Preparing for a baby’s arrival means shopping for a virtually endless list of essentials, including crib, bath products, swaddle blankets, and baby gear.
However, none of those items need to be bought as often as a baby’s clothes. With every new phase of growth and changing season, it’s time to buy bigger, weather-appropriate clothes.
So, how do we dress our little ones in comfy clothes without wasting resources or harming the planet?
By buying organic and sustainable baby clothes.
Read on to learn all about sustainable baby clothes, from the various types of eco-friendly fabrics to the popular brands that care about your baby and the planet.
Table of Contents
Why Buy Sustainable Baby Clothes
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Skin-Friendly and Hypoallergenic: A baby’s skin is brand new. It is thin, delicate, and permeable, absorbing more from external elements than grown-ups do.
Synthetic fabrics are produced using chemical-heavy processes, making clothes made from these fabrics harsh on the baby’s skin.
On the other hand, sustainable fabrics like organic cotton and unbleached muslin fabric are derived from plants cultivated without toxic pesticides and fertilizers. Clothes made from these fabrics are soft, gentle, and hypoallergenic.
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Low Ecological Footprint: Fabrics like organic cotton, muslin, and linen are made using energy-efficient processes and fibers derived from crops grown without pesticides.
This gives them a far lower ecological footprint than common textiles.
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Breathable: It is good to dress babies in breathable fabrics to avoid overheating and keep them comfortable. Natural, sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, and muslin allow better airflow than synthetic textiles.
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Durable: Since spit-ups, diaper blowouts, and spills are common among babies, you need fabrics that can withstand endless washes without breaking and shedding fibers.
Plant-based fabrics like organic cotton, linen, bamboo, and hemp fare well in this department.
Factors to Consider When Buying Sustainable Baby Clothing
For a parent, their baby’s health, comfort, and safety rank higher than everything else.
What if we tell you that sustainable fabrics help you meet these goals without hurting the planet? Here are some tips to keep in mind while shopping for sustainable baby clothing:
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Comfortable: Airy, moisture-wicking, soft, and relaxed clothes are key to a healthy and happy baby. Most eco-conscious baby brands consider this when designing their clothes or choosing the fabric.
Related Article: Sustainable Baby Products You Should Add to Your Registry.
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No Toxic Dyes or Bleach: A baby’s skin is new and extremely sensitive. It’s also permeable and absorbs harmful chemicals faster than adults.
That’s why buying clothes free of harsh treatments, dyes, and bleach is important to reduce the risk of eczema and rashes.
So, double-check that the garments you pick are unbleached and naturally dyed.
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Affordable and High-Quality: Babies go through a lot of clothes, thanks to their frequent growth spurts. It’s a good idea to opt for brands that offer high-quality clothing at pocket-pleasing prices.
Avoid clothes from brands that are prohibitively expensive because your baby would have outgrown them in the blink of an eye.
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Easy Care: You’ll be washing your baby’s clothes - a lot! So, pick clothes and fabrics that are easy to wash and quick to dry and maintain their shape and softness.
Different Sustainable Fabrics Perfect for Your Baby
1. Organic Cotton
It’s easy to see why organic cotton gets a huge thumbs up from anyone who cares about the planet. Organic cotton is cultivated using methods that preserve the soil and save water and energy.
It also means there is zero presence of GMOs, pesticides, herbicides, and any harsh chemicals in the entire process. That’s not all.
Organic cotton fibers are strong and don’t pill or disintegrate during washing, making them an excellent choice for baby clothing and reusable baby wipes. Nor do they become rough and shabby.
2. Bamboo
Bamboo is a high-yield, carbon-neutral plant known to absorb tons of carbon dioxide and release more oxygen than many other woody plants. It’s also cultivated using energy-efficient processes and chemicals.
Because it’s a strong woody plant, bamboo is typically subjected to harsh chemicals that turn it into soft fibers. So, many brands that boast about bamboo baby clothes could be using chemically processed bamboo viscose.
That’s not to say that all bamboo clothing is bad for the environment. With traditional methods like mercerization (natural enzymes), bamboo can be transformed into soft fabric without hurting the planet.
As a fabric, it’s naturally hypoallergenic with moisture-wicking and thermo-regulating qualities, meaning your baby will always stay cool and comfy in bamboo clothing.
3. TENCEL™
Fabrics made with TENCEL™ Modal fibers are buttery-soft, versatile with low ecological footprint. Produced by Lenzing, TENCEL™ modal fibers are derived from the natural raw material wood and converted into fabric using processes with low pulp-to-fiber emission footprint.
The National Eczema Association recommends this fabric for its ability to prevent rashes and skin irritation, making it perfect for a baby’s super-sensitive skin.
Related Article: How to Soothe Baby’s Skin: Common Problems and Baby Skincare Tips
4. Muslin
Muslin is one of the most delicate, lightweight fabrics, making it a huge hit for baby items, especially swaddle blankets for newborns.
Although it is typically made from cotton yarn, including the organic variety, muslin is more breathable because of its plain, open weave. Its absorbency also pales in comparison.
It can absorb sweat or water and dry off pretty quickly, keeping your baby cool even in the hottest and most humid conditions.
5. Linen
Baby clothes tend to go through hundreds of washes. So, you need a fabric that doesn’t start wearing off or pilling and maintains its shape wash after wash. I think we just described linen!
This flax-plant-based ultra-durable fabric holds up amazingly well to daily use and frequent wash cycles. It’s also naturally breathable, skin-friendly, and one of the most sustainable plant-based fabrics you can add to your baby’s wardrobe.
6. Wool
When the temperature drops, your baby needs something warm. Wool is a timeless classic when it comes to keeping your baby insulated. It also has anti-microbial properties.
