Hello. I am 32 weeks preg with my first and just had my baby shower this past Sat. I have a lot of clothes and blankets I need to wash before she arrives, but want to know what kind of detergent I should use? I know of the "Dreft" stuff and the "All" for babies. But... is that ALL I can use? It's just so expensive and I was wondering if any other soap that was less pricey worked for you? Obviouslly, I will spend the $ if I must, but I thought I'd check. Thanks! :)
2007-12-03 05:32:54 · 36 answers · asked by Julie 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
You can use any detergent, just try to use something mild, maybe something labeled "free". Purex is pretty inexpensive. Unless you notice that your baby's skin is easily irritated, there is no need to wash her items in a separate "baby" detergent.
2007-12-03 05:37:11 · answer #1 · answered by Slassy Girl 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No, that is not all you can use unless your baby is allergic. The reason they make Dreft and all the other detergent for babies is because their skin is so much more sensitive than adult skin. What you'll have to do is try whatever you wash your clothes in and make sure the baby does not have an allergic reaction to it. If he or she does not, then you can use the same thing that you use for your own clothes. Personally, I use Gain on my babies' clothes and they seem to do fine with that.
Congratulations on the new baby by the way!
2007-12-03 05:41:09 · answer #2 · answered by ncredhead789 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The tide free is good for babies too because is has no dies or fragrance to it. I will be the first to tell you about money being tight and how to pinch a pinny!! HaHa. Take some clothes with you to the hospital that you have washed in your regular detergent (that is cheap) and let her wear one outfit while you are there. Let the nurses know what you are doing that way they can keep a look out with you for any signs that she is breaking out from it or anything. Most babies in reality do just fine with regular stuff. Some babies just have too much of sensitive skin for it. If she starts to break out the nurses will be there to show you what to put on it and how to take care of it and then you will know if you can continue to use your regular stuff or if you need to buy the more expensive detergent. I wish you the best of luck
2007-12-03 05:39:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
When I was pregnant, I bought a bottle of Dreft. After I used all of it washing her clothes before she was born, I jsut jsut our regular brand. She is fine. I think maybe some babies have a reaction to the detergent, but my daughter didnt. I have always heard that if you are holding a baby all the time, close to your chest and all, and you use a different detergent, and the baby is fine, then it is ok to use that detergent for the baby.
2007-12-03 05:39:28 · answer #4 · answered by Heather A 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not long ago, I would have said the "normal" detergants are just fine, but my 2 1/2 year old daughter recently broke out into hives on her body, and I finally traced it to the switch that Gain has made to a "concentrated" detergant. I went to the store to get something non-concentrated, and it looks like all the main brands out there have switched to concentrate. I went ahead and bought Dreft (which is concentrated too, but a more gentler soap), and have not had any issues with her skin getting irritated. I know that Arm & Hammer makes a mild detergant as well, but not sure if they've become concentrated too. It might be best just to stick with something you know is gentle (like Dreft...or maybe a store-brand version of it), at least for the first year.
2007-12-03 05:41:35 · answer #5 · answered by julesl68 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Any detergent free of scent and harsh chemicals, like All Free and Clear or Arm and Hammer's version are ok for use with a baby. I've only used Dreft once, and it turned out the scent gave ME a reaction.
2007-12-03 06:17:35 · answer #6 · answered by Denise S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just buy a dye free, fragrance free detergent. I was surprised at the price of the Dreft and almost gagged. I am just going to use normal stuff unless my baby has an issue. Even then we will use whatever we need to buy for the entire family.
2007-12-03 05:48:23 · answer #7 · answered by ♥Mommy to 3 year old Jacob and baby on the way♥ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh, honey! I'm glad someone else thinks like me! I'm always trying to cut corners where I can. All savings add up! I never used Dreft (except the bottle from the baby shower), and have three children. I used and still use Purex. It's one of the cheaper brands at Walmart and it's not watered down. My best friend and I swear by it. Neither of us has EVER had a problem. There is a "scent-free & clear" version, too! Buying coupons on eBay for diapers, wipes, and even detergent can save you even more $. Best wishes to you and yours!
2007-12-03 05:47:42 · answer #8 · answered by P@r@dise 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, it honestly depends on the baby. If your baby has sensative skin and reacts easily, you'd have to use the All free and clear, All Baby or Dreft (or anything else that is mild and fragrance free). If your baby is not prone to skin reactions/rashes, then you can use whatever you use for your clothes. I started off with ONE bottle of All Free and Clear when my baby was born. When that bottle ran out, I switched to regular detergent and she never had a problem. Maybe that will work for YOUR baby. I'd just get one bottle, then try switching once your baby is here. Good luck and CONGRATS!!
2007-12-03 05:38:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
There are cheaper free and clear detergents you can use. I do not know if you can find this brand near you, but I get Purex Free and Clear at WalMart at a very cheap price. But I myself have allergies to the perfumes in detergents, so that is why I use them. Unless your baby shows signs of sensitivity to the perfumes and dyes in regular detergent, I would just use whatever you use on your own clothes.
2007-12-03 05:56:59 · answer #10 · answered by iamhis0 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly it depends. My daughter must have the dreft or she breaks out in major hives. I tried to use the normal detergent because of the money thing too but I regretted it. I had to use cortizone cream for a week to get her skin back to normal. I took her to the dr and the dr said that it is common for babies to be allgeric to the normal detergent but you can always try just be careful. Good luck and congrats.
also,Try one piece of clothing before you wash them all in the regular detergent. I did that and she still broke out.
Edit:...funny everyone who explained that their kids had a breakout when using regular detergent got a thumbs down...apparently people are biased no matter what...lol
2007-12-03 05:47:40 · answer #11 · answered by k 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