Last Updated on February 19, 2023
Is Polyester Safe for Babies? When purchasing clothing for your child, please pay close attention to the materials used in its construction. You must know some criteria before choosing fabric to avoid possible allergies for babies.
Newborn skin is delicate and susceptible to irritation. For this reason, you should know the recommended materials for the baby’s clothes. Do you know which ones they are? If not, continue reading to choose clothes that do not damage the child’s skin.
Why is It Important to Buy Safe Clothes for Babies?
Poor quality clothing is a risk of skin diseases. If it is made of cheap materials and sewn somehow, the child may experience constant discomfort, and an allergy will appear. The systematic wearing of such suits or dresses causes skin irritation.
An allergy that has appeared due to poor-quality materials can develop into a chronic skin disease. The problem can stay with a person for life. There are cases of allergies that leave scars behind. Rashes can be pretty serious, deeply affecting the skin. Therefore, it is impossible to be irresponsible in the choice of children’s clothing – not only comfort but also health depends on it.
What is the Best Fabric for Babies?
Of all the types of cotton for your baby’s clothes, the best is Pima cotton. Still, others have extraordinary quality, such as muslin, organic cotton, voile, or wild cotton.
| Clothes | Fabric |
|---|---|
| Briefs and T-shirts | Cotton |
| Pajamas | Cotton, Footer, Flannel |
| School Uniform | Cotton, linen, wool |
| Sport suit | Knitwear, lining, polyamide |
| Jackets | Wool, polyester, corduroy |
| Winter clothes | Polyester, membrane |
Is Polyester Safe for Babies?
No, polyester is Not safe for babies. Because, it can cause allergic reactions or skin irritations if ones have sensitive skin. So, we must avoid using polyester fabrics in babies or children with allergies or prone to skin irritations.
“Polyester manufactured using petrochemical based additives which emit VOCs, i.e. Volatile Organic Compounds, which can cause asthma, allergies and other lung infections in your child.”
According BabyDestination
You can see a study on “The Effect of Fabrics and Designs on the Physical Comfort of Children Clothes” (PDF)
What is the Disadvantage of Polyester for Baby
For a baby with sensitive skin, contact with polyester can result in itching, blistering, rashes, dermatitis, redness, eczema, or pre-existing skin issues.
Is Cotton or Polyester Better for the Baby?
Cotton is considered the best material for babies’ clothing because it doesn’t irritate their skin. Polyester is also suitable, but most parents don’t prefer polyester because it causes irritations and allergic reactions against the baby’s skin.
How to Choose Baby Clothes?
Currently, you can get different kinds of clothes for the baby: comfortable, colorful, elegant, and original, to match mom and dad’s clothes. The options are multiple. There are a number of rules to remember when shopping at a mall or store.
- Information on the tag – pay attention to the information on the tag. There should be composition, recommendations for care, and manufacturer’s data. If you see that only dry cleaning is recommended, stop buying. Firstly, it is impractical – clothes get dirty quickly. Secondly, the chemicals used to process the item can get on children’s skin and cause allergies.
- Correct composition of the fabric – the correct composition of the fabric. Information about it will be on the label. Preference should be given to natural fabrics, but synthetics are also suitable – only high-quality ones. The myth that synthetic fabrics are 100% harmful has long been debunked. Only cheap synthetics of unknown origin, with a pungent odor, are dangerous. Most often, children’s things are made from cotton, linen, cashmere, and viscose.
- Pay attention to the accessories: It is especially important to remember this when choosing clothes for children under three years old. Accessories should be hidden – covered with a soft cloth. If there is no protection, it will injure delicate skin. If the accessories are outside, the buttons and hooks must be firmly sewn. Otherwise, the child may accidentally tear them off and start playing – there will be a risk of a small object getting into the respiratory tract.
- Interior decoration – pay attention to the interior decoration. The lining should be made of soft fabric without coarse seams or protruding threads. There should not be any accessories that would be in direct contact with the skin.
- Trusted brands and stores: It is generally accepted that clothes are more expensive there, and the purchase will ruin the family’s budget. However, there are many democratic brands. And they care about the quality of their product because they value their reputation. The same applies to retail stores.
These are the basic rules to follow. Also, remember that things must be age appropriate. Buying something “for growth” is good if the baby wears such a thing later. But putting it on now means not taking care of the child’s comfort.
Remember the color of the material. It is better to give preference to calm tones – neutral and pastel. Bright color combinations tire the eyesight and can provoke excessive activity. But no one forbids wearing, for example, bright shoes or mittens as a stylish accent!
That is why it has become essential to know the premises to choose the best clothes to care for the baby’s skin. Next, we give you tips so that you learn to buy clothes for the little one.
9 Recommended Materials for Your Baby’s Clothes
As an article published by the Aksaray University Science and Engineering Magazine indicates, the most important thing to take care of the baby’s skin is to choose the most suitable clothes. Please pay attention to the materials used in its construction and the decorations.
1. Cotton
Among the recommended materials for your baby’s clothing, cotton is in the first place. Garments made with 100% cotton fabric breathe better, preventing sweat from sticking to the child’s skin and causing irritation.
In addition, they are perfect for maintaining the correct body temperature for the little one. That is, they shelter in winter and do not suffocate in summer. Another advantage is they are usually easy to wash, and stains are removed easily.
2. Cotton Batiste
This refined pure cotton fabric is recommended for summer clothing; since it is light and breathable. It is a light and soft fabric that is used, above all, for christening gowns.
3. Linen
As a natural and vegetable origin, a study carried out in 2020 certified that linen is one of the best fabrics to dress a baby. Soft, light, and comfortable, it is perfect for the child to move freely and without itching.
4. Cotton Jersey
The main advantage of this Cotton Jersey material is that it stretches easily, making it easier to dress the baby. In addition, it is soft and adapts to the body. So it is also perceived as a comfortable fabric for the little one.
5. Voile
This fabric is also among the recommended materials for your baby’s clothing. It is a thin, gauze-like fabric used to make lightweight summer dresses.
6. Fleece
Fleece is soft and warm, 100% natural, and keeps you warm, thus being perfect for winter. For this reason, do not hesitate to buy jackets and tracksuits made of this material.
7. Muslin
Among the recommended materials for your baby’s clothing is muslin. Used, especially, to make clothes to cover the baby or dry him after the bath, it can be another good option for the little one’s clothes.
In addition, a study carried out found in 2013 that this fabric protected children under 12 years of age from pollen and allergies.
8. Microfiber
Microfiber is usually the fabric of choice when children are allergic; since microfiber is 100% natural, soft, warm and light. Of course, make sure that it is separate from synthetic materials.
General Tips for Choosing Your Baby’s Clothes
Beyond paying attention to the materials of the garments you buy, you should take into consideration other recommendations based on the advice collected by the ConsumerProductSafety:
- Avoid those garments with ink-based prints; since they can irritate the skin of the little one.
- Do not buy clothes with buttons or ties that can come off and endanger the health of the child.
- Avoid wool. Although it is a natural material, it can cause itching, allergies, or contact dermatitis.
- Do not buy lycra or nylon clothing. These synthetic materials can irritate the child’s skin, and, in addition, they are uncomfortable to change.
- Try not to choose garments with a zipper; according to experts, it can irritate the little one.
Last Word
In short, when choosing clothes for babies, pay special attention to the recommended materials for your baby’s clothes. Also, remember to wash each fabric before first use with a detergent adapted to the skin of newborns.
I Like to write and read on fashion, may be that’s why “Fashion says “me too” style says “only me”
