Why Choose Organic Cotton for Baby Clothes, Toys, & Gifts?
Shopping for babies and kids toys, clothing, and gifts can be overwhelming. Especially with all the buzzwords such as organic, eco-friendly, and natural. Let’s explore how organic can be a good choice when purchasing baby products.
Why does organic matter for young children & babies?
Organic is defined as produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents.
When we think of organic we often think of organic food which is a good start, however, organic goes beyond the food industry and into the clothes we wear and even the toys we purchase for children.
Organic Cotton
For example when looking at a baby's clothing, organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic chemicals. Weeds are physically removed or managed through intercropping, including the use of trap crops that attract pests. Natural, untreated GMO seeds are used in organic cotton farming.
Through the use of these natural and time-honored traditions in organic cotton farming, the use of pesticides and insecticides are avoided; and such regenerative practices build healthy soil and store carbon, while improving the air and water quality and not exposing workers to toxic chemicals.
The practice of crop rotation is also implemented, providing farmers with a means of supplementing their food and income with additional crops.
The downside to organic cotton farming is that it requires more land because it does not yield as much as conventional cotton; and unless the crops are rain-fed they may use as much, if not more, water than conventional crops.
By focusing on creating quality over quantity, fabric – whether for baby clothing, bedding, or kitchenware – can be produced to make items that are durable and long-lasting, requiring less need to restock closets all the time and thus less need for higher yields.
A baby’s skin is thinner and more permeable, making them more vulnerable to toxic chemicals as they are less able to break down or expel these from their bodies.
This may make babies more sensitive to rough or synthetic fabrics or products that have been finished and treated with harsh chemicals. That's why it's a good idea to search for organic toys, clothing, and gifts free of harmful substances.
The good news is we have quite a few resources for finding organic baby clothes, gifts, and more!
Organic Baby Guides
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