Where did it all begin? 

When my little boy Dylan arrived into the world 3 years ago, like all newbie parents, I made a promise to myself to protect him and guide him the best I possibly could throughout his life. In the haze of those early days, we received countless gifts from family members and friends in the form of clothing, comforters and blankets, but it was only when Dylan started to show signs of eczema, that I became curious towards what really goes into the products that we’re buying for our newborn’s delicate skin.  It’s safe to say I have been left pretty stunned by what I have learned.

After getting lost in somewhat of a hole, I’ve read countless reports and articles from across the globe that have taught me about the harsh realities of the children's clothing industry. 

Put simply, unless stated 100% Organic, the seemingly harmless everyday clothes your child wears can contain any number of very nasty chemicals and toxins which could trigger serious health issues. Ranging from irritating skin conditions like eczema to potentially contributing to long-term health problems such as fertility issues, as well as cancer. 

So before we jump in, just to be clear, the purpose of this piece is not to highlight the benefits of Organic Cotton based products, or to condemn or judge anyone in the choices they have made.
This post will explore why using 100% organic material for MyLittleMonsters products went from being a ‘nice to have’ to a ‘must have’, and I hope it also inspires you to make mindful, considered decisions about the products you buy. 

After all, you don’t know what you don’t know and if no-one tells you, how do you know? 

So whats the problem?

Our children’s skin is far more permeable than ours, which means it absorbs more readily, and coupled with an underdeveloped immune system, leaves them incredibly vulnerable to any nasty toxins sitting in their clothing. And there are lots (thousands) out there!

So which chemicals make up our clothing? 

Hidden and used within an incredibly convoluted production process, are a range of 'legal and lethal’ chemicals. For example:

Polyester

A popular (BPA) everyday material (which actually starts its life as petrol - who knew🤷?) is  often formulated with harmful chemical dyes and additives (i.e. phthalates and bisphenols/BPA).
 

This particular soother (100% Polyester) was bought for my son when he was three months old, and not going to lie, I’m sure we’ve probably gifted similar things to others, without knowing the real harm that products made from polyester can do!
Favoured by many brands for its durability and cost effectiveness to produce, however, it is still in essence a plastic made up of a range of potent chemicals. And even more shockingly, it’s been found to be cancerous

Polyester also sheds its production chemicals (i.e. microplastics) throughout its lifecycle, even after washing. Microplastics have become so prevalent that it’s actually raining microplastics everywhere and every day, and studies have been found to show traces within the mother’s placenta, highlighting the enormity of this problem, even before life has begun.

Its highly durable nature means it is also likely to end up in a landfill for hundreds of years after use (more on this in part 2, where we explore the Environmental impacts of this material). 

So when intended to rub on soft delicate skin, suck, etc, how would a ‘synthetic/petrol based’ material ever be suitable for a babies ‘soother’? (Sorry for whoever bought us this gift!!)

Endocrine Disruptors (EDC’s)

Shockingly and commonly found in our children’s clothing, toys and even our skin care products, EDC’s carry a scary side effect of having the ability to interfere with the body’s hormonal system (Endocrine Disruptors). It does this by either tricking our body into thinking they’re hormones or blocking natural hormones from doing their job.
Interestingly, ‘around 95% of people have EDC’s within their bodies, and people who struggle to conceive have higher levels’.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.  Some other dangers include:

• Impaired brain development and neurobehavioral deficits
• Disrupted thyroid function
• Reproductive Health Effects (menstrual irregularities, impaired sperm quality,)
• Cancer Risk

The developing fetus and young children are particularly vulnerable to EDC exposure! Something for pregnant mothers to be aware of! 

PFAS 

Made up of 15,000 or so man made chemicals are another commonly used chemical/ toxin found in childrens clothing and products. Popular for its anti wrinkle water repellent and stain resistant properties (usually a welcome feature for toddler’s clothing!). However,  earning its title of being a ‘Forever Chemical’, means it is highly persistent and has also been known to be linked to various health issues, including immune system dysfunction, developmental delays, and certain cancers.  

LuluLemon (a major wellness and yoga company) were also recently found for having PFAS within their product range. Clearly a widespread issue which makes me wonder how many of our own/everyday products contain PFAS chemicals? And if so how would we ever know?  

So what’s next?

Though the above chemicals can, have and are being used in many of our day to day products, we know shockingly little about which products contain which chemicals, with almost NO product labels disclosing their presence. 
And, of all the above listed chemicals found to be used, safer alternatives are available, it's just that the current used ones come at a cheaper cost. I guess all we can do is hope manufacturers consider children’s wellbeing and safety above profit margins…

 

 

 

Interestingly, the EU is looking to ban ALL uses of PFAS in the production process, whereas the UK’s stance is to ‘regulate’ only two types (PFOA/PFOS), leaving the gates wide open for more of these toxins to find their way into our products and clothing.

At My Little Monsters, we see no choice but to only use GOTS certified 100% Organic material for our products. After all, as parents, it’s our core responsibility to protect our children, of which is currently being compromised. 

In Part 2 to follow, we explore the Environmental impact of the current textile industry. We are not leaving the world in a good state for our children.