Baby Wipes: Important Tips
Are wet wipes safe for your baby to use? Learn with us the most important information about baby wipes.
We will learn the following about the most important information about baby wipes:
Baby wipes
One scientific study shows that baby wipes are safe to use and gentle for infants over 29 weeks of age.
However, some considerations may need to be taken into account when using these wipes on younger children, as there are no published studies systematically assessing the tolerability of newborns with wet wipes.
Features of baby wipes
There are some things that you have to consider when choosing wet wipes for your child, especially if he is a newborn, as his skin is very soft and sensitive, and the features of wet wipes for children are as follows:
1. Possessing antiseptic properties
Newborns have a weaker skin barrier and are more permeable than older children, so they are at an increased risk of developing irritation when exposed to irritants in their stool and urine.
Babies' stools are made up of substances that are soluble in water and fats, and water-only disinfection practices may not be able to adequately remove the stools, which may cause the skin to become allergic and pick up germs.
Effective removal of the greasy part of the feces requires some of the substances in the baby wipes in a very low concentration of less than 0.3% known as surfactants.
2. It has emollient properties
When wiping the skin of a child, it is important to apply the least amount of friction on the skin as possible to avoid damage to it. The emollients in the wet tissues contribute to reducing friction.
3. Alcohol-free
Most baby wipes are alcohol-free, which can irritate the skin.
It is worth noting that there are some brands that use alcohol harmful to the skin, such as ethyl alcohol. So always look out for the alcohol-free label that has been set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The correct way to use baby wipes
Your baby's diapering routine includes using wet wipes, but if you are not sure how to use them properly, here are the steps:
1. Females
After removing your baby's soiled diapers, wipe the genital area gently from front to back with a baby wipe and avoid cleaning it from back to front, as bacteria may enter the urinary tract and cause infections and increase the chances of a urinary tract infection.
Wipe the area between the thighs and buttocks with fresh wet tissue.
2. Males
When changing your baby's diaper, clean his penis first, then wipe the area under the testicles and the wrinkles between the thighs to reduce the chances of infection and then his buttocks.
Once you are done wiping your baby's nappy area, let it air dry or dry it with a cloth, then apply some nappy ointment before putting on a new nappy.
Tips when using wet wipes
Make sure to follow these tips when using baby wipes:
- Avoid buying wipes that contain harsh additives and harmful ingredients for your baby, such as ethylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, sodium benzoate, or sulfate.
- Make sure to check with your pediatrician regarding the type of wipes you should use if your baby has frequent nappy rash issues. You may not need to stop using wet wipes completely if your baby develops a rash from the diaper unless you use wet wipes with a scented scent.
- Don't buy oversized packages of wet wipes. If your little one develops allergic skin reactions, you may end up stuck with hundreds of baby wipes that you can't use, so buy a small package first to make sure it's safe for your baby.