LOL pandora, I feel you're not totally supportive of the ML thing . Well, me neither but I insist you try gliding. You'll love it, and obv find it really easy as the controls are just the same other than there's no engine LOL. Landing is a bit cruder too, as a) you land on your belly and b) the airbrakes are somewhat basic . But the good thing is you get to wear a parachute .
cunty conventional cotton clothing comes complete with a coating of formaldehyde for various reasons. If you don't go organic, look for the Oeko-Tex standard which although is conventional cotton (usually - it may ALSO be organic but would say so if it was) it is presented without harmful chemicals on the material.
I personally would pre-wash conventional clothing but LC had bad eczema so it affected his skin. Most babies can be put straight into just-bought normal clothes, as pandy says. It's not scare-mongering, I disagree there, but more that some babies are more prone to reacting than others and you quickly find which is which. We have bad skin problems in our family - if you don't you're prob ok.
Can I also recommend washing in soap nuts rather than regular stuff (and if you use regular stuff always use non bio). Soap nuts aren't good for adult clothing where the sweat is stronger and more fatty, and needs a stronger detergent to break it down. But they're great for kiddie and baby clothes as they wash out sick, poo and mud which is all you need, and leave the clothes without an additional layer of smelly chemicals. It's interesting how you may not notice the washing powder scent until you don't get it and clothes just smell all fresh and cottony and lovely.
ALWAYS wash your nappies in non bio, NEVER bio or colour care, or you can use soap nuts (but you will prob need the detergent). Never, ever use fabric softener. If you need to soften them over time, put a dash of white vinegar (the white malt kind, not white wine) in the fabric softener part of your machine. You do need to pre-wash nappies about 3 times (with no detergent, just water) before use. Don't bother drying in between. This gets them nice and absorbant.
horse girls Very sad to read in H&H that Karen Dixon's horse Get Smart was put down He was 30, but it's one of those moments where another classic, outstanding horse is lost to history