How frequently do you clean your baby's front and rear intimate areas with the same baby wipe when changing a diaper?

Although it may seem quite practical to limit the use of baby wipes and use one side for the genital area and one for the rear, there is a significant risk of spreading bacteria. Newborn babies have extremely delicate skin, and sometimes even antibacterial chemicals like propylene glycol can be hazardous for them. On rare occasions, it might even result in a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Things to Consider When Using Newborn Wet Wipes Properly

The ideal method to use a newborn wipe is to keep it away from the baby's skin after it has absorbed poop or wee, say the baby experts at the Organic Cotton Shop. Consider the following points for safe and appropriate use:

● The Right Kind of Newborn Wipe: The Organic Cotton Shop recommends Bambo Nature Eco Baby Wipes as the safest product because this one brand undergoes extensive Q/A testing to ensure that they are suited for even the most delicate skin, including extreme skin sensitivity, baby eczema, diaper rash, and other skin issues. The wipes are fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and manufactured entirely of organic cotton. They also have the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, one of the most stringent labels for environmental friendliness.

● The Right Way of Wiping:The key is to use caution to avoid spreading any germs. When only one side of the wipe has been used, parents or other carers frequently think the other side is "clean" enough for a second wipe. Yet, sometimes bacteria from faeces or urine gets absorbed on the opposite side,even though they don't come into direct contact with the dirtiness. So, the ideal method to use the wipes is to only use one wipe at a time. If you're worried about using too many wipes, you can cut them in half to get more use out of them.

● Only Wipe, Never Rub: The Organic Cotton Shop suggests the same thing that most paediatricians would suggest: to use cotton wool and water to clean up newborns. In the first few days, the stool is extremely sticky with greenish-black meconium. In the coming days, the stools will become runny and yellow. According to the NHS, the best way to clean this up is with cotton wool or gentle baby wipes. The mess often motivates parents to take the wiping to the next level, and they end up rubbing the skin more vigorously than necessary, which leads to skin irritation. Never do this; you must be gentle at all times and try to use more water than wipe.

● Dispose of Baby Wipes Responsibly:Wet wipes should only be disposed of in a waste bin. You should not flush them. The Bambo Nature biodegradable wipes, which break down more quickly, are once again recommended by The Organic Cotton Shop to reduce the hazardous impact on the planet. Yet it doesn't change the fact that, if not disposed of properly, they can clog pipes and pollute the environment.

Here are some of the most important guidelines for using wet wipes appropriately. Every time you change a nappy, it's crucial to follow a proper cleaning process and moisturise the skin. Your baby's skin can become dry if you exclusively use baby wipes, even if they have additional moisturisers like the Bamboo Eco Baby Wipes do. Allergies are another factor to take into account. If your baby has any skin rashes or allergic reactions, always think about the wet wipe and try switching to a safer, hypoallergenic product.

Using and Storing Open Packs of Wet Wipes Properly

A pack of wet wipes can last up to 3 months at ease, though most parents would finish the pack before that. But it frequently happens that there are multiple opened packets around the house since, for new parents, wet wipes can be a lifesaver.

So it is quite common to find an open wet wipe packet somewhere other than in the nursery, such as in Mommy's bag, in the kitchen drawer, or in Daddy's car. If opened packs are unused for a long time, the moisture and water in them may prematurely dry out. Therefore, when purchasing them, exercise a little caution. Purchase containers with a dispenser or a sellable lid. Or if there is none, keep them wrapped in cleanfil or in a piece of cloth.