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A must-have on every new (or to-be) parents’ shopping list, baby wipes are one of those precious inventions of the world that make your life so much easier! Considering the number of times babies poop and need a diaper change in a day, wet wipes can feel like life-savers due to their easy usage and disposability.
However, as parents, we’re sure you want the best for your baby. This means despite the convenience factor of wet wipes, you might still be confused if you should use them or not.
Well, you’ll find all the answers here. Scroll below for everything you need to know about using baby wipes.
1. Use Wipes That Suit Your Baby’s Skin
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When shopping for baby wipes, you’ll come across many brands and variants — scented, unscented, thick, thin, etc. Choosing the best one among them can feel like a tough task.
So here’s a tip — buy only those wipes which suit your baby’s delicate skin. For example, if your baby’s skin is very sensitive, you’d want to skip scented wipes as there’s a chance they might irritate your baby’s skin. Choosing unscented wipes with baby-friendly ingredients will be a better idea.
2. The Frequency Of Usage
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Wondering how often you should use wet wipes? To be honest, you can use them as often as you need to, which means basically every time your baby needs a nappy change. However, if you’re using it that often, make sure you use something natural. You don’t want your baby’s skin to come in contact with chemicals several times a day.
3. Ingredients You Need To Avoid
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This should come as no surprise, considering what we just touched upon. Natural is the way to go. And that means avoiding wet wipes with chemical ingredients. As a general rule, refrain from purchasing baby wipes with harmful ingredients such as parabens (and all its variations), phthalates, sulfates, sodium benzoate, and polysorbate 20, among others, as these can cause allergic reactions (1).
4. Ingredients Baby Wipes Should Have
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When it comes to ingredients baby wipes should have, be sure they contain natural and safe to use ingredients. Water-based wipes with fruit or plant extracts will suit your baby’s sensitive skin best. As a general practice, be sure to get baby wipes that contain the minimum number of ingredients.
5. Using Baby Wipes On The Face
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You can use baby wipes on your little one’s face as long as it’s safe, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic. Then, by all means, use it to wipe food and spit-up whenever necessary.
6. Using Baby Wipes On Sensitive Skin
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It’s normal to worry about using anything on your newborn’s delicate skin. And some baby wipes can no doubt be harmful. However, as long as you use gentle, hypoallergenic, natural, and unscented wipes, you’re all good.
7. Choose Unscented Over Scented
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We’ve said it time and again, but we’ll say it once more — unscented wipes are better for your baby than their scented counterparts. While you might be tempted to use scented varieties, don’t give into it. Scented ones typically contain artificial fragrances which can harm your child’s skin.
8. Baby Wipes On Diaper Rash
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Now, this is a ‘to do or not to do’ type of situation. And in such cases, the latter mostly prove to be the wiser choice. Sometimes the irritation can worsen with the use of wet wipes. If you still need to use them, it’s best to consult with your pediatrician. Most likely, you might have to hold off on certain types of wipes till the rash subsides.
9. The Right Way To Use Baby Wipes
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Now for the million-dollar question – what is the best way to use a baby wipe? Well, it depends. Is your baby a boy or a girl? Because the way to wipe properly to ensure complete clean-up and zero infections are different for both.
If you have a baby girl, you should wipe her from the front to the back after removing her diaper. The front-to-back motion ensures all the mess is off her in a couple of easy swipes. Do make sure you clean her thighs and buttocks too. Wipe back to the front, and you run the risk of causing inflammation or urinary tract infections as the bacteria might enter your girl’s urinary tract.
If you have a boy, start by cleaning the front part of his privates. And then move on to under his testicles, followed by thighs and finally his buttocks. That way, you’ll get him nice and clean while considerably reducing the chances of any type of infection.
So there you have it. That’s pretty much all you need to know about baby wipes. We hope this clears any confusion you might have had. If you’re still unsure, talk to your pediatrician. They can help.
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