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organic baby clothes make the perfect organic baby gifts

by Sarah Jreige

In this day and age, we hear a lot about organic foods and how important they are, especially for children. By avoiding pesticides and less-than-pure ingredients, you do your kids and their health a huge favor. By the same token, organic baby clothes and organic baby gifts are important for the comfort and well being of your newest addition—or those of your friends and family. But what does it mean when the “organic” label is applied to clothing and gifts?

As with food crops, organic cotton is grown using materials and techniques that do not utilize toxic pesticides or artificial fertilizers; these practices are gentler on the environment and on customers who come in contact with the finished product.

This chart shows you some important (and eye-opening!) differences between organic and conventional cotton production.*

	ORGANIC	CONVENTIONAL
SEED PREPARATION	Natural, Untreated GMO free seeds	Typically treated with fungicides or insecticides. Possible GMOs.
SOIL PREPARATION	Healthy soil through crop rotation. Retains moisture in soil from increased organic matter.	Synthetic fertilizers, loss of soil due to mono-crop culture, intensive irrigation.
WEED CONTROL	Healthy soil creates natural balance. Beneficial insects and trap crops used.	Aerial spraying of insecticides and pesticides. Nine of the most commonly used pesticides are known cancer-causing agents.
HARVESTING	Natural defoliation from freezing temperatures or through the use of water management.	Defoliation induced with toxic chemicals.
WHITENING	Safe peroxide is used.	Chlorine bleaching creates toxic by-products which are released into the environment.
DYEING	Low-impact fiber-reactive or natural dyes with low metals and sulfur content.	High temperature containing metals and sulfur.
PRINTING	Low-impact, water based inks and/or pigments with no heavy metals.	Pigments may be petroleum based and contain heavy metals. Run-off spills into waterways, polluting streams.
FAIR TRADE	Social criteria in place to ensure safe, healthy, non-abusive, nondiscriminatory environment with living wages.	No social screening. Possible child or forced labor used. Facilities may be unsafe and unhealthy.

When you buy organic baby clothes, you give both your child and yourself optimal comfort; you’ll have the peace of mind that you’re providing your child with the very best. The same goes for organic baby gifts made from untreated woods, eco-friendly inks and dyes, and other safe and fair trade materials.

At Finn + Emma, we are passionate about bringing you the finest organic baby clothes and organic baby gifts; check out our whimsical collections that include muslin, body suits, pajamas, play gyms, stroller buddies, and so much more—and keep your little ones (and the planet) safe, comfortable, and happy!!