If your baby's skin is dry, easily irritated or prone to eczema, getting dressed shouldn't be the thing that makes it worse. The good news is that the clothes side of it is fairly simple.
First, an important note. Clothing can't treat, cure or prevent eczema or any other skin condition, and no fabric is right for every baby. If your baby's skin is sore, cracked, weeping or not settling, please speak to your GP, health visitor or pharmacist. This guide is about making everyday clothing as comfortable as possible alongside their advice.
What UK guidance says about clothing
UK eczema guidance generally recommends loose cotton clothing and avoiding wool and other rough fibres next to the skin. The NHS also lists some fabrics, soap and washing detergent among things that can make eczema worse. Everything below follows from those two points.
1. Choose soft, breathable fabric for the layer next to the skin
Cotton is soft, absorbent and lets heat and sweat escape, which matters because overheating and sweat can be uncomfortable for sensitive skin. Synthetic fabrics can trap warmth and moisture, and wool can feel scratchy, so if you use them, keep a cotton layer underneath.
Certified organic cotton is a good option here, not because the fibre is different, but because GOTS certification restricts the chemicals used in processing. There are no chlorine bleaches, formaldehyde-based finishes or restricted azo dyes on a GOTS garment. We explain the detail in is organic cotton better for babies?
2. Look at how it's made, not just what it's made of
- Flat, soft seams and minimal internal stitching where skin rubs most: neck, underarms, waist.
- Printed or woven labels rather than scratchy sewn-in tags, or tags you can easily remove.
- Envelope necks and poppers so dressing involves less pulling over the head and less friction.
- Loose rather than tight fits, especially round elbows and knees where eczema often appears.
- Simple fabrics without heavy plastic prints, sequins or coatings on the inside.
3. Wash gently, every time
For many families, changing how clothes are washed makes more difference than changing the clothes themselves.
- Use a mild, non-biological, fragrance-free detergent, and less of it than the pack suggests.
- Add an extra rinse so no residue is left in the fabric.
- Skip fabric softener, which leaves a coating on fibres and often contains fragrance.
- Wash new clothes before the first wear, including gifts.
Our full guide to washing baby clothes covers temperatures, drying and stains.
4. Keep them comfortable, day and night
Dress in light layers you can add or remove rather than one thick one, and check the back of your baby's neck to see if they are too warm. At night, a breathable cotton sleepsuit under a sleeping bag of the right TOG for the room is a good starting point; our guide to what to dress your baby in at night has a temperature table.
A simple sensitive-skin starter wardrobe
- 6–8 soft cotton bodysuits with envelope necks
- 6–8 cotton sleepsuits, ideally with zips or poppers that don't sit against the skin
- A couple of loose cotton tops and harem joggers for older babies
- A breathable cotton sleeping bag
- A cotton layer to go under any wool or synthetic outerwear
We've gathered the pieces worn closest to the skin in our baby clothes for sensitive skin collection: bodysuits, babygrows and playsuits in 100% GOTS certified organic cotton.
Shop gentle basics
Common questions
What are the best baby clothes for sensitive skin?
Soft, breathable cotton for the layer next to the skin, with flat seams, no scratchy tags and a loose fit. Certified organic cotton limits the chemicals used in processing. Wash with a mild non-bio detergent and skip fabric softener.
Is organic cotton better for eczema?
No fabric treats eczema. UK guidance generally recommends loose cotton clothing next to the skin. Organic cotton is one option that meets that, and GOTS certification limits chemical finishes, but always follow your GP or health visitor's advice.
What fabrics should I avoid for sensitive baby skin?
Wool and rough fibres directly against the skin, and synthetics that can trap heat and sweat. If you use them for warmth, put a soft cotton layer underneath.
What detergent is best for babies with sensitive skin?
A mild, non-biological, fragrance-free detergent, used sparingly, with an extra rinse and no fabric softener.
Every Lucy & Sam piece is made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton and designed in the UK.
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