A few days ago, Little Tiger got a patch of heat rash on his back β the red kind. He kept scratching in his sleep.
I was baffled. I'd been dressing him in pure cotton t-shirts β isn't that what everyone says is the most breathable choice?
I started digging, and realized I'd been fooled by "cotton is best" for way too long. Cotton does absorb sweat, but once saturated, it can't dry quickly. After ten minutes of running outside, that cotton tee is wet and clinging, trapping heat instead of cooling.
The real solution: performance quick-dry fabric β like athletic wear. It wicks moisture away and keeps skin dry. Many kids' brands now make summer quick-dry styles that look like regular tees.
Cotton is fine at home with AC. But for outdoor play, quick-dry is a game changer.