You’ve probably heard all the scare stories about the gazillion toxins lurking in mass-produced baby essentials, onesies, and bodysuits and want to do all you can to avoid them.
You’re not alone! More and more eco-conscious parents are cottoning on to the dangers of toxic baby clothes and are switching to organic baby clothing to protect their health.
In this article, I’ll discuss some of the best organic baby clothes brands available and what makes them stand out from the competition!
I’ll also run you through what to look for in your next baby clothes purchase and, maybe more importantly, what to avoid!
They Say: You grew your little one organically, so why add chemicals now? Only the finest 100% organic cotton, eco-friendly dyes, and all-natural wood will do for your little munchkin, and we’ve got plenty. And on top of that, our garments and accessories are produced in fair trade settings that focus on social and economic independence for local people, women especially, working to provide for their families in a safe and fair environment.
We Say: Finn + Emma embodies everything a baby clothing brand should be. Fun, snuggly, cute clothing ranges made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, made by workers paid a fair wage, and working in safe and humane conditions.
If you’re looking for beautiful, high-quality organic baby clothes, Finn + Emma is a great choice. Their prices are slightly higher than some other brands, but their organic cotton clothing is definitely worth the investment.
They also run regular sales, so keep popping back from time to time, and you’re bound to pick up a bargain.
Free shipping is available to the contiguous U.S., and all items can be returned within 30 days (in an unused condition for a store credit refund.
Sister-In-Law Says: I love everything Finn + Emma do as a brand. They’re hands down one of the best organic baby clothes brands I’ve ever seen. Their ethos matches mine, and their clothes are made from the most amazing super soft organic cotton.
Alfie pretty much lived in Finn + Emma bodysuits for the first year of his life. He even wore his Bee Kind bodysuit to his first birthday party. He LOVES all things bees. We’ve probably watched the Bee Movie well over 100 times. Barry B. Benson is a well-known name in our house!
The range of Finn + Emma bodysuits is extensive (around 120 designs), and they cover four age groups:
I have very generous friends and family who always want to know what to buy Alfie. The extensive range meant that in the early days, I could just say, “Organic cotton Finn + Emma bodysuit, please”, and be almost guaranteed to get a design we’d not seen before.
Parenting is full of milestones, and I’m quite nostalgic now he’s grown out of bodysuits. I miss them!
They Say: Our mission is to build Earth’s Favorite Clothing Company. Our roots run deep (literally) in organic farming. We use sustainable crops, organic farms, and chemical-free dyes to ensure our fibers are supporting Mother Earth from seed to tee.
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 Continental U.S. orders over $50 qualify for free shipping. There is also an option at checkout to offset the carbon footprint of your order.
All orders can be returned free of charge (within 60-days and unused) for a full refund.
Sister-In-Law Says: Now Alfie is getting a bit older and developing his own sense of style I love shopping at Pact for him for two reasons:
He was recently gifted this Coyote Cowboy Everyday Hoodie that we both love!
Adorable. GOTS certified organic cotton. Made in a Fair Trade factory. Win-Win-Win!
They Say: Etsy is a global online marketplace where people come together to make, sell, buy, and collect unique items. We’re also a community pushing for positive change for small businesses, people, and the planet. There’s no Etsy warehouse – just millions of people selling the things they love. We make the whole process easy, helping you connect directly with makers to find something extraordinary.
We Say: It’ll not come as a surprise to regular readers to see that I’ve included Etsy (one of my favorite zero waste retailers) 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 clothes, you’re spoilt for choice.
When browsing the thousands of products and producers on Etsy, look for the ones that offset the carbon footprint of the packaging and shipping associated with your order.
Artisan and eco-friendly. A heady mix!
Sister-In-Law Says: My sister warned me about James’ obsession with Etsy…and she wasn’t kidding.
I get it. I like Etsy too. Just not quite as much as James!
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.
A work colleague is expecting, and this article was the perfect opportunity for me to buy her something lovely for the baby from Etsy…and have James pay for it!
I instantly fell in love with the 100% Organic Cotton Knitted Sunflower Romper when I saw it online. And that love only intensified when it arrived, and I saw it in person.
Glenda from accounts is going to love it…sooooooooo cute!
They Say: We only have one planet, and we must take care of it. Our little bees are counting on us. We offer high-quality organic products for babies and kids, including clothing, bedding, and accessories. Our signature organic cotton is known for being heavenly soft and gentle on delicate skin, yet super-durable through endless washes.
We Say: I’m a fan of Burt’s Bees natural shaving cream, so when sister-in-law told me they’d branched out into baby clothes, I had to take a look.
I was very impressed. They’ve taken their organic philosophy and ran with it. They now offer an impressive range of organic cotton products.
They use GOTS organic cotton and are part of Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly initiative.
Sister-In-Law Says: Alfie is a real outdoorsy boy, just like his dad. He plays outside whenever he can and often gets filthy.
So, I need a basic range of organic cotton 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 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. Heaven!
