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Mass-produced baby textiles can contain harmful chemicals, including PFAS "forever chemicals," phthalates, and formaldehyde (EWG). Infants and toddlers are especially vulnerable to the effects of these substances, which are linked to immune system suppression, obesity, diabetes, or even cancer.
If this worries you, then you’re not alone! 90% of parents are 'concerned' or 'very concerned' that toxic chemicals could harm their baby's health (WEN Green Baby Survey).
Buying organic children's and baby clothing is the best way to protect your little one from harmful substances.
Organic baby clothes brands produce high-quality infant and toddler clothing made from organically grown materials (such as GOTS-certified cotton) that are free from synthetic pesticides, chemicals, or GMOs. They're kinder to the environment and won't endanger your baby's health.
We tested the best organic baby clothing of 2025 and ranked the top brands in terms of safety, comfort, cuteness, durability, and value for money.
✔ 100% GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton
✔ Beautiful Products
✔ Helps Prevent Allergies & Heat Rash
Why it's Best for Sensitive Skin: Finn + Emma makes 100% organic cotton baby clothing. Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which means the finished fabric is free from toxic residues that could irritate a baby's skin.
It's also naturally hypoallergenic, less likely to cause allergic reactions, helps reduce the risk of eczema flare-ups. Plus, it's breathable with moisture-wicking properties that prevent heat rash.
Finn + Emma combines style with serious safety standards for discerning parents. The brand holds both GOTS and OEKO-TEX certifications, which means their organic cotton is verified chemical-free from farm to finished product, including inks and dyes.
What sets them apart are thoughtful details like signature coconut snap closures that babies love to touch, and cuts designed specifically for cloth diapers without sacrificing style. Their focus on "heirloom quality" construction means pieces are built to last through multiple children while maintaining their shape and softness.
Parents love that these clothes photograph beautifully while surviving the chaos of real baby life, making them perfect for families wanting both Instagram-worthy moments and practical durability that justifies the mid-to-upper price point.
✔ 100% GOTS-Certified Merino Wool
✔ Soft and Itch-Free
✔ Exclusive Discount
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 also makes toddler clothing in sizes from newborn to 4yo. So when your baby outgrows their first outfit, they still have a few more years of softness to look forward to.
✔ Breathable
✔ Super Soft
✔ OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified
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 pajama sets for all the family.
We tested the 2-pack sleeper set and 3-pack leggings and bodysuit. All the items feel very well made and have the cutest designs imaginable.
This 100% organic cotton clothing is certified by OEKO-TEX to be free of chemicals and pesticides. It's quality organic 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, which proves we're not the only ones who approve of what Hanna Andersson makes.
✔ Global Artisan Marketplace
✔ Carbon Offset Shipping
✔ Supports Small Businesses
The Etsy marketplace gives you access to a selection of artisan producers that make all kinds of sustainable fashion, including organic baby and kids' clothing.
You do need to search through the sellers to find one that meets your needs, has good feedback, and preferably has some certifications to verify the safety or organic content of their products. This sometimes takes a little time, but it's possible to uncover some bargains.
One example is Tiny Alpaca, which makes adorable organic cotton sleepsuit and hat sets in a choice of 8 colors. There are many others to choose from. My pro tip is to look for sellers that offset the carbon footprint of the packaging and shipping associated with your order.
✔ Soft Organic Cotton
✔ Climate Pledge Friendly
✔ Affordable Prices
Burt’s Bees offers an impressive range of non-toxic baby products. They use GOTS organic cotton and are part of Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly initiative.
The Organic Short Long Sleeve V-Neck Tees are one of the standout products in the Burt's Bees range. They keep their shape for ages and wash like a dream. The brand's baby essentials, wearable blankets, accessories, and eco-friendly pajamas for babies and toddlers impressed us as well.
✔ Organic Egyptian Cotton
✔ No Pesticides or Chemicals
✔ Fair Trade
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.
The products are beautiful and of excellent quality. 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 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. I’m impressed with the softness of the pants, and the extra absorbency comes into its own when the inevitable accident happens.
✔ Mix-And-Match Versatility
✔ Never-Lost Socks
✔ Circular Fashion
Pop My Way is a UK-based brand that creates innovative mix-and-match baby apparel with interchangeable accessories that pop onto base garments via clever shoulder and ankle poppers. Their quality clothes are GOTS-certified and use organic hand-harvested pima cotton sourced from Peru in certified facilities.
The brand's commitment to sustainability and ethical fashion extends beyond the materials it uses. They operate a preloved return program, encouraging circular fashion and deliberately avoiding personalization to maximize garment longevity across generations. All components undergo rigorous safety testing, while the chemical-free fabrics ensure gentle contact with sensitive baby skin.
Pop My Way's thoughtful design solves practical parenting challenges like lost socks while maintaining strong environmental and ethical standards throughout their supply chain.
