Newborns don't use wipes?!

BronzeMama

I'm beyond clueless. Clearly.

But help me out. If you don't use wipes on newborns, you just use water and a towel? Will that work with meconium? ANd how old do they need to be before you use wipes? Someone bought me like, 45 boxes of wipes as a gift.

Starry Again

We always use wipes. Some people use cloth wipes and wash them vs disposable but I am pretty sure you need to wipe off the poop to avoid infection. I guess you could try to multi-task with the diaper but that seems like more trouble than it's worth.

ETA: We also use wipes for pee but I hear some people don't. 

winminpin08

We kept a spray bottle of water and paper towels on our changing table and used that to clean poops, we did not wipe for just pee diapers.  This was at the suggestion of our pediatrician because I have sensitive and babies can have very sensitive skin.  It worked great for us, we rarely ever had diaper rash.  I think we started using wipes when she went to daycare at 3 months and had to use special sensitive formula (and still do).

Mrs_Lady

Guess its a preference thing- we got a ton of wipes and diapers and plan on using!

daizey

our hospital didnt provide wipes. They gave us a stack of gauze-type pads and had us wipe her with those and water. I probably should have continued when we got home since she ended up with a terrible diaper rash. ...

crushinit

We used wipes for poop but not pee. Pee won't cause an infection and I wanted to save her little butt from being wiped 11-12 times a day.

BronzeMama

Ali&Luke:

Huh? All 4 of my newborns have used wipes. Where'd you hear this?

Several people - and books - are stating that wipes are too harsh for newborn skin and don't use them. Er Uh. THis is new info to me. But obviously i'm no expert. I'm just kind of stunned that an entire industry has arisen around something that people say is too harsh to use.

I have sensitive skin myself and can't use perfume or certain soaps. SO i hope baby doesn't get that from me. If so... we really will be using just water.

rhodesign

you can use wipes. just use unscented ones.
We always told parents to blot for pee, wipe for poop. Then the skin doesn't get as irritated.

meconium will only be for about 2-3 days. putting a little vaseline on the butt helps it not to stick as badly

Mrs.G123

WTF?! Never heard of this.

Olivebeinmamma

We're horrible parents lol! We used the diaper to get the excess and then wipes and GASP used the new diaper to fan her tushy dry.
If you're worried about it you can use the sensitive ones or a washcloth...
But, we didn't.

m3l0d1

We always use wipes ... We use Costco brand, Kirkland, for the wipes and we've been happy with it.

I remembered I used Huggies wipes on LO for couple of days cause we ran out of Kirkland wipes and LO ended up with a terrible rash, LO's pedi had to prescribed us a special diaper rash.

I would never use Huggies wipes again.

mommybear77

I am bringing wipes this time to the hospital, with my daughter they gave me cotton balls to wet. 

blondie42107

It's a preference thing.  I know many moms that used reusable wipes and just used those with warm water for the first couple of weeks.  You can also do this with baby wash cloths.  You can also use wipes.

Either way, my first LO was always wiped - whether it be with warm water and a cloth or a baby wipe.  Poop has to come off and we always wiped after pee.  I wipe after pee and seriously who wants dried pee on them??

Do what you feel most comfortable with.  FWIW, those wipes go fast so you'll use them  

queenie521

I use cloth wipes because I cloth diaper.  I brought DS2 in for a diaper rash to our pedi when we was about 18 months old and she said that she is surprised this was the first time he was in for a rash.  She mentioned that I shouldnt use regular wipes because it would irritate it.  I said I never did, that I used cloth wipes and water with a touch of soap in it.  She said that is probably why he has never been in for a rash before, that more people should stay away from the commercial wipes because they are full of soaps and irritate the skin (that goes for the sensitive ones too).  Its surprising that more pedi's dont mention this.

thetwinkies&Vivi

We use sensitive wipes and have never had an issue. Our pedi did say w/ little girls you don't always need to wipe when it's only pee. We do use a cleansing spray from California baby.

lucreciac

I'd read this too and thought it was a bit weird - all my friends always used sensitive wipes from day 1. I guess we'll play it by ear and see what happens!

rakle99

We were told at our newborn care class that newborns usually get a rash down there, and if you aren't using wipes, it just rules out one cause. She told us to get a roll of paper towels, like Viva (the cloth like ones), cut them into fours, and dunk it in a little soapy water to wipe for the first two weeks.

MichelleL1118

We only use wipes on poop diapers, and on our toddler now first thing in the morning b/c he sleeps 12+ hours overnight.  For pee diapers, we don't use wipes.

mizjodi

For the meconium diapers, we were told to use olive oil, before AND after!

MadamePresident

rhodesign:

meconium will only be for about 2-3 days. putting a little vaseline on the butt helps it not to stick as badly

 We used olive oil which also worked well as a merconium barrier.

pinitbaby

I bought Pampers sensitive wipes...I plan to use those. Ive heard good things about the Kirkland brand (you tube) but I dont have a Costo membership

jessicaskyy

The hospital I delivered at in Texas provided us with gauze for the first couple of days.  I'll use whatever is on hand in the hospital, then use wipes at home.  

alyson686

Mrs.G123:

WTF?! Never heard of this.

This.

mysticriver

Our firstborn spent his first 2 months in the hospital and while there they/we used provided gauze pads with a little bowl of warm water - it was kind of like giving a little sponge bath to the area every diaper change. At home we just kept up the habit - we bought cotton eye makeup remover pads since they were a bit easier to handle than cotton balls but are still pretty cheap. On the go we would bring a little squirt bottle of water but honestly we didn't go out too much his first 6 months.

We eventually moved on to wipes - they're expensive but easier when you're out and about. I think it may have been 6 months to a year, but that was just the way life worked for us, no particular reason.

lauracoro

Our hospital says not to use wipes until the baby is 1 month old. Just water and a soft napkin or paper towel. When you are in the hospital they only provide you with napkins for changes. For dd I made the switch to wipes when she was 3 weeks old and I plan on 2 weeks with my new ds.

mavgirl_73

We used wipes from day one with both of our girls for pee and poop. We do have specific brands we can use, Huggies all natural or the Sams Club brand. With our DD1 we have to use a wipe evry time or she gets a wicked rash. I would suggest fanning after wiping with your hand and or new diaper but I wouldn't worry about using wipes.

blp0118

The first time I have heard of this was a few weeks ago. Our childbirth instructor was talking about how wipes are fine, but if you're just at home and if you think of it, just use water and a towel for pee - they don't need the wipes Every time and water works just fine - might help with rashes. I will see how sensitive LO's skin is...but I for-see myself just using wipes.

valkyriemama

I've used wipes for all 4 and will with #5.  Now I do buy the sensitive kind and only use them for poop diapers.  I use cloth and flushable diapers, but I found that cloth wipes just didn't work out well for me because the older kiddos were always getting into the wipes solution.