It’s probably no surprise to hear that not all fabrics are made equal. Unfortunately, many fabrics contain high levels of harmful chemicals and even heavy metals. On top of this, synthetic fabrics like polyester and acrylic expose us to worrying amounts of microplastics. Babies skin is thinner and more absorbent than adults and they breath in more air per second relative to their body weight. They are also going through crucial stages of development which make them more susceptible to toxins, so it’s really important to understand the different types of fabrics to help identify which are the safest for your family.
Why is fabric choice so important for babies?
1. Babies’ skin is very absorbent
Organic and natural fabrics are better for your baby and for the planet. Babies’ skin is very delicate and easily absorbs chemicals into the bloodstream. Chemicals that come into contact with your baby’s skin take only 26 seconds to get inside their bodies via their blood.
Organic fabrics and safe dyes reduce the risk of any nasties coming into contact with the skin. This can ease immediate reactions such as allergies and rashes, but it also helps to protect their long-term health by creating a healthier internal balance free from toxins.
2. Babies breath more air per second
Babies and children breathe more air per second relative to their body weight, so they are more susceptible to air pollution than adults. Fabrics are constantly releasing tiny micro-fibers into the air which are breathed in to our lungs. Synthetic fabrics give off microplastic fibres which contribute to indoor air pollution, so natural fabrics are a safer choice.
3. Babies love to put everything in their mouths
As well as the absorbency of the skin, we must also consider the more direct route into the body via the mouth. Babies love to suck on anything and everything! When fabrics are sucked on, thousands of tiny micro-particles become dislodged and swallowed. Think of the filter on your tumble dryer after just one cycle – it’s the same stuff that’s ending up inside your baby’s stomach after sucking on that jumper, sock or favourite teddy. So keep it natural, you don’t want those ingested particles to be thousands of microplastics coming off a polyester soft toy, or even non-organic cotton particles that have been treated with harsh chemicals in the dyeing process.
Which fabrics are safe for babies?
Synthetic fabrics, including acrylic and polyester, are not safe for babies
Polyester fabrics expose babies to huge amounts of microplastics via the air that they breathe, skin contact and when they’re sucked and chewed. Once inside the body these microplastics start to breakdown, releasing harmful chemicals into the blood stream. Recent studies have shown that the smaller microplastics cross into the bloodstream and can become lodged in vital organs and even the brain *.
And, contrary to what many brands would like you to believe, recycled polyester is not a better option, and is actually more harmful to human health than virgin plastic. There have been multiple studies showing that recycled plastics contain significantly higher amounts of harmful chemicals. Professor Bethanie Carney Almroth from the University of Gothenburg says “Plastic recycling has been touted as a solution to the plastics pollution crisis, but toxic chemicals in plastics complicate their reuse and disposal and hinder recycling”. Researchers from the University of Gothenburg and the University of Exeter note that “The hazardous chemicals present risks to recycling workers and consumers, as well as to the wider society and environment.” **
Avoiding polyester and other synthetic fabrics like acrylic will significantly reduce your family’s microplastic exposure.
Organic and natural fabrics are the safest choice for your baby
Natural and organic fabrics are grown without toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilisers and are free from microplastics, so they are the safest choice for babies. Cotton, bamboo, hemp and linen are all great choices for children and have a much lower environmental impact too.
Because we are passionate about ensuring that babies are kept away from harmful fabrics, Pure Earth Collection only use organic fabrics and safe dyes in our products, right down to the labels and packaging.
Pure Earth Collection organic baby sleeping bags
Our pioneering bamboo wadding sleeping bags are made using 100% organic and natural fabrics. Not only is this healthier for your baby and for the planet, it’s also much safer. Natural fabrics, particularly our bamboo wadding, allow for much greater temperature regulation, meaning babies are less likely to wake up cold or to overheat, which can be a dangerous issue when using a polyester-fill bag. Click here to learn more about our organic baby sleeping bags.
Pure Earth Collection organic soft toys
Our range of natural fabric soft toys includes organic sensory toys, cotton comforters and organic teethers. Our soft toys are made with 100% organic fabrics and natural and biodegradable stuffing. Click here to learn more about our organic baby comforters.
Pure Earth Collection natural baby products
We re-design everyday baby products using natural, organic and biodegradable materials to be safer for babies and also the planet. Click here to browse our shop.
Sources
*Microplastics in human bloodstream: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412022001258
**Recycled plastics: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/11/231110112511.htm#:~:text=When%20scientists%20examined%20pellets%20from,to%20create%20a%20circular%20economy.