Why children’s organic clothing is important?

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

Like many mummies, I often get sidetracked in the supermarkets by cute jumpers, gorgeous dresses and multi buy baby grows. I then wander round the food aisles choosing our normal brands, a few supermarket own brands along with some organic and fair trade products. I do like to think I’m being ethical. I do like to think I’m doing my best.

Many of you know I have a science background, a background in environmental chemicals and their toxicology. I understand how so many fertilisers and chemicals can be harmful, and significantly how they have been harmful by getting into the ground, the water supply and the food chain. I understand how they can affect human health, wildlife and land. So, I ask myself why don’t I buy organic clothing as standard? Why don’t we all buy and wear organic clothing?

And more so, why do we subject our precious babies, our children, and our already chemically dry or sensitive skin to additional chemicals?

I don’t know!

I do know, I struggle to go clothes shopping, it’s always such a rush, filled with ending up looking at things Toddler H wants to look at, in coffee shops as she’s hungry again, walking picking up leaves and stones, and not actually getting to half the shops I wanted to. So, I see those convenient clothes as I grab my milk and bread, and I bite: I can’t resist that cute pair of pyjamas, that t-shirt, that dress.

I recently saw this infographic by?children’s organic clothing brand Sense Organics and it reminded me of my background, my values and my conscience.

[inforgraphic by Sense Organics, children’s organic clothing for 18 years]

I think through sleepless nights, being out of the workplace, and yes, that inability to have a nice relaxing afternoon shopping, I’ve not always been thinking straight, and remembering why organic is better. I can’t afford to always buy organic clothes, but everything I’ve ever bought which has been organic has lasted years, washed well and been lovely and soft. In my experience organic has always been a really good buy. A good investment really, let’s face it, those cheap supermarket t-shirts do shrink after a few washes. I learnt that lesson the hard way, buying hubby a couple of t-shirts before our holiday to Menorca in May. In true harassed mummy style I grabbed a couple of this tshirts in the supermarket. I think he managed to wear them just once after holiday before they shrunk. So no, I’m back to buying hubby his usual t-shirts which last.

It’s not just the quality, but that basic advice all parents-to-be read:

Wash clothes before using them

It’s basic, but makes the world of difference. We all know our little baby’s skin is so sensitive and unused to any chemicals. But, non-organic cotton can contain chemical residues from the growing and manufacturing processes and they can be quite irritating. Yes, some may say don’t wrap your baby in cotton wool, but in this case, that’s the case entirely, and if not, just wash everything before use.
But back to that infographic, it was the kick I needed, the one I needed to remind me that organic is best, and specifically organic children’s clothing is much better…

1. Organic cotton does not use synthetic pesticides or fertilisers. Such ?synthetic pesticides or fertilisers can enter the water causing both water and food crop contamination. Organic cotton is safer for local people and wildlife wildlife, and more sustainable.

2. Fair working conditions and prices. If we worked for pence, we’d complain, and not be very happy, so why expect others to make those same compromises?

3. Softer less irritating clothes. Because organic cotton isn’t made using synthetic pesticides or fertilisers it doesn’t have the potential to irritate our baby’s skin like non-organic can.
I’ll be sharing a few of my favourite organic brands with you in another post. So, if you’re after inspiration, or a Christmas present, do check it out and sign up to my mailing list so you don’t miss it!

Lynne x

PS. This post is in collaboration with Sense Organics who produced this brilliant infographic, reminding us all of the importance of buying organic clothing.