That's what I wanted to know, Trennag... from someone who has quilted it far apart and washed it. I know what the batting package says, but I don't trust that as much as someone who has actually washed one themselves.
I actually chickened out once I got it quilted in a 6" grid, and added some diagonal lines bisecting the grid. So now my quilting is closer and I feel a lot better about giving this as a gift to a young couple. Better safe than sorry.
Thank you all for your replies!