Many people remember wool as scratchy. So it is fair to ask: why would anyone put a baby in wool? The answer lies in the fibre. Merino is a very fine wool, and it behaves quite differently from a thick winter jumper.
Why merino does not itch
Wool feels itchy when its fibres are thick and stiff. They do not bend when they touch the skin, but poke into it. Research by the Australian science agency CSIRO showed that this prickle comes mainly from fibres thicker than about 30 microns. Merino fibres are much finer, usually under 24 microns, and fine baby merino is often under 20. These fibres simply bend away, so they feel soft.
Warm, but not too warm
Merino helps keep the body at a comfortable temperature. It traps air between the fibres, which keeps warmth in on cold days. At the same time, it lets moisture escape, so a baby is less likely to feel clammy. That is why merino works both as a winter layer and as a light layer in spring and autumn.
Dry skin, less sweat
Wool can take up moisture vapour into the fibre itself, and still feel dry to the touch. Cotton, in comparison, gets wet on the surface and then feels cold. For a baby in a pram or a carrier, this means sweat is moved away from the skin instead of staying there.
What about sensitive skin and eczema?
Some studies have looked at fine merino clothing for children with mild to moderate eczema. They found that it did not make the skin worse, and in some cases it helped. Part of this research was funded by the wool industry, so it should be read with that in mind. A real allergy to wool is rare. If a child has very sensitive skin or eczema, it is best to ask a doctor first and start with one piece.
How to wash merino
- Wash cool, on a wool or hand-wash programme, with a wool detergent.
- No fabric softener and no bleach.
- Gently press out the water, do not wring.
- Dry flat, not in direct sunlight or on a heater.
- Often airing is enough. Merino naturally resists odours, so it needs washing less often than cotton.
Merino at Nima Baby
Our merino collection includes overalls, tops and trousers, blankets, knitted booties and a merino balaclava, made in Estonia and other European countries. Most pieces are OEKO-TEX® certified. They work as a base or middle layer from autumn to spring.
A note on blankets: our merino blankets are for the pram, the carrier or time awake. For sleep, a sleeping bag is the safer choice than a loose blanket.
Sources
- Naylor, G. R. S. et al. (CSIRO), research on wool fibre diameter and skin prickle
- Su, J. C. et al. (2017): Superfine merino wool versus cotton clothing in children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. British Journal of Dermatology
- Fowler, J. F. et al. (2019): Effects of merino wool on atopic dermatitis using clinical, quality of life, and physiological outcome measures. Dermatitis
- The Lullaby Trust: Safer sleep advice
This article gives general information and does not replace advice from a doctor.