Plus, as a nature-derived fabric, wool is biodegradable and low-impact. The only thing you’ll need to make sure is the brand you’re buying sources wool ethically and meets cruelty-free standards.
Here are some certifications that you can look out for: Woolmark, Certified Organic Wool, Responsible Wool Standard, Certified Animal Welfare Approved, Certified Humane, Good Cashmere Standard, Kering Standard on Cashmere, ZQ, GOTS, and Sustainable Fiber Alliance (SFA).
10 Popular Brands That Make Sustainable Baby Clothing
We searched far and wide to round up the best baby brands that take sustainability seriously.
1. Mori
Mori’s signature sleepwear is designed to give your baby the softest snuggles and keep them at ease. The brand uses a blend of 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton, making its clothes incredibly soft, thermoregulating, moisture-wicking, and easy to care for.
They assure their bamboo is sourced sustainably and processed in environmentally conscious facilities with limited chemicals and water.
While Mori is London-based, it has become popular throughout the globe for its adorable styles and prints. It’s easy to order their clothes online, which arrive in recyclable packaging such as kraft paper and FSC-certified boxes.
2. Colored Organics
True to its name, Colored Organics’ catalog is packed with comfy organic clothing carrying eye-catching prints and soft colors for newborns to six-year-olds.
They are pretty serious about their sustainable goals, which is why their stuff is only made from hypoallergenic GMO-free organic cotton with low-impact or natural pigments or dyes for colors and prints.
Colored Organics was started by a mom on a mission to make ethical, sustainable clothing that’s great for your baby, the farmers, and the planet. What’s more, with every purchase, you help a child in need, thanks to the brand’s Giving Back program.
3. Finn + Emma
Finn and Emma have captured not only the hearts of moms but also the fashion world. It’s been approved by the likes of Vogue as one of the best sustainable baby brands around.
Their fabric of choice is super soft GOTS-certified organic cotton, and their dyes are eco-friendly and non-toxic. Even the snaps are lead and nickel-free and feature coconut inserts.
Finn and Emma’s wide catalog features several adorable collections, including Koala, Mountain Express, Celebrate Family, and Happy Camper, all produced in Fair Trade factories. We’re particularly in awe of their apparel’s roomy design, making them perfect for our growing tots.
4. Under The Nile
Another sustainable baby brand on our radar is Under The Nile. This carbon-neutral brand uses the finest and purest Egyptian organic cotton to make its buttery, soft, and skin-friendly apparel.
It is committed to driving sustainability across its supply chain, which is why it only works with farmers engaged in biodynamic agriculture.
5. Thea With Love
In Thea with Love’s vault, you’ll find everything your little one would need, including muslin swaddles, wraps, gender-neutral onesies, beanies, rompers, bodysuits, and bibs!
Everything they make is soft, breathable GOTS-certified organic cotton pieces with nature-inspired colors and prints. Thea With Love is an Australia-based brand run by a mom and her two daughters, and they offer worldwide shipping.
6. Burt’s Bees Baby
There’s more to Burt’s Bees Baby than lip balms and skincare. They also make earth-friendly everyday babywear, newborn essentials, and family-matching outfits.
Every piece of clothing is crafted with care from skin-friendly GOTS organic cotton. Even the snaps and threads you’ll find are made from recycled polyester. Meanwhile, the prints are courtesy of eco-friendly dyes.
7. Boody
Boody is a B Corp-certified brand that we love for its comfortable baby clothing and commitment to environmental responsibility. The clothes are beautifully designed, sustainably, and ethically crafted from organic bamboo.
While most baby brands choose organic cotton, Boody is all about tapping into bamboo goodness. Their baby collection is teeming with soft, minimalistic, neutral-toned pieces.
8. Mightly
Founded by a mother-daughter duo and run by moms, Mightly certainly understands its market. We love that they use high-quality, long-staple cotton sustainably sourced from a farmer-owned nonprofit, turning them into comfy, brightly-colored clothes that are gentle on your baby’s skin.
The clothes are uniquely designed for a plush feel that’ll never irritate your little cherub. That’s also why Mightly’s apparel features flatlock seams and zero tags.
Mightly takes circular living up a notch by offering parents a chance to buy pre-owned, good-condition items for their kids through its ‘Lightly Loved’ collection.
9. Monica + Andy
Monica and Andy is dedicated to becoming a one-stop-shop for eco-conscious growing families. It was founded in 2013 by Monica Royer in her quest to find the safest and softest fabrics for her newborn.
For Royer, organic cotton checked all the boxes with the bonus of being planet-friendly. The brand gets glowing reviews from parents for its limited-edition prints and mix-and-match sets and has been featured in the likes of Vogue and Forbes.
We also love that they have a dedicated collection for preemies who need an extra bit of care to grow into newborn sizes.
10. Primary
If you’re looking for colorful, non-toxic baby clothing options, this is the brand for you. Based in New York, Primary was founded by two moms on a mission to make inclusive, gender-neutral clothing.
Their commitment to sustainability is clear from their use of 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and eco-friendly packaging. You will love dressing your baby in Primary’s super-soft and vibrantly colorful rompers, bodysuits, and footies.
While dressing your little one in comfortable and eco-friendly clothing is essential, don’t forget about their surroundings. Organic cotton crib sheets, for example, is just as crucial for your baby's comfort and well-being. Opting for organic and breathable materials for bedding ensures a safe and cozy environment for your baby to rest.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are plenty of clothing options that pamper your baby and keep them safe and healthy without damaging the planet.
But if we have to be honest, of all the eco-friendly fabrics, organic cotton has our vote for being the most perfect for babies.
Clothes made from this fabric are soft, skin-friendly, breathable, durable, easy to care and involve zero chemicals in any part of its manufacturing lifecycle.
How about you pick out some organic cotton pieces the next time you shop for your baby and see if you agree?