Baby and toddler skin is thinner and more reactive than adult skin. What touches it all day — especially in Indian heat — matters. ## Cotton: the familiar safe choice Cotton is breathable, absorbent, and generally gentle. It lets air move and helps sweat evaporate, which reduces the damp, clingy feeling that can irritate folds and necks. **Pros** - Soft hand-feel when well finished - Breathable for warm climates - Easy to wash at home **Watch-outs** - Poor-quality cotton can still feel rough - Heavy dyes or harsh finishes matter more than the fibre name alone ## Synthetics (polyester, nylon blends) Synthetics are strong, often cheaper, and hold bright colours. Many activewear and outer layers use them for a reason. **Pros** - Durable and quick-drying in some constructions - Good for light outer layers or accents **Watch-outs** - Less breathable against skin in peak summer - Can trap heat and moisture next to the body - Some children notice static or a “plastic” feel ## What’s actually safer day to day? For **base layers and everyday wear** against the skin — especially for babies and toddlers — **cotton or high-cotton blends** are usually the more comfortable default in warm weather. Synthetics are not “poison,” but they are often better as **outer** pieces, party overlays, or performance layers — not the only fabric against delicate skin for 8–10 hours. ## Quick parent checklist 1. Prefer soft cotton for undershirts, rompers, and sleepwear 2. Check seams and labels for scratch points 3. Wash new clothes once before first wear 4. If a fabric smells strongly chemical out of the pack, wash thoroughly or skip it At Zibi Zoop we lean into soft, parent-friendly fabrics because comfort is not a luxury for little ones — it is the baseline.