First, Some Facts About Conventionally Grown Cotton

When we think about cotton, we think about cleanliness, purity and comfort. In reality, conventionally grown cotton is one of the world’s dirtiest agricultural commodities and is one of the most environmentally damaging crops grown in the world.

Unfortunately, nearly all cotton production is hugely (and increasingly) reliant on pesticides derived from petrochemicals. Because it is not a food crop, cotton is routinely sprayed with an even heavier cocktail of poisonous pesticides than normal agricultural crops. In fact 2.5% of all farmland worldwide is used to grow cotton, yet 10% of all chemical pesticides and 22% of insecticides are sprayed on cotton. This means that eight times more pesticide is used on one hectare of conventional cotton, than on other crops.

Heavy pesticide use reduces biodiversity, disrupts ecosystems, and contaminates water supplies. Worse still, more and more chemicals are being used each year as the pests exposed to the synthetic pesticides build up a resistance to them. Many of the chemicals used in cotton farming are acutely toxic. At least three of them are in the “dirty dozen” - so dangerous in fact that 120 countries have agreed to ban them. So far this hasn’t happened and they are still being used, resulting in an estimated 20,000 deaths and three million chronic health problems each year in developing countries.

In the U.S. it takes nearly a third of a pound of chemicals to grow enough cotton for just one t-shirt. It is estimated that less than 10% of the chemicals applied to cotton are accomplishing their tasks, the rest are absorbed into the plant, air, soil, water and eventually, our bodies.

Organic Cotton

The alternative is organic cotton, which in contrast, uses agricultural methods to help sustain the land it grows on, the people who grow and harvest it, and the planet in general. It is not only less destructive to the environment, but provides a better income for farmers and is sustainable long term.

Organic cotton farming uses natural pesticides (usually containing a mixture of chilli, garlic and soap). This keeps pests off the crops but does not destroy their natural predators - which survive to control their numbers naturally. Organic farming really does start with the soil. Compost, frequent crop rotations and cover crop strategies replace synthetic fertilizers to keep the soil healthy, fertile and productive. Unlike the insatiably thirsty conventional methods of production, our organic cotton is largely rain-fed.  Organic cotton farming actually promotes biodiversity: the fields contain a significantly higher number of insect species (especially those which are beneficial).

When it comes to harvesting by hand, it follows that organic cotton is also much safer for those who pick it. Workers aren’t exposed to breathing in or otherwise ingesting toxic chemicals while active in the field, and don’t have to worry about the same nasty chemicals getting into their water supply if they live nearby. Therefore they can raise healthier children and livestock.

The final cloth is unbleached and dyed with natural plant dyes, therefore it really is a truly natural product.

Best For Baby

After all this, I don’t think I have to do much more to explain why organic is best for us and for our babies. 

A babies skin is 5 times thinner than our own, allowing toxins to penetrate much more easily. It is even more necessary to protect their growing bodies and immature immune systems from harmful chemicals.

When you buy organic cotton baby clothes you have the peace of mind that the fabric which is in contact with your babies delicate skin is pure, natural and free from harmful chemicals. Organic cotton is so soft, and this is because the fibres have not been damaged by the chemicals used in the farming and processing of conventional cotton. Being free from harmful chemicals also makes it less likely to trigger allergies.

So by choosing organic you are not only helping the environment and saving lives, you are providing your baby with the safest, healthiest, softest clothing available.

Organic Baby Clothing

Organic Baby Clothing

Organic Baby Clothing

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Why does it cost more money to buy organic cotton compared to conventional cotton? Surely it should be cheaper to buy a product that's been grown without the use of chemicals? Are sellers cashing-in on our desire to reduce our carbon footprint? Where does the extra money that we pay for organic cotton clothing end up?

One of the reasons organic baby clothes are more expensive than conventionally grown cotton clothing, is economies of scale. Demand for organic cotton clothing is steadily increasing, but the organic market is still only a tiny drop in the consumer-spending ocean, therefore extra costs exist at each step of the process. For example, while it might cost 10GBP a piece to make 20 baby sleepsuits, it would cost 2GBP a piece to make 200. This is because the organization and preparation involved prior to sewing the garments is lengthly and complicated. Once the sewing begins, however , the process is relatively fast. Therefore the more garments that are ordered, the more the cost per piece is reduced.  From manufacturing, to shipping, to advertising and marketing,  small companies lack the size and buying power to achieve economies of scale that drive prices lower.

Another factor that drives up the cost of organic clothing is that it is actually more expensive to grow and harvest. This might come as a surprise, but the natural methods and processes involved in keeping pests and weeds at bay actually take more time to achieve and are more costly than the chemical aids and pesticides that are used in the growth of conventional, unsustainable cotton. Chemicals are used to speed up  and ease the harvesting process of conventional cotton, whereas organic cotton harvesting is done without the use of chemical short-cuts and is therefore more labour intensive and in turn, costs more money.

But isn't organic cotton about more than just money? The motivation for choosing organic baby clothing not only comes from liking the garment itself, but also from the environmental awareness of the buyer, and the seller. The cost of a product isn't just what's on it's price tag. It's so important to be aware of our impact on the planet, and while organic cotton may be more expensive to buy, surely it's worth it when we remember where that extra cost is going and how it will benefit us and our planet in so many ways.

Fair trade tends to go hand in hand with organic cotton, and is another important factor which adds to it's cost. Quite often, organic garments are manufactured locally, or in overseas factories where workers are paid a fair wage. It is easy to price a garment cheaply when you are paying your sewers and workers next to nothing. If, as a consumer, you purchase a very cheap garment you can be sure that someone down the line will be suffering for your savings. You can be equally certain that when purchasing certified organic cotton from a certified fairtrade source, the workers involved in it's production will be paid and treated fairly. 

Another very valid point is that organic cotton is actually 'better' than conventional cotton in a number of ways. The actual fabric has a much longer life span. This is because the fibres haven't been damaged and weakened by the chemicals, which makes for a much stronger, thicker, softer cotton which lasts much longer. Not only that, organic baby clothing is usually very well made and put together. It also has the ability to 'breath' better than conventionally grown cotton.  Organic baby clothes will allow moisture to evaporate away from babies sensitive skin, as opposed conventional cotton baby clothing, which is more likely to trap moisture and cause irritation.

So it seems that nobody is unfairly growing wealthy from the sale of organic cotton, or cashing in on the poor unsuspecting consumer’s eco-awareness. The extra cost which results in the retail price of organic cotton baby clothing compared to conventional cotton can be clearly seen and accounted for all the way down the line.  Organic cotton IS hugely beneficial to our environment and it IS worth it. The more of us that spend that extra money for sustainable products right now, the more affordable and accessible to everyone they will become in the future.

Organic Baby Body

Organic Baby Sleepsuit

Organic Baby Dress