Organic Clothes and Bedding

 

The “green movement” has been expanding into the world of parenting and involves not only feeding babies organic food but outfitting the nursery with organically produced products for the crib and closet. Should you go organic to protect your baby?

Competing Opinions

Perspective #1: Organic clothes and bedding don’t contain chemicals that can come into contact with babies’ skin or be inhaled, meaning they’ll be likely to cause less irritation and health problems. Also, products grown organically are better for the environment.

Perspective #2: There’s no evidence of any health benefits in using organic clothes and bedding. Since they’re more expensive, harder to find, and available in fewer colors, there’s no reason to make this commitment.

What the Science Says

IT’S UNDERSTANDABLE THAT parents are increasingly concerned with protecting their infants’ skin and lungs from chemical residues present in conventionally produced clothing and bedding. Overall environmental awareness continues to grow as well, and plenty of parents are motivated by the idea of purchasing products that haven’t been produced with the use of pesticides and processes that can be harmful for water and wildlife.

When it comes to whether conventionally grown fibers will affect your baby’s skin and overall health, though, the science simply isn’t there. No studies support the claim that there are scientifically proven health benefits to using organic products, or that nonorganic products are unsafe in some way.

The Bottom Line

YOU MAY DECIDE, for ideological or environmental reasons, to go organic when you choose your baby’s crib sheets and pajamas. But if you’re looking for a research-based rationale that says your child’s health is at risk if you use conventionally grown products, you’re not going to find one.

That doesn’t necessarily mean there’s no reason to buy clothes and bedding made of organic cotton. It just means that science hasn’t found a reason (and there may not be one). Especially if your child is susceptible to allergies or easily irritated by chemical exposure, or you’re just more comfortable with organic, you might decide to avoid the risk that comes with potentially harmful compounds. If it matters to you and you can afford the additional expense, why not? But based on what we know, there’s no real reason to worry about the standard clothes and bedding friends share with you or that you can pick up wherever you like to shop.