Our Guide To Choosing The Best Fabric For Baby Clothes

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Choosing clothes for your baby is surely one of the most enjoyable tasks of being a new parent or caregiver. It seems there is an endless array of adorable outfits and onesies to choose from. Cuteness is one thing, but when it comes to comfort, you may be wondering, what is the best fabric for baby clothes? The short answer is a soft, comfortable fabric that suits the temperature.  
Love To Dream
6 min read |
07 July, 2023

With so many great fabrics on offer, we’ve created this easy-to-use fabric guide to outline the finer points of each of the fabrics in our range. Understanding of the differences between each fabric will help when deciding on the best material for baby clothes and sleepwear for your climate. 

With so many great fabrics on offer, we’ve created this easy-to-use fabric guide to outline the finer points of each of the fabrics in our range. Understanding of the differences will help when deciding on the fabrics for baby clothes and sleepwear for your climate. 

Please note: our method of achieving higher TOG involves employing quilted constructions within our warmer garments, utilising cotton jersey and a blend of cotton or cotton/merino fill to effectively generate the desired level of warmth. 

Original Stretch Cotton Jersey 

Our original stretch cotton jersey fabric is super soft, comfy and smooth to the touch. Predominately made from cotton this fabric is knitted with a little bit of elastane to give it high-stretch while maintaining a relaxed, soft-hand feel. Our original cotton jersey is designed to fit well, while allowing easy movement. 

TOG Rating: 1.0 TOG – Suitable for moderate room temperatures between 68-75°F

Key Attributes: 

  • Maximum quality and high stretch. 
  • Maintains elasticity and retains shape wash after wash. 
  • Made to last, wears well and has high color fastness. 
  • Quality and performance tested. 

Products using Original Stretch Cotton Jersey: 

  • Swaddles 
  • Transition Bags and Suits 
  • Sleep Suits and Sleep Bags 
  • Rompers, Bodysuits, Pajamas, Leggings 

Lite Stretch Cotton Jersey 

Our ultra-light jersey fabric is a soft, stretchy knit that is 30% lighter than Love To Dreams’ Original jersey knit fabric, making it more suitable for warmer climates. Offering the same high-stretch, soft feel, this fabric is designed for warmer climates, so is lighter and more breathable. 

TOG Rating: 0.2 TOG – suitable for warm room temperatures between 75-81°F

Key Attributes: 

  • Super soft, comfy, smooth to the touch and light and airy. 
  • Maximum quality and high stretch. 
  • Maintains elasticity and retains shape wash after wash. 
  • Made to last, wears well and has high color fastness. 
  • Quality & performance tested. 

Products using Lite Stretch Cotton Jersey: 

  • Swaddles 
  • Transition Bag 
  • Sleep Suits and Sleep Bags 

Cotton Fleece and Stretch Cotton Fleece  

Cotton Fleece and Stretch Cotton fleece are cosy and have a soft hand feel. The brushed cotton fleece is ideal for year-round comfort.  

We use these materials across multiple TOGs/temperature grades. Garments are suitable in mild or cold temperatures, dependent on the construction of the garment, including the lining, quilting and/or fill.  

TOG Rating: 

1.0 TOG Suitable for mild room temperatures between 68-75°F

2.5 TOG Suitable for cool room temperatures between 61-68°F

3.5 TOG suitable for cold room temperatures below <61°F

Key Attributes: 

  • Brushing process creates a soft pile which helps provide warmth. 
  • Made to last, wears well and retains shape wash after wash. 
  • All products are quality and performance tested. 

Products using Cotton Fleece:  

  • Swaddles 
  • Transition Bags 
  • Sleep Suits and Sleep Bags 

EcoVero™  

Lenzing Ecovero™ is a sustainably sourced and produced fabric, which is silky to the touch with high stretch. Being a soft jersey, EcoVero™ is gentle against delicate skin while providing breath ability. 

