Why Organic Cotton is Best for Babies

There is always so much to think about with our babies! What should they eat? Where should they sleep? What should they wear? When should they start walking? Talking? What parenting methods or styles are best?

A big concern most parents have is their baby’s diet. They think long and hard about whether to do breastmilk or formula and when to start solids and what kinds of solids to feed. Many parents choose organic baby foods over conventional, even if they don’t eat organic foods themselves. They know feeding their babies organic foods will greatly reduce the risk of them ingesting chemicals like pesticides, fertilizers, insecticides, GMOs, etc.

But what about organic clothing? Is it helpful for babies prone to allergies?Another area of concern for many parents is what to use on their baby’s skin. Especially with babies who show signs of allergies (eczema, rashes, etc.), parents are extremely cautious to only use natural lotions and creams, but also organic or homemade.

How Much Does My Baby’s Skin Absorb?

The connection between clothes and our baby’s skin and respiratory system health seems obvious, but a lot of parents don’t put much thought into it. There is a lot to think about as parents, after all!

What we put ON our baby’s skin is just as significant as what we put IN their bodies. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that a person’s skin absorbs up to 64% of contaminants it comes in contact with. Another study found that sensitive areas such as genitalia and underarms absorb as much as 100%. 

Given the above facts, it seems important to pay attention to not only the lotions and soaps we use on our babies, but also the clothes we dress them in every day and night!

Organic Cotton For Delicate Baby Skin

Organic cotton is an excellent choice for all babies and especially those with sensitive skin and noses. Why? Well, you may be surprised to hear that conventionally-farmed cotton is one of the most heavily pesticide-sprayed crops in the world. Some of these chemicals may still be in your baby’s clothes, rubbing up against their skin day and night.

Chemical-free organic cotton is much more gentle on children with eczema and/or allergies (or any baby in general, really!). With organic clothing, it is nice to know that you are dressing your baby in the safest, most natural option possible.

There are many moms who would testify that their baby’s skin and nose did better once they switched to organic clothing.

TIP: If your baby is experiencing skin irritations or respiratory allergy symptoms, it is a good idea to take a look at your washing regimen. What type of detergents are you using? There are many affordable, gentle, natural ingredient-based detergents on the market that are more gentle on baby’s bodies than heavy chemical-based detergents.

Is Organic Cotton More Expensive?

You’ll be surprised to find that a lot of organic baby clothing is actually quite affordable! When compared to other conventional brands, and considering the fact that organic cotton is more durable and therefore lasts longer, we think that the cost ends up being just about even (and when you think in terms of value, you are getting more bang for your buck with organic!).

We know that raising children is not cheap these days. We are parents ourselves and have been in your shoes! That’s why we go to great lengths to make sure our clothing and other products are as affordable as possible.

If you are ready to give organic cotton a try, be sure to enter your email for a 10% discount off your first order. And always feel free to contact us with questions or comments! We are anxious to hear how you feel about our products.

References

• Brown et al. The role of skin absorption as a route of exposure for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water. Am J Public Health. 1984 May; 74(5): 479–484.
• Kasting and Kretsos.Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2005;18:55-74
• Robinson et al. The Importance of Exposure Estimation in the Assessment of Skin Sensitization risk. Contact Dermatitis 2000; 42:251-259.