Nontoxic Baby Wipe -----Alternative Wipes for your Baby

Baby wipes are disposable wash cloth that are convenient, small, moist enough to be used to clean up any baby mess on hands, face, buttock and other part of the body. Baby wipes stay moist for a longtime after opening its packet or box however it is recommended that you keep the lid snap closed after each use to prevent it from becoming dry or contaminated. The wipes can be dragged out of the box or packets like a facial tissue in a pocket; once you pull one out, it will lift the next one up to be grabbed easily but if you’re not careful when doing this you could pull all the wipes out at one go like trying to pour a drink and pouring all the drink out into the glass and the rest going to the floor as you pour more out; so grab each wipe carefully  from the box (don’t forget to wash your hands before each grab to prevent contamination).

There are scented and unscented baby wipes. Unscented baby wipes are best for babies born with sensitivity to fragrance products because they are fragrance free and do usually contain natural ingredient such as chamomile, lavender, Jasmine, Aloe Vera that are soothing for babies.

Choosing what type of baby wipes to use is a matter of personal preference but before choosing baby wipes or baby products you should consider those factors that suit you and your baby best. Every baby wipe brand is slightly different, in terms of scent and absorption so it is difficult to determine how a baby will react to them unless you try it first. And to help make your life easier during your purchase we have put together a few rules of thumb you can use when buying baby wipes.

• Buy 100% organic cotton wipes or vegan baby wipes because this helps protect your baby from harmful chemicals and allergens found in most conventional baby products.
• Check the label to make sure you are getting what you need and not getting what you don’t need.
• Check to see if it is scented or unscented or if it contains some type of fragrance (parfum) because sometimes harmful chemical found in fragrance are masked on product labels by categorizing them under “fragrance or parfum”.
• Avoid baby wipes containing methylparaben, propyl-paraben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben or any other kind of parabens, petroleum---lanolin and other ugly skin irritating ingredients.
• Be careful with baby products that says “natural” because regulatory bodies in North America certifying these claims do not have strict regulations on checking if the product are truly as natural as it’s label states; it could well contain more harmful ingredients in it than expected to be found in natural baby products.
• Avoid using hand sanitizer or makeup- removal wipes on your baby’s skin because they may not be mild enough for a baby’s skin, and also because “a baby’s skin is structurally different from adult skin; the cells are smaller and the collagen fibers are thinner.  According to recent clinical findings, infant SC is 30% and infant epidermis 20% thinner than in adults. Consequently, baby skin is more permeable and more prone to dryness than adult skin. Furthermore, a baby's body surface to volume/weight ratio is higher than that of adults, which increases baby skin's vulnerability to applied substances and to sun exposure”. Read more: Read periodicals.com
• Learn and understand how to read organic product labels.

A few nontoxic organic brands that are safe, earth-friendly, biodegradable, plant-based baby wipes we recommend are:

Baby Ganics, The Grime Fighter, All purpose surfacewipes, and fragrance free, 25 wipes. 

Attitude, Eco-Baby, 100%Biodegradable Wipes, Unscented, 72 Wipes

Attitude, Eco-Baby, 100%Biodegradable Wipes, Unscented, 3 Refill Packs, 72 Wipes.

Seventh Generation, Chlorine FreeBaby Wipes, Refill Pack, Unscented, 70 Wipes

Seventh Generation, Free & Clear Baby Wipes, Resealable Travel Pack, Unscented, 36 Wipes.

Seventh Generation, Chlorine Free Baby Wipes, Tub, Unscented, 70 Wipes

Natracare, Organic Cotton Baby Wipes, 50 Wipes

BabyGanics, Thick n' Kleen, UltraSensitive Baby Wipes, Fragrance Free

You can find this recommended baby wipes at iHerb.

In case of an emergency, if you just realized that you have ran out of baby wipes and need something to use right away while at home, you can make one by following the steps below. You will need a big roll of cotton paper towel, scissors, bowl, mild baby shampoo, and a soothing essential oil of your choice.

Skip Hop Swipe Baby Wipe Case.

1. Cut the roll of cotton paper towels in half with a clean scissor.
2. Mix pure organic essential oil e.g. chamomile, pure lavender  diluted in lukewarm water, add California Baby, Non-Burning & Calming Diaper Area Wash into the water mixture and then place the paper towel in this mixture.
3. Let it sit for 10 minutes, wrangle it out and it’s ready to use.
4. You could also use a mild baby shampoo as an alternative if you don’t have the California baby non-burning and calming diaper area wash however, I do recommend you get one.
5. You can put the homemade baby wipe in a Skip Hop Swipe Baby Wipe Case
   for convenience if you will be going out doors with your baby. It has a Quick-draw button that can slide open and shut with one hand, and a Grab-strap that snaps onto any stroller or bag. It is BPA-free, phthalate-free, PVC-free, Dispenses wipes neatly, one at a time.  Also, it is a translucent case that will allow you to see when to refill. 
   
   Your baby’s safety is your first priority so it will be wise you choose your baby’s products carefully.

Author:
Onyinye A is a freelance writer who specializes in nontoxic self improvement, green & Eco-friendly living, nontoxic lifestyle (preventing cancer, illness and toxicity) and everything related to organic living. Her work has been published by nontoxiclifestyle.org, Ezine.com, and other online and print publications.