TOG Rating: 1.0 TOG – Suitable for moderate room temperatures between 68-75°F

Key Attributes: 

  • Made with Lenzing™ Ecovero™ offering eco-responsible fibres with low environmental impact. 
  • Up to 50% lower water impact and CO2 emissions than conventional viscose production, helping to combat climate change. 

Products using EcoVero™: 

  • Swaddles 
  • Transition Bags 
  • Rompers & Bodysuits 

Tencel™  

Characterised by its super-soft feel, Tencel™ is an environmentally responsible fibre. Tencel™ is sustainably sourced and produced, is lightweight and breathable. 

Key Attributes: 

  • TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres are efficient in moisture absorption and are gentle on delicate skin. 
  • Machine washable and easy to change, there is no need for second-layer mattress protection. 

Products using Tencel™: 

  • ​​     ​sheets 

Viscose from Bamboo 

Viscose from bamboo is super light, luxuriously soft and breathable. The yarn fibre material is responsibly farmed, produced and is Oeko Tex Made in Green Certified.  

TOG Rating: 1.0 TOG – Suitable for moderate room temperatures between 68-75°F

Key Attributes: 

  • This fabric is soft, comfy and is perfect for warmer nights. 
  • Silky, smooth and cool hand-feel that is ideal for babies and children with sensitive skin. 
  • Breathable and has moisture-wicking properties. 

Products using Bamboo: 

  • Swaddles 
  • Transition Bags 

Organic Cotton 

Organic cotton is super-soft to touch and therefore a great choice for baby clothes as it’s gentle on delicate skin. 

TOG Rating: 1.0 TOG – Suitable for moderate room temperatures between 68-75°F

Key Attributes:  

  • Stretchy for a snug fit across the torso to assist with self-soothing. 
  • Made to last, wears well and retains shape wash after wash. 
  • All our products are quality and performance tested. 

Products using Organic Cotton: 

  • Swaddles 
  • Transition Bags 
  • Sleep Suits and Sleep Bags 

Merino 

Fine, high-quality 100% Australian Merino wool is known for being soft and gentle against delicate skin. Merino wool can provide warmth, but is also breathable and suitable for a range of climates. 

Key Attributes: 

  • Sleeping in wool can provide breathable warmth  
  • Perfect for all climates and helps regulate temperature. 
  • Machine washable on cold, gentle cycle 
  • Renewable fibre grown with sustainable farming practices. 
  • 100% biodegradable 

Products using Merino: 

  • Rompers, Bodysuits & PJ’s 

Material FAQs

What to consider when choosing fabrics for babies? 
Climate: When choosing fabrics for your baby, first consider your climate. If the weather is warm or tropical, merino wool or a cotton fleece may be too hot for baby. If your climate is cold, choose a fabric suitable for mild-cold climates, such as a cotton fleece. Breathability: A lot of the fabric used to make clothes and sleepwear for babies is natural and breathable, but always check the label. Avoid polyester, nylon or any thick, heavy or scratchy fabrics that lack breathability. 
What type of fabric is best for baby clothes?  
Depending on the climate, high quality fabrics are ideal for baby clothes as it allows baby a range of movement and can be layered up or down according to the temperature. 
Should baby clothes be 100% cotton? 
100% cotton garments and sleepwear are ideal for babies, however there is also a range of fabrics that have similar character profiles, while providing additional benefits. Fabrics such as cotton jersey include a small percentage of elastane to allow ease of movement, or there’s the silky soft and delicate nature of Bamboo that is also a lightweight breathable fibre.  
What is the most comfortable fabric for babies? 
The most comfortable fabric for babies is a lightweight, soft and breathable fabric that fits well. Organic cotton, cotton jersey, Bamboo are very soft to touch and are an obvious choice for baby’s optimum comfort. 
What is the softest material for baby clothes? 
 Bamboo, organic cotton or cotton jersey would be the softest touch baby material. 

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