Clothing for babies and toddlers - what should be considered?

The purchase of clothes accompanies parents for a long time, because children are growing fast and constantly. Especially the clothes for babies and toddlers should not only be practical and easy to care for, but also as pollutant free as possible. So that the budget is not unnecessarily overloaded, it is advisable to buy children's clothing second hand.

Especially for mothers, the huge range of fashionable clothing is already tempting for the little ones. What looks great does not have to be practical and comfortable - and that's what clothes babies and toddlers love most. Maybe it's not a bad idea when men with their sense of practicality often pick up their clothes.

Fashionable or practical?

In general, the fashion aspect plays a role in children's clothing exclusively for the parents. The toddler does not care what clothes she is wearing, as long as she does not pinch or interfere with the movement. Therefore, clothing should also be selected with this focus. The following criteria should be checked for baby and toddler clothing before purchase:

Is the garment easy to put on and take off?

Is the fabric robust (important especially in the crawling age and in infants)?
How demanding is the cleaning of the material. Garments that need hand washing are immediately disqualified. It is easiest if the clothes are also suitable for a tumble dryer.
Does the garment fit in the season? Is it e.g. not too hot for the summer?
Are paints and materials tested for harmful substances or pollutant-free?
You do not have to clothe your child in sackcloth and ash to meet these criteria. Manufacturers of children's clothing know the demands that parents and children place on the clothing. Accordingly, there are now many collections that are tailored to it. The fashion aspects are not neglected, but always stay child-friendly.

Children's clothing from the discounter

Clothing for children and adults is sometimes offered at incomprehensible cheap prices. Although this spares the parents' budget, you and your child rarely do themselves a favor. Mostly the clothes are quickly worn out and often do not even last the short time that the child wears them. On the other hand, cheaply produced garments are often heavily polluted because: what is sold cheaply, was also produced cheaply. Even after a few washes, the materials still emit pollutants to the skin. And that is very thin and permeable especially with the baby. Who does not want to be able to do without the clothes from the cheap discount, should not at least save at the bottom diver: Bodys made of natural material or even better organic cotton do not burden the organism and can thus rest without problems directly on babies skin.

Children's clothes second-hand

Hardly any other form of clothing is so well suited for buying in the second-hand shop, on ebay or on the baby flea market. There you will often get robust and beautiful clothes almost as new at the best prices. The reason for this is obvious: many items of clothing carry little or no children before they have outgrown them. Beneficiaries are other parents, because second-hand clothing has decisive advantages:

• High quality and well-preserved clothing at reasonable prices
  Possible pollutants are often already washed out

• For the purchase from second hand, basically all garments are suitable. Only with shoes you should be careful. Slanting soles can deform the still soft foot of your child.

• Tip: wash used clothing once and then iron it hot. This kills off any germs that might be in the clothes.

Pollutant tested - You can trust these labels

Optical brighteners, chemical softeners or harmful dyes are found in many garments, including children's clothing. Even a baby bodysuit made of 100% cotton may contain pesticide residues, and virgin wool fabrics are often contaminated with insecticides. There is no obligation to declare these charges. Play it safe when you buy children's clothing with a seal of approval:

-> Ideal is children's clothing, which comes from natural textiles from organic production. The freedom from harmful substances guarantees the IVN seal of approval of natural textile manufacturers.

Buying clothes with all the senses - How to check children's clothing

Regardless of the quality of clothing and any existing seal of approval you should check children's clothing with all your senses:

• If the clothing smells strongly chemically, then it is almost certainly loaded with chemicals.
• Antibacterial treated clothing is taboo for children. It often contains residues of triclosan suspected of inducing organ damage.
• Finished fabrics are also not for your child. The materials are certainly chemically treated.

What applies to children's clothing, by the way, also applies to your own clothing! Pollutant-free and comfortable clothing should be generally. The freedom of movement and well-being are positively influenced.

Did I forget something? Can you think of any more points?
I´m looking forward to your experiences and additions.

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