medium-firm  support and is naturally antibacterial, hypoallergenic and dust-resistant. The pillow is encased with an organic cotton cover.

Note, this may be too firm and tall for many toddlers, especially those on the younger end. It’s approximately 4” thick.

Good to Know:

  • 15″ x 22 in size; will fit a standard size pillow case loosely. 
  • Made in India. Natural latex is best processed near where it’s harvested, making it impractical for these pillows to be made in the USA.
  • Hypoallergenic
  • 100% unbleached organic cotton cover
  • Made with natural latex

How to Choose the Best All Natural Organic Toddler Pillow 

Moving your kid from a crib to a toddler bed is a big deal, and it can feel a bit overwhelming as you navigate this new world – and new safe sleep guidelines.

Here are a few things you might want to pay attention to as you shop for your little one’s first  pillow!

Choose a Safe Material

While you’ll see some buckwheat pillows marketed as suitable for toddlers, we don’t recommend this material.

Doctors don’t recommend buckwheat pillows for kids because the buckwheat pellets can come loose, posing a choking hazard. 

While buckwheat pillows are a good choice for households without young children, families with toddlers should avoid them.

Stick to organic wool, cotton, or kapok filling, or natural shredded latex. Solid natural latex may work for older toddlers and kids that are physically larger, but may be too tall for many toddlers.  

Go for an All Natural and Organic Filling & Covering Where Possible

When buying an organic toddler pillow, pay attention to what it’s actually filled with – not just the cover.

There are plenty of so-called organic toddler pillows for sale that have organic cotton covers  – but are actually filled with synthetic foam, polyester, or other manmade materials.

These feel like a bait and switch, and are best avoided.

All of the toddler pillows listed in this post are all-natural. They’re filled with:

  • Cotton
  • Wool
  • Kapok
  • Natural Latex (made with sap from the Hevea tree)

Most of the materials used in the pillows we’ve covered are organic, but some of them aren’t. We’ve tried to be specific, to help you make your choice.

Cover it With an Organic Toddler Pillowcase

No point investing in an all-natural pillow and then covering it with a polyester pillowcase. 

Most toddler pillow cases come in 19 x 14 or 18 x 13 and there are plenty of organic cotton options available.

When Can a Toddler Have a Pillow? 

Before you rush out to get your toddler his or her first pillow, it’s worth asking if they’re  actually ready. 

According to the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission


“Parents can safely start using pillows for children who are 1½ years old, about the same age at which parents can safely move children out of the crib and either into a toddler bed or onto a mattress on the floor.”

However for most toddlers, giving them a pillow before two-years-old is probably too young. 

As you are transitioning your child to a toddler bed, keep in mind some toddlers won’t need a pillow right away. Give them a pillow when they are ready and you feel like they need one, not as an automatic “to do” when transitioning them out of their crib. If you notice they’re using other props  – such as a stuffed animal – as a pillow, it’s a sign they are ready!

Tips for Introducing a Pillow to Your Toddler

Use a Special Toddler Pillow (Not a Standard-Sized Adult Pillow)

Using a pillow that’s too big is a suffocation risk. Add to that, an adult-sized pillow won’t fit your toddler’s body properly, and won’t offer the right level of support for their head, neck and spine. Just as babies need a firm crib mattress, toddlers need the right amount of support in a pillow.

Toddler pillows are built to be the right size for your little one, and the right level of thickness and support. 

Toddler pillows vary in size from brand to brand. But generally speaking, most toddler pillows are about 12 to 14 inches (30.5 to 35.56cm) by 16 to 20 inches (40.6 to 50.8 cm), with a thickness of about 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm). 

Buy a Hypoallergenic Toddler Pillow

While you may love your goose down feather pillow, it’s not a good choice for a toddler. For young children, choose more hypoallergenic pillow fillings and watch for signs your child may be reacting to their pillow or bedding.

Also use a hypoallergenic, fragrance free detergent when cleaning the cover!

Soft & Fluffy Isn’t The Right Choice

Toddler pillows need to be flat and relatively firm to provide the right level of support.

Don’t Rush It

If your toddler is still sleeping in a crib, you don’t need to give him or her a pillow yet. Even once they’ve moved into a toddler bed, they may be comfortable for a time without a pillow. Watch for signs that your child is ready – for example, if they’re asking for a pillow, or using a makeshift  pillow from a blanket or stuffie. 

The Best Organic Toddler Pillow for A Healthy Night’s Sleep

After considering 10 all-natural, organic toddler pillows, we think the Naturepedic PLA Pillow and Brentwood Home Sleeping Willow Toddler Pillow are the best overall organic toddler pillow. At just $25, the Brentwood Home pillow is super affordable with high quality materials, and is  a solid choice for most families. 

For families looking for a wool pillow, we like the Mother Sheep Organics Wool Toddler Pillow.  

For a luxury choice, Organic Lifestyle makes great products with attention to sourcing and manufacturing. If you want a made-in-USA pillow that uses grown in USA materials, this brand offers some great choices. 

Final thoughts

When it comes to introducing a pillow to your toddler, follow your gut and pick the pillow that you feel most comfortable letting your baby sleep on. 

I hope you enjoyed this post and learned something new. If you know of a parent who could benefit from this article, I hope you’ll share it!

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