Do's And Don'ts When Shopping For Baby Clothes

Tiny socks, shoes, pants, onesies… is there anything cuter than baby clothes? Whether you are shopping for your own baby or for someone else’s, all of the options out there can feel overwhelming. From zipper onesies and snap onesies to all of the different fabric options, there are so many clothes available to us at the click of a button it can be hard to know what is the best choice for babies. Today we are sharing our top tips for and what mistakes to avoid for shopping for baby clothes. 

Snap Rompers:

According to Munchkin, a baby will go through around 2,000 diapers in the first year of life. That’s a lot of diaper changes! To make these changes as quick and easy as possible, we suggest opting for zipper onesies as opposed to snap onesies. Many onesies now have two zippers to make diaper changes go even quicker. Choosing zippered onesies also means you won’t have to be fumbling around trying to get all of the snaps together during midnight diaper changes. 

Labels on Neck:

Babies' skin is extremely sensitive. It’s important to avoid clothing with labels on the inside of the neck as it can be scratchy and uncomfortable for the baby. Bébénca Organics clothing has printed labels instead of itchy hanging tags. 

Small Neck Openings:

Dressing your baby in light, breathable layers to stay warm is recommended. One thing to watch out for is clothing that has small neck openings. Not only can it be a pain to dress your baby in clothing with small neck holes, it can also feel restricting and uncomfortable for the baby. Choose clothing that has adequate size neck openings for optimal comfort. The photo above shows a baby in an envelope neck romper which provides adequate space for the baby around the neck and is also easy to remove and put on. 

Drawstrings and Small Pieces:

Drawstrings in pants or hoodies are a major choking hazard for babies. It’s also important to avoid clothing with small buttons or pieces because these can fall off and also become a choking hazard. 

Glitter and Sequins:

If you’re having a baby girl, you might be excited to buy all of the glitter and sequined clothing in sight. Although these frilly and feminine clothes are cute, they usually aren’t the most comfortable for babies. Glitter can rub off and irritate the skin and sequins can be scratchy and uncomfortable for babies. To satisfy this clothing itch, we recommend choosing clothing made of natural fibers that feature feminine, whimsical prints. 

Synthetic or Blended Fabric:

According to The Robin Report, 60% of clothing available today contains polyester. Polyester is a synthetic fabric that is created using petroleum, air, and water. It is important not to choose this fabric for babies because it is not breathable and due to its long production process with a multitude of different chemicals, it is not good for sensitive skin. Other fabrics to avoid include rayon, spandex, and acrylic. 

GOTS-certified organic cotton is the best fabric choice for babies. With an authentic GOTS label, you will have peace of mind that the entire textile supply chain has been monitored. No harsh chemicals or GMO’s are used in the production of organic cotton either.

Greenwashed Garments:

As people try to shift towards purchasing more sustainably, companies are more likely to greenwash their products. Many fast-fashion retailers have greenwashed their brands over the past few years in an effort to appeal to more conscious shoppers. 

Unless a company is completely transparent about their entire production cycle and has the credentials to prove it (like a GOTS logo shown above), they cannot be trusted as being a sustainable and eco-friendly brand. If a company launches a “green clothing line” this does not mean their brand is sustainable or green. It is important to purchase products that were made by people who received a livable wage and had fair working conditions.

It is also important to research which fabrics are best for babies' skin. Bamboo is a fabric that is commonly greenwashed but due to the lengthy chemical process when creating the fabric, it is not the safest choice for babies. Find conscious brands to buy from that have the data to back up their claims. 

Not CPSC Compliant:

CPSC stands for Consumer Product Safety Commission. The commission ensures that businesses are compliant with the rules set out, specifically focusing on the safety of products. Clothing in the US must also have a permanently attached label signifying that the manufacturer is compliant with these rules. 

The Bottom Line:

When shopping for baby clothes, try to purchase products that are as safe for children’s skin as possible like GOTS-certified organic cotton products. We offer a range of unisex clothing that doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals and no heavy metals. Organic cotton is the closest fabric to a baby's natural skin. You can shop our collection here. 

Sources: 

first link

https://www.bebencaorganics.com/blogs/latest/bamboo-vs-cotton

https://blog.craftybase.com/2018/03/30/cpsc-compliance-and-your-handmade-shop/ 

Photos

Cover photo: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/future-mom-holds-baby-clothing-gm1093295278-293407915  

Neck opening: https://www.babu.co.nz/ever-wondered-why-baby-clothes-have-an-envelope-neck/ 

Glitter tutu: https://www.tinyhanger.com/petite-hailey-daisy-sparkle-baby-tutu-dress.html?id=39509496&quantity=1 

GOTS: https://global-standard.org/news/gots-labelling-trademark-protection