My Baby is Green - By: Virginia Ginsburg

Dressing your baby in eco-friendly "green" clothing provides many benefits to the global ecosystem. It also has some surprising benefits for your baby as well, including fewer allergy-inducing chemicals and greater breathability and even antibacterial qualities!

You can take a variety of small steps that will get you on the path of becoming an eco-conscious consumer. Your baby will thank you for your attention when she grows up to find native species still in place, clean air, and thriving oceans.

There are many reasons to dress your baby in green clothing. First, green or "eco-friendly" baby clothes are better for the environment because of the three main factors that are taken into consideration by their manufacturers:

1. Energy
Green baby clothes are typically produced using less energy. This is because they undergo fewer chemical processes and are often produced by manufacturers that are held to higher regulations (by their customers) than traditionally-made clothes

2. Chemicals
Green baby clothes are grown with few or no chemical pesticides or herbicides. They are also minimally processed using chemical dyes and colors. All of these chemicals can be harmful to the ecology of our planet by seeping into groundwater and affecting the ability for native plants to thrive.

3. Sustainability
Green baby clothes are produced using sustainable farming methods that take into account the natural ecosystem and creating the least impact possible.

Aside from the ecological reasons for purchasing green baby clothes, you can also dress your baby in them knowing that there are additional benefits, including:

1. Comfort
Although it shouldn't be surprising, natural fabrics tend to be soft and comfortable - exactly what you want for your newborn.

2. Cleanliness
The eco-friendly bamboo fabric features amazing moisture-wicking and antibacterial properties, which are greatly appreciated by today's parents.

3. Goodwill
Knowing that you dress your child in clothes that are not actively disrupting the Earth's delicate balance can create a sense of well-being that simply isn't possible using traditionally-farmed fabrics.

Your options in buying green baby clothes are many and increase almost daily. As people throughout the U.S. and elsewhere realize the benefits of purchasing environmentally sound clothing, more manufacturers and designers are adding the fabrics to their lines.

It is increasingly easy to find organically-grown cotton. Even some of the large chain stores carry certain items made of this fabric. Organic cotton is grown with natural fertilizers and is free from toxic chemicals. Farmers rely on crop rotation and age-old cultivation techniques to maintain soil quality and grow healthy plants. A field must be pesticide-free for at least three years to qualify as organic, and the cotton must be processed based on International organic standards.

Bamboo fabrics are one of the more unique eco choices. Softer than even the softest cotton on the market, bamboo fabrics have a natural sheen and are frequently compared to silk and cashmere. It is less expensive and more durable than silk or satin, but can be used in place of either fabric. A great benefit of using bamboo fabric for baby clothing is its antibacterial properties. Bamboo fibers contain a naturally-occuring anti-microbial agent that prevents bacteria from cultivating on it. Bamboo also naturally provides UV protection.

Like bamboo, hemp fibers grow quickly, making it a highly sustainable and eco-friendly crop. The yield from a field of hemp or bamboo is more than double that of an equal acreage of cotton. Hemp fabric still tends to be "nubbier" than cotton, as it is the traditional choice of consumers interested in minimally-processed fibers. That said, in recent years hemp clothing manufacturers have made huge strides and greatly increased the softness of hemp clothing, making it a great option for babies.

Overall, dressing your baby in green clothing has many benefits both for the Planet and your baby. Luckily, it is increasingly becoming more affordable also.

Copyright (c) 2008 Virginia Ginsburg

About the Author

Virginia Ginsburg writes about sustainable products, green living, and her quest for a socially-conscious lifestyle. She is founder of Green Baby Gifts (http://www.greenbabygiftsonline.com), which offers organic baby clothing made of bamboo fiber and beautiful gifts packaged in completely recycled and recyclable packaging.

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