New parents have a lot of choices to make about how to care for their children. One question they must consider is whether they should select clothing made with synthetic fabrics or exclusively go with natural fibers. When you understand why many people are opting for organic alternatives right from the start of their children’s lives, you can make that decision for your own baby.
“Organic clothing is produced using sustainable, eco-friendly practices.”
What makes clothing natural?
There are a number of reasons why parents decide to stick to natural fibers when purchasing clothes for their children. They may prefer to buy organic clothing because it is produced using sustainable, eco-friendly practices or under better labor conditions. Many also believe there could be health advantages from minimizing a baby’s exposure to artificial products and chemicals.
In addition, there can be practical benefits to clothes made from organic materials. Health Guidance noted these clothes are more durable than items made with synthetic fabrics. If you’re interested in trying natural fabrics, some popular options include:
- Organic cotton.
- Industrial hemp.
- Bamboo-based rayon.
- Wool.
- Soy-based cashmere or silk.
For parents who want to buy natural-fiber, organic clothing for an infant, it’s important to check the labels. In addition to the list of fabrics, see if there is a certification from the Global Organic Textile Standard. According the organization, clothes bearing this logo are manufactured with at least 70 percent organic fibers and pass an array of criteria for ecological sustainability.
Why not purchase other fabrics?
For some parents, avoiding clothes featuring synthetic fibers is about getting their kids off to a healthy start in life. Many feel concerned the methods used to grow, manufacture or process the fabric for the items their kids wear could prove hazardous or lead to skin irritation. Not knowing what chemicals may have been used to dye a piece of clothing or reduce wrinkles can be worrisome when caring for the sensitive skin of a newborn, especially if the child suffers from allergies.
Gimme the Good Stuff advised watching out for clothes made with:
- Perfluorochemicals.
- Formaldehyde.
- Benzidine-based dyes.
- Nonylphenol ethoxylates.
- Phthalates.
Along with synthetic fabrics, cotton that has not been organically raised is a common source of concern. As Honestly explained, the pesticides used on these cotton crops are removed during processing. Still, some parents fear lingering chemicals might have negative effects for their children’s health.
There are also ecological factors to consider with cotton, as the World Wildlife Fund explained. Cultivating the crop damages the quality of soil and requires the use of a great deal of water. Meanwhile, the pesticides and fertilizers can contaminate both water and soil, harming plants and animals.
Every parent has to think carefully about purchasing products for his or her children. Whether you’re mainly interested in protecting your newborn’s well-being, reducing your environmental impact or supporting companies with ethical labor and trade practices, it’s worth considering natural-fiber clothing. These items will keep your baby warm and comfortable, while you can feel good about the fact they were made under better conditions and will last longer than other clothes.
