Organic Baby Kimono
Choosing the right clothes for your baby is a bigger decision than many of us think. As we become more aware of potential dangers of using chemicals in the clothing manufacturing process as well as in the agricultural production of fibers for clothing, many are correctly looking for organic alternatives. More and more children are born with skin sensitivities and even respiratory problems such as asthma. Rather than going the route of the traditional "onesie" or pants and t-shirt combination, organic baby kimonos are certainly worth consideration by parents looking for the healthiest clothing choices for their children.
back to topWhat are kimonos?
Kimonos are a traditional form of Japanese clothing. The work "ki" means "to wear" and "mono" means "thing". In Japanese tradition, kimonos have special meaning, depending on the style, material used, pattern, and colors. Kimonos are available for people of any age; from
newborn kimonos to adults. Kimonos consist of a single piece of material that is wrapped around the body and secured by a sash, as opposed to being put over the head. One can find kimonos made from a wide range of different materials, but traditionally kimonos are made from all natural silk.
back to topWhat are the benefits of baby kimonos?
Most kimonos are made out of silk or other durable yet breathable material. There is also a huge selection of kimonos made from organic and all natural fibers. One a basic level, the material used to make an organic kimono is beneficial for babies. The use of silk is an excellent choice for babies because it is breathable and very soothing on the skin. Similarly, kimonos made from organic cotton and other natural materials can reduce your baby's exposure to harsh chemicals and materials that could chafe or otherwise irritate their sensitive skin.
Kimonos contain no elastic, nor do kimonos go over the baby’s head, and are often more comfortable for the child. Many babies get irritated when one attempts to pull clothing over their head, and using a wrap style garment like a kimono is a great way to make changing time a little easier. They are simple to get on and off which makes diaper changing a lot simpler as well. Our
organic baby kimonos are made in the same manner is adult kimonos, just in smaller versions. Also, our baby kimonos are loose and breathable, and are available in both short and long-sleeved versions for year-round wear.
Just as with adult kimonos, there exists a huge variety and selection of baby's kimonos. Some of the popular styles are
kimono gowns ,
kimono rompers , and
kimono footies. They are a unique garment to dress your child in, and they offer endless ways to express their personality. Kimonos are often intricately hand-embroidered and available in seemingly endless varieties of patterns and colors, so finding one that suits your baby’s taste to a T is an incredibly simple and rewarding endeavor!
back to topOrganic Cotton Basics
Cotton is the most commonly used fiber in the United States, making it the perfect place to start for those who want to “go green” in their everyday life. As with many other new ideas and concepts, the term "organic" is not properly understood by most casual consumers. Supporting healthier organic forms of agriculture and manufacturing is vital to the future health of our planet and just as importantly to the health of our own bodies as well.
back to topWhat is Organic Cotton?
Organic cotton is cotton grown from non-GMO seeds that does not utilize chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and other industrially-created inputs. Growing cotton organically not only reduces the amount of chemicals in the ground water and soil, but the methods used in growing cotton organically actually replenish and rejuvenate the soil. Cotton grown organically is good for the soil and reduces the overall levels of pollution in our environment - a win-win situation indeed! There is also evidence that shows that using organic cotton products may also be better for one's health as well.
back to topWhat Does Organic Mean?
The term "made with organic materials" means that the product is made with at least 95% organic material. This does not, however, mean that the entire product is organic. Only certified organic products are truly 100% organic. The standards that define what it means to be organic, what is and is not allowed, are determined by a number of different parties. The certification is then carried out by a third party organization.
In the United States, textile and fiber organic standards are controlled by either the National Organic Program (NOP) or the international Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS). These governing bodies determine the practices that are and are not allowed for something to be called "organic". Currently, in the United States, going through the Oregon Tilth Certified Organic certification process is the only way to be certified under the GOTS system. Other third-parties can certify a product organic as defined under the NOP set of standards. The Organic Trade Association provides an updated list of companies and farms that are certified by both of these parties.
These two sets of standards govern the organic growth and certification of many different fibers and textiles including the most popular, organic cotton. The standards define the appropriate use of inputs as well as labor issues. Organic products tend to be more costly to grow and therefore purchase, due to the costs associated with the growing and the certification process. To grow organic cotton, one must pass additional inspections, utilize more expensive alternative inputs, and often employ significantly more physical labor since traditional chemical pesticides, fungicides, and weed killer are expressly prohibited when growing organically.
back to topBenefits of Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is used in many areas; clothing being the most obvious. However, organic cotton is also used in bedding as well as personal care products for women and babies - such as pads, tampons, and diapers. The industrial growth of cotton is typically a pretty dirty process. Traditionally grown cotton is doused in a large number of different chemicals - particularly pesticides and fungicides, as cotton is particularly susceptible to infestation and other diseases. These chemicals end up in both the soil and the end product: the cotton that is used to create all the products we use in our everyday lives.
The chemicals used in traditional cotton manufacture carry over into our clothing as well. Skin is the largest organ in the human body and it actually absorbs some of the chemicals used in traditional cotton clothing. That means the chemicals that are leached out of clothing can be absorbed by the skin. There is a correlation between agricultural and industrial chemicals in many different skin sensitivities.
Many adults have sensitive skin and babies even more so. Many use very mild detergents when washing clothes and mild soaps when bathing babies due these sensitivities. However, the problem of skin sensitivity could be greatly alleviated by taking traditional cotton clothes out of the picture entirely. Clothing your baby in organic cotton clothing is a useful step you can take to protect your baby's skin and reduce their exposure to unnecessary chemicals.
More people are starting to become aware of the benefits of organic cotton, and the market is certainly taking note. There is a much greater selection of organic cotton clothing today than there was ten years ago. Most of the larger and more popular clothing companies have begun introducing organic clothing lines into the market, and in light of the many benefits of using organic cotton, this is certainly a very good thing!
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