If you ask most people they would say that organic baby clothes are more expensive than non-organic or synthetic clothes
. The natural thought process is to compare the price with the cheap to mid range products but in fact organic baby clothing is similar in price to a lot of mid priced brands.
So what makes organic baby clothes more expensive?
There are 3 main reasons why organic cotton clothing is more expensive than non-organic clothing.
1. Small Scale Production.
Due to overall demand the production of organic cotton is still in the scheme of things fairly small. This results in lower economies of scale for the farmer resulting in a higher cost.
Economies of scale also dictate that manufacturers cannot buy huge quantities of organic cotton as supply is limited, this puts a premium on the price as the scope for negotiation is limited.
2. Fair Trade Terms
As most of the organic cotton is currently grown in developing countries and it is regarded by most in the supply chain as an ethical product, fair trade terms come into play. This means that the farmers will get paid a better price for their crop, which in turn means that they can support their families and send their children to school.
3. Growing crops without chemicals
Even though pesticides and chemicals are expensive for a third world farmer to buy, growing without them is also has its challenges in terms of financial cost. Organic cotton crops need careful tending which results in higher labour costs. The yield is also lower compared to intensive chemical laden farming methods.
The economics behind the production and manufacture of organic cotton is all well and good but for most parents we really want to know what are the benefits to our babies when we invest in organic baby clothing.
The way organic cotton is grown without chemicals means the cotton fibre is longer, smoother and more durable. This results in super smooth, clean baby clothes that wash well, hold their shape and have great hand me down potential.
Wearing organic cotton next to babies sensitive skin reduces the risk of irritation and reduces the risk of absorbing chemicals through the skin.