There’s a reason you have to pre-wash anything that touches your baby’s skin before using it for the first time: babies have very, very sensitive skin. And parents often don’t realize that many of their standard fashion buys may contain harmful pesticides and dyes, toxic heavy metals and chlorine bleaches. In fact, conventional cotton is grown with genetically modified seeds and sprayed heavily with glyphosate, which has been linked to cancer, and other toxic pesticides.
Our skin absorbs everything it touches, and that’s especially true for baby’s extra sensitive skin, which is why we’ve rounded up the best children’s fashion’s brands that you can feel confident buying. Brownie points to all of the below brands because they’re also designed to be eco-friendly and beyond adorable!
Become Eco-Friendly:
The Best Eco-Friendly Clothing Brands For Kids
Monica + Andy
Monica + Andy makes organic cotton baby clothing and they've saved nearly 700 gallons of water in just one year through that commitment! That's 90% less water than conventional fabrics. They have a long list of clothing, accessories and gift sets to choose from and everything not only is made beautifully (they say their designs are soft as a cloud, and they're right), everything comes packaged beautifully. This is a great brand to shop for every day items as well as when you're looking for special occasion items (including baby's hospital outfit!).
Loulou LOLLIPOP
Loulou LOLLIPOP 's claim to fame are their teethers, but they now also make apparel and bed and bath essentials (we love the ramen print!) and their baby essentials collection is made using an eco fabric called TENCEL Lyocell and organic cotton . Plus, they're about to launch a non-toxic and sustainable silicone tableware line for little eaters from 4 months to about 5 years old (slated for July 15).
Gerber Childrenswear
It's not easy to buy organic anything on a budget, but Gerber Childrenswear makes it easy. They have hundreds of adorable organic options, many of which are under $10, and they have near constant sales and promotions. In addition to clothing they have essentials like burp clothes, sheets and towels.
Kyte Baby
Kyte BABY makes super soft items for babies, toddlers and adults. They have a variety of sleep options as well as bath and accessories made from bamboo, which is three degrees cooler than cotton, while also being hypoallergenic.
Bundled Baby
Bundled Baby has a small but very sweet collection (milk and cookies! ) of blankets, hats, towels and burp clothes. Founder Michelle Zuchowicki custom makes all the prints and uses soft, OEKO-Tex 100 certified, sustainable bamboo and cotton.
The Elephant Organics
If your thing is matching with your child, you'll find plenty of options from The Elephant Organics . The brand uses pure, soft fabrics like organic cotton and sustainable viscose from bamboo to create comfortable, wearable styles. Low impact dyes and oxygen whitening processes mean all of the pieces are as good for the family as they are for the environment.
Petite Plume
For the most sophisticated pajamas (along with eye masks and bathrobes!) look no further than Petite Plume . Fabrics are free from harmful chemicals and they're preshrunk and yarn-dyed to prevent fade.
PiP PEA POP
PiP PEA POP is committed to being one of the most eco-friendly brands on the market. Their designs are 100% organic pima cotton and they never use toxins, harmful chemicals or dyes and everything can be recycled. You'll love their Babysuits , which make diaper changes a breeze.
Swado
Swado's swaddles silently open and adjust making them ideal for when baby is snoozing. They're also certified by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute to promote healthy hip development . They're available in organic cotton, muslin or bamboo. Make sure not to throw out the packaging when you open your Swado - each swaddle come packaged in a laundry net - simply toss it in there when it's dirty, wash it in cold water and tumble dry in regular heat.
Anna & Eve
Minimize the amount of fabric you're wrapping your little one in and save a ton of time with Anna & Eve's genius swaddle strap . The brand also makes an aptly named diaper/changing bag called The LifeChanger .
Noomie
Soft and durable, all of Noomie's pieces are made from 100% pima cotton, which is allergen-free and grown in Peru where co-founder Andrea Schneider is from. Noomie is great for gifting as well since they have a bunch of adorable sets.
Love to Dream
Love to Dream offers sleeping options in three stages:
Stage 1, from day one/newborn: Swaddle UP
Stage 2, from when baby shows sign of rolling over: Transition Bag and Transition Suit
Stage 3, full independence, cute sleep suits and sleep bags
Pretty much any parenting group will be filled with rave reviews. Also of note is an Organic Gift Set that the brand just launched, which comes with two newborn size, organic swaddles and milestone cards.
Finn + Emma
Organic brand Finn + Emma makes all of their clothing using eco-friendly dyes and 100% organic cotton, all which are produced in fair trade settings that focus on social and economic independence for local people, women especially, working to provide for their families. The brand does all of this without sacrificing cute-ness . They also make eco toys.
Mori
Mori has a cult following in the USA (including Kim Kardashian) and well beyond. Parents love their classic designs and organic, very soft fabrics. Plus, they have innovative sleeping options that will grow with baby.
Maison Me Baby
Maison Me Baby is part of Maisonette's private label. Maisonette is a go-to for designer baby clothing (think Intermix but for babies/kids) and their namesake line is made of organic cotton.
Parachute
Parachute is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified meaning their baby products as well as all of their essentials surpass the highest criterion of testing for harmful chemicals and synthetics. And, unlike most conventional brands, they don't artificially soften their fabrics.