They Say: You can make a difference in lifting society. I believe this is a mission that has guided Under The Nile for over 20 years. By creating organic and sustainable baby clothing, toys, and rugs the right way (ethically), we’re doing our small part to make our world a better place. Sure, the “world” is a big place, but we believe that we should care about the people around the globe, not just within our own communities.
We Say: Under the Nile specializes in high-quality organic Egyptian cotton products made at a sustainable 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 company 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.
Sister-In-Law Says: We’ve just started out on our potty training journey, and, after much research and trawling parent forums, I settled on 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.
My girls are growing up fast, and my memories of buying baby clothes are now so old they’re almost in black and white.
Fortunately, I have an 18-month-old nephew growing like a weed and a sister-in-law who’s a bonafide expert in all things organic baby clothes.
She’s provided the expert reviews for this article, and I’ve covered the eco-credentials of the companies involved.
This is the third time she’s helped me out (after covering diapers and baby wipes), and I’m very grateful.
Organic baby clothing is now big business. The consumer demand has spawned many quality yet affordable organic baby clothes brands that specialize in creating sustainable, eco-friendly, safe clothing options for children.
When it comes to finding the perfect outfit for your new bundle of joy, poop, and spit-up, you'll want to make sure that you are choosing something comfortable and stylish but also eco-friendly and non-toxic.
It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway!) that the materials used to make your baby’s clothes are vitally important.
You want to ensure that the clothing is made from as many natural and organic materials as possible. Buying organic baby clothes is the safest option.
Look for sustainable fabrics, such as:
Synthetic materials, such as polyester or nylon, will not be as good for your baby’s skin and might lead to irritation and allergies. They’re also made from oil and are not great for the environment.
Well-known and respected eco-certifications help you avoid greenwashing and give you peace of mind that the organic textiles in your baby clothes are as eco-friendly as the manufacturers claim.
Some of the best eco-certifications specific to materials and fabric used in baby clothes include:
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 and its 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 organic 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 shopping for organic baby clothes.
Organic clothing can be a bit more expensive than traditional clothing, but it’s worth it to know that your baby is wearing safe, healthy clothing.
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 clothes 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 with eco-friendly laundry detergent.
The last thing you need to be worrying about as a busy parent of a newborn is hand washing or dry cleaning baby clothes.
Finally, you want to ensure that the clothing you choose is inclusive.
This means that it should be available in a wide range of sizes, colors, and styles so that all babies can wear it, regardless of size or shape.
Thankfully, the days of blue for boys and pink for girls are long gone.
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ensured 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.
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!
So what’s a pesticide-free, eco-conscious, health-minded parent to do? Look for organic cotton baby clothes carrying the global organic textile standard logo!
Organic cotton is grown without the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals. It’s a healthier choice for farmers, workers, and the environment.
Organic cotton and the clothing it produces are much more regulated than the cotton used by most of the clothing industry. So, when it comes to your baby, organic cotton is a safer, more natural fabric choice.
If you want the very best in peace of mind, buy baby clothes made with GOTS-certified organic cotton.
GOTS-certified organic cotton baby clothing should be free of harsh chemicals, such as flame retardants and toxic dyes.
Organic baby clothing is better for your baby and better for the planet. Organic clothes 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.
Yes, according to their website, it appears that the cotton Carter's use is organic, sustainable, and GOTS-certified.
However, this is a brand that has a poor sustainability rating overall, due to concerns about carbon emissions in its supply chain and questionable worker standards. Therefore they did not make my testing shortlist.
Bamboo baby clothes can be worth it, provided they are 100% organic and have not been blended with other non-organic fabrics.
This article has focused on organic cotton baby clothes, so I’ve not yet thoroughly researched and tested bamboo baby clothes.
However, as mentioned in my Bamboo Pros and Cons article, I’m still yet to be fully convinced about the eco-credentials of some bamboo fabrics.
Bamboo clothes often blend bamboo and other materials such as spandex or polyester (which negates any eco-benefits), so if you choose bamboo baby clothes, please check the labels carefully.
Babies have delicate skin. We protect it from the sun with natural sunscreen, and we try to reduce rashes and allergic reactions by using soap-free and fragrance-free bathing products. But we don’t always consider the effects of clothing.
It stands to reason that any potentially harmful chemicals in clothing will penetrate the delicate skin of babies quicker than that of adults.
Organic baby clothes are 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 organic baby clothes can be expensive, so you need to make the best decision you can for your budget.
Don’t feel bad if you can’t stretch as far as organic clothing for your baby. You can still do things to minimize the chemicals in the clothing you buy.
My top tip for buying non-organic baby clothes would be to avoid any item of clothing that states any of the following on the label:
These all sound fabulous and properties you’d want from baby clothes. But how do you think they’re added to the fabric? Yep…chemicals, chemicals, chemicals!
Where do you buy organic baby clothes?
Have you got a favorite brand that makes the best organic baby clothes for your little one? Or are you happy with traditional cotton or synthetic fabrics? Drop me a line and let me know.
