How to prepare clothes for the arrival of a child?

The arrival of a baby into the world is preceded by many preparations. Arranging a room, buying a pram, furniture, necessary accessories. Added to this is the purchase of the first clothes. How to prepare clothes for a newborn?

It often happens that parents get clothes from family and friends. Regardless of whether the clothes will be new or used, you must remember to prepare them properly. Each new piece of clothing of your child should be washed and ironed.

What do you have to keep in mind when preparing baby clothes? 

The experts of the Institute of Mother and Child have prepared a list for you, thanks to which you will not forget anything.

How to wash clothes for a newborn?

• Temperature 60 degrees or higher,
• Powder or liquid for washing baby clothes and underwear,
• We do not wash the child's clothes together with the clothes of other family members,
• 2-3 rinsing cycles.

What to iron?

• All clothes,
• Tetras diapers,
• Cot bedding,
• Blankets and all things with which the baby's skin comes into direct contact.

If you want to know why these items are so important, go to the next part of this article.

Why is cleanliness so important?

How to wash clothes for a newborn?

All clothes, both used and newly purchased, must be washed before use. This is to kill dust mites and bacteria that may be harming your baby. You are probably wondering jhow to wash clothes for a newborn?

Regarding washing temperature, this:

• should not be lower than 60 degrees,
• for bed linen in contact with the toddler's skin - even 90 degrees.

Among other things, because of such high washing temperatures, you should choose clothes made of natural fabrics, such as cotton or bamboo. It's also better to focus on light colors, because darker colors will fade quickly after frequent washing at high temperatures.

How to wash a newborn's clothes?

Newborn's clothes must be washed separately. First of all, because we use different detergents to wash them. Washing powders and liquids as well as softening liquids for washing and rinsing our clothes may contain ingredients irritating and sensitizing the child's skin. In addition, the clothes of the newborn and infant should be subjected to an additional, several rinses. Thanks to this, you will get rid of detergent residues from the fabric.

So what should a newborn's clothes be washed in?

The detergent packaging should indicate that it is suitable for washing clothes from the first days of a child's life. Only products that meet the strictest criteria of the Institute of Mother and Child can receive such a recommendation.

Pay attention to approvals, certificates and opinions of scientific units

When choosing a powder or liquid for washing children's clothes, it is best to follow an attestation, certificate or opinion of a scientific unit dealing with safety assessment of these agents. When testing products at the Institute of Mother and Child, we pay special attention to ingredients that are potential factors that may cause irritation and allergy. We carefully analyze their quantitative and qualitative composition. Thanks to this, only those that contain amounts of ingredients safe for a child, including enzymes, receive a positive opinion.

How to iron baby's clothes?

Ironing baby clothes is very important, especially in the first months of a baby's life. Thanks to the high temperature, we can effectively get rid of bacteria, fungi and some allergens (e.g. house dust mites) from the fabric. Ironing is also great when clothes dry in a less ventilated room, such as a bathroom without a window, where mold can easily develop.

It is recommended that at least until the child is three months old, iron everything that comes into contact with his skin, such as bedding, nappies made of tetras or flannels that the parent puts on the shoulder, and all clothes. If the child has dry skin and symptoms that may indicate a tendency to allergies, the clothes should be ironed also after the third month of life.

When caring for a child's sensitive skin, it is also worth paying attention to the tag and it is best to remove it from the clothes so that it does not irritate the neck or skin elsewhere.

Separate washing and ironing is not an exaggeration!

When thinking about how to wash clothes for a newborn baby, remember that separate washing and ironing of children's clothes is not an exaggeration. This is due to the immaturity of the newborn's skin and immune system. It is never certain whether a child who is to be born will not be allergic or will not have very sensitive skin.

When to prepare and how to store baby clothes?

Clothes should be washed and ironed a few weeks before the due date of delivery. Yes, so as not to think about it at the last minute, especially since a few of them should be in the bag that you take with you to the hospital.

How to store baby clothes?

Every day, a good choice for storing clothes will be a chest of drawers, placed in the child's room, near the changing table and the cot.

How to sort clothes for a newborn?

It is best to divide the clothes into categories: bodysuits, rompers, jackets, shorts, etc. This will make it easier to find what you are looking for. Clothes that are not used for a long time (for example, those that are still much too large) can be stored in a vacuum bag, as they will then take up less space.