I first came across organic cotton after we realised my lovely nephew had real sensitive skin. He has Eczema (like how Big Sis shared in the first post) as well as very delicate skin. How sensitive? A small mosquito bite can easily turn into an oozing wound. That’s how!
I used to ask ‘Do we need to be so cautious over choices for the baby?’. Looking at how fragile and delicate a baby can be, I began to understand why mothers only want the best, not for themselves, but for their babies. Unlike adults, babies can never speak out or self-help.
I studied more about organic cotton, and figured out that there are actually well thought-out reasons behind providing organic clothing to babies these days. Not just for babies, but for everyone and the Nature.
If we are already using shopping bags instead of plastic bags, bringing along our own travel chopsticks instead of using disposable ones, and classifying garbage for recycling purpose, then well, why don’t we start learning about organic cotton?!
* The learning process was indeed an eye-opener to me :) *
I first found this video. Although I knew nothing about the brand, it introduced me to the concept of organic cotton.
What’s the problem with conventional cotton?
Most cotton is not as environmentally friendly as we might expect.
- Cotton is the second most pesticide-laden crop in the world (after coffee) and number one in the United States.
- Conventional cotton occupies only 3 percent of the world’s farmland, but uses 25 percent of the world’s chemical pesticides and fertilisers.
- Conventional farming devours up to 1/3 pound of pesticides and fertilisers to produce enough cotton for a single shirt.
- Five of the top nine pesticides used on cotton in the U.S. (cyanide, dicofol, naled, propargite, and trifluralin) are known cancer-causing chemicals.
- All nine are classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as Category I and II- the most dangerous chemicals of all.
Not only do these chemicals pollute the air, water and soil, they’re also retained in the crops as they’re grown. The cotton which is then processed into fabric tends to cause skin irritation and problems!
What makes organic cotton different?
It's the farming process that strives to be in balance with the Nature!
According to the Organic Trade Association, organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic pesticides or fertilisers. Methods such as beneficial insect releases, strip cutting of alfalfa and new weeding machinery help reduce the environmental impact of cotton crops.
It also does less harm to the farmers. Imagine, the young woman who picked that cotton in India with her toddler on her back does not have to worry about what’s been sprayed on the crop.
* Hmm… We always balk at the premium of organic cotton. But deeper thoughts, I believe it does worth the extra couple of bucks if we opt not to be too indifferent to what’s happening out there? *
Gentle to babies
Babies and little kids have sensitive skin. That’s why we see baby skincare products always have to be hypoallergenic.
Without the loads of harmful chemicals, organic cotton helps baby skin to breathe better and reduces the scope of irritation and problems.
It seems like organic cotton is not a fad, but an environmental concern.
I’m wondering how I should pay more attention to organic farming as a whole. How ignorant I was at loving our Home? Hmm..
It’s rather challenging to our lifestyle nowadays. But just like the ending line in the video above, I believe it would be real great if we could say YES to health world, to clean air, to clean water…
I believe every little bit counts!
I believe every little bit counts!
Ref: aboutorganiccotton.org, greenbabies.com, natural life magazine, parenting tips 365
