Why You Should Choose Organic Baby Clothing

In recent years, there has been a much greater emphasis on green, eco-friendly and organic products. This hasn't fully translated into clothing choices. However, there is a wider selection now available, especially in infant and children's products. This is largely because of the media attention devoted to the practices of growing and producing textiles, which use pesticides and fertilizers in the growth of plants like cotton and in the harsh chemicals used in the finishing and dying of cloth. While adults should be concerned with clothing safety, infants and children are of even more concern given their greater health vulnerabilities and higher potential for long term issues arising from early exposure to chemicals and toxins. First there are physiological conditions that make children more susceptible to issues. Specifically infants, they have a higher skin surface area to body weight ratio than adults. This means that absorption of toxins into the skin is potentially more damaging and irritating. Children also breathe in more air relative to their body weight than adults. Many non-organic fabrics exhaust harmful fumes that when inhaled, it can be particularly harmful to developing immune and central nervous systems. In addition to health considerations, organic fabrics are much better for the environment. Over one-quarter of the world's pesticides are used on cotton. The long-term exposure to health issues are only now coming to greater light as the practices of using pesticides only began in the middle of the last century. Organic practices use sustainable farming and cultivation techniques that cut pesticide use down to almost nothing. This also has the effect of benefiting water quality. Pesticides are known ground water contaminates according to the EPA and it affects more than half the country's population. The fabric quality of organic baby clothing is also superior to that of chemically finished products and that of synthetics. Organic cotton fibers are stronger as they are not exposed to chemicals. The same goes for hemp, which is incredibly durable (the first US flag was made from hemp fabric). Locating organic clothing is becoming easier too. Many specialty retail clothing stores carry 100% organic clothing and many infant and baby clothing retailers are beginning to stock varieties. Part of the growth is due to the new and fashionable designs in the marketplace. Unfortunately, organic cotton and hemp baby clothing was not always the most colorful or chic. This has changed as designers like Ralph Lauren and Donna Karen have incorporated the fabric into their lines. Better organic dying techniques have also lead to brighter color choices. By far, the easiest way to find organic clothing for infants, children, and adults is online. One must be careful in checking the provenance and labeling of clothing purchased online. Don't assume that everything found on an "organic" clothing website is 100% certified organic. Hemp is a textile that many simply assume to be organic. However, depending on the way the fabric is finished, it can be laden with chemicals. So read carefully and if you are in doubt, contact the retailer or manufacturer to gain assurance. There are lots of great reasons to purchase organic clothing – eco-friendly, sustainable, good for the planet, and safer for babies, children, and adults. And with more choices, designs, and styles available, it is easier than ever to find the perfect outfit.