Can babies wear polyester? Are polyester crib sheets and blankets safe for your baby? Is polyester safe for babies to chew on? If you’ve asked yourself any of these questions lately, you are far from alone! Polyester is a popular fabric of choice in the manufacture of baby gear, baby clothing, crib bedding, as well as baby toys. As the use of polyester continues to grow, so do concerns about its safety. Is polyester safe for babies? Let’s dive into how polyester is made and whether its use poses any risks for your baby.
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What is polyester?
Polyester is a synthetic fiber derived from petroleum. (Unlike cotton which is made from the fibers that naturally form in the ripening seed pods of the cotton plant.)
A bio-based alternative exists that incorporates plant sources like sugarcane instead of oil, but plant-based polyester is a rare find even today with the growing trend of eco-friendly manufacturing and technologies simply because it’s more costly to produce.
There are several types of polyester. Among them, the most commercially significant are PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PTT (polytrimethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), and PBT (polybutylene terephthalate).
Wonder what plastic PET bottles have to do with polyester fabrics? A lot, actually! Both materials are made from the same substance – polyester polymer. When PET is used to make plastic bottles it’s referred to as “PET” (or sometimes “PETE”), whereas the textile form of PET is known as “polyester.”
Polyester fibers are made by reacting acids and alcohols in a vacuum at very high temperatures, in a process known as condensation polymerization. Freshly made or re-melted polymer is poured into metal devices with tiny holes (called spinnerets) which turns the liquid polymer into viscous strands. The polymer strands are cooled to solidify, followed by a spinning process where they are stretched to five or more times their original size and further processed depending on the desired qualities of the fiber.
Various chemicals are routinely applied throughout the process of polyester fiber manufacturing such as dyes, stabilizers, UV absorbers, flame retardants, and others.
Polyester and flame retardant chemicals
Raw polyester fibers are highly combustible and must be chemically treated to resist ignition.
Many flame retardants have been shown to cause neurological damage, hormone disruption, reproductive issues, and cancer.
The reported industry standard is to insert flame-retardant chemicals into the polymer during the melt phase in the polymerization stage which makes the chemicals part of the fiber on a molecular level and unlikely to leach. But this isn’t the only way polyester fibers can be made flame-resistant.
Another disclosed form of making polyester fibers non-flammable is adding flame retardants after the fibers are made, either during the spinning stage, or as a post-production enhancement process. This application would make the chemical finishes less stable and more likely to leach from the fabric.
Unfortunately, details pertaining to the fiber making process are typically highly guarded as part of trade secrets.
Virgin polyester vs. Recycled polyester
Both types of polyester are common on today’s market.
- Virgin polyester is a newly manufactured material using raw constituents.
- Recycled polyester fibers are made by reusing already existing plastic materials, typically single-use clear plastic bottles. Products made with recycled polyester are usually marketed as eco-friendly or green.
The beginning of their transformation may be different, but at the melt stage before the fibers are extruded, both polymer sources have identical chemical composition.
I’m not aware that one would be “safer” than the other. The most notable difference between the two is that recycled polyester requires significantly less energy to produce, so it’s more environmentally friendly to make.
Is polyester safe for babies?
Although polyester fibers are made with a variety of hazardous and carcinogenic chemical compounds, polyester in its final and finished form is considered safe and non-toxic, based on the notion that chemical treatments are utilized in a way that makes the chemicals part of the fiber’s molecular structure.
That said, there are a few reasons to be wary of polyester fabrics in baby care.
If you want to protect your baby from the effects of polyester, consider the following:
Polyester = plastic. Polyester is a good thermal insulator so it can help keep your baby warm during the colder months, but it’s not very breathable and doesn’t absorb sweat, neither of which is good for your baby’s skin. In addition, polyester contributes to environmental pollution because it breaks down into microplastic fibers that shed from the fabric every time a polyester garment is being worn or washed.
Polyester is prone to static build-up. Synthetic fabrics like polyester create static electricity when they come in contact with other synthetic layers, dry skin, or hair. Static electricity can’t harm your baby, but it’s not pleasant for your baby to get shocked. (Tip: try vinegar in the final rinse cycle or wool dryer balls in the dryer to reduce static in fabrics – instead of dryer sheets which are laden with chemicals.)
Polyester can cause your baby to overheat. Babies are prone to overheating because they aren’t yet able to balance heat production and heat loss. When they wear non-breathable fabrics like polyester that trap body heat, their body temperature can rise very quickly. Using polyester sleepwear (like those snuggly fleece pajamas) increases your baby’s risk of overheating in their sleep. (If you use polyester pajamas or sleep sack, make sure not to overdress your baby.)
Polyester can irritate baby’s skin. Allergic skin reactions to polyester are not uncommon. Some babies dressed in polyester for even a brief period of time end up with sudden redness, itching, rashes, or even eczema. That can be the inevitable outcome of the low breathability of polyester, a reaction to dyes (polyester is often dyed with allergenic disperse dyes) or chemical coatings of the fibers, or a combination of both. If your baby has sensitive skin, it’s best to keep exposure to polyester fabrics to a minimum if they are to come in direct contact with the skin.
Is polyester safe for baby to sleep on?
Polyester crib sheets and blankets aren’t breathable so they can cause your baby to overheat or break out in a rash in the same way that polyester clothes can. The static cling tendency of polyester is yet another reason to steer clear of polyester crib sheets.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Non-Toxic Baby Products
It’s better to use natural fabrics for your baby’s bedding instead of polyester. They are less likely to cause skin irritation and ultimately have a better feel next to the skin.
