Taking care of a baby involves looking after his hygiene as well. Just diapering alone will not be sufficient for your baby. With every diaper change, your baby’s skin can be vulnerable to rashes and dryness, and if it is not cleaned properly, it could put your baby at risk for bacterial infections. Find out all you need to know about baby wipes
If you have to be on the go constantly, then cleaning your baby with water might not be possible all the time. This is where the baby wipes come in handy. But as a mom, you want to be very careful about the safety of what you are using on your baby’s skin. So this may fill your mind with questions like: Are baby wipes safe to use? If you have such doubts creeping into your mind, you are on the right page.
In This Article
- Why Does Your Baby Need Wipes?
- Are Baby Wipes Loaded With Chemicals?
- Harmful Effects of Using Baby Wipes
- Is it Safe to Use Baby Wipes?
- What are the Alternatives for Baby Wipes?
- FAQ’s
Why Does Your Baby Need Wipes?
For the initial few months, your precious little baby is happy feeding, sleeping, and pooping! Although this cycle may be happening every three hours, it can seem endless. So usually a baby requires eight to ten diaper changes a day. And with every diaper change comes the need for a baby wipe.
Baby wipes are a diaper-changing must-have for every mom. Because they are very convenient to use, baby wipes are not only used on a baby’s bottom, but also their face, hands, and other areas that need some cleaning up.
Are Baby Wipes Loaded With Chemicals?
Chemicals are everywhere and baby products are no exception. To keep the growth of fungus, bacteria, and mold away from the dark and damp baby wipe packet or box, some preservatives are added. Each time you use baby wipes, you are applying the chemicals present in the wipes on your baby’s delicate and soft skin.
As indicated in the 2007 Environmental Working Group’s (EWG’s) analysis, 95% of infant wipes are possibly contaminated with dangerous chemicals, which are mostly covered up. The hidden ingredients are not directly used in wipes, yet they are used:
- As a part of the manufacturing process.
- Released as a result of chemical reactions during packing.
- As a part of the mixture, which legally need not be revealed.
Hidden ingredients are not printed on the label or the packet of baby wipes and hence the parents is unaware of these chemicals. Some of the harmful and hidden chemicals found in baby wipes are:
- Formaldehyde, a powerful chemical even traces of which can cause an allergic reaction to a baby’s skin.
- Hydroquinone
- Ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxin. Both are potentially powerful skin irritants and easily assimilated through the baby’s skin and hence very harmful.
- Phthalates are usually associated with fragrance mixes.
Harmful Effects of Using Baby Wipes
The two most common side effects 0f baby wipes are irritation and allergy it may cause to the baby’s skin. A lot of babies are sensitive to a particular preservative found in numerous brands of infant wipes i.e. methylisothiazolinone. A baby’s skin is very delicate and more sensitive than an adult’s skin. Therefore, repeated use of baby wipes can cause irritation to your baby’s skin which may include:
- Developing itchiness and soreness.
- The skin turns reddish and dry.
- More severe side effect includes blisters.
- The burning sensation can be bothersome for the baby.
Read here to know easy tips to take care of baby skin.
Is it Safe to Use Baby Wipes?
Although baby wipes have certain chemicals in them that can irritate a baby’s delicate skin, we cannot deny the fact that the baby wipes are very convenient to use especially when you are constantly on the go. Here are some tips that help you to use baby wipes safely:
- Use wipes that are alcohol-free and unscented as they will minimize irritation.
- Avoid rubbing the bottom of the baby with wipes during nappy changes. Wipe slowly and gently.
- Use wipes only during nappy change and avoid using them to clean the baby’s mouth and other body parts, thus reducing the chances of an allergy.
- Applying a thin layer of baby cream or petroleum jelly to the baby’s bottom after every nappy change can avoid close contact of the baby’s skin with the chemical in the wipes as the baby cream will act as a protective barrier between the baby’s skin and the chemicals in the wipes.
- Try to buy organic and chemical-free baby wipes that are easily available in the market nowadays.
- Water wipes, made of 99.9% water and 0.1% grapefruit seed extract are another excellent choice. These are also easily available in the market.
What are the Alternatives for Baby Wipes?
While you are at home, do not make it a habit of using wipes for cleaning your baby’s bottoms. You can easily clean the diaper area with cotton balls or soft muslin cloth dipped in warm water. This way, minimizing the usage of baby wipes decreases the chances of an allergy or irritation to your baby’s skin.
Even if you are going out, take neatly piled small squares of muslin cloth. Wet them while using and throw it in a bin after use. In any case, applying a baby cream or petroleum jelly to your baby’s bottom after every nappy change is always a good practice irrespective of using cloth wipes or wet wipes.
Well, now that you know the importance of baby wipes, we hope you will take informed decisions and ensure the safety of your baby.
FAQ’s
1. Are Baby Wipes Safe For a New Born?
There are many brands for new borns. These wipes are made with utmost care and minimal chemicals. However, you can opt to not use them.
2. Do I Have Alternatives to Wet Wipes?
Yes, you do. You can use plain old cotton and warm water. wipe the baby’s bottom with this and pat dry with a towel.
3. Are Baby Wipes Handy?
Yes, they very much are. They are very useful when you are on the move. They occupy very little space and can do so much.
4. Can my Baby be Allergic to Baby Wipes?
Yes, they can be. Some ingredients in them can be harsh for your baby’s skin. You can always try different brands.
Read Also: Diaper Rashes in Babies
