Why organic baby clothing? You may think washing new clothes once before dressing your baby is adequate to minimize any allergic reaction to the fabric or dyes.
However, the standard practices used to produce conventional clothing can cause chemicals to remain in your baby's cute little outfits for several washings and sometimes the life of the article.
In this section, we'll discuss the benefits of choosing organic cotton clothing and review some natural fiber alternatives. We'll discuss how to select quality, baby shoes, how to save money on organic apparel and we'll help new moms get ready for their registry.
Below are some tips to help you choose the healthiest clothing options for your baby.
Chemicals in Conventional Baby Clothing
- Because of its appeal to a variety of insects, conventional cotton gets treated with pesticides more than any other crop except coffee.
The pesticides used, cyanide, dicofol, naled, propargite and trifluralin, are all known to cause cancer, and have been classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as the most dangerous pesticides.
- In order to give baby clothing a "finish" it is often treated with flame and stain retardants, heavy metals and other toxic chemicals.
According to Organic Baby: Simple Steps for Healthy Living
author Kim Rider, these chemicals can not only irritate your baby's eyes, nose and throat, but they have been linked to depression, leukemia and cancer.
- Formaldehyde is another common fabric finish. It should also be avoided, because it is a neurotoxin and carcinogen.
- Beware of synthetic fabrics, such as fleece which are derived from petrochemicals that off-gas throughout the life of the clothing. Benzene, Ammonia, Ethylene glycol are all common in fabric finishes of fleece, polyester and polyester blends.
Healthier Options
So what kind of clothing is best for your baby? One option is 100% organic cotton clothing.
Cotton grown on land free of chemicals for three years is certified as organic.
The Organic Trade Association says organic cotton is also beneficial to the environment because the methods used replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers and build biologically diverse agriculture.
Remember to look for the appropriate certified organic label in your country.
Terms such as natural and unbleached don't mean that pesticides weren't involved in their manufacturing. Clothing labeled as organic but uncertified may still contain dyes with unwanted toxins. If you are expecting, you may also want to get some certified organic maternity apparel.
You can also find natural fiber clothing made of untreated soy, wool, hemp. Also keep in mind that clothing blended with natural fibers is a less toxic option than clothing made of all or predominately synthetic fibers.
Plenty of Fashionable Options
If a layette full of only organic infant clothing sounds limiting in terms of style and color, it isn't anymore. The organic baby clothing industry is growing at a rapid pace to meet the demands of green-minded parents.
You'll find beautiful selections online at both organic baby specialty stores and on the sites of major retailers.
Where you shop for organic baby clothing depends on your budget and your personal style.
The options range from highly customized designer baby clothes to the very simple white tee. Handmade children's clothing may also be an option as organic yarns are becoming popular.
Don't forget about baby shoes. Many conventional shoes are made with synthetic fibers and glues that off-gas toxic fumes. You may not think it's a big deal, but if your baby sucks her toes or her shoes it's something to think about.
Finally, remember soft soles are better for your baby's feet than hard soles. They are what doctors recommend and what makes babies feel most comfortable. If you don't believe me you can ask these celebrity moms.
