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?

Reading this I am thinking: should I wash the lovely new baby grows/vests/socks/mitts I got in packs from tescos that are already packed in my hospital bag...

And tbh, like the minority of mums on here, I have to say no, I can't be bothered. I have enough laundry, the clothes smell/feel fine, and I like the brand newness of them untouched. I hope this is going to be ok.

I have half a mind to see what MW says.
But we'll see.

PFJ you might be surprised, but your MW will probably say nothing. I know I don't, because by the time the women arrive in hospital it's too late.
Sorry, but, I just got home from a night shift and needed to see if one of my threads was replied to and then I saw you have a little dig at MW's on here. We're not all ogres you know and we don't spend our time critisising mums about what they should and shouldn't do and this early (late) in my day I just had to say something, because when people say things like that it just makes me both and .
Newborn's skin is just sooo sensitive and TBH it's not really extra washing those a few baby gros and couple of vests. It's more the washing of the future and something you WILL be doing after the lo is born, so what's the big problem with doing it as a one off before? You'll only be doing it after, unless of course you just throw the used stuff away and keep buying new things.
Anyway, off to bed now. I've been up for 26h straight and that's plenty for anyone.

I wasn't having a go at MW's. I was just saying I might ask what she thinks on washing the new clothes next time I see her.
I like my MW and she's a great help. She also puts up with me. Which is a miracle in its self!!

But since you say its important, I think you've convinced me. I am so tired lately and full of cold and flu, and I was pleased I'd finally finshed packing that damn bag.

Thanks Belgian.
xxx

See now I feel like a bad mother

Shall keep my mouth shut in future.

No way. I am not letting Belgium mis-reading my post and then making me feel like shit stop posting on here. I wasnt the only one to say I wasnt going to wash, and I certainly said nothing bad about my midwife. She was just tired and obviously needed to bite someone's bum. So be it. I have an interesting bottom and I hope it tasted nice. But I am going to stop crying now and just forget about it.

So there. -tries to look determined-

I hate this pregnant emotional teary crap. I just break into pieces so easily. I cant wait to be back to normal again.

Oh PFJ, Sorry if I made you cry. It just sounded like you thought your mw was going to have a go at you for not doing it. I do apologise if I made you feel bad. I didn't mean to do that. I'm sorry for miss-reading your post.
I didn't get annoyed because you didn't want to wash your unborn's clothes, just the MW comment, which I clearly misunderstood. I meant the last bit of my post to evey one who thought it was a lot of extra work, not just you in particular.
I'm so sorry again. I promis that I wont ever go anywhere near mumsnet until I've had a good night's sleep and a much clearer head. I don't want to upset any more people on here.

I washed and ironed everything I bought for my first child and still wash new clothes before any one wears them.

I think it can safely be said that you do need to wash everything beforehand. Most of my stuff was 2nd hand so I washed it just because it had been shoved in the back of cupboards for some time and needed a wash. However one new outfit which we were bought was so cute I wanted to put DS in it right away - big mistake. He did get a rash within about half an hour. No it was not serious at all and a blob of sudacrem soon sorted it, but I never did it again.

Definitely wash muslin squares and terry nappies though, they go all soft and more absorbent after they have been washed. I did have to pluck up some courage to wash DS's nappies before he had actually been born but even as I stressed about it I knew I was being very silly. Didn't dare put them on the washing line outside though!

Awwww thats ok Belgian. You can bite my bum anytime. It's not like we all don't get tired and emotional sometimes, no matter how much sleep we've had. You are totally forgiven. Plus nightshifts sound like you have your work cut out for you!

-big hug-

It was well nice of you to post an apology. It's so great to be on webplace where people care about eachother.
So I am so sorry I got so upset. Really. These hormones ARE getting to me...

No I didn't with first baby but I will with this one as most of the stuff is in bags in the loft.

I just think its horrible getting stuff out of your hospital bag still in the wrappers!

I didnt do it with my own stuff, let alone a babys. Love, washing and ironing and putting it all away in hospital bag/crawers etc! Washing sheets and blankets for cot/crib/pram too!

Im the same when i go on holiday though . IF I buy myself/dp/ds1 clothes, I will wash if they smell fusty(usually they do) or at least iron and fold tidily! I expect thats just the kind of person i am and some people dont think such things are important! But i would be very mithered if i didnt do these things!

I didn't
Don't have any allergies and I couldn't be arsed.

I washed all the clothes I had been given before his arrival, then regreted it about 1 week later when he had outgrown them all as I couldn't take them back and get next size up!! I would just wash the basic stuff, a few vests and sleep suits. And it's true about the lovely smell....

Didn't wash some white Mothercare tshirts for ds once and he came out in a lovely red t-shirt shaped rash exactly where it had been on his skin Think he was about 6 weeks old at the time. Never took any chances after that.