Just welcomed a little one into your family and feel stressed out about choosing babywear? We've been there! To help you navigate that new-parent life, we've rounded up a few of the most important elements you should pay attention to before buying a garment.
Fabric
Because babies have delicate skin, it's important that the material of their garments do not retain chemicals that might later be absorbed into their bodies and harm their developmental health. This issue can be more prevalent than we think; experts have warned against children's clothing from numerous large retailers found to contain unsafe levels of lead.
One way of avoiding this is to choose clothing made from organic materials. However, this doesn't always promise truly "organic" product as toxic substances may still be used during manufacturing. As an added assurance, you should look for certifications such as GOTS, which is only issued to factories that rigorously regulate their production and prohibit the use of hazardous chemicals. At Sea Apple, we prioritize the health of our children, hence not only do we use organic cotton, we also work with GOTS-accredited facilities to ensure that our products are chemical-free from start to finish.
Trims and Accessories
The smaller, often overlooked pieces of haberdashery on a garment can make a big difference to the baby's safety and comfort. If made poorly, details like buttons and zippers might scratch and hurt the baby as well as agitate their skin.
Sea Apple sleepsuits are made with nickel-free fastenings. Additionally, an extra piece of fabric is sewn along the zipper on the inside of the suits. This prevents the hard zipper from biting into the baby's skin, which is essential for garments like sleepsuits that stay on the body for long periods of time.
Loose Ends (that you might easily miss!)
It is generally recommended that clothing for the young should be made without any loose ends as they pose strangulation and choking hazards. Some are easier to spot — cords and drawstrings are common to outerwear like hoodies — and others are slightly harder: in the footies of onesies, loose threads can unravel at the seams and wrap around the baby's toes without the parents knowing.
To have our parents rest easy, all of Sea Apple's PJs have been made "toe-safe": we've sewn the footed area as a double layer and tucked the seams in between so that they are no longer visible on the inside of the garment. This way, no threads can escape and squeeze the baby's toes, which may hinder their circulation.
Now you know what to watch out for the next time you're shopping for your baby! When we face an abundance of options, it's important to ask questions about quality before you purchase and choose responsibly-made garments that will protect your bundle of joy.
Shop The Sea Apple Organic Collection here.
References:
Consumer Product Safety Office. (2022, August 24). Safety tips on children's apparel. Safety Tips on Children's Apparel. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.consumerproductsafety.gov.sg/safety-tips-on-children-apparel
Cowley, J., Matteis, S., & Agro, C. (2021, October 1). Experts warn of high levels of chemicals in clothes by some fast-fashion retailers. CBC. Retrieved September 12, 2022, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/marketplace-fast-fashion-chemicals-1.6193385
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021, August 3). Nickel allergy. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nickel-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20351529
