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For feeding your baby, an organic nursing pillow is a must-have baby item, so be sure to put one on your registry! A good eco-friendly nursing pillow supports your baby right in front of you, so you don’t have to hunch over and strain your back while nursing or bottle feeding. It makes feeding time far more comfy and enjoyable, and every new mom and dad should have one.
Why get an organic nursing pillow?
Babies’ skin is thinner and more permeable than adults’ skin, so they are more sensitive to chemicals in the materials they come into contact with. Non-organic nursing and breastfeeding pillows may contain materials that were grown with pesticides or processed with chemicals that later off-gas into the indoor air of your home or rub against your baby’s sensitive skin as they’re feeding.
To ensure the safety of both baby and parents, it’s important to be aware of the chemicals and toxins that should be avoided when buying a breastfeeding pillow.
Flame Retardants
One of the most important chemicals to avoid is flame retardants. These chemicals are added to many products to reduce the risk of fire, but they can be harmful to human health, particularly to infants and young children.
Flame retardants have been linked to a range of health issues, including developmental delays, hormone disruption, and cancer. Look for breastfeeding pillows that are labeled as flame retardant-free.
Phthalates
Another chemical to try your best to avoid is phthalates. Phthalates are chemicals that are often used to make plastics more flexible, but they have been linked to a range of health issues, including reproductive problems, developmental delays, and asthma. Look for breastfeeding pillows that are labeled as phthalate-free.
Formaldehyde and Heavy Metals
It’s also key to avoid any materials that may contain harmful toxins, such as formaldehyde or heavy metals. Look for breastfeeding pillows that are made from certified organic materials or materials that have been independently tested for safety.
Organic and non-toxic certifications to look for
When looking for an organic nursing pillow that’s guaranteed to be non-toxic, there are several certifications to keep an eye out for. These certifications ensure the pillow is made with safe materials and is free from harmful chemicals. Here are a few certifications to look for:
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): This certification ensures that the fabric used in the nursing pillow is made with organic fibers and is processed without the use of toxic chemicals.
- Oeko-Tex Standard 100: This certification tests for harmful substances in textiles, ensuring that the nursing pillow is free from harmful levels of chemicals and toxins.
- GREENGUARD Gold Certification: This label guarantees that the nursing pillow has been tested for chemical emissions and meets strict criteria for low chemical emissions, ensuring healthier indoor air quality.
- USDA Organic: This label shows that the materials used to make the nursing pillow are certified organic and free from pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
- CertiPUR-US: This certification attests that the foam used in the nursing pillow is made without harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, heavy metals, and phthalates.
Not all non-toxic and organic nursing pillows will have all of these certifications, but they can be a helpful indicator of a safe and healthy product. Always read the product description and materials carefully and do your research before making a purchase.
The safest non-toxic ingredients for organic nursing pillows
- Organic cotton: Organic cotton is a breathable fabric that’s grown without the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, making it safer and more eco-friendly as a pillow material.
- Natural latex: Natural latex comes from the sap of the rubber tree. Look for pillows that use natural latex, rather than synthetic, which can contain harmful chemicals.
- Organic wool: Wool is a natural material that is fire retardant (without the need for chemicals) and can provide warmth and comfort. Look for pillows that use organic wool, as conventionally produced wool can be treated with pesticides and other harmful chemicals. Wool can have a bit of a sheep-like scent which tends to eventually disappear- something to keep in mind if you may be sensitive to smells.
- Buckwheat hulls: Buckwheat hulls provide firm support for pregnant women. They are hypoallergenic and can be a good option for those with allergies to other materials.
- Kapok fiber: Kapok fiber comes from the seed pods of the kapok tree and is a natural and sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers. It’s also hypoallergenic and can provide soft support for pregnant women. *Kapok is a vegan alternative to wool for our vegan friends out there.
7 Best Organic Nursing Pillows
Here are our favorite organic nursing pillows, which have organic, non-toxic materials in both their pillow covers and their stuffing.
1. Magnolia Organics Nursing Nest Pillow $59
The Nursing Net is a hypoallergenic organic nursing pillows made of GOTS certified organic cotton and stuffed with buckwheat hulls. The organic cotton is grown without any pesticides or herbicides, as can be expected with any GOTS certified organic cotton. Furthermore, the company uses fair labor in the production of its products and packaging.
