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You’ve probably heard all the scare stories about PFAS being found in up to 100% of mass-produced baby textile products. Infants and toddlers are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of these toxic chemicals, which can suppress the immune system, and cause obesity and even cancer.
If this worries you then you’re not alone! More and more eco-conscious parents are now aware of the dangers of synthetic fabrics and are switching to non-toxic baby clothing to protect their health.
With the help of my sister-in-law Caitlin and nephew Alfie (the REAL expert here!), we tested the best organic baby clothing of 2023. We ranked the top brands in terms of safety, comfort, cuteness, durability, and value for money.
Today I'll reveal the results, show you what to look for when buying organic clothes for your little one, and - maybe more importantly - what to avoid!
✔ 100% GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton
✔ Beautiful Products
✔ Fair Trade
We Say: I love everything Finn + Emma do as a brand. They’re hands down one of the best sustainable baby clothes manufacturers I’ve ever seen. Their ethos matches mine, and their clothes are made from the most amazing super soft material.
Alfie pretty much lived in Finn + Emma's bodysuits for the first year of his life. He even wore his Bee Kind bodysuit to his first birthday party. Since I know it's ethically made from natural and organic cotton, I'm happy for him to wear it as often as he likes!
The range of Finn + Emma bodysuits is extensive (around 120 designs), and they cover four age groups, between newborn and 12 months.
I have very generous friends and family who always want to know what to buy Alfie. The extensive Finn + Emma range has so many quality organic options that they can always find him a design he doesn't already have.
They also run regular sales, so keep popping back from time to time, and you’re bound to pick up a bargain.
Parenting is full of milestones, and I’m quite nostalgic now he’s grown out of bodysuits. I miss them!
✔ Sustainably Sourced Materials
✔ GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton
✔ Free Shipping & Returns
We Say: Pact fuses sustainable organic farming methods and manufacturing techniques with Fair Trade Certified factories to produce an incredible clothing range for the whole family.
I love the concept of the Pact Give Back Box.
Simply use your Pact order’s delivery box to donate clothes you no longer wear to those in need. Pact even covers the shopping cost.
On the subject of shipping, all orders over $50 qualify for free shipping to the Continental USA. All orders can be returned free of charge (within 60 days and unused) for a full refund.
Alfie was recently gifted this Coyote Cowboy Everyday Hoodie that he and his mum both love!
✔ 100% GOTS-Certified Merino Wool
✔ Soft and Itch-Free
✔ Exclusive Discount
We Say: Nui is an ethical and sustainable kids clothing brand that makes an adorable range using organic cotton and natural, chlorine-free Merino wool.
The temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking properties of Nui's wool baby and toddler clothes are excellent, keeping your little one cool when it's hot and warm when it's cold.
The washable fibers are incredibly durable and always bounce right back into their original shape.
They're also naturally water-repellant, meaning they need washing less often. If you're a new parent, you'll know how fast the washing piles up, so this is a major bonus!
Nui does toddler clothing also - sizes run from newborn to 4yo. So Alfie has a few more years of softness to look forward to.
✔ Breathable
✔ Super Soft
✔ OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified
We Say: Hanna Andersson created the Moon and Back range exclusively for Amazon. It's a great selection of cute sleepwear, daywear, and onesies for little ones, plus PJs for all the family.
This 100% organic cotton clothing is certified by OEKO-TEX to be free of chemicals and pesticides. You're getting high-quality, sustainable clothing at a reasonable price.
The customer feedback on Moon and Back products is off the charts - most items score 4.7 stars or higher! So it's obvious Alfie isn't the only one that approves.
We Say: It’ll not come as a surprise to regular readers to see that I’ve included Etsy (an eco-friendly online store I frequent) in this article.
I love that Esty places an army of artisan producers at your fingertips. There really is very little that you can’t buy on Etsy.
And, when it comes to organic baby and kids clothing, you’re spoiled for choice.
When browsing the thousands of baby products and producers on Etsy, look for the ones that offset the carbon footprint of the packaging and shipping associated with your order.
I find you sometimes have to search through quite a lot of mediocre offerings to find the gems. But the gems are most certainly there to be found.
We Say: I’m a fan of Burt’s Bees so I was glad to see they now offer an impressive range of non-toxic baby products.
They use GOTS organic cotton and are part of Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly initiative.
Alfie is a real outdoorsy boy, he plays outside whenever he can and often gets filthy.
So, we need a basic range of clothes that don’t cost the earth (financially and literally) but still have squeaky clean eco-credentials and wash well too!
Step forward Burt’s Bees Baby organics and their range of everyday basics.
I’m currently obsessed with the Organic Short Long Sleeve V-Neck Tees. Alfie loves to wear them. They keep their shape for ages and wash like a dream. And speaking of dreams you can get affordable eco-friendly pajamas for babies and toddlers here as well.
We Say: Under the Nile specializes in high-quality organic Egyptian cotton products made at a certified fair trade facility without using pesticides or chemicals throughout the entire production process.
I love that Under the Nile focuses on fair trade and organic materials. I also appreciate that it’s a brand working to make a difference in the world.
The products are beautiful and of excellent quality.
The prices are a bit higher than some other brands on Amazon, but they’re well worth it for the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are supporting a company with values that align with your own.
We tested the Under the Nile Organic Training Pants. It’s still early days, and Alfie is still getting used to them. However, the initial signs are promising.
I’m impressed with the softness of the pants, and the extra absorbency comes into its own when the inevitable accident happens.
