When creating a baby registry, most parents do tons of research on everything from their baby’s car seat to their crib. Afterall, it’s natural to seek out the best products for your new bundle of joy. But one area that often gets overlooked by expectant parents, is the type of fabric used for baby’s clothing and bed linens.
With so many adorable outfits and fun bedding sets available online, it can be hard to narrow down just what to choose for your baby. However, since your baby’s clothing and bed linens touch their delicate skin for the majority of the day, it’s important to find options that are not only cute and comfortable but also safe.
Baby’s skin vs. ours
The skin is the largest organ on the human body. Recent research from the FDA shows that skin is actually capable of absorbing substances into the bloodstream. Babies’ developing skin is much thinner than adults, and is especially permeable. It’s also prone to irritation, and many babies suffer with skin conditions during infancy that eventually clear up by early childhood.
What to look for
When shopping or registering for your new baby, try to avoid clothing and linens made from synthetic fabrics, which are manufactured with petrochemicals, harsh dyes, and are sometimes sprayed with flame retardants. Instead, look for natural fibers for your little one, such as cotton, bamboo, hemp, or silk. Natural fabrics tend to be softer and more lightweight than synthetic fabrics, which means they’re also a lot more comfortable.
Natural vs. organic
But don’t just stop at natural fibers. Even though conventionally-grown cotton is a much better choice than synthetic fabrics such as polyester, it is still heavily sprayed with insecticides and treated with chemicals during processing. Exposure to pesticides have been linked to learning difficulties in children, neurological conditions, immune system disorders, and even some cancers.
Organic cotton is an environmentally sustainable crop, grown without the use of pesticides. Cotton that specifically bears a GOTS organic certification is a superior choice for baby’s sensitive skin.
What does GOTS mean?
The acronym GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard and is the strictest standard of textile certification. In addition to being grown without pesticides, when a product is GOTS certified organic, the fabric has not been treated with bleach or formaldehyde, and only contains non-toxic dyes. GOTS certification also prohibits child labor and ensures quality working conditions and a living wage for those involved in its production.
Check out Natemia’s crib sheets, swaddle blankets, and sleep sack, which are all made of GOTS certified organic cotton. We’re proud to offer high quality bed linens that are soft, breathable, and good for the environment.