When it comes to retail therapy, is there anything more joyful and satisfying than buying baby clothes? Those softer than soft onesies, the cutest footie outfits, those jackets with ribbons and bows. It’s heart melting.
And brand new babies have that delicate, brand new skin that’s smoother than anything else in the world. But skin is also the largest organ of our bodies, and what we put on it ends up getting absorbed into our system.
We all have to be careful about what we expose ourselves to, but we have to be especially careful when it comes to our gorgeous little ones. When buying creams and lotions, check the label. But we also have to check those tags on clothes.
Most people don’t realize that synthetic fabrics are filled with chemicals that were used during and after processing. These chemicals often can’t be washed out.
According to Total Health Magazine, “the allergic responses now commonly being reported as a result of these synthetic chemicals include, but are definitely not limited to:”
- Skin rashes and lesions that can be cancerous
- Nausea
- Unexplained fatigue
- Burning and itching
- Unexplained headaches
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty breathing
- Recurring sinus infections not previously experienced
- Sudden inflammation and pain; especially in soft tissues
So what do we do? How do we keep our children and ourselves safe?
1. Avoid Clothes Manufactured in China
Unlike other countries, the United States doesn’t have regulations over the toxins in fabrics that are made here or those coming from outside our borders. China is by no means alone in their offenses, but we do know they use chemicals known to contribute to kidney disease, cancers, and that can cause problems with hormone levels. So for now, check your labels and avoid clothes made in China.
2. Choose Organic Natural Fibers
According to remake.org, “unlike synthetics, natural materials like organic cotton, linen, silk, wool and hemp allow the body to breath, detox and regulate body temperature properly. Natural fibers are also naturally biodegradable and can be composted, while synthetics don’t break down and can live in landfills for hundreds of years.”
3. Don’t Buy Engineered Clothes
This one breaks my heart, but if clothes make life too easy, don’t buy them.
If the label reads “no iron” or “wrinkle free,” it’s likely coated with nasty chemicals you don’t want anywhere near you--and especially nowhere near your babies.
Unfortunately, this applies to other convenience clothing. On their organic baby clothes guide, Gimmethegoodstuff.org states “Most clothing is produced with synthetic dyes and is treated with toxic chemicals to provide wrinkle resistance, stain resistance, fade resistance, static cling resistance, etc. In fact, that ‘new’ smell in clothing usually indicates chemicals–and if the smell lingers after a washing, the chemicals haven’t been banished.”
This also applies to fire retardant and waterproof clothing. Wool is naturally water-resistant, but what about pajamas for your kids?
For your babies’ sleepwear, according to the Washington Post, “tight-fitting cotton is considered safe for two reasons: It is unlikely to drift into an open flame because it's so snug, and there is little oxygen between the fabric and the child's body to fuel a fire.”
With all the chemicals and toxins that can cause us so much harm, organic cotton for ourselves and our children is one of the best choices you can make.
We here at Spunky Stork love making safe, sustainable clothes for your family. Thank you for joining us on this journey! Sign up for our newsletter to keep up with what’s new in our organic baby clothes line.
In the meantime, here’s more Info about the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS):
“This standard sets both environmental and social criteria for clothing throughout the manufacturing process. GOTS requires that clothing wearing its “organic” label be 95 percent organic and have no toxic dyes or finishes. Manufacturers along the supply chain must comply with GOTS standards to minimize waste and to ensure that workers labor under key norms as established by the International Labour Organization.”