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Original poster

washing new clothes for a newborn... did you/ will you? really?

91 replies

tyaca · 06/02/2008 23:51

just wondering.

i have got a bit of a mental block on this and its holding me up packing hospital bag. partly, its just a superstition thing - feels v final and i'm tempting fate in some stupid way that all may not go to plan

also, i cant help wondering just how necessary it is. is it like a NHS guideline? has anyone got any experiences of their baby's skin reacting badly to non-washed clothes? have people just not done it, or is everyone washing new baby clothes?

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Ledodgy · 06/02/2008 23:54

I did for pfb used non bio as well. Ds1 I didn't but washed in non-bio until he was weaned. Ds 2 did I heck wash anything first and i'm using bog standard washing powder as well.

sushistar · 06/02/2008 23:55

I washed them cos some clothes manufacturers put flame resistant/wrinkle resistant spray on new clothes to keep them good in the shop - hence that new clothes smell/feel. But actually, I don't think it would do baby any harm really, unless s/he was born with very sensitive skin.

fletchaaarr · 06/02/2008 23:55

I did

But she was my third and so all of her clothes were 2nd hand

I would wash new clothes as they have a coating of "stuff" (technical term) to help the fabric glide through the sewing machines, and they then shrink to fit the baby who is smaller than you ever imagined.

sushistar · 06/02/2008 23:56

x post fletch!

GrinningSoul · 06/02/2008 23:56

i know how you feel and tbh i don't think i washed them the first time round as i was v superstitious. my ds was fine but you might have a sensitive skinned child and then it would a problem. one solution might be to take some hand-me down clothes from a cousin/friend etc which have already been washed. and they'll be softer too!

madamez · 06/02/2008 23:57

Nope. DIdn;t wash anything beforehand, most of it was second hand and it didn;t occur to me to wash the new stuff (I see no reason for engaging in extra housework). And DS came to no harm.

Ledodgy · 06/02/2008 23:58

I actually washed all my pfb's clothes when I was 26 weeks pregnant! [mad pfb mother emoticon]

kindersurprise · 06/02/2008 23:58

I did, and I ironed them too but only because I was excited and wanted to see baby clothes on the line.

First and last time I ironed any clothes for the DCs.

kindersurprise · 06/02/2008 23:59

lol at xpost with ledodgy.

There are two of us saddos on this thread!

Ledodgy · 07/02/2008 00:00

rofl I ironed mine as well! Like you the first and only timeI will ever iron a babygrow.

mezzer · 07/02/2008 00:02

I washed them. Partly because the majority were hand me downs and smelled musty but also because babies have sensitive skin and could react to unwashed new stuff. Maybe it is over the top, not sure.

Maybe just wash one or two outfits for the bag and leave the rest?

Obs - bring at least one outfit that is not "newborn" sized. My dd didn't fit into the newborn one.

Original poster
tyaca · 07/02/2008 00:02

oh grinningsoul - i have been waiting months and months to dress my LO in the new clothes i've been buying her ... as i tap this, i have them all lined on sofa next to me as i plan her just-born outfit, her going-home outfit etc etc

wnat? she's for life not just for pfb dressing up? meh

OP posts:
Ledodgy · 07/02/2008 00:04

Lol Tyaca it's funny because you star off like that then you give it a couple of years and if you aren't going anywhere you look at them in their pjamas in the morning and think hey they look clean enough and this way I can just stick them straight in bed again tonight.

Ledodgy · 07/02/2008 00:05

*start

Original poster
tyaca · 07/02/2008 00:05

kinder and ledodgy - you are both ever so slightly scary

OP posts:
Califrau · 07/02/2008 00:06

This reply has been deleted

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MotherFunk · 07/02/2008 00:10

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S1ur · 07/02/2008 00:11

Yep washed new clothes for PFB. All ds' were second hand so no, unless they smelt musty

Isn't there all that bleach and stuff to make them extra soft in new clothes?

Didn't you ever see that episode of House? The one where the teenagers both got ill from jeans, sure Hugh said something accurate and important in that about new clothes, hmm-mm I belive Hugh, he's always right.

keepcalmandcarryon · 07/02/2008 00:17

I did wash all my new born clothes - for DS1, as I had waited for him for so long, in a haze of longing: for DS2 and DD3, I have very happy and vivid memories of washing those very little clothes and hanging them on the line to dry. I am now passing those same newborn clothes on to my brother and sister in law, who are expecting twins in May.

As a specific answer to your question - yes, do wash them. Your baby will smell, always, primarily, of his or herself: after that, of your washing powder. Smell (or lack of artificial chemical scents) is a very powerful thing with new babies. I don't see washing newborn clothes as 'tempting fate' - rather as a preparation for the new life to come, come what may.

Crikey - have just read rest of posts on here and realise I sound ultra sentimental in comparison - but still stick by the importance of the smell of a new born, no offence to other posters who did otherwise.

With best wishes for when the time comes!

Original poster
tyaca · 07/02/2008 00:19

well if HUGH GRANT has an opinion on it...

ah, i've never actually seen House, despite how lovely hugh looks in it. but i cant help wondering how strong the storylines are when a memorable one for you includes two teenages getting ill from irritants in new clothes?

OP posts:
Ledodgy · 07/02/2008 00:20

Tis true what you say about washing powder smell whenever I smell fairy non-bio it reminds me of when dd was newborn and makes me feel all fluffy.

S1ur · 07/02/2008 00:21

ooh no, trust me they are fab as is Hugh. That episode was just relevant

CHOCOLATEPEANUT · 07/02/2008 00:27

No! I had enough to do and I dont iron ds stuff if i can get away with it

mom2latinoboys · 07/02/2008 01:38

I did. And now that I work in a clothing store I will never not wash anything before I or my kids wear it. The things that we find in boxes sometimes, and the spiders in our back room are enough to keep me doing the wash for my kids.

elvisgirl · 07/02/2008 02:53

I have washed mine in special gentle detergent (although most of them went in the washing machine which would have residue of our bog standard washing powder in anway). Then I ironed them cos they didn't look as nice after washing, and then I even organised them with some complete outfits on baby coat hangers, some in the nursery storage. I am sure it will be the only time LO's wardrobe will look as sweet & tidy. Luckily I am not working so plenty of time for such nonsense!