What did you find helped with removing baby's first poo?

[Msbluesky32]

This is related to my hospital bag, so I've posted here - hope its ok.

I've read a lot about baby's first poo being very difficult to remove - what did you pack in your hospital bag to get it off? Did you put something on the skin first? Or did you find wipes did the job ok?
Someone mentioned putting some olive oil on the skin beforehand - but I'm wondering if that's a little strong.

Baby wipes will be fine, cotton wool balls not so great... it's not that bad though...

Pampers baby wipes. I tried the whole cotton wool and water thing with my first dc for all of 2 mins. Meconium is like black tar so I found it hard to remove with water.

Cotton wool worked fine, it wasn't that bad, honest.

I used cotton wool with ds1 and 2 but will be taking baby wipes this time, but its not that bad.

A washing machine - it went all over DH's trousers!

I've heard coconut oil acts as a good barrier if the baby can hold it in long enough for you to get a nappy on!

I read pre-prepping with some Vaseline on bum helps poo to not stick too badly. Also got some Waterwipes for a gentle alternative to cotton wool and water which just doesn't sound too helpful to me. 31wks with DD1 so no practical experience as yet!

baby oil and cotton wool v good

Oh no jojo!

We tried with cotton wool and water for DS. Don't even bother - it just got stuck to the meconium and took forever. Am taking baby wipes this time.

I did the whole cotton wool and water thing with Ds1. it works OK. Just used baby wipes from day 1 with Ds2. Worked better!

It's really not as bad as I was expecting - it came off easily.

Thanks ladies! I had heard the MWs aren't too keen on wipes but ill get some of the very gentle ones and try those. Just the idea of having to try and get tar off with a piece of fluffy cotton wool doesn't bare thinking about!

the midwives paid no attention whatsoever to what I used to clean dcs

pampers wipes in bounty bag -guess what I used!

I love your name sausage but its made me really want a sausage and bacon butty! Oooo with ketchup...

Bit of vaseline on bottom prior to poo - worked brilliantly for DS2. Not so much for DS1 as he pooed all over me before I had a chance to do anything.

Waterwipes are amaaaaazing. Did cotton wool and water for months with DS1, went straight to waterwipes with DS2.

1st baby: struggled. 2nd baby: read Vaseline tip on MN, explained to mw who had never heard of it, did it (put on before 1st poo), it worked a dream! Recommend vaseline, it's a barrier, not absorbed.

Baby wipes;Aldi sensitive in my case.
DH was doing it,midwife was around,I ,said to DH got cotton wool if you want it,midwife said don't bother,in my opinion wipes make it so much easier!

I used cotton wool and water but will just be using wipes next time, take a hammer and chissel for the first poo! Nah it's not that bad! Midwives asked if I wanted some wipes so don't think they tend to judge. Not all of them anyway. x

If you are going to use wipes just look for ones that are alcohol and perfume free. They are better for newborn skin.

I use cotton wool - still do really unless out and about or a super messy one. Why smother newborn skin in chemicals when you don't need to, in my view.

Where exactly did you put the vaseline?

100% vote for the Vaseline - get it all over the bum - cheeks etc and if a boy - all over the little testicles! They are difficult to get the meconium off and it really helps.

Vasaline!!! Liberally spread!

We used cotton wool for a few days but then switched to wipes.

When do you put the vaseline on? How quickly do newborns tend to poo?

Vaseline straight away! Also, shhhh, baby wipes.