How will you ever know if the baby has allergies to your detergent if you start out using Dreft? Shouldn't you see if the baby is allergic first then spend the money on Dreft or baby ALL?? Is this question any clearer???
2007-02-22 05:04:21 · 19 answers · asked by dinkle_fritz81 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I fully understand your reasoning. But the thing is that a newborns skin is very sensitive, with or without allergies. Your baby could have a reaction and it won't necessarily be that he/she is allergic, especially within the first few months. I would say that the safest way to go would be to use Dreft or Baby All just for the first few months and then to try the detergent that you normally use so as to save money. I know it's hard, especially with all the other costs that come with the new baby, but try it your husbands way just to save your baby some possible suffering. Good luck and Congratulations.
2007-02-22 05:13:52 · answer #1 · answered by karijay 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, you'll find out probably sooner or later. I'd recommend later. Uncomfortable newborns are so hard to take care of because they can't even show you or indicate what's the matter. With Dreft and other detergents, it's less an "allergy" as it is sensitive skin. I have sensitive skin in that if I wear wool or other scratchy fabrics, I get little red prickles, but I'm not allergic to them. I think what everyone was answering really does answer your question. Just use free and clear detergent. It's the same thing that adults use and it's actually the same thing as Dreft. Hope that helps.
2007-02-22 06:30:17 · answer #2 · answered by Barbara B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually some people are able to tell if their child has an allergy to the normal detergent just by the baby's contact to the parents clothing. Some allergies are strong enough to where the parents have to wash their own clothing in Dreft or other baby detergents. Baby's skin is so sensitive at the beginning that it's best to use a baby detergent so that their bodies can build up enough to be able to use regular detergent with less chance of a reaction.
As far as your previous question, I didn't read it so I dont know.
2007-02-22 05:11:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can use dreft or a detergent that is free from dyes and perfumes. I always use them on our clothes and my kids because they don't get itchy and it doesnt' dry out there skin. YOu can get tide free or all free and they are not that expensive and they do the same job as dreft. I also use my fabric softner for the dryer that is free of perfumes and dyes.
Not all kids are allergic to the regular dtergent but the effects on my kids' skin when I changed was a difference. I also like the difference also.
2007-02-22 05:24:08 · answer #4 · answered by schell_75 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you use dreft regardless during the first few months, a newborns skin is too fragile for you to wash their clothes in other detergents that can be very harsh or the perfumes in them too strong for baby. ask you pediatrician first before you change anything. Target sell an generic dreft that works just as well although i didnt like all baby.
Good luck
2007-02-22 05:13:17 · answer #5 · answered by llllll_amanda_lllllll 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I noticed yesterday that there are more "baby" versions of detergent available. All was one brand, and I can't remember the other. Both were significantly cheaper than Dreft.
You have a point. I bought one big bottle of detergent and when it was gone, I switched to regular detergent. Even so, for a newborn I'd prefer to use something gentler (hypo-allergenic), even if it wasn't a "baby" detergent like Dreft.
2007-02-22 05:12:05 · answer #6 · answered by Amanda M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can usually tell if your baby has allergies to your detergent if his/her skin reacts to your own clothing by resting against it--if her skin gets red and hot and irritated for longer than 10 minutes, chances are she's sensitive. But that requires waiting until the baby's born, then running out and buying whatever's available at that price--some people prefer to plan and it's simpler to plan on not using a regular detergent and fabric softener in the beginning. You can certainly wait if you want to; it sounds to me like you're thinking frugally and your husband is thinking of safety.
Like I said, Dreft is a waste of money. It's also hard on fabrics and fades colors faster than the hypoallergenic, free & clear formulas by other detergent brands. I used Purex because a 25-load bottle was roughly $4 (rather than $6-8) and I was only washing my son's clothes in it, not my own. Many of the large stores like Target and Walmart also have their own generic free & clear baby brands.
If this is the only thing you and your husband disagree on when it comes to the baby, then thank your lucky stars, lol.
2007-02-22 06:38:35 · answer #7 · answered by shoujomaniac101 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The soap in regular detergent is so harsh. So it makes sense to start with Dreft just for the comfort of your baby. It has nothing to do with allergies really, just making dure you're little one's skin is comfy. I started using regular detergent after a couple months though.
2007-02-22 05:09:10 · answer #8 · answered by AmandaVP 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only thing i have ever used on my babys clothes is DREFT. They are now 5 and 3 years old and that is the only thing i will use because babies and kids have sensitive skin. Anything to protect my babys skin. Doesn't matter how much it cost. Just my personal opinion.
2007-02-22 06:11:16 · answer #9 · answered by Qt PIE 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually no. you should use the Dreft because you can cause allergie's by using harsh detergent's at first.Your baby's skin is new to it's new envirenment and you don't want to cause any problem's if you can avoid them by using this mild detergent.Allergy once triggered can be a life long thing.It's better to be safe than sorry in the long run.
2007-02-22 05:21:23 · answer #10 · answered by flossie mae 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