Organic Kids’ Clothes: How to Make Green and Sustainable Choices for Your Little One

As new-gen parents, whether millennials or Gen-Z, we try hard in many aspects of our lives. Our parenting style involves making more conscious and mindful choices regarding raising, care and comfort for our little ones. We lead an environmental-friendly life, hoping we do the best for our kids and the planet, wishing to make a change so they can enjoy a better life. 

When we say going greener, we usually think of the foods and feeding practices for our children. However, it also includes clothing because it can significantly impact their health and well-being. Let’s see the fuss behind organic clothing.

Why Choose Organic Baby Clothes?

Since the 1950s, industrial chemicals have become more widespread, and most of the clothes we find in retail or online stores have been treated with them. That happens even when you read 100% cotton on clothing labels or online specifications. Reduced exposure to these harmful chemicals is the number one reason to choose organic kids’ clothes besides providing enhanced comfort for your dearest and being the most eco-friendly choice. 

Reduced Exposure to Dangerous Substances

Infants and babies are particularly vulnerable to harmful chemicals. That’s because of two main reasons:

1. Your children’s bodies and minds are still developing, causing them to be less competent than adults to naturally break down or eliminate substances absorbed into the body, making them more sensitive. 

Their fragile developing process is prone to disruption. In a 1993 paper, the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) famously concluded that “children are not little adults,” summarising children’s heightened vulnerability to harmful chemicals. Their habit of continuously putting objects in their mouths and investigating their surroundings worsens that even more.

2. Children absorb most of their nutrients through their skin. 

Humans’ largest organ is the skin: besides protecting us, it helps control body temperature and performs many other vital tasks. It also takes up a lot of the stuff we apply to it. Compared to adults, babies’ skin is thinner and more porous. Even though there are three layers, each layer is thinner in a baby. The baby’s epidermis, the outer protective layer composed of tiny cells, is three to five times thinner than the adults. Because of that, newborn skin is less resistant than adult skin, and chemicals that come into touch with it permeate and penetrate deeper layers of the skin more readily.

Improved Comfort and Kind to Skin

Because of their natural softness, ease, and breathability, organic materials like cotton and bamboo are perfect for newborns’ delicate skin. Your baby will be comfortable all day because these naturally hypoallergenic materials help control body temperature, soothe inflammation, and wick away moisture.

Eco-friendly Alternative

Picking organic kids’ clothing is an environmentally conscientious choice that promotes ethical and sustainable farming methods. Organic farming minimises the detrimental effects of traditional farming practices on the environment by reducing water waste, decreasing soil erosion, and increasing biodiversity.

Ethical and Socially Conscious

Kids’ clothes made of organic fabrics can help support the fashion industry’s efforts to promote ethical standards and decent working conditions. Its manufacturing ensures a more moral and sustainable supply chain, frequently complying with stronger labour laws and unbiased pay standards.

Tips for Choosing Organic Kids’ Clothes

Check for Certifications

When shopping for organic kids’ clothes, look for trusted certifications, such as GOTS and OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100. GOTS or the Global Organic Textile Standard is a certification that guarantees that no harmful toxins or chemicals are used during textile production, ensuring its organic and ethical aspects. It’s a reliable option for ethical shoppers because it often covers fair labour practices. Textiles checked for dangerous materials bear the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 label. It sets the benchmark for textile safety from the yarn to the finished product. Each product with the STANDARD 100 label has been approved for use after passing safety testing to ensure that no dangerous materials are present.

Opt for Natural Fabrics

Even if your main concern isn’t buying strictly organic fabrics, your baby can benefit from natural and biodegradable fabrics, such as organic cotton, bamboo, wool and hemp. Kids’ clothes made of these fabrics or textile blends including them are hypoallergenic, gentle on delicate baby skin and free from dyes and harsh chemicals. They are also more breathable and moisture-wicking, guaranteeing that your little one stays dry and comfortable during the day or night.

Prioritise Comfort and Functionality

Soft seams, adjustable snaps and elastic waistbands make dressing and diaper changes easier. Opt for clothing pieces made of organic materials that allow unrestricted movement, providing babies with the freedom they need to grow and explore. When buying outerwear, consider adjustable layers and built-in sun protection to adapt to changing weather conditions.

Durability for Sustainability

Choosing clothes that last longer and require fewer replacements is another way to be sustainable. Seek for well-made materials and strong textiles that will hold up against several washings. Purchasing well-made organic baby clothes reduces textile waste since you may pass them along or donate them when your child outgrows them.

Select Gender-neutral Designs

Opt for gender-neutral styles and colours when buying organic baby clothes. That makes it possible to be more versatile and guarantees that siblings of any gender can share a wardrobe. Selecting classic styles and muted hues also lessens the need to adhere to fashion fads.