The best fabrics

   The best fabrics to warm your child this winter

With the arrival of the colder seasons, there is great concern about respiratory diseases. Especially in the case of babies, who have a more fragile immune system. "Children are born with some defense components and others are formed over the years, this is what we call adaptive or acquired immunity. Some of these components are only around the age of 7.

The first months of life are the time when the child begins to come into contact with possible causes of allergies, such as dust mites and house dust. The most common in children are skin allergies, such as contact dermatitis, and respiratory allergies, such as bronchitis and asthma. Therefore, any places that accumulate them can be dangerous, including warm baby clothes.

Learn more: 8 common questions about skin allergies in babies

To know which children are more prone to allergies, just look at the family history. Usually, those who have allergic first-degree relatives have a higher chance of having reactions with certain allergens. When parents have some type of allergy, the probability is even greater. With that in mind, we have listed the main fabrics we use in winter and the care we should take with them to preserve the health of babies.

Most recommended: Sweatshirt

For dermatologist Samar Harati, from Hospital São Luiz, this is the best fabric for children in winter. "It does not have lines to accumulate dust and mites, avoiding risks of causing allergies and allowing the baby to stay warm", says the specialist. The fabric is often made with 100% cotton, which makes it easy to wash

another positive point of this type of fabric. Usually it is used for garments such as pants and coats.

Indicated, if used and cared for carefully

Flannel

This fabric is very versatile for winter, and can be composed of wool, synthetic fiber and cotton. The ideal is to prefer that most of the composition is formed by the last type of yarn. "Synthetic fibers can irritate the child's skin, cotton dries faster and accumulates less allergens", differentiates immunologist and allergist Fátima Rodrigues, from Hospital Infantil Sabará. It can be used for various pieces, such as coats and pants.

Plush

The biggest feature of plush, fabric used in blankets and coats, is to be more fluffy and very similar to a plush. For this very reason, it is the perfect place for the accumulation of dust and mites, as immunologist Fátima Rodrigues reminds us. But the ideal is to check the fabric composition on the label, the higher the percentage of cotton, and therefore the lower the polyester, the better for the little ones, as it is less irritating for the baby. There are plushs with up to 80% cotton, it is worth prioritizing.

Velvet

A classic and interesting type for pieces like pants, it can be quite heavy. The only problem is that it also has a fluffy feature, with short fluff on the surface, being a good place for dust and mites to accumulate, needing to be washed quite often. 

Soft

Common fabric for blankets and coats, it is very furry, which already contraindicates its use. This makes it a bad option, as it accumulates dust and mite residues. Normally, these arachnids tend to hide in porous materials, and hairier tissues have this characteristic, as taught by immunologist and allergist Fátima. But by washing the pieces frequently, every week, for example, it is not necessary to completely stop using them, points out the specialist.

Least favorite: Wool

This material has two main problems: the first is that it is very fluffy and therefore releases lint, which can irritate the baby's airways. Secondly, because it has a lot of spaces, it is the ideal fabric for the accumulation of dust and mites. The ideal is to avoid fabric, and if you already have a piece made with it, such as blankets, scarves and coats, it is worth taking special care. "Wool requires that the pieces be dried in the sun and stored in individual plastic bags", emphasizes dermatologist Samar. Another tip is to prefer less furry types when buying clothes made from this material. Less furry wools, on the other hand, can scratch or sting the baby's delicate skin. It is also worth observing the quality of the product in the store, and testing it on your own skin if necessary.

Learn more: Inside what happens in your baby's first month of life

What about the parents' clothes?

Not only are the children's pieces important, but also the parents', since babies come into contact with these materials on a daily basis, when they are held in their arms, for example. As winter items are stored throughout the other seasons, you need to remove them from the closets before they cool down and take special care when washing them.

"To have proper hygiene, it is important to avoid products with strong smells, prefer neutral soaps, wash and rinse the fabric several times and dry the clothes in a ventilated environment, so as not to accumulate mold", explains immunologist Fátima. Dusting the environments is also a good idea, always using a damp cloth instead of vacuum cleaners, brooms and dusters, which only spread the particles.

 another positive point of this type of fabric. about see more