Organic Baby Clothing: Choosing Natural Clothes That Are Kind and Healthy for Our Children and Good for Our Planet

Organic Clothes for Our Children and Family are Becoming a Necessity
We love our children dearly and want the best for them in all things. As concerned parents, we know that we need to provide our babies with the most natural, non-toxic surroundings possible. We take care with what we put into our babies’ wee bodies, but are we as careful with what we put next to Baby’s tender skin?
Organic baby clothing is as essential as organic baby food for your little one. Simply put, organic clothing is good for our children and our planet, and is good quality, too.

It’s Good for Our Planet
Non-organic fibre production and manufacturing release many harmful substances - chemicals, dyes, bleaches, and other toxins - into our air, soil, and water, polluting our planet and damaging its fragile ecosystems and our food supply. Non-organic clothing fibres, particularly cotton, account for tremendous amounts of chemical use worldwide (for example, in the US, about 1/3 pound of toxic chemicals is used to produce one non-organic cotton T-shirt). Organic fibres, by comparison, are grown and produced without fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, GMOs, or other dangerous substances or processes that harm the Earth and its inhabitants. Organic farming and processing promote a kinder, gentler, healthier way of existence, and protect and restore our soil and water supplies and the air we breathe. As well, eco-friendly clothes go through less processing, so require less energy to produce.I

t’s Good for Our Babies and Children

Non-organic fibres are grown with harsh chemicals, and non-organic and synthetic clothing is processed and treated with a variety of harmful chemicals to make it soft, wrinkle free, stain resistant, flame retardant, moth proof, waterproof, etc. If your child wears synthetic or non-organic clothing, he or she will breathe in the toxic emissions from the clothes and absorb their harsh chemicals through the delicate skin, as well. Dressing your little one in organic baby wear means no continuous contact with harsh chemicals, dyes, bleaches, perfumes, or other residues are rubbing against, irritating, and being absorbed through your baby’s skin.
It also means that Baby is not breathing in any chemical residue from her clothing.  Because the production of organic fibres and processing of organic clothing is good for our planet, it is also good for children around the world, particularly for children who live, help, and work on farms.

It’s Good Clothing
Eco-friendly clothing is…
• Stronger than non-organic clothing, because the fibres are not broken down by chemicals during growth and processing
• Naturally soft and comfortable, rather than softened artificially with chemicals
• Recyclable, renewable, and naturally biodegradable, so it won’t find its way into our growing landfills, as synthetic clothing will
• More breathable and absorbable than synthetic and non-organic clothing (Imagine how different an organic cotton or hemp diaper feels against your baby’s delicate skin as compared to a plastic disposable diaper)
• At first glance, somewhat more expensive than non-organic clothing - until you weigh the long-term costs for our environment and our children. Since natural clothing is better quality, lasts longer, and is better for the environment, it is truly far more economical and practical than synthetic clothing.
Each organic fibre has it own unique benefits. Organic bamboo, for example, is naturally non-allergenic, anti-static, and anti-bacterial, and provides a natural UV protection, as well.

Shopping for Organic Clothing Getting More Exciting Every Day

Green baby clothes are becoming more accessible everyday, and you can find beautiful, trendy, eco-friendly clothing for children in many stores and in many fabrics, such as cotton, hemp, bamboo, and soy. If you are handy with a needle, you can make your organic baby wear from the wide array of wonderful certified-organic fabrics and yarns available, particularly online. When you find a store or a website for natural baby clothes or fibres that you love, be a supportive shopper, tell your friends about it, and buy (or make) organic night clothes to give as lovely, thoughtful baby gifts. Remember, increased demand will support the entire organic industry and encourage lower prices, too. Always check that the label says “Certified Organic,” and be sure that the organic certifier is clearly identified.

Our babies are a wonderful gift and our responsibility, too. The next time you put your little one into her diaper and tiny onesie, be sure that it’s all organic so nothing harmful can seep from the clothing into her delicate body. You’ll rest easier knowing that you’ve taken the best care of her, and that you’re watching out for your (and her) planet, too.