There were many things that both shocked and amazed me while reading baby books during pregnancy. Like the fact that researchers believe a baby’s saliva during breastfeeding may help signal to the mother’s body what immune support they need, encouraging the production of specific antibodies – essentially creating a kind of bespoke natural medicine. Or how newborns can instinctively shuffle towards the breast using smell alone in those first hours after birth. But one thing that really stayed with me was just how sensitive babies’ skin is.
Why is baby skin so sensitive?
A newborn’s skin is much more delicate than an adult’s and has a less developed protective barrier. It is also more susceptible to irritation from external substances. This is especially important during the newborn stage, when skin is around 30% thinner than adult skin – although it’s worth noting that the skin barrier continues to develop throughout early childhood.
Skin issues such as rashes, redness and itching can sometimes be made worse by clothing or bedding, particularly if the fabric traps heat and moisture or rubs against delicate skin. Clothing, laundry products and excess sweating can also trigger or exacerbate eczema in some babies.
What fabrics are best for babies?
With that in mind, what you dress your baby in matters. Ideally, you want fabrics that feel soft against the skin, allow heat and moisture to escape and don’t contain rough seams, labels or finishes that could cause irritation.
Cotton is usually a good place to start, while organic cotton, bamboo and merino wool are also popular choices thanks to their softness and breathability. If you want the gold standard, look for GOTS-certified cotton. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) goes a step further by covering the entire production process – from how the cotton is grown right through to the dyeing and manufacturing stages – with strict environmental and ethical standards in place throughout.
You might also notice some fabrics contain a small amount of elastane. That's completely safe and simply helps clothes stay stretchy and comfortable, making wriggly babies easier to dress while helping garments keep their shape after washing.
Best fabrics for babies with sensitive skin
- Organic cotton, especially GOTS-certified: Soft, breathable and suitable for everyday layers that sit directly against the skin. GOTS certification also provides greater reassurance about how the fabric has been processed.
- Cotton muslin: Lightweight and breathable, making it particularly useful for warm weather, blankets and loose-fitting layers.
- Soft cotton blends: Blending cotton with a small amount of elastane can improve stretch and durability without significantly changing how the fabric feels against the skin.
- Bamboo blends: Often smooth, lightweight and comfortable, although it is worth checking the full fabric composition, as “bamboo” clothing is commonly blended with other fibres.
- Merino wool: Naturally insulating and useful for regulating temperature, provided it feels fine and soft rather than coarse or itchy.
- Linen: Breathable and well suited to warmer weather, although softer cotton may be preferable for newborns or babies with particularly reactive skin.
Which baby clothing fabrics should you be cautious of?
On the flip side, it’s worth being more cautious with rough, heavily processed or poorly breathable fabrics, particularly in garments that sit directly against your baby’s skin. Synthetic fibres are common in baby clothing, especially in fleece pieces, padded outerwear and cheaper multipacks.
That does not mean every synthetic fibre is unsafe or needs to be avoided. In many cases, the texture, fit and construction of the garment matter just as much as the fibre itself. Loose, soft clothing may be better tolerated than something rough, tight or heavily finished, whatever its composition.
Fabrics to be cautious of
- Polyester: Durable and quick-drying, but it may not feel as breathable as cotton and can trap warmth and moisture in some garments.
- Nylon: Strong and lightweight, but it is generally less absorbent than natural fibres and may feel clammy when worn close to the skin.
- Acrylic: Often used as a cheaper alternative to wool. Some acrylic knits can feel rough or make babies feel warm, so check the texture carefully.
- Fleece: Usually made from polyester. It can be cosy as an outer layer but may cause overheating or irritation if worn directly against sensitive skin.
- Coarse wool: Wool varies considerably. Avoid pieces that feel scratchy against your own skin and consider using a soft cotton layer underneath.
- Heavily dyed or chemically finished clothing: Some dyes, fabric finishes and residues can irritate eczema-prone skin. Washing new clothes before they are worn may help remove excess dye and finishing products.
Rayon, viscose and acetate do not necessarily need to be avoided altogether, but it is worth checking how the finished garment feels, whether it is breathable and what other fibres it is blended with.
The best baby clothing brands for sensitive skin
To help take some of the guesswork out of shopping, we’ve selected brands that offer soft, breathable baby clothing, clearly state their fabric compositions and include plenty of natural-fibre options suitable for wearing against delicate skin.
How we chose these brands
We prioritised brands that use soft, breathable fibres, clearly label their fabric compositions and offer GOTS-certified organic cotton where possible. We also looked for well-made baby clothing designed to withstand frequent washing, along with thoughtful features such as comfortable seams, practical fastenings and enough stretch for easy dressing.
Where possible, the clothing has also been assessed in real-life use, taking into account how it feels against a baby’s skin, how well it washes and whether it remains comfortable throughout the day and night.
