The Inside Scoop on Organic Baby Clothes

Eliminating exposure to chemicals and toxins is important for long term health concerns. The concerns about food safety, as well as cleaning and other household goods have radically changed products in the past decade. This revolution has also started showing its effects on clothing and fabrics, especially in infant and baby clothes. With more and more farmers shifting to organic farming and textile manufacturers eliminating harsh chemicals from the finishing process, more choices are now available in the market. The first explosion in organic clothing has been in baby clothing. Newborns and infants are particularly at risk for chemical exposure because of their physiology. Infants have a greater skin to weight ratio than adults. This means that clothing with toxins have a greater relative surface area in which to penetrate and cause long term health issues. Baby skin is also more sensitive so rash, and irritation is of more a concern. Another concern is the gases that some synthetic materials give off. These gases come from petroleum products, and the ingredients can be inhaled. This is an important concern for children as they breathe in more air relative to their body weight. Therefore the same amount of exposure can cause greater damage. Organic clothing uses plants grown without the use of chemicals and pesticides. These farms follow traditional and sustainable methods such as soil management and crop rotation to keep plants healthy and boost yields. To be certified organic, a field used for crops must be free of chemical use for a minimum of three years. This gives the soil time to eliminate any chemicals from previous pesticide or fertilizer use. Organic fabric is most readily available in cotton, although hemp is also growing in popularity. When going for organic clothing options it is important to know that the certification applies to both the growing practices and the textile finishing process. Most commercial cotton is bleached white and the process of breaking down fibers involves harmful chemicals. Be sure to look for 100% organic certification. Clothing that is simply labeled environmentally friendly, Eco-friendly, or green may still be laden with chemicals. More and more retailers are stocking 100% organic clothing in response to demand from the growing consumers. Baby and infant clothing is the most popular sector because of the above mentioned issues. Whilst organic clothing previously was less colorful due to the organic dyes that had to be used, the latest lines are decidedly brighter and indeed more colorful. Top designers are also including organic choices in their lines and extending the fabric use into bedding. If you’re having issues finding organic baby clothing at a local retailer, switch to the Internet. This is the best source for 100% organic newborn and baby clothing. The sizing and style of fit make it much easier to find the right choice. So for the health of one's baby and the health of the planet, consider organic baby clothing first when shopping. The lack of chemicals and toxins in the fabric is important to the long term health and well-being of our children and our planet.