Little Green Radicals (soft organic cotton clothing)

Little Green Radicals offers super-soft organic cotton clothing for children. Organic cotton is used most of the time and the company is also a Fair Trade pioneer. These are clothes designed to last, to pass onto your next child. We particularly like their range of organic cotton dungarees.

Organic cotton is not just better for the planet, wildlife and water, but also better for the delicate children of skin (especially those with eczema). It also lasts longer, as fibres have not been treated with chemicals. And does not release microplastics in the washing machine.

For any synthetic fibres, launder in a microfiber filter.

The Lullaby Trust has information on dressing your baby safely for sleep. In summary:

• It does not recommend weighted swaddles, blankets or sleeping bags for babies under one year, due to risk of overheating or head covering, and they can also restrict breathing by pressing on the delicate chest of a baby. Do not use if a child’s head can pass through the neck opening, when fastened. Nor if a child can climb out of a cot.
• If you use a sleeping bag, don’t add extra blankets on top. Add an extra layer of clothing or choose a higher tog sleeping bag, if your baby feels cold.
• Ensure sleeping bags fit well around the neck and shoulders, so babies can’t wriggle down inside, and follow the maker’s tog guide to ensure you use the right tog for the right temperature. Items should follow British Standards to not fall apart and be fire-safe.
• One blanket doubled over counts as two (this could increase overheating, so ensure if you use an extra blanket, it’s lightweight. Air trapped between layers increases warmth (using two 1.0 sleep bags could be dangerous).
• Hats (and socks) should be removed indoors, as babies lose heat through their heads.

On a Budget? Rent Children’s Clothing

Many of the brands below are rented out by companies that let you send back used clothing, to replace with bigger clothing as your child grows. This avoids fashion waste, and enables you to afford good brands, without the hefty price tag.

Bundlee and The Little Loop are two companies and My Wardrobe HQ is a peer-to-peer lending library run by parents and small boutiques. Some libraries, schools and churches may offer similar services.

You can donate clothing to help families in need (Stripey Stork has a nationwide list of clothing banks, to help families in need (read above for safety if donating baby clothing).