Wipe Controversy

inspired4life

Just like everything else I've researched to put on my registry, I have found that there is a great debate over baby wipes.  I thought I'd be OK going with earth's best or seventh generation brand wipes, but now I'm seeing that some people are being told not to use wipes at all (just warm water and cloth) for the first few weeks or months.  Then there are the "I would never let those chemicals touch my baby's skin" people who swear even the natural/organic/unscented wipes are unfit for anyone's skin.

Anyone have any feedback on this?  I thought I would be making a quick wipe selection on my registry (after I realized I forgot to put any on there at all) and now I'm all confused (yet again).

bennysmommy717

Agree with PP, Costco wipes are THE BEST!

elviebird

We are using cloth wipes, not because I think disposables are harmful, but because we are CDing and it's easier to just wash everything. I've heard you should use alcohol free because the alcohol can sting if your baby has diaper rash, and other people say even the alcOhol free ones can hurt. So I have no idea.

wedsept

I don't really think it is a controversy.  The hospital will tell you not to use wipes for the first few weeks because they are so sensitive at that point, but that you can use wipes after that.  I used gauze with warm water for 1 month and then started using Pampers Sensitive after that.  I like the Pampers Sensitive ones.

inspired4life

wedsept:

I don't really think it is a controversy.  The hospital will tell you not to use wipes for the first few weeks because they are so sensitive at that point, but that you can use wipes after that.  I used gauze with warm water for 1 month and then started using Pampers Sensitive after that.  I like the Pampers Sensitive ones.

By controversy I only mean that there are different opinions on it (like everything else).  As I said, many people would swear by using wipes from day one and have "never heard of not using wipes right away."  So I guess if you have never heard anything different then it's not a controversy at all.

photogmommystacy

Well now I'm feeling bad. I am 99% sure we used wipes from day one with our daughter. I think they had Pampers wipes at the hospital and that's just what we continued with. We love them. I agree with the previous response about Huggies...they just did not work out for us. They were rough and dry and not a fan.

In the same breath, when our daughter was maybe 6 or 7 months old she actually got a chemical burn from some Pampers Cruisers we bought. I didn't pay much attention to the box, but it was when they first came out with that Baby Dry formula in the diapers (now it looks like they all have it ). It took us a while to figure out what it was. We went from a food allergy to a sensitivity to the wipes...it was awful. And after doing some research we found out that a lot of little ones got chemical burns from those.

So...now that I'm thinking about it, I probably should look into something a little more organic. I mean, obviously if you just use water and dry wipes you'll be doing the best thing, but I think it also depends on the baby. We'll probably just stick with the Pampers wipes since those worked for us and if we notice a problem we'll switch out.

Such a long response to say...in my opinion it just depends on the baby. Some of them have super sensitive skin, some not so much. 

wheelsonthebus

When you really think about it, anything that stays moist like that just isn't a good idea. haha. I used cloth wipes for DS for a while when he was younger. I would go back and forth. Like diapers, I use store brand unscented. The smell of scented diaper and wipes (huggies, pampers, etc) make me want to BARF. I'm going to try again to use cloth wipes and dipes, but it can be hard.

MeghanF13

We have always used cloth wipes and water. DD has only ever had 1 diaper rash, and some minor redness that went away really quickly. When we use disposable/commercial wipes, she would get a rash. She has sensitive skin.

mmooki

My daughter was in the NICU for the first 12 days of her life...  there they used the dry wipes (just add water).  Since she has been home, I have been using regular wipes.  There hasnt been any issues.  I have a bunch of different brands from my shower.  I haven't noticed LO having any issues yet.

hoping4sticky

I wouldn't worry about it until you actually have a problem. Based on very scientific anecdotal evidence, I have never known a baby that has had an issue with wipes. However, I wouldn't stock up on wipes until you have tried a few out on your  baby and see which ones you like.

And I totally agree with PPs Costco's Kirkland Wipes rock - cheap, strong, and work well. We stock up when they have them $4 off a box. Also agree I hated huggies - too dry.

hoping4sticky

MeghanF13:

We have always used cloth wipes and water. DD has only ever had 1 diaper rash, and some minor redness that went away really quickly. When we use disposable/commercial wipes, she would get a rash. She has sensitive skin.

