As the title states, why should we consider buying our babies clothes and toys made from organic cotton? We look with interest at organic baby foods such as rice and vegetables as we worry about feeding our babies food containing too many chemicals. We do not think as much about the benefits of buying products made from organic rather than conventional cotton.

Did you know that 25% of the world’s pesticides used have been sprayed on cotton? In fact it takes a cup full of chemicals just to make one child’s t-shirt. - Shocking really. The consequence? According to the World Health Organisation 20,000 deaths occur in developing countries each year due to pesticide pollution, many of these deaths as a direct result of producing cotton. In addition, research carried out by PAN UK suggests 3 million people suffer after effects of cotton production. Pesticides also damage the soil fertility, destroy wildlife and cause chronic disease both to the farmer and his family.

The chemical process doesn’t stop there. Non-organic cotton products are then coloured with toxic dyes. For example, Dioxin, a bi-product of bleach is used to whiten clothing and formaldehyde can also be used to make the clothing more presentable. A baby’s skin is five times thinner than an adult’s making it easier for chemicals to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

There are other benefits to choosing organic clothes and toys for our children. With organic material, you are getting a far softer, stronger, better material because the cotton fibres are left intact and not broken down by the chemicals used in the farming and processing of conventional cotton. Organic cotton also smells nicer as formaldehyde is not used to finish the product. It is also less likely to trigger allergies as there is an absence of chemicals and an increased breathability in organic cotton.

Whilst parents have the right to choose the products they purchase for their children, this should be an informed choice, having being presented with the facts of cotton production.

At Baby Treasure Trove we stock a wide selection of organic clothes, toys and accessories. Please visit us at www.babygifts-treasuretrove.co.uk.