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

[tyaca]

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?

I was living at my parents, so I didn't personally wash any. I can't remember if my mum did or not.

I did for all three - with dd2 and 3 lots had been in storage and so wanted to make sure they were fresh rather than musty etc.

Always wash clothes for dds after buying and before wearing - get the chemicals off.

Crikey - it would never have occurred to me! But it was 8 years ago, and then we were weaning at 4 months. Things have changed a bit!

Never did with mine

Just be careful when ironing those little darn socks. I burned one of them and DH was not impressed as it was the 'I Luv My Dad' one! And yes, I do realise later on that I am the only weird that irons socks and will not be doing that again! :P

Ax (36+5 and going slightly mad...)

Also the sizing is allowed for shrinkage from first washing so will fit better afterwards anyway. Fabric usually shrinks more in one direction than the other. Plus nice to get rid of all those chemical nasties that come in the fabric, I don't use fabric softener ever as it gives me a rash and wash all new clothes just so I know they are as clean as its possible. Its just handy as a starting point just incase your sprog reacts to something you know what stuff has been in contact with.

Good thread - thanks tyaca. I'm very superstitious too (had to wait till 34 weeks before even getting anything). I forced myself to open all the little packets yesterday (36 weeks now), the little clothes do look so sweet. But the newborn babygros look huge! I'm sure there's not someone that big in my tummy! I think i might just wash the second hand stuff as it smells of nasty washing powder! What have you decided?

I washed my DD's clothes, didn't give allergic reaction one thought. Ironed it too.Washed some of it on 33 weeks, thinking I have enough time to do the lot. ended up in hospital on 35 weeks with pre-eclampsia. So DH had to wash everything else for me, he also washed all her baby blankets

did for PFB.
NSB was lucky he got clothes at all. Once he was about 6 weeks old, I didn't even wash the ones I got from charity shops-they were cleaner than the ones at home and in some cases even ironed!

I did. Every time.
If they were new, it was to remove the finish that the manufacturers put on them.

If they were hand-me-downs it was to reassure myself that they were properly clean.

I even ironed the first babygros

i always do- only because its interesting to see the size that they turn out once washed!

I made the mistake once of noting the size of a gift outfit- thinking- ooh looks huge, wait a few months. then dd1 wore it once, i washed it and it shrank to newborn proportions

Hey juuule,

Glad I am not the only ironing freak! (I didn't even think there was anything wrong with ironing babygros! Maybe the socks were a step too far...)

Ax

oh but as for ironing- i have never believed in it- for anything in fact our cleaner was gobsmacked when she opened a cupboard and found an ironing board

I have 5 and only washed 2nd hand stuff hold on a minute ----->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nope their skin isn't falling off

mmj - yup laurie not grant. laurie - mmmmmm, grant - blueghhhhh

have to agree with laurie over grant! but still wouldn't kick hugh grant out of bed

I washed and ironed everything. Even ironed the muslins! How my mum laughed.

But I have to say that I would again too. A friend who worked in the clothing industry says that she always washes anything before she wears it let alone children.

Can't say I do now though.

DH won't wear shirts or undies till they have been washed.

I always washed and ironed mine(INCLUDING muslin squares!)and in fact i quite looked forward to it.

I always hate it at work when someone has a baby and then pulls out a babygro from its cardboard and sellophane wrapper! I loved mine all folded and smelling nice in my hospital bag!

No NHS guidelines though

I washed AND ironed all of DS's clothes. The 2nd hand ones to make sure they were clean and the new ones cos I've worked in a shop and know how grubby/dusty they get when stored!
This time I have washed them all again as have been stored for 2 years in loft and have moved house too!

I am washing and ironing every single thing including clothes I got second-hand which I SAW being washed and ironed. Mostly because if LO has a reaction to the washing powder I would like to know that it is in fact one I'm using and not somebody else's or a sizing(the technical term for new clothes stuff) from new clothes. That, and I love ironing baby clothes. Sickness, I know.

I did wash newborn stuff before the first wearing for about the first month with both of mine, in non-bio too.

I think it was mentioned by the MW at the antenatal classes to get rid of any residual chemicals from the manufacturing process and because they can be slightly stiff.

Call me soppy but it was nice to do something to prepare for a new baby and as somebody else said I still associate certain washing powders and fabric conditioners with the smell of a newborn.

With PFB - of course, tis the Law of a New Mum, lol.
With DS - I had to wash old clothes from the loft as they were a bit mouldy ........but other than that - nope!