Newborn babies are soft and cuddly yet very vulnerable. When outfitting the nursery for the newest and most precious arrival at your house, consider the many benefits of organic baby bedding.

"Organic" is a common buzzword these days, but what does it actually mean when you are purchasing organic baby bedding items for your infant? When a label for sheets or pillowcases says "organic cotton", it means that the material used is cotton grown organically, not some polyester synthetic that may be flammable and loaded with chemicals. Organic cotton is produced without the use of caustic pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. As an added bonus, organic farming techniques actually help replenish the soil for the next crop. The "natural" in any bedding label refers to the fact that the material has not been treated with any chemical softeners, chlorine bleaches or chemical dyes.

You don't want your baby sleeping atop synthetic materials or plastic, so consider lining baby's crib with an organic mattress. These are made using only 100% organically grown cotton and wool fibers, natural rubber and untreated pine or spruce wood. Cover the mattress with organic cotton sheets and add an organic crib bumper for safety sake, one filled with 100% organic wool which is then covered by an organic cotton shell.

To wick excess moisture away from baby and the crib's mattress, consider covering the mattress with a quilted organic cotton crib pad for added comfort. An organic lamb fleece topper is the ultimate in all-natural comfort in the organic baby bedding category. Natural lanolin in the fiber of the wool enhances its longevity without the need for any chemical stabilizers or additives.

There is an increasing variety of organic blankets and comforters to keep your little one safe and warm. A good option is a light organic cotton crib blanket in a jaquard weave, in a variety of soothing colors created without the use of harmful dyes. White blankets are whitened using natural peroxide rather than bleach or harmful chemicals.

In addition to organic cotton, some of the newest choices in organic baby bedding include baby blankets and comforters created from 100% Viscose from Bamboo, considered one of the best sustainable and renewable eco-friendly fabric sources.

And for the ultimate in helping baby have sweet dreams, an organic crib pillow constructed of pure wool batting is a smart choice. Organic wool is naturally water resistant and will dry quickly to allow for frequent washings as necessary.