The baby's skin is highly vulnerable to heat rashes and skin irritations. That’s why parents need to buy the best clothes for their babies. In this extensive guide, we have listed the fabrics that parents must avoid when shopping for their little ones.
Shopping for your newborn can be difficult. As there is a plethora of options to choose from, parents have a hard time finding the best clothes for their babies. Since our little bundles of joy grow up so quickly, most clothes do not even fit after a few weeks. Moreover, there are a lot of clothes that are essential for your baby as well. From onesies to sleeping bags, knee caps to leggings, you need to ensure that your infant has everything ready in their wardrobe.
Avoid These Fabrics in Baby Clothes
On top of that, it is also important that your baby wears the most suitable clothes. That's where sustainable baby clothing enters the equation. Organic cotton and other natural fabrics are the best and the most suitable fibers both for your baby and for yourself.
But we have listed the synthetic fibers that must be avoided when shopping for clothes for babies and newborns. Clothes made from certain materials might result in skin allergies and irritations. Here are those materials that you
should strictly avoid.
1. Polyester
Polyester is one of the most widely used fabrics in the clothing industry. When compared with organic fibers, it is extremely durable and has many feats that attract the consumer. Most manufacturers depend on polyester as its production is a lot faster than others. It also comes with low production costs. That's why the use of polyester in baby clothes is commonplace.
But you must strictly avoid polyester when buying new clothes for your baby. While it is wrinkle-free and flexible, it is harmful to sensitive skin due to the toxic chemicals used in the production.
Not breathable
Emits waste into the earth
Can result in irritations on delicate skin
Holds odor
Has static buildup
2. Nylon
Nylon is another clothing material that should not be in your baby's wardrobe. Your little munchkin needs breathable fabrics so that the air flows through their skin. Otherwise, the heat will build up and will overwhelm your baby, ultimately leading up to heat rash and skin irritations.
While nylon is a lightweight and durable fabric, its production contains toxic mixtures and petrochemical components. These are only some of the reasons why your baby should never wear nylon clothes. Studies indicate that the production process also includes additives that emit VOCs. Known as volatile organic compounds, these additives result in skin allergies, lung infections, and various other health issues in newborns.
3. Teflon
Teflon refers to the coating of a certain fabric. It is not a fabric but a type of plastic that is spread on various surfaces. It functions as an external shield to protect the fabric from wrinkling.
That's why it attracts most parents as it saves them from ironing a horde of baby clothes. While it does eliminate the ironing chore to an extent, teflon-involved products are prone to catching fire. They also emit gases when left under heat or direct sunlight. Not having to ironing a ton of baby clothes sure sounds great. But it is best to avoid "wrinkle-resistant" or "ironing-free" clothes for your baby's skin health.
4. Rayon
Rayon is a cellulose fiber that is obtained through a highly toxic production process. While the process also contains a conversion from wood pulp, rayon is a synthetic fiber similar to others on this list. It is a fabric that you must avoid when shopping both for yourself and your baby.
Experts strongly recommend avoiding rayon altogether as it emits substances that are harmful to sensitive skin. When exposed to certain heat levels, rayon or viscose can emit substances that result in nausea and various skin issues.
5. Acetate
Similar to other synthetic fibers, acetate has the potential to trigger various allergic reactions on your baby's skin. While it feels soft and light, you should skip acetate when buying new garments for your baby.
6. Fleece
Contrary to popular belief, fleece is not suitable for our babies' sensitive skin. Parents believe that the thick and fuzzy texture of fleece sleepers offers warmth for your baby. But that is actually not great for the infant. That's because fleece traps heat and does not allow airflow.
This prevents body temperature regulation, resulting in overheating which can lead to irritations on the skin. While we want to trap heat to keep the infant warm and cozy, dressing them in layers would be a lot better. Since fleece is a synthetic fiber, it is also not great to use on cold days.
Instead of wearing your baby with fleece sleepers, prefer baby clothes made from organic cotton. It is highly breathable and has a soft touch on the skin. The minimal pores in its texture allow the air to flow through the body as well. But make sure you strictly avoid the fabrics above when dressing your little joy.
Conclusion
Shopping for baby clothes will be a quite common activity for new parents. But instead of buying new clothes in bulk, it is best to buy specific clothes while taking other factors into account. The weather, the use and the material of the clothing are some of the factors that must be considered as well.
It is also important to prefer sustainable baby clothing. Clothes produced with sustainable methods come with a wide variety of benefits. They solely depend on natural and organic fibers and do not have a negative impact on the environment. Unlike their synthetic counterparts, sustainable clothing are better for human health as well. Experts especially recommend organic baby clothes as they are perfect for delicate and sensitive baby skin.