Every baby is different - we have only used commercial wipes and she has never had anything I would actually consider a diaper rash. She has gotten a little red a few times when teething, but with cream it is gone by the next day.

mrsbecky07

we are using cloth wipes just because it will be easier overall with the CDing I think, but I got a lot of wipes at my shower and I'll use them for daycare, etc.  I haven't been told to never use disposable wipes on an infant but if you feel uncomfortable doing so cut up a receiving blanket or something and make cloth wipes for those first few weeks.

BelleIsa

bennysmommy717:

Agree with PP, Costco wipes are THE BEST!

Another Costco fan here.  We use their diapers as well.  All those heavily scented pampers and huggies give DD a rash.  Costco Kirkland brand is great!!! 

tjkdlhb

I've made a bunch of cloth wipes out of an old receiving blanket... I'm planning to CD, so I figured it would be easier, I'll just wash them with the diapers. (and wipes aren't too expensive, but using a hand-me-down blanket is free).  My sister swears by the Kirkland brand, and hasn't had any issues with them.

AbsoluteLM

My hospital never told me not to use wipes and I've never heard of any friend/family member who had just given birth being told to avoid them either (maybe it depends where you live?) We will be using Pampers sensitive wipes from day 1. DS#1 didn't have any problems with them, so we'll see if that's true for DS#2 as well. 

gatogrrl

I used unscented wipes with DD from day 1 and she never got a single rash as a baby.  But then, people say disposables give rashes, too, and that never was the case in our house.

We are using CDs this time after the newborn stage, but I just can't see converting to cloth wipes.  To me, baby touches things made with chemicals every single day -- play mats, her clothes, my clothes, her changing pad cover -- we all do.  There's nothing magically different about wipes that makes them any more harmful.

Gingersnap_mama

Wow, I'm definitely in the minority.  We use Huggies (Pure and Natural) wipes on DD, and have since she was about 2 or 3 months old, and have never had any issues with them.  We started out using Pampers (sensitive-unscented) from the day we brought her home, again, no problems.  I think we only really used them when she had a dirty diaper and used a dry cloth for when she had a wet diaper.  The only reason we switched to Huggies was because we were started using Huggies diapers and I wanted all the rewards codes I could get.  Other than that, I see no problems with using regular wipes from the start.

Of course, every LO is different, as you will find out, so I wouldn't stock up on any one kind of wipe.  It's really a trial and error thing, just like diapers, formula, laundry detergent, etc.  

Tippy05

We used a disposable cloth/gauze and warm water the first few days or weeks with ds while his circumcision was healing (now THAT's a controversy if you're looking for one  ), and then switched to sensitive wipes.  Now we use whatever we have in the house.  We'll do the same for this baby.

k8edgerton

elviebird:

We are using cloth wipes, not because I think disposables are harmful, but because we are CDing and it's easier to just wash everything. I've heard you should use alcohol free because the alcohol can sting if your baby has diaper rash, and other people say even the alcOhol free ones can hurt. So I have no idea.

CD'ers unite!!! Woohoo...

We are using cloth wipes as well. 

If you don't want to go that green I would just pick something natural and organic that does not have any added alcohol, dye, or scent. I think you can make your own using a toilet paper roll. I saw it on pinterest a few weeks ago. I am sure if you googled "making own wipes" it would pop up.

najzomax

michyme123:

bennysmommy717:

Agree with PP, Costco wipes are THE BEST!

They are already a good price but I LOVE when they go on sale I get so happy haha. Love them! They better agree with my LO :P

I've had a couple of people recommend the Kirkland brand and my Mom was at Costco on the weekend and got 1120 for $20.99 for me That should keep us stocked up for a while... 

redheadinlove

wheelsonthebus:

When you really think about it, anything that stays moist like that just isn't a good idea. haha. I used cloth wipes for DS for a while when he was younger. I would go back and forth. Like diapers, I use store brand unscented. The smell of scented diaper and wipes (huggies, pampers, etc) make me want to BARF. I'm going to try again to use cloth wipes and dipes, but it can be hard.

I agree. Pretty smells don't go well with poop and urine.