Your newborn’s skin is thin and fragile, and therefore more permeable to bacteria. It is therefore essential to protect it. To do this, various measures must be adopted, such as washing separately, choosing a suitable and well-dosed detergent, rinsing well or even drying completely. This requires, among other things, knowing how to decipher detergent labels. Find out everything you need to know to wash your newborn’s clothes without harming their skin.
Choosing the right detergent for your newborn’s laundry
It is not always easy to find your way in the multiplicity of detergent offerings: liquid, powder, capsule, for baby, dermatologically tested, or even hypoallergenic. The first point you need to remember is that to wash your newborn’s laundry, the word “baby detergent” is not obligatory. Furthermore, be careful not to confuse “hypoallergenic” and “dermatologically tested”. Indeed, the term “dermatologically tested” only relates to the impact of the detergent on the baby’s irritations, and not the existence of allergens in the detergent. In other words, when you choose a detergent for your newborn’s laundry, opt for a hypoallergenic detergent, fragrance-free, phosphate-free, softener-free and low in surfactants, specifies the magazine What to choose.
Wash the baby’s laundry separately
This is a little-known, yet essential recommendation: you must wash your baby’s laundry separately from that of the rest of the household. The explanation is simple: the newborn has little contact with bacteria because he rarely goes out, unlike adults and older children, whose clothes carry various bacteria. It is therefore necessary to prevent the newborn’s clothes from coming into contact with those of the other occupants of the household.
Respect the dosage of detergent for infant laundry
Just as important as the choice of detergent for infants: its dosage. It is necessary to follow the dosage instructions written on the detergent bottle or packet, and to take into account the hardness of the water. The softer the water, the lower the amount of detergent needed, and vice versa. An overdose can cause residue on your baby’s laundry, and therefore skin irritation. Conversely, an insufficient dosage will not properly wash the little one’s clothes.
Dry the baby’s clothes thoroughly before dressing him or her
Your baby’s skin is fragile, particularly in its folds, where it is difficult to breathe. You must therefore ensure that the clothes you put on him are completely dry. If moisture remains on clothing, it can irritate the skin.
Sources
- Organic, hypoallergenic: which detergent for baby?Parents Magazine, August 9, 2022
- Wash baby’s clothes properlyQue Choisir Magazine, June 24, 2019
- Wash the baby’s laundrygood practices, Allo Bébé Site
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