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Original poster

Washing brand new baby clothes...

32 replies

Holymoly321 · 05/09/2005 17:04

... do I have to? Surely I should just be able to put brand new clothes straight onto the baby? I'll be doing enough washing once baby arrives! What do people think? Did you wash all your brand new baby clothes before putting them on your child?

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SenoraPostrophe · 05/09/2005 17:05

no.

tortoiseshell · 05/09/2005 17:05

I think not, dh thought yes.

fairydust · 05/09/2005 17:05

i never washed any of mine and i kept all the tags on them till worn as well - that way if it doesn't get worn you can always exchange it.

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QueenOfQuotes · 05/09/2005 17:05

no.

jessicaandbumpsmummy · 05/09/2005 17:06

i did, but then i was off work and it was my first baby and i was impatient! Silly thing was that any clothes i got given once Jess was born that were brand new - i didnt wash!

I have just washed all jess's old stuff in preperation for number 2 even though i know they were clean when we packed them away!

iota · 05/09/2005 17:07

I washed the first newborn bodysuits and vests, but didn't bother when the baby was older

vickitiredmum · 05/09/2005 17:07

yep. i washed them all and still do. Glad i did coz DD has eczma and the dressing they use on new garment5s is quite strong stuff. Anyway - it smells nicer for being washed.

Hausfrau · 05/09/2005 17:07

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puff · 05/09/2005 17:10

Didn't with ds1 - he was fine.

Didn't with ds2 and he came out in a horrendous rash all over his body . Urgently sent clothes home to be washed and rinsed out!!

spykid · 05/09/2005 17:10

yes, but I had an urge to see them all on the line.
was also lovely to put newborn in fresh smelling clothes

meggymoo · 05/09/2005 17:10

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misdee · 05/09/2005 17:12

did with dd1, mainly as bored during the day off work on maternity leave. didnt bother with the other 2.

Hulababy · 05/09/2005 17:14

I never washed any of mine.

Hausfrau · 05/09/2005 17:18

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whimsy · 05/09/2005 17:18

Yes, washed all of mine.
Read somewhere recently that you should because of the chemicals the manufactures use. not sure how true it is though

Twiglett · 05/09/2005 17:19

yes wash them first in non-bio .. but not all the fancy-pants clothes just the babygros that s/he'll be living in for first few weeks (months)

twirlaround · 05/09/2005 17:20

I didn't wash anything first if it was new - perhaps if eczema runs in your family you might want to be extra careful, otherwise I think it is totally unecessary!

iota · 05/09/2005 17:22

Make sure the baby clothes you buy say "machine washable" on the labels, because you?ll have neither the time, nor the energy to wash clothes by hand. As a general rule, you should always wash new clothes before dressing your baby in them. Not only does it clean them up after they've been hanging and handled in the stores, but it also makes them softer. Also, some say that washing first can help prevent skin rashes or irritation for babies with sensitive skin.

from surebaby

Hulababy · 05/09/2005 17:23

huasfrau - I am not that bad!!!

Hazellnut · 05/09/2005 18:14

Planned to, but then I had to be induced 3 weeks early and I had only just finished work so hadn't done it by then. DD was fine !

aloha · 05/09/2005 18:16

It never even occurred to me until I read Mumsnet! So the answer is, no (and no ill-effects)
ps I am v v lazy.

Norash · 05/09/2005 18:18

I knew they said that the clothes should be washed, but no I did not wash them.

bonym · 05/09/2005 18:18

I did - in Filetti baby powder. Despite this, and despite the fact that I am breastfeedng, dd2 (5.5mths) has eczema .

essbee · 05/09/2005 18:19

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Cooperoo · 05/09/2005 19:15

I don't think you have to, but I did and ironed them all both times. And I enjoyed it . My mum suggested it because of the chemicals used in the processing and all the people having handled them. Feel a bit silly really reading that back .