Best Fabrics to Dress Baby

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There are plenty of choices you have to make for your baby, from what they should eat to what they can safely play with while in their crib. Another important consideration should be what your baby can wear. There are many choices when it comes to baby clothes, but what you should really consider is the fabric that caresses your baby’s delicate skin. Here are some tips for choosing the best fabrics for your baby:

Cotton

Cotton is one of the most common fabrics used for baby clothes. Cotton is naturally soft and good for a baby’s skin. It is also an absorbent and breathable fabric, which keeps baby comfortable. Cotton fabrics are also available in organic versions. The only major difference is that organic cotton isn’t preshrunk, so it does shrink about 10 percent when first washed. If you go with the organic option, get a size or two bigger and wash it first.

Cotton/Polyester Blends

Most clothes that you think are cotton are really cotton/polyester blends. There really isn’t much difference from cotton or all-natural organic cotton fabrics except the price. Another plus is that this fabric is easy to care for and doesn’t shrink. This is certainly good news when it seems like you’re buying new clothes all the time as your baby grows. Baby will be happy, but this is really a fabric choice parents will love too.

Cotton/Spandex Blends

Cotton/spandex blends are perfect for a baby that likes to crawl around, stretch, and generally remain as mobile as possible. This fabric is stretchable and moves as your baby moves. It’s usually found in legwarmers or tights made for babies, but you can sometimes find other baby items made of this fabric. It’s easy to care for and not too expensive.

Fleece

Fleece is a good material for keeping your baby warm on cold nights or when going outside. Fleece is often used for baby outerwear and comes in various layers and weights. It’s not really as balky as you might think. It makes a good fabric choice for the in-between seasons. Fleece also dries quickly and tends to resist most common baby-related stains, another plus if you’re worried about spills. Fleece is also easy to wash and comes in a variety of colors and styles.

Cashmere

Cashmere is more of a high-end choice for baby. While it is a soft and comfortable fabric, it is also very high-maintenance. When spills do occur, it’s hard to clean cashmere. You usually have to send cashmere clothing out to be professionally cleaned. As nice as cashmere is, it doesn’t really make a great choice for baby unless you can afford the dry cleaning bills and don’t mind the hassle. As long as we’re on the topic, you’ll probably want to avoid hand-knits and linens for baby too.

Bamboo

Bamboo, like organic cotton, is an all-natural fabric. Bamboo has some unique qualities that make it ideal for baby. The most noteworthy of these features is the ability t adjust with your baby’s body temperature. This makes bamboo clothing ideal for layering. It is also a hypoallergenic fabric and is anti-bacterial. Despite the traditional image you have of bamboo, clothing made from this material is actually soft, comfortable, stylish, and affordable.

As you can see, there are a wide range of fabric selections for baby. Most common fabrics, with the exception of cashmere and linen, are fairly resilient and able to withstand most common baby stains. To make things easier, consider fabrics that can be thrown in the washing machine together. Remember, convenience is just as important as comfort and style when it comes to dressing your baby.

Author Bio

Skylar is an OrganicBabyNook.com blogger who is also a fashion fanatic. Keeping families and babies dressed properly all year round!