Why Polyester Doesn’t Belong in Baby Clothes

As a mother, a fashion consultant, and someone deeply invested in textile sustainability, I’ve come to believe—strongly—that polyester has no place in our babies’ wardrobes. While polyester is frequently found in baby clothing blends today, its continued use reveals more about the fashion industry's priorities than about what’s best for our children.

Let’s be clear: polyester wasn’t chosen randomly. Several very practical reasons have led to its widespread adoption.

Yes, it’s durable. Parents need baby clothes that survive the washing machine, food stains, and crawling escapades. And yes, it’s wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying, and cheap—all qualities that manufacturers and budget-conscious consumers understandably appreciate. The allure of affordable and easy-care fabrics is strong, especially when babies outgrow clothing quickly.

But we need to ask a more important question: are those conveniences worth the compromise?

Polyester, while convenient for adults, is not kind to sensitive baby skin. It’s a synthetic fibre derived from petroleum, a fossil fuel. It lacks the breathability of natural fibres like cotton or bamboo, meaning it can trap heat and moisture, which is particularly concerning for infants who can’t regulate their body temperatures well. The symptoms may include discomfort, possible rashes, or worse, overheating. For some babies, the irritation isn’t just physical—it’s allergic.

Then there’s the environmental cost. Polyester’s production is energy-intensive, chemically heavy, and dependent on non-renewable resources. And once the garment is made? It’s not biodegradable. Every time you wash polyester clothing, it sheds microplastics into our waterways—pollution that doesn’t just affect oceans but eventually comes back into our bodies through the food chain. Do we want the first clothes our babies wear to be contributing to a long-term problem they’ll inherit?

Some will point out the advent of “sustainable polyester”—made from recycled plastics or bio-based inputs. It’s a step in the right direction, but let’s not confuse less bad with good. Recycled or not, polyester still carries the same concerns when worn on the skin of a newborn.

I’m not suggesting that all synthetic fibres are evil or that every baby outfit needs to be hand-loomed and organic. But if ever there’s a time to choose comfort, breathability, and sustainability, it’s when dressing our youngest and most vulnerable.

Natural fibres—organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo—may wrinkle more and cost a bit extra, but they offer breathability, biodegradability, and peace of mind. As consumers and as brands, we should be steering away from the short-term logic of cost and convenience and towards the long-term health of both our children and our planet.

It’s time we stop justifying polyester in baby clothing and start demanding better. Our babies deserve more than petroleum-based garments dressed up as “affordable essentials”. They deserve clothing that’s gentle on their skin and kind to the world they’re growing into.