Now that we've identified the top brands, let's explore the materials that make them the safest and healthiest options for your kids. Understanding these materials helps explain why our recommended brands excel.
The primary organic materials suitable for baby clothing include certified organic cotton, organic merino wool, and organic hemp.
The following table compares the key attributes of organic baby materials alongside TENCEL™ Lyocell, which is eco-friendly but not organic.
| Attribute | Organic Cotton (GOTS) | Organic Merino Wool | Organic Hemp | TENCEL™ Lyocell* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Softness | Very soft, becomes softer with washing | Exceptionally soft, cashmere-like feel | Initially coarse, softens over time | Silky smooth, naturally soft |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes, minimizes allergen risk | Yes, but wool allergies are possible | Yes, naturally antimicrobial | Yes, naturally hypoallergenic |
| Breathability | Good, allows air circulation | Excellent, temperature adaptive | Excellent, highly breathable | Superior, optimal airflow |
| Moisture Management | Moderate absorption, good wicking | Absorbs 30% of weight before feeling damp | Good moisture wicking | Advanced moisture-wicking properties |
| Temperature Regulation | Basic regulation | Exceptional - adapts to body temperature | Good in warm weather | Excellent - cooling and warming |
| Antibacterial Properties | None naturally | Natural resistance to odor | Natural antimicrobial properties | Scientifically proven bacterial resistance |
| Durability | Good, withstands frequent washing | Very durable, self-cleaning properties | Extremely durable, strengthens over time | High durability, maintains shape |
| Newborn Safety | Recommended - medical preference | Caution required, avoid direct skin contact | Generally safe, but the texture may be unsuitable | Safe, but not organic |
| Care Requirements | Machine washable, easy care | Special care, air-dry preferred | Machine washable, improves with washing | Easy care, machine washable |
| Environmental Impact | Low (when GOTS certified) | Low (when ethically sourced) | Very low, regenerative crop | Low, closed-loop production |
| Cost | Moderate | Higher | Moderate to high | Moderate to high |
| Organic Certification | ✅ GOTS Available | ✅ Organic standards available | ✅ Organic cultivation possible | ❌ Semi-synthetic, not organic |
*TENCEL™ Lyocell is included for comparison as a leading sustainable alternative commonly used in children's clothing.
Organic cotton represents the gold standard for baby clothing, according to medical professionals such as Dr. JiaDe (Jeff) Yu, dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr Yu recommends organic cotton as it is "softer and less likely to contain potential dyes and chemicals that can cause allergic reactions."
The National Eczema Association identifies 100% organic cotton as their top choice for skin-friendly clothing, particularly beneficial for babies with eczema. GOTS certification ensures the entire production process remains free from harmful chemicals.
Best for: Daily wear, newborns, sensitive skin conditions
Key Benefits:
Considerations:
Wool offers superior temperature regulation for babies, according to the International Wool Textile Organisation.
Very low birthweight babies nursed on lambswool showed significantly higher weight gain compared to those on cotton sheets (22.7 g/day vs 18.6 g/day, p<0.02), with overall weight gain also favoring the wool group (21.5 g/day vs 18.2 g/day, p<0.05).
The study suggests that wool's properties, likely including superior temperature regulation, help redirect energy from thermoregulation to growth in vulnerable VLBW babies ("Weight gain and movement patterns of very low birthweight babies nursed on lambswool," Scott et al., 1983).
Best for: Temperature regulation, sleep products, cold weather clothing
Key Benefits:
Considerations:
Hemp offers exceptional environmental credentials and natural antimicrobial properties. The fiber strengthens over time and provides excellent breathability for warm climates.
Best for: Durability, warm weather, environmentally conscious families
Key Benefits:
Considerations:
While not organic, TENCEL™ Lyocell is an eco-friendly fabric and has some advantages in certain cases, including for eczema. Clinical studies show that atopic dermatitis patients prefer lyocell over cotton for comfort properties, including softness, temperature control, and moisture management. ("Fabric preferences of atopic dermatitis patients," Love & Nedorost, 2009)
Best for: Performance characteristics, eczema management, year-round comfort
Key Benefits:
Considerations:
Based on the material evaluations above, our recommendations for the best materials for your baby, depending on their individual needs, are as follows.
Verify the authenticity of organic baby clothing by looking for the following certifications.
Find out more about these certifications and what they check for in our guide to sustainability labels.
Synthetic materials, such as polyester or nylon, are not good for your baby's sensitive skin and might lead to irritation and allergies. They’re also made from fossil fuels and are therefore harmful to 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 bypass regulations, such as Ammonia, Bleach, Bromines, or Chlorine.
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.
Second-hand baby clothes are safe, provided the materials they are made from were safe in the first place.
Clothing chemicals, such as flame retardants, 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.
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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