Truth about GMO

As you furnish your nursery for your new arrival, don't forget to include organic crib sheets on your list of necessities for baby's bedding. All natural crib furnishings are often made of the softest hand-picked cotton, with no harsh chemicals or artificial materials added during manufacturing. I believe every baby deserves a completely organic nursery not just an organic crib mattress.

Why is organic cotton preferable to conventionally grown cotton for your baby's bedding?

You already know that 100% cotton is the best choice for your baby's bedding. Cotton is soft and natural, and unlike most synthetic materials, it allows air circulation while transporting moisture away from your baby while she sleeps. Does it really make any difference whether you use organic crib sheets rather than bedding made from conventionally grown materials?

Actually, it makes a bigger difference than you may realize. Conventional methods of growing cotton often utilize chemical pesticides and other non-sustainable agricultural practices. The processing of cotton also introduces a large number of chemical pollutants, which are harmful for both your baby and the environment.

Let's take a look at a comparison of organically produced cotton and conventional bedding materials throughout the process from growing and harvesting the cotton to manufacturing baby sheets.

Organic Cotton:

• Not grown using genetically modified seeds and are not treated with chemical fungicides or pesticides;
• Soil health is maintained through crop rotation and natural organic materials; no chemical fertilizers are used;
• Weed control is maintained through the use of beneficial insects;
• During thread production, warp fibers are stabilized using non-toxic corn starch;
• Threads are whitened using natural peroxide;
• Fabric is finished by a soft scour with natural soda ash;
• Finished fabric is dyed and printed using natural pigments containing low levels of heavy metals.

Conventional Cotton:

• Plants are grown from seeds treated with chemical pesticides and fungicides;
• Soil is depleted due to single crop planting, synthetic fertilizers, and heavy irrigation;
• Chemical herbicides may be used to control weeds;
• During thread production, toxic waxes are often used to coat fibers to stabilize them;
• Threads are whitened using chlorine bleach, which has toxic bi-products that may be released to the environment;
• Fabric is finished using harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde (a respiratory irritant);
• Dyeing and printing materials include heavy metal pigments and sulfur.

The end result of this process is that crib sheets made from conventional cotton contain chemical substances which can be harmful to your baby. Your little one will spend between 12 and 18 hours sleeping each day during his first few months; that's a lot of time spent inhaling irritants which may make him sick and have a lasting impact on his health.

Organic crib sheets are gentle on baby's skin and lungs; they contain no heavy metal dyes, and they are produced in an ecologically responsible manner. You should look for manufacturers that use hand-picked cotton that is harvested using fair trade practices. Organic crib sheets will cradle your baby in comfort while absorbing moisture from perspiration, drooling, and diaper leakage. They are machine washable for easy cleaning, and just like regular crib sheets, they are available in a variety of adorable designs.

When you buy organic merchandise, the prices are generally a bit higher than conventionally produced materials, but the long-term impact on your baby's health and the environment makes them a far better choice in the end. You want nothing but the best for your infant. You can give your baby a great head start by providing a safe and healthy sleeping environment with all-natural organic crib sheets.

I am a retired grandmother who enjoys babysitting all six of my priceless grandchildren. In my spare time I stay active, travel, and write informative articles about the importance of organic crib sheets and other topics that matter to me.