The best fabrics for baby clothes

Looking to buy new clothes for a baby? Find out what fabrics to choose, to ensure your baby is as comfortable as possible.

New moms will find a wide variety of fabrics to choose from when shopping for baby clothes. Some clothes will have warnings on the label, such as “keep away from heat” or “not suitable for sleepwear.”

This is common on flannel and cotton since many of these fabrics have not been treated with a flame-retardant chemical. 

When purchasing baby clothes wholesale or retail, it’s important to consider the clothing’s safety, comfort, and practicality. This includes taking into account the fabric being used. Here are the six fantastic baby fabrics.

1) Cotton

Cotton is the most popular fabric in the world. It’s soft, gentle, breathable, and highly absorbent, all properties that make it great for baby skin. Cotton is also hypoallergenic, meaning it goes well with even the most sensitive baby skin. Given its ubiquity and versatility, cotton is hard to beat.

2) Bamboo

Like cotton, bamboo is hypoallergenic, soft, absorbent, and environmentally friendly. It is also strong and excellent at regulating body temperature. During the colder months, bamboo clothing layers well to keep your baby warm.

Another great property of bamboo is that it does not deform easily and retains its original shape even after many washes. 

3) Fleece

Fleece is another fabric that is great for layering, meaning it’s great for cold winters. Fleece is a great alternative to wool as it’s easier to care for. It’s stain-resistant, machine washable, quick to dry, and has excellent moisture-wicking capabilities. 

4) Hemp

Despite its low popularity, hemp is a great baby cloth fabric. It is a natural fiber that is soft, moisture-wicking, breathable, and durable.

Furthermore, hemp has natural antibacterial properties to add to its list of benefits. However, you may need help finding affordable hemp baby clothing though you can opt for cotton-hemp blends, which may be easier on your wallet.

5) Jersey Knit

Jersey knit is usually cotton-derived but can also be based on polyester or cotton. You can find it on many stretchy baby clothing, such as baby vests and sleepsuits. Jersey knit’s expanding capabilities mean it’s excellent at allowing babies to move freely.

However, you need to be wary of the material the knit comprises. If the jersey knit is based on cotton, you get many of cotton’s good properties, such as temperature control and breathability. On the other hand, a poly-jersey knit won’t do your baby any favors in warm weather.

6) Linen

Despite being inexpensive, linen is an excellent low-maintenance fabric known for being cool and comfortable. Handkerchief linen, in particular, is both lightweight and breathable. Another variant, flax-based linen, offers excellent protection against the sun’s UV rays.

Other properties that make linen a great baby fabric include quick drying, durability, and high breathability. Although natural linen can be stiff, thin linen fabric is soft enough for babies. Because linen is highly breathable (more than cotton), it’s a great summer fabric.

Opt for natural baby fabrics

When picking out a baby fabric, go for natural rather than synthetic ones. Natural fabrics are often breathable, thermoregulatory, moisture-absorbing, and gentle on the skin. These qualities make them excellent for babies over their synthetic counterparts, which may lack those essential capabilities.