Do I need to iron baby clothes after washing?
With the birth of a child, a woman, in addition to joy, is faced with a lot of worries. And here you need talent to correctly prioritize.
In addition, it is necessary to have knowledge on optimizing the process of household chores. Perhaps some of them are completely useless? For example, ironing children's linen.
Is it necessary to iron baby clothes after washing on both sides? Is it necessary to do this for newborns and for how long? You will find answers to questions in the article.
Content
Points for and against"
Today, there is no consensus among medical professionals regarding the need to iron children's clothes. Old-school pediatricians actively recommend that young mothers carefully iron their clothes.
The opinion is justified by the fact that:
- harmful microbes are destroyed;
- Residues of detergent are removed;
- the fabric and seams on clothes become softer;
- the service life of things increases;
- the need for beauty and neatness is satisfied.
No scientific research has been conducted on these items, and the benefits of ironing are rather questionable. For each of the arguments, you can give a counterargument, and more than one.
Undoubtedly, with the arrival of a newborn, the physical load on a tired mother increases significantly. In maternity hospitals, diapers and clothes for newborns are not subjected to heat treatment after washing.
The arguments against ironing are that:
The baby does not need sterile conditions, so if possible, the newborn is immediately placed next to the mother and discharged from the hospital within 2–3 days. In this case, the baby is populated by the microflora of loved ones and the home environment. This tactic contributes to the normal formation of the child’s immunity.- Children under 1–1.6 years old relieve themselves in diapers, then in their pants, and soil their blouses. If you do not use diapers, then a huge amount of laundry will accumulate during the day, which is difficult to process.
- If you use special detergents for washing children's clothes and rinse thoroughly, then there is no need for ironing.
Doctors advise ironing clothes from the inside without fanaticism in the following cases:
- until the umbilical wound has healed;
- if there are inflammatory processes on the navel or skin.
Is it necessary to iron things for a newborn - the opinion of a neonatologist in this video:
Up to what age and why?
From a medical point of view, ironing baby clothes can be justified until the navel has completely healed, that is, until the age of 2–4 weeks. However, if you properly care for the wound, wrinkled clothing does not pose any danger to it.
Women's practical experiences demonstrate diversity to the extreme. For example:
- careful ironing of children's clothes throughout their lives;
- until the baby is 1–3 months old;
- up to six months, a year, 2–3 years;
- exclusively for “exit”;
- They don't iron at all.
How many families, so many options. In this matter, every woman has the right to her own position.The only unanimity noted is that going for a walk, going to the clinic, or seeing guests necessarily requires ironing clothes.
How to do it correctly, safely and comfortably?
If for some reason there is a need for regular ironing of children's clothes, then It makes sense to make this time-consuming process more comfortable and enjoyable:
- Buy good equipment for the job. An iron with a steam generator function, an automatic temperature control system and a high-quality ironing board will reduce the time it takes to process products.
- If you have a regular iron in your arsenal, then you need to sort things by type of fabric and adjust the temperature for each pile.
To prevent the product from losing its appearance over time, you must not exceed the temperature limits for different fabrics:
linen — 1900–2000;- cotton — 1100–2000;
- wool — 1400–1650;
- natural silk — 1150–1400;
- viscose — 850–1150.
Knitted items are often present in a child’s wardrobe. This fabric loses its shape after washing and ironing, so this item is ironed from the inside out slightly damp.
In this case, you do not need to actively move the iron, but gently apply it to the fabric. Children under 5 years old are not recommended to use synthetic items.
There are alternatives!
In addition to various models of irons, high-tech mechanisms are presented on the modern market for quickly and efficiently putting things in order.
Along with the inventions of the century, there are simpler and more economical ways to iron clothes. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The table shows alternative devices and ironing methods without an iron:
| Name | pros | Minuses | How to use | Price |
| Steam generator |
|
| According to instructions | From 2 to 40 thousand rubles. depending on model and manufacturer |
| Steamer |
|
| According to instructions | From 1 to 10 thousand rubles. depending on model and manufacturer |
| Steam | Does not require financial costs | Long wait for results | Hang items over a bathtub of hot water for 20 minutes. Wait until dry. | For free |
| Hot mug |
| You may get burned. | Fill a metal mug with boiling water and iron the item. | For free |
| Special solution |
|
| Pour a mixture of equal parts of 9% vinegar, water and fabric softener into a spray bottle, spray on clothes, and let dry. | From 200 rub. |
| Wet towel | Economical |
| Carefully lay the item on a towel, wait until it straightens out, and hang it on a hanger. | For free |
| Wet hand | Economical | Suitable for minor uneven surfaces. | With a wet hand, run along the folds. | For free |
What happens if you don't iron it on both sides?
During the period of caring for an infant baby, it is dangerous for a mother to overload herself with unnecessary work.. Postpartum recovery, hormonal changes, daily household chores - all this contributes to the accumulation of excessive fatigue.
If the child is healthy and developing well, there is no need to carefully iron the linen, especially on both sides.
And if you use modern technology, ironing can be a pleasure. Knowing the basic rules for washing and drying things will help you completely forget about ironing.
The only disadvantage of refusing to iron children's clothes is possible condemnation from relatives, loved ones, and friends. Some mothers find it difficult to bear this moment.
Doctor Komarovsky's opinion
A well-known pediatrician believes that for a small child it is much more important to have happy parents than perfectly ironed clothes.
According to the doctor, washing children's clothes must be done using special means. Rinsing should be done in 2–3 cycles.
The issue of ironing clothes is strictly individual, the main thing is not to the detriment of family relationships.
Doctor Komarovsky’s opinion on washing children’s clothes in the video:
Tips and prohibitions
To keep your child’s clothes and linen neat and last a long time, you need to know some tricks.. Among them:
- It is not advisable to iron terry products, they become rough and do not absorb moisture well;
Do not heat-treat clothes with stains, as they will be difficult to remove;- you cannot pull the thing;
- First, iron small parts of clothing (collars, cuffs, sleeves);
- items made of dark fabric are ironed from the inside out;
- the product is first processed across and then lengthwise;
- prolonged heat exposure on the fabric will make it rough;
- do not overdry things; if this happens, you need to iron them with steam or spray them with water;
- After ironing, the laundry should cool for 1–2 hours on the board, and only then put it in the closet, so the clothes retain their shape longer.
Conclusion
The issue of ironing children's clothes relates more to aesthetics than to the practical benefits of the child. If the situation is such that you can’t do without ironing, then you need to make the process as convenient as possible.
