Why Pima Cotton Is the Best Fabric for Baby Clothes

If you've ever wondered why some baby clothes feel impossibly soft while others seem scratchy right out of the package, the answer usually comes down to one thing: fabric. When it comes to dressing your baby in the best, pima cotton stands in a category of its own. Here's everything you need to know about why pima cotton is the best fabric for baby clothes — and why it's the only fabric we use at Gabby Lou Baby.

What Is Pima Cotton?

Pima cotton is a premium, extra-long staple (ELS) cotton known for its exceptional softness, strength, and durability. Originally cultivated in Peru and the American Southwest, pima cotton fibers are significantly longer than standard cotton — which makes the resulting fabric smoother, stronger, and less likely to pill. The result is clothing that feels luxuriously soft against even the most delicate skin.

Why Pima Cotton Is Perfect for Babies

Newborn skin is up to 30% thinner than adult skin — which means it absorbs more, irritates faster, and needs the gentlest fabrics possible. Pima cotton is naturally hypoallergenic, breathable, and thermoregulating, which helps keep babies comfortable in any season. It also washes beautifully without losing its softness over time. For babies with sensitive skin or eczema, pima cotton is often the only fabric that doesn't cause irritation.

Shop Our Pima Cotton Collection

Every piece at Gabby Lou Baby is made from 100% Peruvian pima cotton. Our Short Playsuit is a bestseller for good reason — the buttery-soft pima fabric makes diaper changes effortless with its snap closure, and it comes in four beautiful colors. For cooler nights, our Baby Blues Footed Onesie is the coziest sleep option we make, with built-in footies so you never lose a sock at 3 a.m. When fabric is this good, getting dressed is one of the best parts of the day.