Many parents carry wet wipes when they go out with their babies. When the baby wants to eat something, wants to touch toys, or needs a diaper change, a few pieces of wet wipes can easily handle it, which is really convenient! So, are commonly used wet wipes good or not? Newborn wipes are mainly used for baby's body cleansing (they also have certain sterilizing functions), and their main material is non-woven fabric. Compared with adult wet wipes, newborn wipes have higher quality requirements and higher safety. However, not all newborn wipes are good, parents need to be cautious when purchasing.
Choosing the right newborn wipes
It is not recommended to purchase wet wipes that contain alcohol. Alcohol is volatile and can easily cause dry and tight skin, and may cause allergic reactions. It is not recommended to purchase wet wipes with fragrance. Wet wipes with fragrance contain different dosages of chemical fragrances, which can easily irritate the baby's skin and cause allergic reactions. It is best to purchase fragrance-free newborn wipes that contain medical-grade EDI pure water ingredients, which are gentle, skin-friendly, and less irritating. Absolutely do not purchase wet wipes that contain preservatives. Although it can extend the shelf life of wet wipes, if not used properly, it can easily cause allergic dermatitis in babies. According to the national standards for wet wipes, the pH value of wet wipes for human use should be between 3.5 and 8.5 to be qualified. Therefore, when purchasing wet wipes, you must pay attention to the pH value and choose products that are close to the baby's skin.
The main principle of choosing newborn wipes is that they should not contain alcohol, fluorescent agents, bleach, chemical fragrances, dyes, and other unsafe substances. Parents should pay attention to the ingredient list when purchasing, and generally, the simpler the ingredient composition, the better. It is best not to purchase wet wipes that contain propylene glycol, benzalkonium chloride, alcohol, fragrance, CIT (methyl chloroisothiazolinone), fluorescent agents, and other ingredients.
Correct use of newborn wipes
Choosing the right wet wipes is important, but using them correctly is equally important, otherwise, it may harm the baby's delicate skin.
Gently wipe
The material of newborn wipes is non-woven fabric, which is not a natural material and has a fiber structure. Therefore, extra care should be taken when using them for babies to avoid harming their delicate skin.
Do not use on damaged skin
When using newborn wipes to wipe the baby's skin, avoid the area with wounds to prevent the ingredients in the wet wipes from entering the baby's wounds and causing infection and inflammation. If the baby's skin shows symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain, and itching, it is also necessary to avoid using wet wipes and consult a doctor in time.
Do not touch the eyes, middle ear, and mucous membranes
Although newborn wipes have a higher safety factor compared to adult wet wipes, they should not be used recklessly. Some sensitive and critical areas should be avoided from direct contact, such as the eyes, middle ear, and genital area.
Do not reuse expired wet wipes.
The shelf life of newborn wipes is generally between 1.5 to 3 years. If the time is too long, the water in the wet wipes will evaporate and become dry, losing their original function. Do not use expired wet wipes for babies to prevent irritation or damage to their skin due to excessive moisture loss.
Four misconceptions about newborn wipes
Does a famous brand mean safety?
The quality of a product cannot be solely determined by its brand. Moms should be absolutely rational in choosing baby products, distinguish the advantages and disadvantages of products, and provide absolute safety for their babies.
Can wet wipes replace hand washing?
The use of newborn wipes is to temporarily address immediate needs, and even high-quality newborn wipes cannot replace hand washing. Hand washing is more effective in removing harmful bacteria from hands, so when at home, hand washing is still necessary and should not rely solely on newborn wipes. For babies who like to put their hands in their mouths, the disinfectants on wet wipes can easily be ingested, which can disrupt the baby's intestinal flora balance and weaken their immune system.
Is it okay if the opening is not tightly sealed?
Most newborn wipes have a sealed design at the opening, which can prevent the rapid evaporation of moisture in the wet wipes. Many parents forget to seal the wet wipes after pulling them out, which can cause the moisture to evaporate, making the wet wipes dry and rough, and also exposing them to bacteria in the air.
Can wet wipes be reused?
Some parents may ask, "If a wet wipe is only used to wipe the baby's hands once, and it is still wet and not dirty, can it be used again next time?"
In order to make better use of a baby wet wipe, it can be used to wipe furniture, floors, toilets, and other objects. However, it is not recommended to use it to wipe baby toys because the baby may treat the toys as something edible and put them in their mouths, causing bacterial contamination.
