The Best Organic Newborn Baby Brands: A Comprehensive (and oh-so-honest) Review from a Mum of Two
With baby three on the way, I’ve been shopping up a storm. Nowadays, there are heaps of nontoxic textiles available (it’s even a bit overwhelming). I combed through my first two babies’ newborn clothes and rediscovered my favorite finds. Then, I bought the 2019’s latest and greatest.
So, what’s worth the splurge versus what’s a bit of a waste? I’ve tried a bit of everything from different brands (newborn gowns, kimonos, footed rompers and layettes) so hopefully, this comprehensive guide comes in handy and saves you some hassle in the long run.
Milkbarn:
Milkbarn is my first choice for all things whimsical. Think quirky prints (confetti, raccoons, diamonds) and bright colors. Each outfit’s pattern is hand-drawn by a 19-year-old artist/future aerospace engineer named Haley. The company is run and founded by Haley’s mum Stacy. It’s the type of mother-daughter collaboration that even Lorelai and Rory would appreciate.
Soft Score: This brand has a wide range. On my “touch” test Milkbarn’s bamboo footed romper ranked third but Milkbarn’s Cotton newborn gown & hat set ranked last.
Price Point: $30 for rompers, $40 for sets
What I Love: Milkbarn doesn’t just sell baby clothes, you can find everything in matching patterns—blankets, bath towels and bowties. Does my nursing scarf match my kid’s kerchief bib? Yep. #MommyMatchingForTheWin
Things to Note: Milkbarn is sized generously—both wide and long. So don’t plan on your Milkbarn outfits being the “take-home-outfit”. In fact, both of my kids didn’t start fitting in their 0-3 month outfits until reaching 3 months. Also, I did notice that this brand tends to leave larger gaps between each snap and the fabric around the snaps do a bit fragile. So far, I haven’t had a problem with it, but it’s something I noticed.
Also, Milkbarns’s fit can vary between different fabrics even within the same style. I think this is partly because Milkbarn products aren’t mass manufactured (which I think is a lovely touch). Oh, and on my second baby, I started cutting the itchy tag off on the inside of the gowns.
KicKee Pants:
KicKee is my first choice for all things functional. Plus, it’s been sported on the babes of the Timberlakes, Zuckerbergs and Kardashians. People make a big deal over KicKee’s zippered footies, but for me, the star of the functionality show is Kickee’s layette gown. Truly. It’s by-far my favorite newborn parenting hack. When your knee-deep into newborn madness, no sane mum has time for buttons or snaps. Any layette gown is genius, and Kickee has refined that genius by added hand mitts on the sleeves.
Soft Score: Overall this brand won first place on my "touch" test. It's just feels so very lovely.
Price Point: $32 for layettes, $45 for sets, $12 for hats
What I Love: KicKee’s bamboo fabrics are thin and oh-so-breathable. They are perfect for spring, summer and fall (but you’ll probably want to opt for a thicker fabric in the winter). I also really appreciate how well the bamboo fabric washes. I’ve never had to worry about lotion or oil stains with my KicKee gowns and hats. I’m also a bit obsessed with the Kickee Sleeping bags—they are oh-so-pretty! And if you are craving some coordination you can also get matching father-son “underlayers” which is a sweet touch.
Things to Note: Size up when ordering from Kickee. Almost everything (except the pants) run small—plus KicKee clothes tend to shrink even more on first wash. KicKee’s fabric can be a bit of a pain to wash. Unless you like pilling and (the occasional) print-cracking, make sure you wash everything inside out on a cold + delicate cycle. And don’t forget to air dry.
While my babies tend to be on the shorter side, I have heard other mums mention that the KicKee layette gowns can be too snug or too short. So, you might want to opt for some longer options (like Parade’s Organic Gowns) if you know your babe is bound to be bigger than average.
Finn & Emma:
If you have an eye for details, patterns and neutral colors you’ll love Finn & Emma. This brand has a lot to offer, but their footie coveralls are my standalone favorite. Seriously, Finn & Emma coveralls brings vogue to the land of endless same-old, same-old onesies. Also, I’m obsessed with how many matching items they have in each collection. Do you dream at night of matching everything? You’ll find teething rings, bibs, blankets, bodysuits, pjs, and rompers—all in the same loveable pattern. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Soft Score: This Fabric is soft and thick, but it didn’t make it into my top three softest list.
Price Point: $34 for footies, $48 for sets, $14 for hats
What I Love: If you are looking for a bit of infant extravagance, opt for Finn & Emma. Even the snaps have stunning geometric designs on them and wooden inserts. And while cut, color and patterns are a delight, you also won’t lose out on durability. The fabric is thick and I’ve machine washed and (gasp) dried it multiple times with no problems. I also adore the itch-free tags.
Things to Note: This brand is also sized generously (making it perfect for cloth diapers) but might make it fit a bit strange at first for the newest of newborns. I’ve noticed it tends to be looser in the neckline, shoulders and sleeves.
