Materials & Safety
Every Bippie is made to be held by the people you love most. That is why we can tell you exactly what is inside one.
What is a Bippie made of?
A Bippie is made of a shell of certified organic cotton, a filling of natural kapok, embroidered features, and three ribbon loops at the top. No plastic parts, no buttons, no beads.
The cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides and colored in our four soft shades. The embroidery thread is stitched directly into the fabric, so eyes and smiles are part of the Bippie itself, not attachments.
What is kapok, and why do we use it instead of polyester?
Kapok is a silky, cloud-soft fiber that grows inside the seed pods of the kapok tree. It is a natural plant fiber, and the filling in every Bippie is 100% kapok.
Many plush toys are stuffed with polyester, which is a plastic made from petroleum. We chose kapok because of what it is not as much as what it is.
| Kapok | Polyester fill | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Seed pods of the kapok tree | Made from petroleum |
| Feel | Silky and light | Springy and bouncy |
| Is it plastic? | No, it's a plant fiber | Yes, polyester is a plastic |
| Origin story to tell a child | A tree made this | A factory made this |
Kapok costs more and takes more care to work with. We think the trade is worth it for something your child will hold this close.
Is a Bippie safe for babies and small children?
A Bippie is designed with small hands and mouths in mind. The features are embroidered, so there are no buttons, beads, or plastic eyes that could come loose, and the fill is sewn fully inside the shell.
A Bippie from our first batch was tested by an independent, CPSC-accepted laboratory to the U.S. toy safety standard. It met the requirements for small parts, stuffing, and pull and drop durability, passed the federal flammability test, and passed testing for heavy metals. Bippies are recommended for ages zero and up.
One honest note for the newest members of the family: the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping soft objects, including plush toys, out of a baby's sleep space for the first 12 months. For that first year, a Bippie is for awake time: cuddles, play, and being held close.
What does hypoallergenic mean here?
It means we chose materials that are unlikely to trigger sensitivities: organic cotton grown without synthetic pesticides and a filling of kapok, a natural plant fiber, with no plastic parts. No material can promise zero reactions for every child, and we would rather explain our choices than make a blanket claim. If your child has known allergies, the material list above is the honest place to start.
Why does every Bippie ship sealed?
Because hypoallergenic only matters if it is still true when the wrapping is opened. Every Bippie is sealed at the end of production and stays sealed until it reaches your home. It is never handled on a shelf, never returned and resold, never exposed to another home's pets or perfumes. This is also why we can only accept returns on unopened Bippies. One promise protects the other.
How do I care for a Bippie?
Surface wash and air dry, straight from the care tag. A damp cloth and a little mild soap will handle most spots. Let it dry flat and completely, and skip the washing machine and dryer entirely. They are too rough on natural fibers.
A well-loved Bippie is allowed to look well loved. Softened fabric and a gently flattened shape are not flaws. They are proof.
Who makes a Bippie?
Every Bippie is handmade by our manufacturing partner. No two are perfectly identical, and we consider that a feature.
If something is wrong
If your Bippie has a flaw in the making, like an open seam or loose embroidery, email a photo and your order number to info@bippieco.com within 30 days of delivery. We'll replace it at no cost to you, shipping included both ways. Every Bippie should arrive worthy of the child waiting for it.
Questions we did not answer here? Write to info@bippieco.com. We read everything.