why is it a big no no

[finallypregnant]

for toiletries and wipes for a baby? Is something proven or is it just the local nazi midwives again?

its a waste of money and the chemicals in those products can dry up the babies skin.

so there is nothing to say don't - it would be just preference?

A baby only needs water to be washed in and washable wipes are so much better, economical, environmentally and for the baby's skin.

There's nothing to say don't apart from common sense.
Washable wipes are brilliant for so many things and much cheaper!
And when you look at the number of chemicals and nasties in the vast majority of wipes and baby toiletries (even the supposedly 'natural' ones!) you'd probaby think twice about putting them anywhere near your precious baby's skin!

"local nazi midwives"? you sound like Ken Livingstone.
It's best advice to use plain water on a newborn or it breaks down their skin's natural barriers and can lead to more allergies. I prefer to steer clear of petrochemicals on my toddler full stop. We still use cotton wool and water and only bio, organic wipes when desperate. Those chemicals can't be great, "proven" or not.

I always used unscented wipes with my son, purely for ease.
Only started using mild baby bath and shampoo once he was big enough to get genuinely dirty - ie. crawling/toddling. Found mild olive oil was a great moisturiser for after the bath.

I used Johnson's wipes from day 1 with both of mine .. well actually for a couple of days I tried cotton wool and water .. but who can be bothered with that?

never harmed either of my children ..

when I say 'who can be bothered with that' I know plenty of people who can be bothered with that .. but I personally couldn't (and neither can most of my friends who are on their many subsequent and highly neglected children)

same here Twig (except mine is for 3).

DS1 was "good" for the first few days - ended up using LOADS of cotton wool (surely vast quantities of cotton wool going in the bin isn't very "green" either is it?).

DS2 had the wipes out as soon as he did his first horrible sticky black poo

same with DS3.

Thanks for the info.

I am bulking up on muslin clothes and other bits so will get a few more.

My midwives are nazis - they don't have a conversation with you - they just dictate which is why I am researching everything they have recently said to me and my husband.

I won't even start on the way they spoke at me on the subject of breastfeeding which nearly made me think of not trying in the first place.

Agree@Twig - I couldn't be arsed with cotton wool and water after about the 3rd day back from hospital, and also with FAQ - when they start doing those monster poos up the back of their babygrows, the wipes become invaluable.

I used water and cotton wool at home for DS1 for a week or so and then on to wipes. Couldnt use any Johnsons products, as it effected his skin.

DS2 well - he had bottom issues and we used washable cloths and water, as anythinbg alse really made him cry.

One big tip though is thir poo is really sticky at first so petroleum jelly on their bum makes cleaning much easier

i started using wipes when i got fed up of poo under my fingernails. PLus with twins I went through that much cotton wool it was ridiculous. Unscented only and never used johnsons either, one twin has very sensitive skin and he would come up in big rash then dried out skin afterwards if i used it anywhere near him. Now use Halo's and Horns shampoo and showergel from tesco - apparently has nothing in it....

I can't be bothered with it either I'll admit, and have used wipes with all 3 from birth with no ill-effects to their health. One tip though, don't use the wipes with the added moisturisers, oh no...never mind baby's skin, they leave smeers (sp?) all over the furniture when dusting

Sharon Trotter is the midwife who has had loads of articles published about it in midwifery journals.

I have only used water on my youngest 2 DC and they have gorgeous skin, however used all sorts on DS1 and he had severe baby excema, this is only anecdotal though

I used cotton wool and water at home as it was so much cheaper and I hated the sticky residue you got with some wipes. I used them when out and in poo emergenciesa and when they started solids. I used them for wet nappies for both my children until they were potty trained.

agree re the extra moisturiser .. avoid like the plague

curlywurly anecdotally both of my children have fab skin and only 1 bout nappy rash between them which was a thrush infection and dealt with by canestan

Same here@Twig (anecdotally!). My son has only had nappy rash once, at the age of 18 months (caused by a rogue poo on a long car journey!) and has great skin with no allergies.

Message withdrawn

LOL im not the only one who used wipes as dusters then! ha ha!

i had to use cotton wool and water with my two.

tried wipes , but they both have sensitive skin.

I used cotton wool in the hospital, when the MWs were looking over my shoulders, and used wipes from then on. Anecdotally, mine have fab skin and peachy bums!

What I don't understand is that the bounty info packs you get whilst pregnant tell you to use cotton wool and warm water .

Then you get a bounty pack after you have had the baby and inside is a full size pack of wipes mixed messages methinks.

well bounty would put free formula samples in if the could get away with it, pampers and j&j equal big money for bounty

Probably because Pampers or Johnsons are paying for the advertising it will bring them.