FIRSTS - Petite Lem
Want the perfect coming home outfit? For $40, Peit Lem’s five piece set will have you covered. Complete with shirt, pants, hat, bib and bodysuit. The patterns are subtle, artsy and pair well for layering. Petit Lem also have these exclusive onesie designs with gorgeous calligraphy quotes on the onesie’s back which makes for truly great photo-ops. Scroll through their insta feed and try night to covet.
Soft Score: This Fabric is made of a soft and stretchy cotton but it didn’t make it into our top three.
Price Point: $30 for footies, $40 for sets (it’s a lovely 5 piece set), $9 for hats
What I Love: If you’ve decided to make the gender a birth-surprise, you’ll want to do all your shopping at Petit Lem. Almost all of their patterns are gorgeous but also gender neutral, so you won’t have to worry about making any unexpected returns when your sweet babe enters this world.
Things to Note: The onesies run a bit smaller, but the stretch seems to make up for it. While the hats are a bit big.
Burts Bees Baby:
This brand wins my best value award. You get durable outfits (decked out with lovely details) all without breaking the bank. Their five bodysuits for $25 dollars would even make walmart blush—and you are still getting GOTS approved organic cotton fabric. Plus, if you have a family that loves to tag team on baby shower gifts, you can ask for the Baby Bee Box (and you’ll get your basic baby-needs covered) all while supporting a great cause. Here’s an unboxing video I liked that shows off what you’d be getting.
Soft Score: This cotton is nice (about the same softness as Petit Lem’s fabric) but it didn’t make it on our top three softest.
Price Point: $8 -12 for footies, $8 - $15 for sets, $9 for hats
What I Love: Details. Details, Details. From cute wooden buttons, to sewn calligraphy and extra touches on the elbow pads. This company nails it. Burt’s Bee’s neutral baby line even comes with a quilt with the same matching fabric as a bunch of bundled onesies. And the “nature’s wonders” line deserves a high-five for incorporating tree ring patterns in such a whimsical way. I also can’t seem to get over how affordable everything is.
Things to Note: Burt’s Bees sizes also tends to run large lengthwise, and occasionally I’ve read that it can be a bit tight in the legs for some babies, but so far I haven’t run into that.
Babysoy:
Babysoy is also no stranger to celebrities—with outfits gracing the babes of Brooke Shields, Jennifer Garner, Halle Berry & Ming-Na Wen. It also has a tendency to rake up awards (Parent Tested Parent Approved Award, iParent Media Award, Mom's Choice Award and the Baby Planner Seal of Approval). Celebrities and awards aside, the real reasons I stock up on Babysoy clothes are two fold: Babysoy’s designs are incredibly practical and each outfit is truly well0made. The seams, the stitches, the nickel-free snaps and of course that thick fabric—it’s all quality.
Soft Score: This brand didn’t rank in top three for my “touch” test. The line of clothing is less silky-smooth and more cottony.
Price Point: $28-30 for layettes, $28-33 for sets, $16 for hats
What I Love: If you swear by cloth diapers, you’ll love babysoy. Each outfit runs wide, leaving plenty of room for the extra layers. Babysoy’s thicker fabric also makes it ideal for babes who either run cold or who were born into the colder months. I also appreciate that the snaps are spaced perfectly (not too wide, not too close) and there's actually an overlap underneath the snaps with extra fabric so that if your baby is a bit wiggly, they still won’t show skin.
Things to Note: Babysoy’s newborn lines were made for baby’s sized short and adorably chunky. If your newborns tend to be extra long and lean, then expect their little toes to sneak out of the bottom when the elastic rides up. Generally, I think 0-3 month width will be swallow most newborns, but of course it’s great for them to grow into.
L'oved Baby:
Oh, there is so many romper and jogger goodness that you’ll find on the L’oved Baby website. This brand is pricier, and their sizing can be a bit of a gamble. But on the positive side, when you do end up finding the perfect fit, you’ll love the quality. The snaps are made out of a very strong metal so they don’t feel flimsy, plus I’ve found that a lot of snap closures goes to the side of the belly button so it didn't bother a tender umbilical cord. L’oved Baby outfits wear well and I swear that they get softer and softer each wash.
Soft Score: This cotton feels great (and is a bit thicker Petit Lem’s fabric) but it didn’t make it on our top three softest.
Price Point: $26 for footies, not many sets are for sale, $10 for one hat.
What we Love: Big Find Thursday. Every Thursday at 9am sharp, this company has a grab bag sale online. You pick your size, you pick your gender and then surprise of 3-4 different baby garments gets shipped to your door. It’s just fun and a great deal if you love their clothes.
Things to Note: Sizing can be inconsistent, not only line to line but from color to color. Also, L’oved Baby’s clothing is cut intentionally long. Which is good to keep in mind if you were planning on this being your take-home outfit. The 100% cotton fabric will shrink to the intended size the first time you dry it. For reference, their newborn/preemie size is intended for 4 to 7 pound babies and 0 to 3 months size is intended for 7-12 lbs.
I hope you loved this smorgasbord review of different baby lines. Let me know if it's helped you hone in on the perfect match for you and your baby. There are so many wonderful clothing brands out there, so, if my sister and I missed one, please let us know and comment below!
Cheers,
Hazel
