Why you’ll want to outfit your little one in organic fibers – and a few of the best brands.

By Jodi Helmer

When it comes to building a layette for your little one, choosing the right fabric is far more important than matching the nursery’s color scheme. In fact, the little sleep sacks, snap-suits, and footed pajamas that dominate a newborn’s wardrobe are often made from fabrics that are exposed to a lot of chemicals.

Toxic substances, including flame-retardants, ammonia, and formaldehyde, are used during fabric manufacturing—and that’s bad news for your child. “Since babies are so small, the impact of chemical exposure is greater,” explains Jenn Savedge, author of The Everything Green Baby Book.

Even simple cotton raises concern: Research shows that the chemicals used to grow cotton have negative effects on the nervous and reproductive systems—and nearly 1/3 pound of these substances is required to make just one cotton garment. Organic cotton is a healthier choice for babies because it’s grown and manufactured without those harsh chemicals.

Like organic produce, organic cotton clothing is often more expensive. But a growing number of big-box retailers now stock organic clothing at discounted prices. Of course, the lower cost can make you wonder if the items are 100% organic. But Ronnie Cummins, national director of Organic Consumers Association, says if it has an organic label, it’s the real deal. “It’s against the law to call an item of clothing organic unless it’s been certified under federal regulations,” he notes.

And when it comes to shopping for organic cotton, don’t limit your search to snap-suits. Organic cotton sheets and receiving blankets are equally important pieces in a newborn’s layette. Babies spend a lot of time sleeping or swaddled, and chemicals from conventional cotton can be absorbed through the skin and cause irritation as well as more serious health effects.

“This is not the time to expose babies to chemicals, especially when there are so many great organic options,” Savedge says. For great options from a variety of brands, many of which also make sheet sets, see below.

Finding fashion that’s more ethical and sustainable should get easier with the proposed Labeling Ecologically Approved Fibers (LEAF) certification, appearing on labels starting spring 2011. Companies will submit garments for third-party review, and brands that meet the standard will carry the LEAF logo. Get more info at www.leafcertfiied.org.

The Purest Layette
These baby clothes are 100% organic cotton—check for organic crib sheets from the brands, too!

Kate Quinn Organics Printed Knot Hat Kimono Top, and Footie Pant, in Ginger/Pomegranate Flower,
$13, $24, and $28, www.katequinnorganics.com

What About Bamboo? These days, it’s common to find children’s layette made from bamboo, a crop that grows wild without pesticides or fertilizers. Bamboo is hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial, lightweight, and highly absorbent—all excellent traits in baby clothing and crib linens. But it’s very difficult to find bamboo products that are certified organic, so do careful research to be sure your choice comes from a truly green source.