The Benefits of Organic Clothing For Children

Over the past few years a lot of attention has been given to the word organic. This applies to food, soap, beauty products, health, and even clothing. Organic products come highly recommended because organics, whether food or products, are grown without the use of ionizing radiation, pesticides, sewage sludge, synthetic fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms. Even animals used to produce meat, eggs, poultry, and dairy products are raised without antibiotics or growth hormones. While people generally understand that organic foods and products are beneficial to the body, many are yet to learn the benefits of wearing organic clothing especially as it related to children.

Organic clothing is produced through a process called organic agriculture. Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system, meaning it is a system that aims to promote and enhance biodiversity, biological activity, and biological cycles and soil, while using little off farm inputs (other ingredients, materials) and management practices that maintain ecological harmony. Only when strict deadlines are met by The National Organics Standard Board can a product be classified as Certified Organic. Everything about the product must meet guidelines from the soil that it is grown in to the the facilities that create the products.

Even in grocery stores there are sections created for organic products and foods. Manufacturers and corporations are making a switch to organic products, certified organic products, and the reason is consumer demand. Why is there such high demand for these type of products? The reason is health benefits. People choose organic products because it is healthier, not just for adults but also for children. Choosing organic has become for many a lifestyle change that is catching on quickly.

So, how does this affect children? Why is organic clothing better for children? A baby's skin absorbs things easily, meaning the skin is thinner and more porous than adult skin. In addition, a baby's skin has less melanin, which protects from sunburn. Also, baby's are easily susceptible to bacteria and harmful environmental substances. It is also harder for babies to maintain inner body temperature because they have difficulty sweating. Unlike adults, children are at a greater risk for pesticide-related health problems. Millions of children are exposed to toxins on a regular basis through food, contaminated water, and household use. Choosing organic clothing for children will help decrease toxin exposure.

In the production of organic clothing, the cotton used for clothing is farmed in unconventional ways, without pesticides and with safer methods for producing crops. The crop is rotated, removed of weeds instead of using herbicides, hand hoeing, beneficial insects, and so forth. The workers have better work conditions, the water is of best quality, and the soil is built to be healthy and strong. The end result is a product of cotton fabric that is free of toxins.

Organic cotton is toxin free, sturdier, safer, cheaper and comfortable. In comparison to cheaper cotton products, organic cotton is more expensive, but is worth every penny. Non-organic cotton products last about 10 to 20 washes before the material begins to break down but Organic cotton lasts for over 100 washes before the fibers begin to break down. Conventionally produced cotton production do not last as long because the product goes through rigorous bleaching, scouring, drying softening, spraying, flame and soil retardants before the cotton is cut into patterns and shipped.

Our society is ever-changing as information shapes our lives. Information about pesticides, farming practices, and carcinogens, has caused people to rethink food choices. Even more, information about pesticides, chemical treatments of crops, and cotton crops is changing the way we think about the type of clothing we wear. Organic clothing helps parents create a pure and natural environment that is vital for their children. Considering the increasing percentage of children exposed to pollutant in several aspects of life, choosing organic clothing or fibers is another crucial step in natural living. It is beneficial both for sensitive babies and the environment. Adding organic clothing to one's shopping list will help protect children, reduce the use of pesticides, protect farm workers, aid to prevent soil erosion, provide a sturdier fabric, overtime save money, feels comfortable inside and out, help to support the economy, and help support a healthier environment.

by Chris Tomkins