Organic Cotton Baby Clothes- Why and How to Buy Them

8 June 2010- Chemicals have now been recognized as the number one cause for all the problems world over. That is why, everyone is switching over to a green living by adopting everything organic. So, why not also pay attention towards organic baby products? Your baby is the most vulnerable human being in this world with tender body and skin that can be dangerously affected by harmful substances it comes into contact with! Baby clothes are one of the most important fields where we must pay attention (equal to what we pay towards other green baby products like food). Here, in this article, we'll talk about two important aspects of organic baby clothes- why to choose organic cotton baby clothing and how to identify organic cotton baby clothes?

Why to Buy Organic Cotton Baby Clothes?

Instead of other organic fabrics for baby clothing, we are referring to organic cotton clothing because cotton baby clothes are preferred by parents due to their skin friendly properties and comfort factor. However, cotton fabric too is processed with chemicals and is made from conventional cotton grown with pesticides. Organic cotton clothing is expensive but safer choice for your baby. Below mentioned factors must be considered when thinking about why to invest on expensive organic cotton baby clothes?

• Babies are small and absorb more pesticides pound for pound of their body weight as compared to adults.
• The body mechanisms like nervous, digestive and immune systems of babies are still developing and they could be disrupted by over-absorption of toxins used for processing traditional cotton and other fabrics.
• About 60% of what comes in contact with baby's skin is absorbed into his or her bloodstream within minutes. The chemicals in processed fabrics used for making baby clothes also remain in contact with skin.
• The young kidneys of babies are not capable of getting rid of the toxins as efficiently as the adults can do. As a result, their bodies (made up of more water than fat) lets these toxins circulate more conveniently throughout their bodies.
• Not only organic cotton baby clothes, parents should consider buying organic baby mattresses too because babies sleep more (newborns, in fact, sleep for more than two-thirds of the day). Organic nursery bedding will mean that the baby would not inhale the toxic fumes of flame retardants and chemical-leeching plastics found in conventional mattresses.
• Babies are more prone to skin allergies and diaper rashes. Organic cotton diapers are soft, skin friendly and a comfortable option for babies.

How to Identify Organic Cotton Baby Clothes?

Not all organic cotton clothes, claimed to be eco-friendly baby clothing, are actually green baby products. You have to be very careful while buying them for your baby. Here's how you can make out what you are buying for your baby is organic clothing or not and also how much organic are they?

• First of all, understand what the term "organic" means? An organic product is grown, manufactured or processed without the use of pesticides, fertilizers, growth hormones, antibiotics, additives, genetically modified organisms, irradiation or sewage sludge. The genuine organic cotton baby clothes should be made from true organic cotton fabric. Know what is organic cotton fabric?
• If the label on organic baby clothing reads "100% certified organic cotton," it means that it is made with 100% organic ingredients and will have certification from some authorized body (such as an USDA organic seal)
• Some of the organic cotton baby clothing would contain organic ingredients ranging from 95-99% to 70-94%. These baby clothes contain some materials that are not organic.
• Some baby clothing contain less than 70% organic ingredients. In such, cases, it cannot be called organic baby clothing. Only the organic ingredients can be referred to as organic as mentioned on the information section of the packaging.

Organic baby clothes are definitely a must for providing a healthy future to your baby. Although, organic cotton baby clothes are among the most popular green baby products, they are not the only option. Organic hemp, soy, wool, and sometimes bamboo too can be chemical-free options for safe organic baby clothing.