Wash newborn baby clothes?

STOP!!! DON'T WASH ANYTHING!!!

First-- you can use ANY mild fragrance and dye free detergent. They are all the same-- full of chemicals-- with different marketing strategies. Dreft, Tide Free and Clear, All Free and Clear, etc are all pretty much the same thing. If you use a lower chemical product like Mrs. Meyers or Seventh Generation then you will reduce the chemicals. All will have roughly the same result. If your baby turns out to be sensitive to one of these, then make the change. Yes-- Dreft is outrageously priced.

Next, DO NOT WASH EVERYTHING!!! One of the main nesting behaviors for new moms is to un-tag, wash and put away everything you have received. Resist. Just do a few things. After the baby comes you will find yourself doing a lot of laundry for many reasons-- like the fact that you will have a limited wardrobe that fits and that you are attached to one special baby blanket and outfit. So there will be time to do laundry later. Most moms find that they have more clothing than their baby will ever wear-- things are out of season and are outgrown before being worn, things are not as easy to dress baby in, things are not the style you like, etc. All of these things can be returned or consigned if unused. Unused and still tagged clothes fetch a higher price/exchange at the consignment stores. Obviously the returned items need to still be tagged as well. You can also keep things and re-gift them.

You do not need to wash stuffed animals before your baby gets them In fact, your baby won't put one in their mouth until they are about 4-5 months old. Also, if you wash it in detergent, you are just covering one set of chemicals with another, so it's kind of a moot point. Again-- stuffed animals in good shape are more easily consigned.

I had this exact same question when I was pregnant and did all the research and shopping around I could. This is what I learned:

''baby detergent'' is a scam. The only thing really necessary when washing the baby's clothes is that it be completely and truely plain. Babies just can't have scents or fancy stuff on their clothes. I use the arm & hammer one. Liquid or powder is fine, but the powder one that comes in a cat litter lookin box is super cheap and it's all you'll need.

I personally use dreft, but I just love the way it smells....I do know many people who use dye free/fragrance free regular detergents (Tide and Arm and hammer I know make them). If he is going to be holding or snuggling with any of the stuffed animals I suggest washing them...If they are just going to be sitting on a shelf more as decor then don't worry about it. Congrats best of luck and happy holidays!

I use fragrance free and dye free detergent. I am allergic to fragrance and was sensitive to the fact that my son could be too! And you are right, it is very expensive, but a lot of parents just can't resist because it smells so nice!

You never know what your child will be allergic to, especially a newborn! Try using Dreft. Its not that expensive and is really hypoallergenic, so she should do fine with it. You'd rather be safe then sorry, so you might want to go ahead and wash the stuff animals that she will be around. Although, a newborn shouldn't be around stuffed animals in a crib/bassinet/bed/or laying on the couch. Good luck and happy birth!

Dreft, All free and clear, or anything without dyes and perfumes. also, you can use any dryer sheets without dyes and perfumes. i am in America, so you might not have Dreft and All over there, so anything that doesn't contain dye or perfume is ok. really, sometimes i forget and use regular washing powder and my girls are fine. the dye and perfume in washing powder isn't harmful to baby unless it irritates their skin. if your baby doesn't have sensitive skin you might not even have to get a special powder. Arm and Hammer is a kind of cleaning supplies here in America. they make washing powder, too. you're not being stupid! i'm sure there are things in the UK that i don't know of either! edit: Dreft is a brand of baby washing powder.

usually they say use baby detergent because some babies have extremely sensitive skin, I use All free and clear since my kids came home and they never had any issues with it

i never got a special baby one but i just bought one for sensitive skin. its usually the same price as normal stuff

i just use purex, the one thats has no color or fragrence. not sure about the stuffed animail, i would think maybe, good luck and congrats