If you are a parent, or are expecting a baby in 2021, you will know that clothing your baby can be both expensive and tiring. Babies grow at an almost unbelievable rate when they are first born, constantly surprising you as they become too big for a vest they wore just last week! Plus, babies aren’t exactly well-educated in table manners, and will likely go through a few outfits per day at the very least.
Buying cheap, throwaway baby clothes is most people’s solution to this problem; however, as we all know, these clothes are no friend to the environment. So when it comes to living a sustainable, budget-friendly life, can your baby’s clothes be incorporated into this? Read on to find out how you can sustainably clothe your baby without breaking the bank!
Sustainable Baby Clothes
Firstly, there’s the question of buying sustainable baby clothes. Most sustainable clothing brands are less accessible and more expensive than, say, your average high street store like H&M. However, Sustainable Clothing is becoming more and more accessible, as our society becomes more invested in preserving the planet and helping garment workers too.
When it comes to baby clothes, it is about pairing practicality with care for the planet. Of course you aren’t going to buy highly expensive clothing for your baby who will grow out of it in two seconds flat - but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay attention to where you shop.
One of the biggest worries people have about sustainable clothing is where to find it. With a plethora of companies available online, how can you know who to trust? Read on to find out some key elements to look for in a sustainable clothing brand.
Here are some ways to source sustainable baby clothes that you can count on!
Search up some top-ten lists
The great thing about the internet is that you don’t have to figure out for yourself what’s good - there are people who are paid to tell you! Fashion magazines and independent bloggers will list the best sustainable clothing brands of the moment, so you don’t have to trawl through endless sites yourself. Search up some top-ten lists for sustainable clothing brands that stock baby clothes too. Save yourself the hassle and get straight to the good stuff!
Ask your environmentalist pals
We all have those friends we can count on for the latest trends in environmentally friendly products, right? Get in touch with your most planet-friendly pals for updates on the latest sustainable brands to hit the market. Especially if you have friends with babies who can understand your dilemma, this will help you quickly and easily find sustainable baby clothes that you can rely on!
Read the ethics section of the clothing website
If you’ve found a sustainable clothing brand that you like the look of, but aren’t sure if its claims of “sustainability” are real, take a closer look at the website. Every clothing brand should have a statement of ethics, which comprises some of the following:
Worker conditions. After many public scandals from various big clothing companies, brands that class themselves as “sustainable” should be committed to fair wages and working conditions for garment makers.
Environmental benefits. What is this brand doing that makes it sustainable? This doesn’t mean it needs to be perfect, but there are certain elements of clothing production, shipping, and materials used that should contribute positively to the planet.
These three helpful points should put you in good stead to find sustainable clothing brands for your baby that you love!
The Second Hand Cycle
As we said before, babies go through clothes fast. Although you will probably buy many baby clothes new - shopping for the clothes is a part of nesting and preparing for your baby’s arrival - don’t be afraid to reach out to friends for second hand donations.
Your baby doesn’t care what they look like - all they care about is that they are safe, warm and fed. If you have many friends who have previously had babies, you could dip into their collection of old jumpsuits and vests for your own child. Once your baby has grown out of these, you can give them back, or pass them on to the next person you know with a newborn. This cycle is not only free, but it is also much better for the planet
What’s more, shopping sustainably might be a little more expensive in the short term, but these clothes are likely to last a lot longer than fast fashion. Well-made baby clothes can last for decades, and be worn by many generations of babies in your family. If you do decide to buy well-made, sustainable baby clothes, the likelihood is that your babies’ babies will be wearing them too! How cool is that?
A Little Goes A Long Way
You might be thinking, ‘This all sounds great, in a perfect world. But who has the time to do all this?’ And you’re right! Nobody has time to focus hours and hours on finding the perfect baby clothing brand. That’s why it is important to stay realistic and focused on what is important: you and your baby.
Even if you only buy 10% of your baby clothes from ethically focused brands, you are still making a great contribution to the planet in a small way. Every little helps, truly, so don’t beat yourself up if you can’t totally revamp your baby’s wardrobe after reading this post! Just do what you can - that’s what we all are doing nowadays in these crazy times.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, our babies grow up fast, and as parents we need to accommodate that. Shopping sustainably is a great new year’s resolution for 2021, and if you’ve got a little one on the way, what better opportunity to put this resolution into practice? Use this helpful guide to ditch fast fashion and clothe your baby in environmentally friendly garments that can be handed down for generations to come.