This pillow is great for nursing, bottle feeding, and giving older babies support when they start sitting up. It also works well as a body pillow for support both before and after giving birth.
2. Pure Joy Organic Pregnancy Wedge ($69)
This pregnancy wedge also has a place on our guide to the best organic pregnancy pillows for sleeping. It does double duty (and is therefore a money saver) as a wedge pillow to support your belly when you’re sleeping, and then later as a nursing support pillow.
This pillow is fully organic inside and out, with a choice of either natural shredded latex or kapok stuffing inside a cover made from GOTS-certified organic cotton fabric.
3. The Blessed Nest Organic Nursing Pillow $98
Blessed Nest’s organic nursing pillow is made in the U.S.A. with ethical labor practices. It’s produced from 100% organic cotton and provides a little nest-like shape (thus the name) for feeding your newborn.
The pillow is stuffed with organic buckwheat hulls that provide structural support but can also be molded into the shape you need. You can buy this pillow on Amazon or find different color options at the Blessed Nest’s store.
4. Natural Butterr Organic Cotton Nursing Pillow ($116)
This pretty little pillow can be purchased at Pottery Barn. It’s made out of a molded, natural latex foam core to offer structure and flexibility for your nursing or bottled feeding baby. The organic cover is GOTS certified organic cotton and is machine washable (we love when they make clean-up easier on us!)
5. Holy Lamb “Bo Peep” Nursing Pillow ($145)
Holy Lamb is a GOTS certified company that makes its “Bo Peep” nursing pillow out of premium eco wool encased in an organic cotton cover. Holy Lamb doesn’t use plastic wrap or synthetic packing materials in an effort to be even more eco-friendly.
Note that this breastfeeding pillow is stuffed with organic wool, which is cleaned and minimally processed without using harsh chemicals. The finished product may have a mild sweet scent of sheep pastures because it retains 1% of its lanolin oil, which helps condition the fibers and keep them fluffy. But if you’re sensitive or allergic to wool, you may want to opt for another material.
6. Organic MoonWomb ($175)
For all your earth mamas out there, this pillows is worth a look. It’s crescent-shaped for optimal back support when feeding your baby, and is made entirely from sustainable and organic cotton for its cover and buckwheat hulls for its filling. This multifunctional pillow is helpful during pregnancy, feeding time, yoga, meditation, and when it’s time to cuddle up.
The MoonWomb has an additional feature that some yogis out there might like. It comes with a small pocket that holds a removable sachet of organic lavender and chamomile flowers. These soothing herbs create a calming aroma that can help both you and your baby relax during cuddle time. They thought of everything!
7. Lifekind Certified Organic Nursing Pillow ($189)
This GOTS certified organic cotton nursing pillow is supportive for nursing and propping up newly sitting babies. It’s filled and covered with 100% certified organic cotton. The cover can come off and be machine washed and dried. We also love this pillow because it’s handmade in the USA.
What about the organic Boppy breastfeeding pillow?
Great question! The Boppy ($59) is probably the best-known nursing pillow out there, and it now has an organic(ish) version. The removable, washable pillow cover is made from 100% organic cotton.
But.. there’s a catch: the Boppy is stuffed with 100% polyester fiber, which is a synthetic material made out of petroleum. Producing polyester is energy intensive and emits pollutants into the air. Polyester also takes a couple centuries to biodegrade, so it pollutes the planet on both ends.
And if that’s not enough, polyester is also often treated with chemicals that contain formaldehyde, PFSc, and PFOAs (“forever chemicals”). Polyester is cheap, so fast fashion companies keep making tons of it- but if you want to go truly chemical free, we would recommend one of the nursing pillows above that are stuffed with wool, cotton, kapok fiber, buckwheat, or natural latex that comes from a tree.
Final thoughts on buying an organic nursing pillow
If you’re going to buy-or be gifted-a nursing pillow, you might as well opt for organic. That way you know your baby isn’t being exposed to any unwanted chemicals while eating- which, when you add up all the feedings, amounts to quite a lot of time each day.
We hope this guide helps you find a great organic nursing pillow you feel good about! We also review several organic pregnancy pillows, non-toxic nursery rugs, and non-toxic cribs if you’re in the market for those nursery items.
