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Original poster

Washing new baby clothes?

29 replies

pigleychez · 19/05/2008 09:35

Ive read differing opinions about whether to be washing baby clothes before they arrive.

Ive washed all the 2nd hand clothes that my friend has given me but what about all the brand new stuff ive bought? Which is most of it!

What has everyone else done or planning to do?

First timer here so no previous experience.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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littlelapin · 19/05/2008 09:36

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themildmanneredjanitor · 19/05/2008 09:38

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lollipopmother · 19/05/2008 09:38

Wash it in non-bio powder, even the new stuff has got all sorts of chemicals on it apparently, plus a lot of the clothes don't come in packaging so they've been sat out in the shop for weeks whilst everyone touches them to look.

spicemonster · 19/05/2008 09:38

I washed everything when my DS was newborn in case there was any stuff on it. I stopped when he was about 3 months.

I also spent rather a long time lovingly folding it into piles by size, colour and type

lollipopmother · 19/05/2008 09:39

X-post with Janitor, we both say the same thing so we must be right!

hattyyellow · 19/05/2008 09:39

I washed everything in non-bio..

Original poster
pigleychez · 19/05/2008 09:40

spice monster- Im with you on that one!- I have them all in drawers in size order

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 19/05/2008 10:10

so long as you don't iron them...

spicemonster · 19/05/2008 10:12

As if MrsBadger!

mum2bx3 · 19/05/2008 10:14

Oh god, what's wrong with ironing them??

I washed all my stuff in non-bio and sensitive conditioner cos I did with other DC's and they were fine.

DP asked to iron them so he could feel like he was doing something! It's his first and I think I may have taken over a bit lol. And yes, all the baby stuff is put away neatly in baby's drawer awaiting arrival.

Essie3 · 19/05/2008 10:14

I wash them, but like spicemonster, fold them lovingly and place them on my bump, misty-eyed...

themildmanneredjanitor · 19/05/2008 10:26

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cupsoftea · 19/05/2008 10:30

for my first I washed everything for my others I didn't!!!

MrsBadger · 19/05/2008 10:40

I meant ironing is bad for the impending OCD...

LookingForwardToSummer · 19/05/2008 11:26

Definately wash - i really enjoyed washing all the little clothes, it really helped me to believe that she was really on her way. and it's the only time i've ever ironed! i still wash new things but ditched the ironing. sometimes wash 2ndhand things twice because i can't bear other people's washing liquid smells!

pooka · 19/05/2008 11:35

Wash, but not ALL clothes you have bought, until the baby is born and you are sure they will fit. Keep these clothes to one side in case you need/want to exchange them after the baby is born.
Have friends who bought loads of newborn stuff, washed it all, and then had a large baby that grew and so lots of clothes were unworn.
In fact, I'd probably be extra anal and only have the second hand stuff ready to go. It doesn't take long for your dp to put a wash on once the baby is here.

BroccoliSpears · 19/05/2008 11:39

I'll second that Pooka. I have a lovely little pile of newborn size vests and gros that were washed in anticipation of dd's arrival and never worn because she was too big. Washed them again last month for ds - he was too big for them too.

Tangle · 19/05/2008 12:14

I ironed everything once before DD was born - think it was the closest I got to nesting!

Definitely wash new clothes before use

MKG · 19/05/2008 13:02

Please wash them if they're from the store. I work in a children's clothing store and the clothes get stepped on, thrown on to the dirty floor, and that's not including what we find in the shipment boxes sometimes.

Don't think because they're from the shop that they're clean because that couldn't be farther from the truth.

finallypregnant · 19/05/2008 13:12

I'd wash simply because you don't know who has been touching those clothes in the shop before you and where there hands have been. Bleugh!

Mummywannabe · 19/05/2008 13:28

will wash all baby clothes/blankets - what shold i do about cot bumper? does this need washing too?

finallypregnant · 19/05/2008 13:41

I have been advised by my MW not to use a cot bumper so mine is still lying in a cupboard!

Mummywannabe · 19/05/2008 13:54

Why did she advise against this?know you shouldn't have one once they can sit up. Wasn't going to get one but spotted one in tesco's and couldn't resist!

pooka · 19/05/2008 14:29

When dd was born (2003) all the SIDS advice was to not have bumpers. Not sure why - maybe because of air circulation or suffocation risk? They are not necessary anyway until a baby is capable of bumping itself on the cot, by which time they shouldn't really have them in case of entanglement. So not really useful IYSWIM.

slinkiemalinki · 19/05/2008 14:38

on the other hand you could be like me, follow all the advice and buy 0-3 babygros only and then have a 6lb 9 baby and them be 6 inches too big!
I am definitely buying a couple of packs of newborn this time. I will wash them this time, but not in too much liquid. I think it's a toss up between which is worse - chemicals in detergent and chemicals etc in factory packaging!