| New parents are full of concerns about what regular | | | | be washed separately from that of the rest of the |
| household activities may pose a threat or present | | | | family. The rationale for this is that the other family |
| problems for their newest family member. At some | | | | members' clothing could somehow taint or contaminate |
| point the question about the best ways to wash baby | | | | the baby's. There is no reason to worry about this and |
| clothing will arise. Parents typically ask whether there is | | | | it is perfectly safe to wash baby's clothes and bedding |
| a certain type off detergent that they should use, | | | | along with everyone else's. The exception to this rule is |
| whether it is safe to wash baby clothes with the rest | | | | cloth diapers. If parents are using cloth diapers and |
| of the family's clothing and what special steps should | | | | washing them at home rather than using a diaper |
| be taken with cloth diapers if they are being used. | | | | service, they must be washed apart from everything |
| Detergent | | | | else. |
| This is a valid concern. It is not atypical for certain | | | | Cloth Diapers |
| detergents to irritate the skin of adults and older | | | | Cloth diapers are fading into memory, replaced by the |
| children, so it is certainly feasible that a baby's tender | | | | more convenient disposable brands that are on the |
| and sensitive skin can be easily irritated by harsh | | | | market. For families that choose to use these, |
| detergents. There are several detergents on the | | | | however, there are some special considerations. The |
| market that are supposedly intended for baby's | | | | most sanitary way to utilize reusable cloth diapers is to |
| clothing, but there is not much difference between | | | | contract a diaper service. This will take away the |
| them and other mild detergents. The best choice for | | | | hassle of washing the diapers at home and ensure |
| parents to make in this area is to purchase mild | | | | that the replacement diapers are sterile. For families |
| detergent that is free from added colors and | | | | that choose to wash at home, the previous paragraph |
| fragrances and wash the clothing in that. If the baby | | | | details that they should be kept separate from all other |
| does develop a rash or seems to be experiencing skin | | | | laundry. Storing the diapers until wash time must be |
| discomfort of any kind, the first thing to do is consult | | | | done as sanitarily as possible. This means rinsing the |
| the family pediatrician. The doctor may simply | | | | cloth diaper in the toilet to remove solid wastes, then |
| recommend that a different detergent be used, but will | | | | storing it in a pail until it is time to be washed. The pail |
| also be able to determine if there is a more serious | | | | should be covered to prevent odor and lined with a |
| problem. | | | | disposable or washable liner. The pail, lid, and liner |
| Washing Baby Clothes with Family Clothes | | | | should be cleaned whenever the diapers are and the |
| Some parents feel that the baby's clothing needs to | | | | soiled diapers should be washed at least twice weekly. |