Bamboo or cotton for baby clothes?

We sell bamboo clothes, so you should know what that word means on a label before you buy any. This is what we can tell you for sure.

What “bamboo” clothing is made of

Almost every soft bamboo garment is made of viscose, a kind of rayon. The maker takes cellulose from bamboo, dissolves it, and spins it back into a smooth fibre. The result is a manufactured fibre, not the raw plant, and the label has to say rayon or viscose. The Federal Trade Commission has fined sellers who called rayon “bamboo” (FTC, 2013), so we write it the way it is: 95% viscose from bamboo, 5% spandex.

How it feels and wears

Viscose from bamboo is smooth and drapes closely, which is why a bamboo romper feels softer than a stiff new cotton one. The 5% spandex gives it stretch, so it moves with a baby who is rolling, crawling and kicking.

Where cotton is the better choice

• Organic. Cotton can be certified organic. Viscose from bamboo is a processed fibre, so we do not call it organic or “eco-friendly”.
• Heat. Cotton shrugs off hot washes and dryers. Viscose is happier washed cool and dried gently, because heat is what shrinks and wears it.

What we do not claim

You will see other shops say bamboo is hypoallergenic, antibacterial or good for eczema. We do not say any of that, because we cannot back it up. If your baby has a skin condition, your pediatrician is the right person to ask which fabrics to try.

Caring for ours

Our rompers and blanket are machine washable. As a general rule for viscose, not a Sweetie Peach instruction, cool washes and gentle drying are kinder to it than heat.

The short version

Choose bamboo for softness and drape, and cotton when you want easy care or certified organic. If you would like to try bamboo, start with a bamboo baby romper and check the size guide before you pick a size.