do i need to wash brand new clothes for baby before he's born?

[pipinmybelly]

title says it all really...just wondered how many of you actually wash ur brand new clothes before they go on the baby...because although id rather wash it all, what if he isnt a he and iv taken all the tags off!!

Definitely wash everything as there's all sorts of finishing chemicals on the fabrics from the factory (unless you've gone all organic!). Remember to use non-bio and no fabric conditioner or tumble dryer sheets etc.

You could just wash the bare minimum beforehand, then do the rest once he's out and a confirmed member of the opposite sex :-)

Defo wash everything, but start with a few basics and vests where it won't matter.

I'd definately was the little white things that he (or she ) will wear like vests and maybe a couple of less expensive blue things for your hospital bag. Someone else could stick a wash on while you recouperate in hospital... Personally, I really loved seeing all those little things hanging on the line! I am that sad!

me too decaf , my mum gave me loads of my little brother's stuff (he's only 3 and its all hardly worn from next) but it had been up the attic so i washed them and they're on the clothes horse now, im such a saddo!!

fatseal i knew about the non bio, iv used fairy but why no conditioner? may have to wash them again now!!

i think il follow ur advice and wash a few outfits and all his vests (which are lemon anyway) and leave the rest on the hanger with the tags on, i can always exchange i suppose if he comes out with a foof!! starting to seem soooo real now!! im going to be a mum in a few months!!

I've just washed all mine for baby due in 2 weeks and used fabric softener and they smell gorgeous. I think its nice to wash the clothes to take to hospital for baby to smell of home

I washed all my newborn sized baby pink clothes....

Then gave birth to a 10 pound 7 girl with bright red hair.

Had to give it all away.

Just a thought!!

Nah you don't need to, but I did for my PFB

They smell and feel nicer.

You might as well enjoy doing the washing for now before it becomes a never ending chore

yeh i have wondered about sizing!! 10lb 7!! how much of what sizes did u buy?? bearing in mind he'll be a july baby, havent got a clue what to buy!!

is fabric softener ok to use or not??

Personally I don't think you really need to wash clothes. However, muslins and bibs you do because they are all plasticky otherwise and don't absorb anything.

I am not pg so probably shouldn't be on this thread. I do have 2 little dds though.

Imo yes, wash the stuff before use. As others have said, brand new stuff is "finished" with various chemicals etc. even if you buy organic it has still travelled/been stored/handled by staff and customers in shops etc.

as for non-bio, apparently it is only widely available in the UK. Most other countries don't sell non-bio. I have read many times (mainly on mnet) that if someone/a baby has a reaction to a bio powder/liquid it is very unlikely due to the enzymes (the "bio" part of it) Far more likely to be the fragrance or some other componenet.

wrt fabric conditioner. Personally I rarely use it. obviously it leaves a chemical coating (but it does smell nice) on garments which I don't like the idea of for babies.

pip don't buy too much in newborn size. my first dd was (unexpectedly) almost 10lb so went straight into 0-3 months, and then was in the 3-6 months size at 6 weeks!

Also, you may find that family/friends/colleagues/neighbours etc are v generous with gifts of clothing.

If you do buy a lot in the smaller sizes, don't prewash all of it to allow you to exchange it for larger items if necessary.

I washed all of my pfb clothes, and ironed them too! Too much time on my hands...

Didn't bother ironing for my 2nd, but did wash, to make sure they were all non-bio, non-fragranced washing powder and conditioner (dd1 had eczema so was assuming ds2 would too)

Yes, please wash first. you don't know if stuff has been bought and returned, and there's always that mysterious new-clothes smell that should be got rid off.

Just the vests and sleepsuits to start with - don't worry about washing the outfits until later.

Picante you should have carried on with the pink, redheads look great in pink.

Oh yes, just to add I wouldn't wash coats etc. Only stuff that is next to the skin. So jumpers that are worn over a long sleeved vest I probably wouldn't wash either.

cosmosis it would be a real squeeze to get a baby weighing 10lb 7oz into new born clothing, regardless of hair colour.

I speak from experience here. When dd1 was born, her toes looked slightly squished in her lovely new baby grow. I looked at the label "newborn - up to 9lb" and looked at my almost 10lb daughter. lol

On of the nicest memories I have is being very pregnant and hanging all my wee baby clothes on the line in the sunshine a couple of weeks before she was born.

abcnews.go.com/GMA/gma-found-clothes-clean/story?id=9482373

You should check out the link! I intend to wash everything now

I'm one of those who washed everything. But then I wash brand new knickers I buy for myself, just the thought what the stuff has been through... And I think some clothes smell funny when you bring them new from shop.

I'm sure I've seen adverts for Comfort fabric conditioner in quite a few baby magazines etc.

Try the link again Trillian.

abcnews.go.com/GMA/gma-found-clothes-clean/story?id=9482373

Oops! Try link now

well iv used comfort fabric conditioner on the stuff iv just washed, do i need to wash them again do u think?
i was thinking that some of the newborn stuff looks awefully small...i havent bought much in newborn for this reason but then i also dont want all of his clothes hanging off him!! so hard to make a decision!! watching one born every minute and i cant wait to meet my baby boy now!! do u think il need any little baby booties etc??

Ah didn't read the weight properly, you're forgiven! ;) (i'm probably having a readhead and if it's a girl will be dressing her in plenty of pink, it's a bee in my bonnet).

thanks for link!! defo washing EVERYTHING now!!

It's just my personal preference re the fabric conditioner, no need to rewash it all.

yes, the newborn stuff looks tiny, but will be plenty big enough on an "average" size baby, around 7.5lb.

I didn't buy bootees, but I did tend to get the leggings with the integral feet. (Mothercare did velour type fabric for about £4.50) I found them really easy, not having to faff about with sock/bootees etc.

My preference was this style of legging, then layer with long sleeved popper vest and long sleeved top (or short sleeved if hot weather)