Read the label: how to choose fabric composition and country of origin for baby clothes

Viviana · May 25, 2026 · 7 min · Updated on July 18, 2026

Part of our complete guide to newborn care

When you choose clothing for your baby, the real clue to quality isn't the price or the brand: it's the label. That little strip of fabric sewn onto the side or the collar holds all the information that truly matters — composition, origin, certifications, washing instructions. Learning to read it in 30 seconds spares you bad purchases and protects your newborn's delicate skin.

Why the label matters so much for a newborn

A newborn's skin is about 5 times thinner than an adult's, more permeable and with a protective barrier that is still immature. This means everything that touches the skin — fibres, dyes, processing residues — comes into contact with a far more reactive skin tissue. A garment with the wrong composition or treated with harsh substances can trigger irritation, redness, eczema.

The label is the only document that, by law, must tell you what the garment is made of and how to care for it. Knowing how to read it is the first form of prevention.

1. Composition: which fibres to look for (and which to avoid)

This is the most important piece of information. Composition is expressed in fibre percentages. For the first months, aim for natural, breathable and soft fabrics.

Recommended fibres for a newborn

100% cotton — the king of baby clothing. Breathable, soft, it absorbs sweat and doesn't irritate. Even better if it's “organic cotton”, grown without pesticides and processed without harsh substances.
Certified organic cotton — the best for sensitive skin. Look for the GOTS wording (see below).
Merino wool — for the cold months: temperature-regulating, breathable, it doesn't itch like traditional wool. Pricey but excellent for winter bodysuits and sleepsuits.
Bamboo (bamboo viscose) — very soft and breathable, often used in a blend with cotton. Great if you're after lightness.
Linen — cool and breathable for summer, even if a bit stiffer: better in a blend with cotton.

Fibres to limit or avoid in direct contact with the skin

Polyester, acrylic, nylon (100%) — synthetic fibres that breathe poorly, trap sweat and static electricity. A small percentage (5-10% elastane/spandex) to add stretch to cuffs is perfectly fine; a polyester bodysuit is not.
Blended fabrics with >30% synthetic in direct contact with the skin, especially in summer: the baby sweats and gets irritated more easily.

Rule of thumb: for garments in direct contact with the skin (bodysuits, sleepsuits, pyjamas) aim for at least 90% cotton. For outer layers (jackets, snowsuits, coats) composition matters less, because they don't touch the skin.

2. Country of origin: what the “Made in” really tells you

The “Made in” isn't an absolute guarantee of quality, but it's a useful clue about production standards and controls. Here's how to read it without prejudice.

Made in Italy / EU / Portugal / Turkey — subject to the European REACH regulations, which ban or limit many dangerous chemical substances (azo dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals). Generally greater traceability.
Made outside the EU — this doesn't automatically mean low quality: many international brands manufacture in Asia to the highest standards. Here, however, the independent certifications (see below) become even more important, because they bridge the uncertainty over controls.

In practice: the country of origin alone isn't enough. A “Made in Italy” garment with no certifications versus a “Made in Bangladesh” one with GOTS certification — the second gives more guarantees on chemical safety. Always combine origin and certifications.

3. The certifications that matter

They are the most reliable way to know a garment has been tested for safety. Look for these marks on the label or on the tag:

OEKO-TEX^® Standard 100 — the most widespread certification. It guarantees the fabric has been tested for over 100 harmful substances. For newborns there is “Class I” (products for children up to 3 years), the strictest of all.
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) — certifies that the fibre is organic and that the entire supply chain (dyeing, finishing) meets stringent environmental and toxicological criteria. The best for organic cotton and wool.
Made in Green by OEKO-TEX^® — combines chemical safety and sustainable, traceable production.

If a garment carries OEKO-TEX Class I or GOTS, you can buy it with your eyes closed when it comes to skin safety.

4. Washing symbols: small but decisive

On the label you'll find five basic symbols. For baby clothing, two rules above all:

Wash at 40-60 °C — a newborn's garments should be washed at a medium-high temperature (at least 40 °C, ideally 60 °C for bodysuits and sheets) to eliminate bacteria and residues. Check that the garment can withstand it: if the label only indicates 30 °C or hand washing, it's less practical in real life with a newborn.
The crossed-out triangle symbol (no bleach) — normal for coloured garments; for white garments an empty triangle allows oxygen-based whitening.

Important: always wash new garments before first use, even certified ones. It removes processing residues, sizing and dust caused by transport and store display.

5. Construction details to check on the label and on the garment

Flat, soft seams — stiff seams rub. Quality garments have flat seams, especially on shoulders and crotch.
Printed label, not sewn — more and more brands print the information directly onto the inner fabric, to avoid the annoying rubbing of the label on the back of the neck. A nice sign of attention to detail.
Sturdy, well-attached snaps — check they don't come off (choking hazard). Snaps must comply with the EN 14682 standard on cords and small parts.
No neck cords or drawstrings — banned by European safety standards for garments aged 0-7: strangulation risk.

Quick checklist before you buy

Flip the label over and in 30 seconds check:

✅ Composition: at least 90% cotton (or merino wool in winter) for garments in contact with the skin.
✅ Certification: OEKO-TEX Class I or GOTS.
✅ Country of origin: EU preferable, but the certification counts for more.
✅ Washing: withstands at least 40 °C.
✅ Flat seams, no neck cords, sturdy snaps.

In short

The label is the garment's ID card: it tells you what it's made of, where it comes from, how to care for it and how safe it is. For a newborn — with their thin and reactive skin — reading it isn't fussiness, it's prevention. Aim for natural cotton at a high percentage, look for the OEKO-TEX Class I or GOTS certifications, and remember that the country of origin matters less than a good independent certification. Thirty seconds of reading save you redness, waste and garments that are never worn.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the label matter so much for a newborn?

Because a newborn's skin is about 5 times thinner than an adult's, more permeable and with a protective barrier that is still immature. The wrong fibres, dyes or processing residues come into contact with far more reactive skin and can trigger irritation, redness and eczema. The label is the only document that, by law, states composition and care instructions.

Which fibres are best for a newborn's skin?

100% cotton — ideally organic — is the best choice: breathable, soft, it absorbs sweat and doesn't irritate. Merino wool is great for cold months (temperature-regulating, non-itchy), bamboo viscose adds lightness, and linen suits summer, best blended with cotton.

Which fibres should be avoided in direct contact with the skin?

Polyester, acrylic and nylon at 100%, because they breathe poorly and trap sweat and static electricity, as well as blended fabrics with more than 30% synthetic fibres in direct skin contact. A small percentage of elastane/spandex (5-10%) in cuffs for stretch is perfectly fine.

What's the rule of thumb for the cotton percentage to look for?

For garments in direct contact with the skin — bodysuits, sleepsuits, pyjamas — aim for at least 90% cotton. For outer layers, like jackets and snowsuits, composition matters less because they don't touch the skin.

Does “Made in” alone guarantee a garment is safe?

No. Country of origin is a useful clue — garments made in the EU, Italy, Portugal or Turkey follow the REACH regulations on hazardous chemicals — but it's not enough on its own. A “Made in Bangladesh” garment with GOTS certification offers more guarantees on chemical safety than a “Made in Italy” one with no certification: always combine origin and certifications.

Which certifications should you look for on the label?

OEKO-TEX^® Standard 100, with Class I dedicated to products for children up to 3 years (the strictest), GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard, certifying organic fibre and a sustainable supply chain), and Made in Green by OEKO-TEX^®. With OEKO-TEX Class I or GOTS, you can buy with your eyes closed when it comes to skin safety.