Once in a while, as if in a cycle, well-meaning writers will go into a rap-session about the risk associated with formaldehyde use in baby clothing manufacture and how the presence of formaldehyde on baby singlets, tees, etc will soon destroy the human species as we know it… starting with our smallest citizens.

The question is: how much of this hysteria about formaldehyde is just health-nut nonsense? Should all parents be extremely worried about clothing their baby from Day #1 in tender-loving cotton baby singlets? Or even popular baby t-shirts and rompers? It’s important to get to the truth regarding this particular known toxin and what risk – if any – it may become to baby’s wellness and well-being.

We do need to agree, it’s correct that formaldehyde is a nasty substance. Just the word itself is suggestive of something you really wouldn’t want to have anywhere near your baby. Isn’t it used for pickling research organs? Well yes, but formaldehyde is also one of a number of substances that are used in textile factory production. But do the ends excuse the means? Or is the threat made far too much of?

There are essentially two kinds of solutions for fabric which feature formaldehyde. One kind washes out without delay and the other is intended to bond permanently to textile, performing efficiently and causing potential allergy problems over time. Of course, it’s those wonderful ’no iron’ and ‘crease-free’ treatments which qualify for concerned outcry. These manufacturing processes contain formaldehyde-based resins that will persist on the fabric over its lifetime. It’s unproblematic to test for formaldehyde. For as long as the ‘permanent press’ treatment is noticeable on the fabric, the formaldehyde is exuding its dangerous do-do to a certain degree.

Luckily for babies all over the globe, most baby clothing is made from plant-based cotton fabric. During the factory processes, cotton fabric is treated with a formaldehyde-containing formula. This formula makes the cotton fabric shinier on the surface and more crease-resistant. The extra lustre on the surface also makes the cotton more slick, so it can be cut from the pattern and sewn by machinists more rapidly in the factory. This enhanced smoothness helps all the way along to the department stores, where clothes can be displayed straight out of the shipping box without re-pressing.

Anyone would have to agree that the new baby rompers you buy anywhere carry a detectable formaldehyde presence. But every shopper who has purchased a nice t-shirt, worn it once and put it through the laundry cycle will know that “brand new feel” and “silky” finish… these generally attractive qualities cannot survive the first passage through the family wash.

For carers who are worried about the presence of formaldehyde in baby singlets etcgarments and blankets), the fix is cheap and easy:

1. Launder all new baby clothing items once, at least, before use.

2. Avoid buying, giving or receiving baby clothes that claim to be “crease resistant” or “no ironing needed”.

Following these very straightforward precautions will mean that little ones can enjoy all the comfort and convenience of cotton baby clothing, without this clever selection bearing too heavily on the minds of their families.