Laundry tips for BLW with a VERY sensitive baby

[newmamalizzy]

We're finally dabbling in solids with DD (8 months).  We delayed due to issues with reflux and a very sensitive stomach.  We're doing BLW in the sense that she only self-feeds (but we're introducing new foods VERY slowly).  As I'm sure you all know, self-feeding is MESSY, even with the most innocuous seeming foods, and DD's clothes and washcloths aren't coming clean in the laundry.  We've always used Dreft and whenever we've tried to change that DD has burst into an excema rash and we have to rewash her entire wardrobe in Dreft again while enduring itchy wakeful nights.  Not fun.  Any suggestions for getting our messy clothes and whatnot cleaner while keeping DD rash-free?  (Note: She tends to particularly flare up in the face of products made for "Sensitive Skin,"  most recently having a dramatic reaction to Baby Bee Buttermilk lotion.) 

[Knitting Mama]

Not sure how feasible it is this time of year for you, but I sun everything with stains and it generally only takes one sunning to get the stains gone. We also use a rather large bib that snaps in the back so it's harder to pull off.

[SeattleRain]

Dreft is actually made by Tide. I've actually heard from a dermatologist that Dreft is really just baby powder scented Tide. We use fragrance free, dye free Tide and we love it. I haven't had very many staining problems, and if I wash things on hot, I definitely don't have a problem. I would give it a shot if I was you.

Perhaps try some bibs like this:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4344112

http://www.etsy.com/listing/40839902/tidy-peanut-self-feeding-long-sleeve-bib

[pumpkin]

We are big fans of preventing stains with bibs around here. We like bibs with sleeves. Our favorites are the oots bbibs. They are expensive, but I've been able to build a stash by watching for sales. They would be easy enough to make, I just don't have much time to sew these days.

[Knitting Mama]

Speaking of detergents, one of the best thing I ever did for my sensitive skin was to start making my own laundry detergent. I use equal parts of grated Fels Naptha laundry soap bar, washing soda, and Borax. Works like a charm for all laundry, including cloth diapers!

[McGucks]

Aimee--awesome idea about snap bibs!  We've quit using bibs altogether since he just rips the velcro, but I will find some snap ones.

Now...onto sensitive skin...there is nothing magic about Dreft!  I hate the smell of it, too, and so does my husband...we have to sun anything we've been given if it's been washed in Dreft, since washing (even repeatedly, even with a ton of vinegar and baking soda...) doesn't remove the smell...we use All Free & Clear and find that it works great, even if we only use half the recommended amount.  There is also an excellent website that compares different detergents:  http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoices.htm  It lists lots of detergents and provides CD info. as well as environmental impact info.  It is possible that your daughter's reacting to the perfume in Dreft, BTW.  Just a thought.  It is loaded with perfume.  Good luck and happy hunting!

[Knitting Mama]

Originally Posted by caedenmomma 

Aimee--awesome idea about snap bibs!  We've quit using bibs altogether since he just rips the velcro, but I will find some snap ones.

These are the bibs we have. They are great because they don't leave an opening at the neck, and they snap. :)

[Zangua]

If I am home I just take off dd's shirt/onesie when she gets into feeding herself. If we are out and about I use a snap bib and then soak the clothes in borax before I wash em.

[newmamalizzy]

I love the idea of the long sleeve bib.  Like the idea of topless feeding, too, but we keep our house pretty cold in the winter, so I don't think that would work at the moment.  It's usually the bottom of her sleeves and the cloth I put over her legs that get the stains.  A long-sleeve bib would solve one of those problems, at any rate.  As for detergents, I like the idea of making my own and keeping it as simple as possible, but we've used Borax on her laundry a few times and I'm not convinced it doesn't give her a rash.  It's hard to tell without doing some really good isolation experiments.  Maybe I'll give the homemade stuff a try.  Can you get the naphtha grated, or do you have to do it yourself?  Otherwise, the Dreft is actually the only detergent we've tried that she DOESN'T react to, perfume notwithstanding.  It's not that I love it, but it's hard to experiment when a failure means dealing with an awful, itchy rash.  If it's really the same as Tide, maybe I'll try the free and clear version of that and see what happens. 

Edited by newmamalizzy - 12/10/10 at 4:14pm

[Knitting Mama]

I believe you can get the Fels-Naptha grated, but it's way cheaper to get a cheese grater from the dollar store that you'll dedicate to it and buy the bars. Each bar yields around 3 cups of gratings, so when you mix it in equal parts you get 9 cups of detergent. And since you only use 1-2 tbsp (I have a front loader and use 1, my friend has a top loader and uses 2) it lasts forever. I made my current batch when Cecilia was 2 months old and she is 8 months now, and I still have 1/3 left. And I do laundry every other or every 2 days!

[northerngirl]

No laundry tips for you but maybe a sleeved bib. I just ordered one for dd so I have not personally tried this brand yet. We have lots of avacado stains around here.