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Shopping for outfits for a baby can be so much fun — there are many adorable options out there! But there’s a bit more that goes into how to choose baby clothes than whether or not the item is cute or not, and even after all we’ve learned about safety, not everything we can buy off the rack or online is 100% safe for our kids to wear. From toxic chemicals to choking hazards and other safety concerns, it’s important to be armed with all the information about safe baby clothes before you buy.
It definitely sounds overwhelming, but don’t worry; this shouldn’t take away from the fun of buying all the tiny outfits for your baby’s wardrobe. Once you have the facts (and know which baby clothing brands to shop from), you can rest assured that your baby will be safe and stylish, all at the same time.
Here’s what you need to know:
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Safety concerns: How some baby clothes might be dangerous
When it comes to baby clothes, there are a few safety concerns to be aware of before you buy:
Toxic chemicals
Unfortunately, there are some toxic chemicals to look out for in baby clothes. According to Green America, over 8,000 toxic chemicals are used in the production of textiles, and that includes residual chemicals from manufacturing that end up on your baby’s clothing as well as flame retardants, which are known to disrupt hormones. Greenpeace has also released a list of toxic chemicals that have been found in clothing, even the kind that comes from luxury baby clothing brands.
Artificial dyes
Another concern aside from chemicals are the artificial dyes that are used in the production of baby clothes. Green America also points out that certain dyes, like Azo dyes, can even be carcinogenic. Since babies tend to have sensitive skin, what chemicals are touching them via their clothing and pajamas is important to know.
Choking hazards
It’s also important to check baby clothes for possible risks, too. Zippers and snaps are definitely preferable to buttons on baby clothes, a choking hazard that can’t be ruled out. Before you buy, you should check over the clothing thoroughly to make sure that there’s nothing that could come loose and harm your baby, such as tags or decorations. The older they get, the more creative they’ll be about accidentally getting into trouble!
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Are organic baby clothes worth the money?
Because of all of the potential hazards that come with baby clothes, many parents opt for organic baby clothes instead — and usually, that comes at a signficantly higher cost. Baby clothing brands like Hanna Andersson, Kate Quinn, and Monica + Andy offer organic (and adorable) clothes for baby, but the baby clothes price tag ends up being a lot higher.
So is it worth the extra money? According to what dermatologist Dr. Gervaise Gersner told Reader’s Digest, it’s not necesssarily as important to buy clothes that are organic as it is to make sure that you’re buying something that doesn’t include artificial dyes and toxic chemicals in general.
“Organic baby clothes are a good idea but the main recommendation is to avoid synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers are made with PVC, petrochemicals, esters, and other chemicals which are known to be linked to immune disorders, behavioral issues, and cancer with high exposure. Looking for sustainable fibers and non-toxic dyes is a good start,” Dr. Gerstner said.
Looking towards sustainable baby clothes
It’s also important to consider how the baby clothes you’re buying are made, not just what they’re made with. We’ve long known that fast fashion is bad for the environment, but for many parents, shopping from brands that create sustainable baby clothes and use environmentally friendly practices is a deciding factor, too.
Fortunately, some baby clothes brands have been working towards becoming more eco-friendly, especially if they’ve come under fire for having questionable practices that need to be corrected. According to Earnshaw’s — a media resource for the chldren’s clothing industry — Carter’s began using more sustainable practices earlier this year in producing their baby clothes, as well as cutting back on the chemicals they use in production and manufacturing. Also, as per this same report, they’ve also committed to being more transparent about their operations and to working to protect human rights in different stages of their supply chain.
Buying sustainable baby clothes is also a great first step in teaching our kids how to be environmentally conscious themselves and to lead by example while also helping to ease our own safety concerns about what our babies are wearing.
“No matter what, when you teach your child to connect with the planet, you foster a world that’s just a teeny bit more in tune with itself,” mom Monique Ruffin wrote for Mom.com.
