What fabrics are safe for my baby? (Uk Guide for Parents)

You may have seen in the media recently; concerns about unsafe levels of chemicals in children's clothing from fast fashion suppliers, and it may have left you wondering:

“What fabrics are safe for my baby?”

or

“How do I know if baby clothes are non-toxic?”.

I completely understand and you are not alone. Parenthood is hard enough, without having to worry about whether or not what you are buying is going to be kind to your baby's sensitive skin.

The good news? There are a few simple things to look out for that make a huge difference and heres an "at a glance" breakdown:

Quick answer: What fabrics are best for babies?

Best: Cotton or High Cotton Blend, Okeo-Tex 100 certified fabrics, Organic, Soft & Breathable fabrics that are gentle on sensitive skin, Bamboo is also a good option.

Avoid: Synthetic Fabrics, Polyester, Nylon etc. Non Oeko-Tex Fabrics

However, not all cottons and "soft" fabrics are created equal and they aren't always safe - here's what a lot of parents don't realise...

Look for Oeko-Tex certified fabrics.

A good place to start is to look for items made using Oeko-Tex certified fabrics.

What is Oeko-Tex fabric for babies? 

Put simply, it is the globally recognised certification for textiles to certify that they are harmless to human health by testing them for harmful substances and chemicals. It is standardised across the globe with a strict set of test criteria.

There are different levels of certification depending on how much contact with skin there will be by the item (For example; clothing textiles vs textiles for upholstery or home decoration such as curtains).

Product Class 1 - The highest class of certification and this is for products that will be used for babies and children up to 3 years. This has the strictest requirements and limits that are allowed.

Product Class 2 - Products with direct skin contact (e.g. everyday clothing), but there isn’t an age element.

Product Class 3 - Products without direct skin contact. This could be jackets or other outerwear as you would wear a top underneath.

Product Class 4 - Home textiles or decoration materials such as the curtains mentioned above.

At Mumma & Cubs I use Oeko-Tex certified fabrics - certified to the Product Class 1 level. My items will be worn and loved by your most precious little ones and they deserve to have materials that are kind to their sensitive skin. You can see the whole range of products here.

It is important to note that clothing sold in UK shops must comply with general product laws and meet strict safety regulations, but certifications like Oeko-Tex® go a step further—testing fabrics to higher standards, especially for babies and sensitive skin. 

The issues seen in the media recently are due to large global market places. Where products are shipped directly from over seas it means that enforcement of the UK laws can be difficult, and it relies largely on compliance from the retailer's own testing and procedures.

Choose breathable, natural fabrics like cotton

Cotton is one of the best fabrics for babies – and it’s good for a reason, so always try to look for fabrics with a high % of cotton.

Why is cotton clothing best for our babies’ skin? 

• It’s a natural fibre that allows for breathability
• The natural fibres are also soft and gentle on sensitive skin
• Helps regulate body temperature - important because babies can’t regulate their temperature as well as adults can.

Is Polyester safe for babies?

Polyester is a synthetic fibre as are materials such as Nylon and Rayon etc. These do not have the same breathability as cotton clothing which can lead to overheating and discomfort.

Babies and young children cannot regulate their temperatures in the way that we can do as adults, so it is important to choose clothing that will allow breathability.

This is why you will often see cotton or high cotton blends recommended to parents.

What are high cotton blends and why are they used? 

You will see that most of the products made at Mumma & Cubs are made with a fabric composition of 95% Cotton and 5% Elastane.

Cotton alone is a woven fabric meaning it has no stretch. The elastane in the fabric gives it it's excellent stretch and recovery making them comfy for your little movers. You will always be able to find the fabric composition on the listing on the website and also on the product labels.

Choosing a cotton based fabric doesn't mean that you can only have plain fabrics in neutral colours either. My fabrics are high cotton blends and you can get them in any of my designs; from neutral and dainty right through to bright and bold (view the range here) - the key is that they have that high cotton percentage AND are Oeko-Tex certified so you know they are safe for your baby's skin.

What about Organic Fabrics?

You may also be thinking of organic fabrics – this is an excellent option but it is sometimes misunderstood.

Organic fabrics take into account much more than just the fabric itself for instance;

• The working conditions of those producing the fabrics,
• The environmental impact,
• The use (or actually not using) pesticides etc.

It is important to note though that whilst something may be made using organic cotton you should also look for the Oeko-Tex certification too. This may sound like doubling up but chemicals can still be introduced during dyeing, printing and manufacturing.

But why is it good for our skin? 

Organic cotton may be good for the environment but why is organic cotton good your babies’ soft skin?

It's to do with the length of the fibres.

Organic cotton has longer fibres due to the method used to pick the cotton in its natural state. Less breakage = longer fibres, which means less irritation in the fabric and therefore less irritation to little ones’ skin.

You may be able to feel this when you touch organic fabrics – they feel softer – almost buttery.

For a while now I have been using organic cotton jersey and French terry in my makes. Whilst my fabrics have always been Oeko-Tex certified, I made the move to use the organic bases when printing my designs a little while ago. I am slowly but surely working through my fabric stash to ensure it is all organic and any Cotton Jersey or French Terry fabric I have printed, is now on an organic base.

Why is organic more expensive?

You may have noticed that organic is sometimes more expensive and there are a few reasons for this:

• Fair pay to those involved in the manufacture process
• Higher cost associated with sustainable farming
• Lower crop yield
• No Chemical pesticides (so they can be more susceptible to pests)
• Grown from non GM seeds.

Quick Summary: What fabrics are safest for babies?

It can feel like there is an overwhelming amount of information on what is, and what is not safe for you and your baby and the textile industry is no different. Whilst I’ve written a whole blog post, lets summarise it into a small take away – because lets face it; you’ve got enough on your mind to remember. You don’t want to have to memorise this whole article. So if you remember nothing else, remember this:

• Look for Oeko-Tex certified fabrics.
• Opt for cotton or high cotton blends.
• Avoid too many synthetics.
• Organic is a bonus but Okeo-Tex certification matters most.

·     

Say it with me… Check its Oeko-Tex Certified.

 

Oeko-Tex is a registered trademark.