Newborn nappy changing

[JenL7]

This may sound like a strange question, but we would really welcome any tips on this.

Our baby girl is 8 days old. When we change nappy we use cotton wool and lukewarm water. We're following NHS advice to avoid wipes until she is 4 weeks old.

Sometimes there are some stubborn poo stains in the crack of her bum, that we can't seem to get rid of easily. We dont want her to get sore so wipe these off, but it's not always easy with a cotton wool piece and water. And baby gets very distressed.

Is there an easier way of doing this?

Honestly? Just buy waterwipes or an equivalent babywipe, life is too short to mess around with cotton wool and water! Your baby will be fine. I brought waterwipes to hospital and not a single comment was made about them being unsuitable for baby.

Congrats on your new daughter btw! Enjoy the newborn snuggles

I used to use baby lotion on cotton wool, it seemed to shift it a bit easier.

Water wipes are the answer! The whole cotton wool thing is a mega pain in the arse, we did even manage the first day with them.

Just use baby wipes

Warm them a little so she doesn’t get a shock but honestly cotton balls and water just doesn’t cut it sometimes

Wipes I'm afraid. I know the guidelines say avoid wipes but we've never had a problem with them. You can get sensitive ones too.

Otherwise flannels? I had a friend who bought lots of face cloths & used those for the stubborn poos. Bit of a faff & meant a lot of washing though!

Reusable wipes are great for cleaning poo and you can just put water on them.

Cheeky wipes are the best investment I made re my son. Never bought a packet of baby wipes in my life and he's nearly 2

Just give up and use wipes. Water wipes if you’re worried about sensitive skin. Life is too short to faff with cotton wool. We used water wipes from day 1 and never had an issue with nappy rash. The midwife even commented on how great they are and she used them with her baby. If you’re eco conscious then I’ve heard really good things about cheeky wipes but the washing poo isn’t for me!

Either baby wipes (Aldi sensitive are great) or reusable wipes.

I use a flannel instead of cheeeki wipes which i think are hugely expensive. I got a pack of 10 from dunelm for £3

I always used wipes with mine. They were fine. I bathed my first everyday from the day he was born in pink johnsons baby bath followed by the lavender body lotion as well and his skin was always lovely!

Thanks all. We have a sample pack of water wipes so will try this at the next change.

@LoisLittsLover they are really expensive but the cost of buying baby wipes for 3+ years I would say is definitely more I just like the dirty/clean tubs they come in with the mesh wash bag. Helps keep me organised!

Ooh, I never knew we weren’t meant to use wipes! I’ve just bought cheeky wipes for my 6mth old and would recommend, but until now I’ve just used sinful disposable wipes, even on his brand newborn bum!

My kids are 5 and 2 and nobody ever told me I wasn't supposed to use wipes (Australia). They gave them to me in the hospital!!

Agree with others that water wipes would be fine. But also that reusable wipes are great! We use reusable nappies too but in the early days we just used the wipes - i didn't buy a set I just cut up some spare fleece I had into squares! Works beautifully and is nice and soft.

Cotton wool pads like the ones used for removing makeup work better.

We just used water wipes till our little boy was around 1yrs old and also held off bathing him to much and using baby wash etc when he was little until a certain weeks old...can't remember how long we waited x

Blimey I had no idea you weren't meant to use water wipes on newborns, I've used them on both DC from birth. No midwife has told me off and nothing bad happened so I say go for it.