Alfie, Caitlin and I tested over 30 of the top organic baby brands for this article. This is the third time they've helped me out (after covering organic disposable diapers and helping test the best organic baby wipes), and I’m very grateful.
But we only wanted the very best brands on our shortlist. These are the criteria we insisted on, and we recommend you do the same:
The only way to be 100% certain that they're not exposed to any harmful toxic chemicals is to dress your baby in organic and recycled materials.
Some of the best eco-certifications specific to materials and fabric used in baby clothes include:
Looking for baby clothes carrying the global organic textile standard logo helps ensure that what you buy is safe for your child.
Organic cotton is grown without the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals. It’s a healthier choice for farmers, workers, and the environment.
Organically grown cotton and the clothing it produces are much more regulated than the cotton used by most of the clothing industry. So, if you want the very best in peace of mind, buy baby clothes made with cotton or even organic pima cotton that has been GOTS-certified.
GOTS-certified materials are free of harsh chemicals, such as flame retardants and toxic dyes.
The same applies to other fabrics such as your baby mattress surface. You can find the best GOTS-Certified baby and toddler mattresses here.
As well as materials, it’s essential to consider the business practices of the companies you’re buying from.
You can usually find out more about a company's ethics, supply chain, and commitment to sustainability by reading its ’About Us’ or ’Sustainability’ page (or similarly named page) on its website. This is a potential red flag if there is no such page.
Some ethical practices to look out for include:
Eco-certifications are again an excellent way to get reassurance that your baby’s clothes have been manufactured ethically and sustainably.
Some of the best eco-certifications to keep an eye out for when shopping for baby clothes include:
Of course, you also want to consider the price when buying clothing for babies, especially considering how quickly they grow.
Organically made clothing can be a bit more expensive than traditional garments, but it’s worth it to know that what your baby is wearing is safe and healthy.
There are a few ways to track down affordable organic baby clothes, such as buying them secondhand or in bulk.
Another thing to consider when shopping for organic baby essentials is the fit.
You want to ensure that the clothing is not too tight or loose. It should be just right so that your baby is comfortable in it.
Additionally, you want to ensure that the clothing has plenty of room to grow, as babies tend to grow quickly, and constantly replacing clothes that have only been worn once (or never) is not eco-friendly.
The functionality of the clothing should also be taken into consideration.
You want to ensure that the clothing is easy to put on and take off and that it’s machine washable.
The last thing you need to be worrying about as a busy parent of a newborn is hand washing or dry cleaning baby clothes.
Synthetic materials, such as polyester or nylon, will not be good for your baby's sensitive skin and might lead to irritation and allergies. They’re also made from oil and are not great for the environment.
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ensures that all clothing is tested for lead and phthalates.
But there is a whole host of potentially harmful chemicals that can sneak through unnoticed, such as:
From dyes to flame retardants and easy iron coatings to waterproofing, these chemicals get everywhere. The only way to be certain they're not in your baby's clothing is to choose organic brands.
I recommend avoiding well-known brands such as Carter's (and their subsidiary OshKosk B'Gosh), PatPat, and any own-label items at Target or WalMart.
These labels do offer cheap baby basics, but they're cheap for a reason. Their baby clothes are made from poor-quality, non-breathable, non-sustainable materials which may be toxic according to EWG research.
They're often so poorly made that, in my experience, they tend to start falling apart after a few washes. So even if you're somehow able to see past the toxic PFAS they contain, buying from these brands is still a false economy.
Cotton is a common fabric used for baby clothes. It’s cheap to produce and makes soft, snuggly baby clothes.
The problem is, however, that transition cotton is a dirty crop plagued with pesticide issues. According to the Environmental Justice Foundation, “despite accounting for just 2.5% of global cropland, cotton is responsible for the release of 16% of global insecticides”.
And those pesticide chemicals end up in our water, soil, and air- impacting the health of farmers, workers, and communities near cotton fields.
Even more concerning, from a baby clothes perspective at least, is that traces of pesticide might make it all the way from field to crib!
Clothing made from 100 percent organic fibers is better for your baby and better for the planet. They are free from harmful chemicals and toxic dyes and have been grown without synthetic pesticides.
They are kinder to your baby's skin. They don't force your baby to breathe in chemicals. And they don't harm the environment.
Clothing chemicals (flame retardants, for example) are designed to withstand washing, so even hand-me-downs that have been washed 100 times will still contain traces.
If you know the person handing them down well enough, ask questions about the origin of the clothes to establish the likelihood of them being chemical-free.
Bamboo baby clothes can be worth it, provided they are 100% organic and have not been blended with other non-organic fabrics.
Some manufacturers blend bamboo and other materials such as spandex or polyester (which negates any eco-benefits). So when it comes to a choice between organic cotton and bamboo, you should always check the label carefully before you buy.
It stands to reason that any potentially harmful chemicals in clothing will penetrate the delicate skin of babies quicker than that of adults.
Buying clothes made from organic materials is the easiest way to ensure you’re doing all you can to keep toxic fabric away from delicate skin.
However, I’m also mindful that sustainable kids' clothing can be expensive, so you need to make the best decision you can for your budget.
That's why I've selected the best organic baby clothes brands I could find for my shortlist above, offering affordable clothing for children without compromising on quality.
What is your favorite children's clothing label?
Do you insist on looking for organic fabrics, or are you happy with traditional cotton or synthetic fabrics? If so - why? Drop me a line and let me know.
Our core values mean we always prioritize sustainability over profit. We carefully evaluate and personally test every product to ensure they meet our high standards. All products recommended in this article were tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
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