Cotton has always been the most preferred fabric in India for several reasons. Cotton gives a feeling of comfort and coziness.  Cotton is fluffy, absorbent, and perfect for scorching summers. Cotton caresses the skin without feeling rough or suffocating.

It’s no surprise that parents reach out to cotton essentials for their babies from day one.

Here are some facts you should know though – Cotton is one of the top crops that use an excess of pesticides and agricultural insecticides when it is being grown. In fact, cotton farming uses 10-16% of all the pesticides produced in the world!

According to Pesticide Action Network statistic (PAN), an international network discussing the use of hazardous pesticides in farming, it takes about 110 grams of chemicals to make one cotton shirt and 300 grams of chemicals to make one pair of jeans.

India is the third-largest producer and exporter of cotton and the farmers are pushed into using alarming quantities of pesticides and fertilizers to increase their yield to match the demand.

So what’s the solution?

Organic cotton any day!

What’s organic cotton?

This is cotton that is grown, harvested, and processed without the use of harmful chemicals including pesticides, growth regulators, fertilizers, and synthetic dyes.

So do organic cotton farmers use no chemicals? They do. However, these farmers ensure the fertilizers and pesticides they use are bio-friendly and natural.

Here are some of the features that make cotton authentically organic.

• Use of non-GMO seeds
• Does not use synthetic or toxic chemicals for growing
• Uses a farming style that conserves water and energy
• Allows beneficial insects and animals to thrive on the farm

• Uses natural defoliation methods

According to the 2020 Organic Cotton Market Report by Textile Exchange, 19 countries grew 239,787 metric tons of organic cotton globally in the year 2018/2019 and India was the largest organic cotton producer, contributing to 51% of the total produce.

We should definitely be proud!

Organic cotton – From seed to fabric

Here is how your favorite organic cotton fabrics get created.

1. Planting 

   Organic farmers start the process of organic farming by choosing natural and non-GMO seeds. This is the most vital step to ensure you get completely natural and safe cotton in the end.

2. Soil preparation 

   Healthy farming starts with the right soil preparation. When the farmer uses the right kind of soil, the need to use excessive fertilizers comes down. Healthy soil is achieved through crop rotation and adding beneficial insects to the soil instead of processes like intensive irrigation.

3. Harvesting 

   Natural defoliation methods are used to harvest cotton organically. Such methods don’t use harsh chemicals or methods in obtaining the harvest. In many parts of India, organic cotton harvesting is still done by hand, with farmers lovingly picking cotton bolls one by one. Handpicking reduces damage to the harvest too.

4. Cotton fiber production 

   The journey of organic cotton does not stop with harvesting. The cotton bolls have to be processed in manufacturing units and even here, safe, non-toxic substances are used to produce the final product. Cotton balls go through the below processes in a manufacturing unit.

• Cleaning
• Whitening
• Spinning
• Weaving or knitting
• Dying or printing

Your organic cotton fabric goes through so many steps and is made with love by farmers and workers who have a deep love for what they do. This is what makes it special.

Organic cotton fabrics are as pure as your little one!

Why should you buy organic cotton fabrics?

• Organic cotton is safe for your little one’s skin and has no added toxic chemicals that may cause skin allergies. These are perfect for infants and children with sensitive skin.
• You are doing your part for the environment by choosing organic fabrics. Insects, birds, and animals thrive in organic farms and this builds up a healthy ecosystem.
• By buying organic cotton, you are encouraging more farmers to take up the organic route.
• Organic farming encourages farmers to rotate crops and this helps soil flourish.

You can choose burp clothes, wash clothes, nappies, bibs, onesies, rompers, and everyday wear clothing for babies from Naturescuddle and be sure that the fabric you get is 100% made of organic cotton. We work very closely with farmers to ensure they follow sustainable farming methods and choose only the safest methods to create our baby products.

Yes, organic cotton clothes and fabrics are a tad bit more expensive than regular cotton. However, the price is justified because it takes more time and labor to bring to your wardrobe something made completely natural and organic. You can also be sure that the fabric you buy lasts your little one for a long time and gets softer with every single wash.

Do you have any more questions about the kind of organic cotton we use? Shoot us an email or give us a call and we will be happy to give you more details. Visit Nature’s Cuddle website for all types of baby clothing made from 100% organic cotton fabric.