I was shocked when I saw my then 3-month old nephews skin covered in an unexplainable rash until I discovered his mom had put him in a brand new romper that had not been previously washed.

Folks who are having their first baby are bombarded with advice and tips.

They read and everyone tells them that they should wash the baby’s clothes before wearing it on him. Few may wonder if it is just a right of passage or if there is reason behind the advice.

For several reasons it is a good idea, including (1) the fact that many hands touch children’s clothes in stores before they are bought and (2) there are many allergens, agents and other chemicals that are used at manufacturing, shipping and packaging plants that transport clothes.

It is so easy and very common for a baby to develop a rash on account of having their sensitive skin exposed to un-pre-washed clothes.

Dreft and Ivory Snow make mild detergent that is great for washing clothes of babies, and especially those with allergies or prone to break outs, or with extra sensitive skin.

Similarly, it is so easy to want to cut corners and save time and skip sterilizing the baby’s bottles ever so often after a use or two. Little babies immune systems aren’t developed enough to fight off the friendly bacteria that grows inside moist bottles after time.

Case in point, my nephew (again, my infant example for everything these days) caught an awful cold. Of course, her mom blames me and my kids who came to visit that weekend, but that I am defending the kiddies on this one and pointing the finger at lax bottle sterilizing.

The absolute best and my favorite tool for quick easy sterilizing is Phillips Avent Express Microwave Sterilizer. The product is marketed with the Avent bottles, but the contraption itself can be used with any brand bottles, but especially the shorter smaller bottles. It retails for about $50.00 and is a MUST ADD baby registry item, if you ask me. You load up the washed bottles, add water and pop it in the microwave for several minutes.

Voila! Instant sterilization!

Now, if you are one of those folks concerned over the latent or unknown future effects of microwaves on plastics, you may want to stay away from this product made of sturdy plastics.

I swear by it and used it for all three children and even gifted my last kid’s to my ungrateful baby sister too soon. But I digress. ha!