Fabric softener/conditioner on newborn baby clothes

[Tinkerbell1998]

Hi everyone. I’m 34 weeks pregnant and I’ve washed all my babies clothes ready for her arrival. I used fairy non bio gel pods and also comfort pure fabric softener. Last night I went to an anti natal class and was told to never use fabric softeners when washing newborns clothes as it can irritate their skin, to which I had no idea as I assumed the comfort one would be fine as it has a picture of a baby on the front! Has anyone else’s used fabric conditioner and been fine? Or will I have to re wash all her clothes?! Thanks in advance 😊 xx

I just washed the clothes like normal with fabric softener and there was no problem. But every baby is different. You don't really know until you try was my philosophy and has done her no harm. Antenatal classes make everything sound so scary with lots of hard dos and donts. Remember the advice changes all the time. When your mummy instincts kick in you will be the only one who knows what is best your baby. One thing I would say is stay away from and soaps and lotions directly on the skin for the first 3 or 4 weeks. The most I used was an avocado no rinse cleanser on Amazon (smells amazing too!). Congratulations and enjoy the newborn phase!

tbh I hate the smell of non bio so I continued using my usual bold 2 in 1. Midwife said it was fine but to change to non bio if DD developed a rash. Which she never did.

I think you will be fine.

It’s absolute bullshit that when your ‘mummy instinct’ 🤮 kicks in only you knows what is best for your baby.

It will be fine. We didn't use fabric softener with the whites as we had some of my clothing in there that shouldn't have softener and it causes the baby vests to get scratchy and stiff and they irritated her. Once we started to add a bit of softener again they were fine. I would stick with the Comfort Pure or other gentle ones with.

I just asked my mum 😂

@Anoisagusaris aren't you lovely...Obviously not to be taken literally. When you are with your baby 24/7 you pick up on everything.

I had to stop using fabric softener as it made my skin itchy alongside liquid soaps and shampoo/conditioner years and years ago so I never considered using it on my daughters clothes. I now hate the smell of fabric softener and whenever we get clothes past down and I can smell the washing powder or conditioner on the clothes. We also did cloth nappies and they can't be washed with fabric softener as it impacts on the absorbance

Thank you for the advice everyone! I won’t re wash them and see how we get on when she’s here, and if it’s causing problems I can always do it at a later date, but reading the replies, she should be fine! 😊 xxx

I never use fabric conditioner because DD gets eczema and fabric conditioner makes it worse, it's designed to stick to fabrics and the perfume is an irritant.
She seems ok with the fairy scent boosters though but I wouldn't even use them on newborn clothes.
Also just an FYI she couldn't handle the dairy pods either but is ok with fairy or persil non bio powder, I think powder rinses out better so less residue left on the clothes .

Same😂

I’d say it depends on if you or babies father has sensitive skin I’ve always used fairy liquid tabs and comfort fabric softener and my 2 dc’s have never had any skin issues.

My baby has a rash for a few days and I used a baby type conditioner. I changed to eco Vera non fragrance wash and they do a very mild conditioner. We have had no problems since. I have always been sensitive so I’ve always used mild but this is the most mild I’ve found.

I never use fabric conditioner, waste of money. Our clothes are always clean and smell nice!

Oh lord. I mean really! I never heard this and my daughter is only 6. They'll be fine. Don't give yourself extra work!

I used Lenor and Fairy fabric conditioner with all my 3 newborns and never had any problems.

I'd leave the clothes as they are and see how you go. Both my daughters were fine with me just washing with our normal detergent and fabric softener. I think sensitivity of babies skin varies just like adults. If they start having a rash you can change what you do then.

Unfortunately my son's would get eczema if we used fabric conditioner. Didn't use it initially as newborns as knew it carried this risk but when a bit older we did and it flared immediately so we never use it even now.

I only used non bio for a short amount of time and then used bio for everyone. Fabric softener never gave any reactions so used that too.

I will just add stock up on “napisan” it is a a non bio stain remover that is literally the only thing guaranteed to remove poop stains from white baby clothes. It is like some sort of mum secret that you only learn too late 😂 I always have clothes soaking in it in my sink, especially now toddler poop explosions!

I wouldn't use fabric softener for a newborn. Partially because they chance of them having sensitive skin is relatively high, but also, if they do react, the more chemically products you use, the harder it is to know what exactly they've reacted too.

To counter everyone else, I would re-wash it all.

I think it depends on the baby. DD was lucky not to be sensitive at all but my sister has sensitive skin and would have been irritated by it.

I used fairy and comfort pure for my newborn - and still use it. I think they probably mean highly perfumed softners but that one will be fine. No need to re wash!

I'd rewash, and skip the fabric softener. But that's because I find them all highly scented and I dislike the smell. I wouldn't inflict that on a baby who couldn't tell you the scent is overwhelming.

I also realise that friends who use fabric softener can't smell it themselves.

God, the things 'experts' come out with when you are pregnant really boils my piss.

It's absolutely fine. Please don't panic or feel overly anxious. All my baby clothes were washed in fairy and either fairy or comfort pure fab con. Comfort Pure (the white one) is dermatologically tested and approved by the British Skin Foundation.

FWIW - I was told not to wear ANYTHING scented around my newborn otherwise they wouldn't know that I was their Mother. I suffered terribly with anxiety when I was pregnant and so went out and bought loads of (crap) unscented deodorant, shower gel etc. I remember earnestly telling my DM and she just laughed and said baby will definitely know who I was. And, unsurprisingly, she was right. Don't worry about it.

I used the comfort one with the baby on for all babies clothes, both babies and no issues, one is 3.5 years other 4 months and the older one gets eczema easily too so I would just see how it goes, sure it will be fine