It’s common knowledge that a baby’s skin is far softer and more sensitive than an adults, and in fact, some adults who spend too much time in the sun have skin that take on the appearance of leather. The words “soft as a baby’s bottom” are even used to describe things that are silky smooth and wonderfully soft, so it’s no wonder that a whole industry is needed to provide products specially designed for sensitive baby skin.
Baby shampoo is manufactured using non-ionic compounds, which means that that baby’s skin isn’t irritated and even slightly burnt, which can happen if adult shampoo is used. Incidentally, experts say that dogs have similarly sensitive skin, and so baby shampoo is also suggested when it comes to washing your four-legged friend.
There are also a wide range of lotions, creams and powders designed for babies, but what about other things that are in more or less constant contact with your baby’s skin? What about their clothes?
Synthetic Vs. Cotton
There are many things to consider when it comes to buying clothes for your baby, and many parents opt for different products for different reasons. Some synthetic fabrics are specially formulated to be wiped clean, which is convenient when it comes to wiping down your bundle of joy after an inevitably messy feeding time.
Cotton baby clothing can be attractive due to the fact that it’s an organic fiber, meaning that it offers breathability, as well as being less likely to irritate the skin. But is this the whole story?
The Downside of Conventional Cotton
While cotton is technically an organic material, not all cotton is created equal. Conventionally manufactured cotton has been exposed to a huge amount of pesticide, as well as other chemicals to boost growth and repel pests. There can be small amounts of these chemicals intact in the clothing when you buy it at the store, which means there’s a chance that these chemicals can be absorbed into the skin.
In the vast majority of cases, there are no noticeable reactions to these toxins, even though it’s not the healthiest option. Babies have a greatly increased risk of an adverse reaction to these toxins, due to the sensitivity of their skin, and the fact that their immune systems haven’t fully developed yet.
The Upside of Organic Cotton
Organic cotton simply doesn’t have the risk of containing chemical pesticides, because to receive organic certification, no chemical pesticides can be used on the cotton crops. This is an environmentally sound choice, since pesticide run-off into soil and local waterways is a major cause of pollution. These pesticides are toxic, and account for numerous human deaths each year, as well as the poisoning and deaths of many animals and insects.
And closer to home, you know that the fabric is safe for your baby. While chemical dyes can be used on organic cotton, any potentially dangerous substances will come off in the washing machine, as opposed to being part of the cotton itself.
Parents have enough to worry about when it comes to having a new baby in the family, so it’s great to have one less thing to keep you up at night. Deciding on organic cotton clothing for your baby is a fantastic choice for Mother Nature, as well as your baby.
There are a huge variety of different organic cotton baby clothes available in every style you can imagine, and when you see these sensational designs, you’ll immediately be able to picture your baby wearing them. The end result will be an environmentally conscious parent, and a fashion conscious baby.
Earnest Parenting: help for parents who are considering organic cotton.