Common fabrics to avoid for baby clothes - Shopping guide special

5 fabrics to avoid

Mums can’t help it – shopping for baby clothes and dressing up their little darlings is too much fun. While buying baby clothes tends to become a fun exercise of choosing fashion over form (especially when that pink baby tutu with the coarse tulle is too adorable not to buy!), a garment’s quality should be given equal weight (if not more) when it comes to protecting your baby’s health.

From heart and lung diseases to even behavioral and learning problems, the risks posed by exposure to the harmful chemicals used in clothes are plenty and shouldn’t be taken lightly. While trying to find baby clothes with natural fibers may be a little difficult and more costly, in the end, you will sleep easier knowing you are taking action to reduce the health risks on your baby.

To provide a rough guide for mums when buying baby clothes, we’ve listed down 5 common fabrics that pose potential health hazards.

1. Teflon-coated

Teflon helps prevent stains and keep clothes wrinkle-free. It is not dangerous per se, but it could become harmful if overheated. When exposed to extremely high heat (say, set the clothes on fire), Teflon emits toxic gases that can raise the risk of heart disease, diabetes, birth defects and cancer. Since Teflon helps keep clothes wrinkle-free, so, generally, clothes that indicate "no ironing" on the tag would likely have this chemical.

2. Nylon and Polyester

Nylon and polyester are usually made with petrochemical based additives, which can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These are not good for the environment and, by extension, should not be in close contact with your baby’s skin on a regular basis. Even at low concentrations, VOCs can increase the risks of lung infection, allergy and asthma.

3. Rayon

Made from wood pulp, Rayon would be considered ideal for its natural base. But the fact that the raw material form has to be chemically treated before it is suitable for use makes it potentially dangerous to baby’s delicate skin. Carbon disulphide, one of the chemicals used to process wood pulp, can cause nausea, headache, vomiting and chest and muscle pain.

4. Flame-retardant

Most clothing and fabrics treated with chemicals to make them flame-retardant, such as children’s pajamas and beddings, could emit levels of formaldehyde gas. Even in the tiniest amounts, this highly toxic, colourless gas can lead to skin irritation and allergic reactions.

5. Artificially dyed

Harmful chemicals are used in the dying process. These include chrome, copper and zinc, which are heavy metals that are known carcinogens. What’s more, dye and other finishing chemicals used in clothing can cause red cheeks and ears, dark under eyes, hyperactivity and even behavior or learning problems among children.

Sources:

https://theecologist-test.net-genie.co.uk/Investigations/Health/465345/teflon_out_of_the_frying_pan.html https://www.organicauthority.com/pregnancy-parenting/pregnancy-parenting/put-your-children-to-sleep-on-non-toxic-baby-mattresses.html https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2088623/Toxic-dyes-Lethal-logos-Cotton-drenched-formaldehyde--How-clothes-poison-you.html https://www.biotecharticles.com/Toxicology-Article/Toxic-Fibers-and-Fabrics-699.html https://www.greenamerica.org/livinggreen/childrensclothing.cfm https://greencotton.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/synthetic-dyes-a-look-at-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/

Written by

Roshni Mahtani

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