Water wipes or cotton wool

[crimblecrumbles]

When I had DC1 I was told in ante natal classes to only use cotton wool and water for nappy changes which I duly did but it was such a faff! And I found cotton wool would moult everywhere and id be picking sheds off her bum all the time! Or it would be too wet and then have to dry her etc. Plus not easy when out and about.
Due to have DC2 in a few weeks and would much rather use water wipes. Is that allowed? Are they ok for newborns? Or will the midwives tell me off!!

I don't think the midwives will tell you off for using water wipes.

However I recommend using reusable wipes- they wipe much better than cotton wool or water wipes/disposable wipes... I found disposable wipes worse than cotton wool.

Use big circles (actually ovals 🤷🏻‍♀️) the ones for makeup removal!

Waaaaaaaaay better than any wipes!!! The texture of the cotton picks up everything very well and is super soft on the skin. Whenever I have to use a wipe it's a bad experience.....

I just used whatever wipes I felt like for all my babies. It's not going to hurt them.

Reusable wipes! We use cheeky wipes and they’re great!! We’d get through so much cotton wool otherwise and water wipes upset DS’s skin as a newborn

Neither, just use normal wipes. I really like the Pampers coconut oil ones! But literally any wipes are fine, there is nothing in a baby wipe that is going to harm a newborn baby.

Midwives aren't going to tell you off and you can use whatever you like, it's your baby.

Water wipes are great and no they won't tell you off!

Ive always just used regular baby wipes. I buy the big boxes of pampers one because its cheaper.

Don't bother with cotton wool, it's such a faff. Wipes won't harm your baby especially not water wipes. Cheeky wipes are good for at home.

Reusable wipes are brilliant - we use cheeky wipes and they wipe and clean so much better than disposable wipes or cotton wool!

The important thing is for the baby's bottom to be dry before the nappy goes back on regardless of what you use. As a midwife I have seen excoriated bottoms with the so called 'safe' water wipes.

If you really do feel strongly about it being just water, it's only the brand water wipes that have that. There are others that claim to be "99% pure" but they are just as chemically as any other wipe if you look at the ingredients/have a suck on one (Water wipes are 99.9% I think which is the difference)

However, I find that makes them pointless as wipes. If you're using water then ideally it needs to be warm, the cold water on the water wipe just means it has absolutely no power to remove anything meaning you're scraping uncomfortably at their bum. I have used them but more at weaning for faces/hands.

Home- Cotton wool balls submerged in warm water then 2 or 3 dry balls to dry.

When out baby wipes (branded) for quickness and ease.

Another cheeky wipes devotee - so much more effective than disposable, at cleaning. Agree cotton wool is annoying and I would get reusable a for home, take a couple of packs of water wipes to hospital.

I used Aldis version of water wipes.

You want Cheeky Wipes.

Another vote for reusables, you can pick up 2nd hand cheeky wipes for a good price on fb marketplace,
I use tesco wipes when out and about,
But we used just cotton pads and water for for the first week

Reusable wipes! But not cheeky wipes. DC1 is not even 18m and our cheeky wipes have holes and are threadbare.

Oh that’s a shame Margot, wonder what’s that about? Mine are 5yrs and still going strong.

Why are water wipes so incredibly expensive?

I would also recommend reusable ones, but as others have said, anything is fine really, don't worry about / overthink it.

I know, it's such a con isn't it :o you're literally paying a premium for something you can get for free (ish) out of the tap!

Use biodegradable wipes -Aldi/Lidl and most supermarkets do them for around 60p a pack. The midwives won't shout at you and they're not the ones wiping your baby's arse at 4am in the morning anyway - do what suits you.

P.S had my baby 7 weeks ago. They literally wouldn't have a minute to be checking what you're using.

I use water wipes & think they’re great although agree they are pricey!! I get big multipacks. No sore bums here though. I hate cheap supermarket ones, they are rammed with chemicals and stink. X

Reusable wipes. Don't bother with branded sets like cheeky wipes. Just get cheap baby flannels. Or cut up old towels. Fleece ones are probably the softest. We use a mixture.

Keep them dry and just use a squirty water bottle to wet as needed, or pre-make soaked in chamomile tea and baby oil and keep in a tuperware.