Laundering Your Baby's Clothes (for Parents) (2024)

FAQs

Is it okay to laundry baby clothes? ›

Both experts say it's generally okay to wash baby clothes with the rest of the family's laundry, but, again, make sure to use a fragrance-free, baby-friendly detergent. That said, avoid adding in bedding, towels and items with Velcro (like swaddles), as these can snag on baby's clothes, Cirillo says.

Should I wash baby clothes separately? (If so, when can I wash everything together?) It's best to wash baby clothes separately from other laundry until baby is at least a few months old.

Cost: $20 to $50 (or more) per month on average, depending on where (and how often) you shop. Throughout the first twelve months, babies outgrow clothing very quickly, so you'll be buying more clothes in infancy than when they're older.

Approximately five weeks to go until you have your little one in your arms. If you haven't already, now is a great chance to start washing those baby clothes for their arrival.

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.

In fact, there are dozens of baby detergents on the market that claim to leave less residue and cause less skin irritation. But according to the American Academy of PediatricsOpens a new window (AAP), unless your baby has allergies or very sensitive skin, it's safe to use regular detergent on your baby's clothes.

Baby clothes have to be washed separately. They are not to be mixed with the other adult clothes.

Make sure to clean your washing machine before washing your baby's clothes. Run an empty wash cycle on the highest temperature with a cup of white vinegar to kill all bacteria that might be living inside of it. Do this every couple of weeks to keep your washing machine fresh and hygienic.

A good rule of thumb is to give your baby 1 extra layer of clothing than what you're wearing. For example, if you're in a t-shirt and jumper, dress them in a vest, sleepsuit and cardigan or jumper. If you feel chilly, your baby probably does too.

One of the largest expenses for new parents can be the delivery—the cost of which depends on the location and health insurance policy. One-time costs often include travel, home needs, and nursing/feeding. Other things to consider include the cost of child care and savings plans.

How many outfits does a baby need per day? ›

In this case, “outfit” means shirt/onesie, pants, and a pair of socks. 0 – 3 month – Plan on two outfits and a sleeper each day, but don't overbuy in this range as your child will grow quickly. 3 – 6 month – Plan on one to two outfits a day plus a sleeper. You may also need bibs for drooling.

A solid emergency fund holds three to six months' worth of your take-home pay. If that sounds overwhelming, start with $1,000, then shoot for one month of expenses, and before you know it, you'll be at your goal.

That means it's worth getting the help of a partner or friend to do these kinds of chores, especially during your third trimester, if you can. Avoid lifting heavy loads – do it little by little if this is easier. When it comes to maternity wear, washing clothes in pregnancy needn't be too different to any other time.

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. But it isn't too close to your due date when you should be focusing on rest and preparing for birth.

Layers are crucial with newborns, as they struggle to regulate their own body temperature. Long-sleeved onesies and long-sleeve sleepwear are both good ideas. You can also match onesies with shirts. On average, it's best to have at least 14 newborn clothing options (two for each day of the week).

Most baby clothes can be tumbled dry on a low setting to help prevent shrinking.

Wash them at a low temperature with a mild non-bio detergent ( non-bio works well at temperatures as low as 20 degrees). Let your baby clothes dry out naturally to avoid using a tumbler dryer. This helps the clothes stay soft without the use of a fabric softener.

As long as you are using a mild detergent and selecting the correct spin cycle on your machine, you can rest assured that using a washing machine to wash your baby's clothes is perfectly fine and it definitely does not make you a bad parent! You are not harming your baby, or their outfits, in any way.

Generally, you should wash your baby's clothes after every use. It's easy to forget about the elements that make up your baby's clothes and uses, such as swaddles, bibs, snowsuits, hats and blankets. All these items need regular washing too. Baby blankets should be washed every 2 weeks unless dirtied or used regularly.