Organic Zoo
Organic Zoo stands out for its strong focus on sustainability. With cool prints and playful patterns, each piece feels distinctive yet effortless enough for everyday wear.
Everything from the brand is made using 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, with a real focus on fabrics that feel soft, breathable and comfortable against delicate skin. Its newer undyed cotton range takes that approach one step further, keeping the fabric closer to its natural state by avoiding additional dyeing processes. The result is beautifully soft babywear in subtle, earthy tones that feels timeless, understated and easy to wear on repeat.
H&M Adorables
While synthetic fabrics tend to be cheaper, that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune on clothing that feels soft and gentle against delicate skin. H&M is a great high-street option, with a dedicated range featuring plenty of 100% organic cotton pieces.
The H&M Adorables collection is design-led, with beautifully considered pieces at a reasonable price. Alongside organic cotton, you’ll also find selected styles made from merino wool and other wool blends. Think neutral, Scandi-inspired designs alongside practical basics you’ll use on repeat.
JoJo Maman Bébé
JoJo Maman Bébé is a brilliant place to look for baby clothes that feel practical but still have plenty of personality. The brand is known for its adorable prints, playful details and sweet matching sets – think rompers paired with teeny coordinating hats – which also make them a lovely option for gifting.
Cotton features heavily across the babywear range, with organic cotton used in selected pieces, including some GOTS-certified styles. You’ll also find soft cheesecloth designs with a loose, airy fit that are particularly good for warmer weather.
The overall look is cheerful and considered without feeling too precious, while the easy shapes make the pieces simple to dress babies in and comfortable enough for everyday wear.
MORI
MORI raises the bar when it comes to soft, thoughtfully designed babywear. It’s known for its ultra-soft sleepsuits, which are every bit as comfortable as they are practical. The brand’s signature fabric blends organic cotton with bamboo-derived viscose, creating pieces that feel lightweight, smooth and breathable against delicate skin.
Parents rave about how comfortable the sleepsuits feel for everyday wear, which I can attest to, but it’s the thoughtful details that make them especially well suited to sleep. The fabric is designed to help regulate temperature and wick away moisture, while MORI also uses a ribbed version with elastane for added stretch. This helps pieces retain their shape and gives babies more room to move, making the lighter styles particularly useful during the summer months.
The overall feel is premium without being fussy – the kind of babywear that quickly earns a permanent place in the rotation because it’s so easy, comfortable and reliable.
Top MORI picks
GAP
As a ’90s baby myself, revisiting GAP’s baby section felt very nostalgic, but the brand remains a strong option for well-made everyday staples. Its baby range includes plenty of soft cotton pieces, from knitted co-ords and cardigans to bodysuits, rompers and sleepsuits.
GAP sits comfortably in the middle of the high street when it comes to price, offering dependable quality without veering into premium babywear territory. The designs tend to be classic and easy to mix and match, with lots of neutral shades, playful motifs and practical shapes that work well for everyday wear. The cotton knits are particularly excellent, feeling soft and cosy without being overly bulky, making them useful for layering.
Mamas & Papas
Trusted by parents for decades, Mamas & Papas has built a strong reputation for practical, well-designed baby essentials. Its clothing range includes plenty of soft cotton and organic cotton options at accessible prices, with pieces designed to cope with frequent washing and everyday wear.
The brand’s organic cotton basics in multipacks are staples in my baby’s outfit rotation – think short- and long-sleeved bodysuits and sleepsuits, which you’ll go through at an unfathomable rate. The wider range is extensive too, making it easy to shop for several stages in one place.
From two-piece sets and everyday basics to pramsuits, outerwear and all the little extras such as socks, hats and mitts, Mamas & Papas has pretty much every stage covered.
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Hattie Parish is the Senior Health and Wellness Ecommerce Editor for Women’s Health, Men’s Health and Runner’s World, covering the best gym wear, latest fitness tech and wellness launches worth investing in, plus the best deals during Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day.
As well as clocking up the miles in myriad running socks, pummelling her muscles with massage guns, testing out fitness mirrors and donning dry robes every other weekend, Hattie consults leading experts in the health and fitness industry to help readers make informed decisions when shopping online.
Brought up by two medics, Hattie worked in health clinics before completing a BA in English at King’s College London. She qualified as a journalist in 2015 and has since written for titles such as Healthy magazine, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar and Red, as well as worked commercially with health and wellness clients such as Holland & Barrett, Lloyds Pharmacy and Superdrug.
Hattie is passionate about arming readers with honest, unbiased product reviews and has a particular interest in the role of technology in our wellbeing, as well as gender-based inequalities in healthcare. When she’s not putting gym wear through its paces on the Pilates reformer or kitting out her home gym (garage) with the latest equipment, she’s attempting to make progress on her teetering pile of bedside books, cycling round South East London or sampling wellness retreats for the Women’s Health travel pages.
