What makes up good baby swimming clothes? Have you ever wondered what your baby’s swimwear is made of? How does it make your baby safe while swimming? Are these fabrics sustainable for the environment? Worry no more because here are the top four fabric materials for your little one’s Outfit of the Day (OOTD) swimwear.
Elastane
Elastane fabric is a type of synthetic fiber that is exceptionally elastic that it can stretch up to 7 times its original size.
Characteristics:
- It is smooth and lightweight.
- It prevents baggy clothing.
- It can be easily dyed for those who want to customize their baby’s swimwear.
- It cannot easily deteriorate.
- It is resilient to scratch.
- It is more durable and tougher than rubber suits; and
- It can be repeatedly stretched but goes back to its original shape.
This will most likely make your young one’s swimsuit stretchable which allows for movements and growth. However, swimming clothes with elastane when worn out cannot be recycled. Hence, this can lead to environmental problems as it is non-biodegradable and contains chemical toxins same as plastic and polyester.
Polyester
This material is a special type of synthetic fabric with features comparable to cotton.
Characteristics:
- It has strong resilient fibers.
- It is a soft and comfortable fit to hold the baby’s body shape.
- It is durable and resistant to shrinkage as well.
- It is abrasion or pilling resistant.
- It can be laundered easily and is quick drying.
- It is chlorine resistant especially those babies who prefer pools rather than beaches.
- It has a UV-protection feature.
- It is exceptionally breathable.
- It can be stretched.
The disadvantage of the fabric is that it is composed of non-renewable materials, which contribute to global warming.Polyester is produced using dangerous chemicals, including carcinogens, and if these chemicals are released into the environment without being treated, they may cause severe environmental damage in the area where they are dumped.
Nylon
The nylon, spandex, or lycra swimming clothes fabrics are some of the most popular materials in the clothing industry.
Characteristics:
- It is soft-to-touch.
- It is durable and lasts long.
- It is lightweight.
- It can be stretched easily.
- It can also hold its shape.
- It launders easily and dries quickly.
- It can protect the body from UV light especially when the baby swims under the sun.
- It can repel water.
The only catch is that if your child has sensitive skin, swimwear with a higher volume of polyamide might not be your go-to swimming suit. It is a non-biodegradable fabric that led to the increase of our fossil fuel consumption and co-dependency.
Neoprene
Neoprene fabric is a petrochemical substance made from petroleum in a factory – basically, it is synthetic in nature.
Characteristics:
- It is impermeable, meaning, it does not allow breathability but is good for insulation.
- It is elastic and can be stretched.
- It can keep the heat within the body while the baby swims.
- It can be formed in any shape and size.
Like all other petrochemical-derived fabrics, neoprene has a negative effect on the environment. It causes water and land pollution depending on where the by-products of the processes are dumped.