Best fabric for baby clothes and bedding
It’s ideal to choose soft breathable fabrics for baby’s clothes or crib sheets and blankets, such as cotton or jersey cotton. Another popular option is bamboo which is a semi-natural fiber (naturally sourced but produced via chemical reactions). Bamboo textiles are breathable and incredibly soft.
Organic vs. conventional cotton: organic cotton tends to be softer than conventional cotton and is grown with fewer chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Whenever you see any “organic cotton” claims on a label, check for proof so that you don’t pay for a false promise.
Two well-known certifications for organic fibers are OCS (Organic Content Standard) and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard). There are specific rules for organic fiber content under these certifications, and it’s permissible for textiles to contain a certain amount of polyester fibers under both of these labels. Of the two, GOTS is the elite certification – while the OCS label only verifies the presence and content of organic fibers, GOTS certification requires safe non-toxic processing in addition to organic sourcing.
OEKO-TEX certified polyester
Polyester can be OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified. Is OEKO-TEX certified polyester safer?
Using OEKO-TEX certified polyester can give you some peace of mind, knowing that the item has passed the organization’s rigorous testing requirements.
The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification screens for several hundred harmful substances within all components of the finished textiles (such as buttons and zippers). The certification doesn’t guarantee that the product is completely free of all problematic chemicals, but the limit values for known harmful substances are fairly strict, even more so for baby textiles which is the most restrictive product class.
Is polyester safe for baby toys?
Many soft and plush baby toys are made from polyester.
Just as with any textile products, soft baby toys other than GOTS-certified can pose certain risks of exposure to harmful chemicals. That said, just handling toys made with polyester fabric components is less of a risk compared with having your baby chew on the fabric.
Is polyester safe for babies to chew on?
I wouldn’t encourage the habit of mouthing fabric toys that aren’t GOTS-certified regularly and for extended periods of time, based on the multitude of chemical treatments the fibers may have gone through and the likelihood of your baby ingesting those chemicals.
Babies are particularly vulnerable to the effects of chemicals they are exposed to. Their nervous systems and organs are still developing, and hand-to-mouth behavior leads to ingestion of greater amounts of dispersed chemicals. An immature developing system can only handle so much until it becomes a problem.
I would treat polyester fiberfill in the same way.
Polyester fiberfill (polyfill) is the most common filling of stuffed animals and other soft toys sold today. It’s made in a similar way as polyester fibers, except that instead of spinning the fibers in those final stages, the filaments are combed to form a fluffy lightweight batting. Different processes are used to give the fibers specific qualities – for example, some polyfill is coated with silicone for a softer feel.
So far I haven’t come across a study that would evaluate chemical leaching on contact with the mouth, such as chewing and sucking, the typical behavior expected from babies in the teething stage. I would be hesitant letting a teething baby frequently soothe irritated gums on toys stuffed with polyester fiberfill.
Teething babies will benefit from having access to natural teethers and baby toys made with GOTS-certified fabric since at this stage the majority of objects are destined to end up in the mouth.
Summary: Is polyester safe for babies?
Polyester is considered safe, but it’s not the most appropriate material for baby clothes or bedding. It doesn’t let the skin breathe and may overheat your baby. It has a synthetic feel and can irritate sensitive skin. Lastly, polyester fiber production is highly variable and very little disclosure is available, so use your best judgment.
Polyester baby products to avoid:
- polyester bedding
- clothing that sits next to the skin
- anything babies will put in their mouths
It’s OK for babies to wear polyester if they are not reacting to it. Don’t feel bad if several baby garments you own are made of polyester.
For items that touch the skin, it’s best to use soft breathable fabrics without static charge like cotton, cotton jersey, or bamboo.
All baby clothes and bedding should always be washed before use. This will help remove some residues from the fabric from chemical applications from the factory or contaminants from previous use in the case of a second-hand item.
References:
Polyesters: Polymer Database; https://polymerdatabase.com/polymer%20classes/Polyester%20type.html
Polyester; Chemistry LibreText; https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Organic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_(Organic_Chemistry)/Esters/Reactivity_of_Esters/Polyesters
What is Polyester Fabric: Properties, How its Made and Where; Sewport; https://sewport.com/fabrics-directory/polyester-fabric
Polyester Properties, Production, Price, Market and Uses; Plastics Insight; https://www.plasticsinsight.com/resin-intelligence/resin-prices/polyester/
Exposure Assessment: Potential for the Presence of Phthalates and Other Specified Elements in Undyed Manufactured Fibers and their Colorants; CPSC; https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/TERA%20Task17%20Report%20Phthalates%20and%20ASTM%20Elements%20in%20Manufactured%20Fibers.pdf
Flame Retardants; NIH; https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/flame_retardants/index.cfm
Appendix BFlame-Retardant Composition in Fabrics: Their Durability and Permanence; NCBI; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK225652/
Flame-Retardant Unsaturated Polyester Resins: An Overview of Past and Recent Developments; IntechOpen; https://www.intechopen.com/books/polyester-production-characterization-and-innovative-applications/flame-retardant-unsaturated-polyester-resins-an-overview-of-past-and-recent-developments
Flame Retardancy; Sew What? Inc.; https://sewwhatinc.com/resources/flame-retardancy/fabric-flammability/
Sustainable Flame-Retardant Finishing of Textiles Advancement in Technology; RHO; https://www.routledgehandbooks.com/doi/10.1201/b18428-5
Some Flame Retardants of Concern; Green Science Policy Institute; https://greensciencepolicy.org/harmful-chemicals/flame-retardants/fr-list/
