You should definitely wash baby's clothes, blankets and other washable items that will come in contact with their skin. It's not necessary to do it before they're born, but it's a good idea to do it before they wear them.
Washing baby clothes before use: is it necessary? The short answer to this is yes: it's always best to give new clothes a wash before your little one starts wearing them. Baby clothes can easily pick up dust, dirt, and other irritants between the warehouse and your home.
Wash baby clothes, burp cloths, washcloths, towels, hats and blankets. Stock diapers and wipes. If you will not be breastfeeding, purchase formula and sterilize baby bottles. 4.
Do this around 4-6 weeks before the baby is due. This is close enough to the date so that the clothes aren't sitting for months on end collecting dust.
We recommend pre-washing muslins on a 30 degree wash with like colours. Never use harsh chemicals or detergents, always check the label first to ensure it's suitable for use on baby clothing. Non-bio detergents are usually a good option. Once washed, dry outside for ultimate freshness.
Your baby wraps need a fair bit of washing. It's important that this starts right before you use them on the baby to get rid of whatever chemicals they may have. You'll find some swaddles that come ready-to-wear right out of the box, but it's a good idea to wash any type of wrap before its first use.
We would recommend between 3-5 muslins so you're never running short! It's also handy to keep muslins in the areas you know you'll always need one, such as in your baby changing bag, a pram, in the nursery and one that you can keep to hand around the house.
While most institutions used to bathe babies within an hour or two of birth, many are changing their policies. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends delaying baby's first bath until 24 hours after birth—or waiting at least 6 hours if a full day isn't possible for cultural reasons.
Their skin can become irritated by certain fabrics and materials quite easily. This also applies to whatever chemicals may have come into contact with your baby's clothes on the way to the store. Put simply, you just can't know where those clothes have been or what they've touched.
Dermatology and immunology experts agree that washing new clothes before you wear them is your best bet to reduce your exposure to skin-irritating compounds. Of course, the key is to use detergents and high-efficiency washing machines that help to remove those residues and chemicals.
Using soaps and shampoos
Only use plain water for newborn babies. You can start using unperfumed baby bath from about 4 to 6 weeks, but be careful to only use a little so you don't damage your baby's skin. Babies with longer hair may need a drop of mild shampoo on wet hair, lathered and rinsed off.
If skin-to-skin contact with your newborn happens before the baby's even cleaned off, there's evidence that he'll be less prone to infection because he has more time in contact with the beneficial bacteria you transmit to him during a vaginal birth.
Plenty of germs and allergens can be present on baby clothes when you receive them, no matter what they look like. That's why it's so important to pre-wash all new-to-you baby clothes in a gentle pediatrician-recommended detergent (that's Dreft!).
“If possible, you should wash new clothes before putting them on baby. The clothes may contain manufacturing chemicals, which could irritate a baby's skin, and this is more likely to occur the younger the baby.”
It's standard practice for nurses to bathe babies in hospital, and parents are usually encouraged to participate.
Common bacterial infections for newborns include Group B Strep and E. Coli which can lead to pneumonia and meningitis. By delaying the first bath, you are allowing the vernix to continue working as a safety net for your little one's immune system.
If you're worried about whether your baby's skin is too sensitive for regular detergent, do a test by laundering one or two articles of baby's clothing along with the rest of your family's wash. If your baby's skin seems fine when she wears those items, go ahead and toss in all her clothes.
There's usually no downside to leaving the vernix on your baby after he's born. But there are some exceptions. Babies born with chorioamnionitis or meconium staining need to be bathed right after delivery to reduce the risk of bacterial infection.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents keep their babies swaddled for 12–20 hours per day for the first few weeks after birth. This relaxes babies. Swaddling a baby correctly also protects her from overheating, injuries and sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS.
Most moms have 4 to 8 “go-to” swaddles. If you plan on taking a swaddle or blanket with you to the hospital, we recommend 2 or 3 just in case baby has some spit up. If you're not planning on using the hospital blankets, you may want to bring even more than that.
Should I swaddle my baby with clothes on? Most of the time, you will want to dress your baby at least one layer under their swaddle to keep them warm enough. Some parents choose to have their babies wear only a diaper underneath their swaddle to keep them cool in very hot weather.
Babies don't have to be swaddled. If your baby is happy without swaddling, don't bother. Always put your baby to sleep on his back. This is true no matter what, but is especially true if he is swaddled.
If it is warm outside, putting your baby in a diaper underneath the swaddle may just be enough. If however, the temperature is cold, it's a good idea to put baby in a short or long sleeved onesie or even footy pajamas to ensure that baby is kept warm.