How safe is it to just put your new baby in brand new clothes? Why is it so important to wash them first? Thanks!
2007-03-04 08:40:35 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Fabric is coated with "sizing" to help it hold it's shape while being cut and sewn by the manufacturer. That's what makes new clothing stiff, and new bed sheets crisp. People with sensitive skin have to wash all their clothing and bedding before using it, because our skin is highly allergic to the sizing. Since babies have such sensitive skin, it makes sense to wash the clothing and bedding before using it, to make it as skin-friendly as possible.
If you have a special outfit that you're afraid to wash, I'd just make sure your newborn has something on underneath, to protect the skin...
By the way, skin allergies don't always show up as rashes or bumps. My daughter would scream and wave her arms as a newbord... To this day, if she wears something with sizing in it, she feels a burning sensation wherever the fabric touches her skin.
2007-03-04 19:36:42 · answer #1 · answered by Amy S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, if your new little on is not here yet keep the tags on EVERYTHING. . . . Every mom wants to get everything all ready and perfect. . then there are surprises. . .the baby's size, and how much you really need. Keeping the tags makes it easier to take back. . and if you are not able to take them back you can always list them on Ebay, Craigslist or another place and you will be able to recoup more of your money. . . . On to washing first. . Picture germs like sticky rice. Your little one's outfit has been sitting on a shelf, or a rack for how long before you got it home. When it was in the factory, during shipment, or sitting in the store, , , chances are that someone coughed, sneezed, or maybe worse onto your littleone's clothes. Washing the clothes first is important to getting off dust, dirt, and any other nasties that you do not what on your little one. I cannot help but to think that washing the clothes first is a good way to keep your house a little cleaner and healthier.
2007-03-04 16:56:17 · answer #2 · answered by Rocka 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always wash my kids clothes before they wear them, even clothes I buy for myself. Just imagine how many different hands were touching the clothes that you want to just put your child. Imagine how many germs are on those clothes. There are so many odd people other, what really made me start washing all the clothes that were brand new was I happened to be shopping in the toddler section one day, and seen this lady using a shirt to wipe her kids snotty nose. When she seen that I noticed, (well she had no choice cause I bluntly yelled thats freakin gross, how disrespectful), she actually picked her nose and wiped it on the jeans right beside her. Just to be rude of course. but once I seen that, I wash everything because who knows how many disrespectful people are out there and doing the same thing. I told the lady in the department what she did, and pointed out the clothes, and well I don't know if she took them off the shelf or not, but it was enough for me to always wash stuff first.
2007-03-04 17:01:46 · answer #3 · answered by Proud Mother 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Okay. I didn't because I wanted her to look all brand new! But, supposedly I was wrong and should have washed them. They could have sensitive skin and get a rash. Another reason I didn't wash them was because I wanted to make sure that nothing happened during pregnancy/ delivery. I kept the tags on and receipts just in case.
Now, they are two and five. I still don't and never washed the clothes before they wore them. (I really think it is a waste of time!)
2007-03-04 16:46:51 · answer #4 · answered by sadmom 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Babies have sensitive skin, and you don't know what chemicals or dirt the clothes were exposed to. Warehouses usually have rodent issues, it's unavoidable. I always wash stuff for the first year and a half at least, and I still wash my 4 yr old's clothes if they're from a not so clean store.
2007-03-04 20:02:04 · answer #5 · answered by reflux mommy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. A baby has soft tender skin and new clothes are stiff and could contain dyes and other chemicals. Wash them with Ivory Snow before you let the baby wear them.
2007-03-04 16:48:49 · answer #6 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not necessary. I've had seven babies and I love putting new clothes on them fresh from the packaging. You DON'T have to wash them first.
2007-03-04 18:48:46 · answer #7 · answered by toomanycommercials 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's always a good idea-people thumb through all those cute baby clothes at the store, getting their germy hands all over them. they sit on racks for days or weeks collecting dust and allergens from the store air conditioning unit and people walking by. it really can't hurt to wash the infant's clothes first, you know? just get dome dreft (safe detergent for babies) and wash like colors together. good luck.
2007-03-04 16:49:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mother taught me to wash new clothes before I wear them, so I do the same for my daughter. It's just more sanitary, but not totally necessary.
I would wash your babies clothes at first, just in case he or she is sensitive. Once you know your child, it's your call.
2007-03-04 18:06:17 · answer #9 · answered by sushishishi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would wash it,
I know its a pain to add MORE washing!
but babies can have very sensitive skin, better nan extra bit of washing and ironing than a grumpy newborn with an itchy rash.
make sure your using the gentle powder too!
2007-03-04 16:48:13 · answer #10 · answered by ejhedgehog 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