For the many parents whose children are (unfortunately) suffering from allergies, there might be a solution or at least a relief: organic baby clothing and organic bedding.
I sometimes feel that the word “organic” is a bit over-used, but when it comes to your baby, it is indeed organic stuff that makes all the difference, so investing in all-natural cotton bedding is a good idea. Not because you’re making a statement, but just because you care. And I say “investing” because organic cotton is of course more expensive.
Having said that, cotton grown without the use of pesticides, grown organically, feels different. It’s soft and it won’t irritate your baby’s tender skin. Non-organic cotton is another story. If your child suffers from allergies, think of this:
Cotton crops alone account for $2.6 billion in pesticides used each year and is the definition of a chemically dependent agriculture. Even though cotton only uses 2.4% of all cultivated land, 25% of the world’s pesticides and 10% of the world’s insecticides are used on it yearly. In other words, for every one pair of jeans and t-shirt produced, 1 pound of pesticides and chemical fertilizers are used. The problems with clothing production do not stop in the field. During the conversion of conventional cotton into clothing, numerous toxic chemicals are added at each stage – harsh petroleum scours, softeners, brighteners, heavy metals, flame and soil retardants, ammonia and formaldehyde – to name just a few.
Because children’s skin is thinner and more porous, it absorbs more toxins. I recommend reading this article in its entirety and at least try buying organic baby clothes and bedding once to feel the difference. For now on I’ll just list the top 10 reasons to buy organic clothing:
- It helps protect your children
- It reduces pesticide use
- It protects farm workers
- It protects water quality
- It prevents soil erosion
- It is a sturdier fabric
- It saves you money
- It feels amazing inside and out
- It supports a true economy
- It supports an healthier environment