Expert answer: The BabyCenter Editorial Team

Many new parents find that baby detergents don't always get the job done. Others just can't stand the extra expense of buying a special product just for the baby.

Whatever your reason for choosing it, regular detergent should be perfectly fine for your baby's laundry, says Mary Spraker, a pediatric dermatologist at Emory University in Atlanta and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology.

"Unless your baby has allergies or very sensitive skin, this shouldn't be a problem for her, no matter how young she is," Spraker says.

If you decide to use regular detergent, choose a liquid – they tend to rinse out more thoroughly, especially if you have "hard" water. Powders have a tendency to leave flakes on fabric that can irritate your baby's skin.

If you're worried about whether your baby's skin is too sensitive for regular detergent, do a test by laundering one or two articles of baby clothing along with the rest of your family's wash. If your baby's skin seems fine when he or she wears those items, go ahead and toss in all his or her clothes. If your baby's skin seems irritated (especially if it's marked by red spots) or he or she seems uncomfortable or itchy, try a detergent that's free of fragrances and dyes.

If you still notice a reaction, try double rinsing the clothing or go back to baby detergent until your child is at least a year old. "Allergies to fragrances in laundry cleaners are rare, but they do occur occasionally," says Spraker.

If your baby has eczema (symptoms include red, scaly, dry patches of skin, especially on the face and in the bends of the elbows and knees), ask your pediatrician to prescribe a treatment and to recommend a bathing and skincare regimen. Children with eczema can be particularly sensitive to the ingredients in lotions and soaps.

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