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Pregnancy

Wipes in hospital

52 replies

Gonnabmummy · 30/06/2013 14:14

Just wondering if any mums went ahead and used wipes anyway?

I am 31+4 with first and been thinking about this a bit today so decided to post. Hospital encourage you to only use cotton wool and water to start, I was wondering what they would say if you didn't?
I've got some of the Huggins pure wipes And they say they are as pure as wool and water.
I think wipes will be so much easier as I've read on here meconium is very hard to get off. What did everyone else do? I know they will pressure me into cotton wool and water but is it bad to use wipes what would happen if I did?
My mum used wipes for both me and Dsis when we were in hosp and every new mum I've seen at home in the first couple days also used them. I just don't want to be made out to be a bad mum straight away if this is the case I will just use wool and water but I don't see a problem with the 'gentler' wipes.

OP posts:

Report

TinkyPeet · 30/06/2013 14:16

I'm taking them, took them for the other two aswell, my baby my choice! :) x

Iwish · 30/06/2013 14:17

I used wipes strait away. The same ones you have and they didn't say anything x

Smartieaddict · 30/06/2013 14:18

I didn't but I wish I had! I still remember being told by a very patronising midwife "wipes are just for when we are being lazy" I was lazy for the whole time DS was a baby then. I can't see what difference it makes.

Onetwo34 · 30/06/2013 14:18

The hospital can't stop you, they won't really care. Many mums must use wipes. I saw mums using wipes in SCBU.

I have never heard of anyone spending hours wiping meconium off, it can't be that much of an issue.

Sheesh. Wipes. Why don't you worry about the pain of childbirth or something more normal?

Fairydogmother · 30/06/2013 14:19

I'm taking wipes! A friend did find the huggies ones were very thin tho and she recommended pampers or tesco own. The simple ones are supposed to be good too

Fairydogmother · 30/06/2013 14:20

Onetwo - she was only asking a perfectly valid question!

DeathMetalMum · 30/06/2013 14:21

Used wipes straight away with both dd's. No one said anything.

ChunkyPickle · 30/06/2013 14:21

We used wipes - and not the pure ones either (they are a pain and stick together) - cotton wool + water + meconium is a combination that just doesn't work for me.

Consider coating your baby's bum with something - olive oil, or some cream to make it easier to wipe off the next change too

ChunkyPickle · 30/06/2013 14:23

That't weird fairy - I get the huggies because I find them the thickest (rather than the funny pampers stretchy ones).. perhaps it depends on which ones.

Feelslikea1sttimer · 30/06/2013 14:23

I used wipes with both my boys... 1st had no problems, 2nd had the worst 'nappy rash' I had every seen, to the point where his bottom was red raw and blistered when 2
Days old and that was caused by wipes apparently... (They are now 13&14 so wipes may have improved but it was Johnsons that I used)

I'm not saying don't use them, just keep an eye on their bottom and hopefully mine was a one off...
Think with number 3 I'll stick to water and wool
Just to make sure!

picnicbasketcase · 30/06/2013 14:25

Used wipes all the way through with both DC. Easier, less fiddly, more cleansing power than cotton wool. Nobody ever said a word about it.

AmberLeaf · 30/06/2013 14:30

I was 'told off' by a HCA with my first for using wipes, so I tried cotton wool and water and it was not easy, it is rubbish for getting sticky meconium off and Im sure the babies bum stood more of a chance of getting sore from having cotton wool wiped on it over and over.

Use your wipes and don't worry.

I have heard about putting vasaline/olive oil on as it stops the meconium sticking to the skin. If I had another baby Id do that.

Piddlepuddle · 30/06/2013 14:33

When I had ds1 the paediatrician came to do his check. He said to me "oh he's done a tiny poo, let's clean that up". So I dutifully got out my cotton wool. At which he laughed and said "don't be daft, it'll take ages to get Meconium off with that. Give me your bounty bag and we'll use the free wipes".
For ds2 and dd1 I never even bothered trying to use the cotton wool!

CitrusyOne · 30/06/2013 14:33

The midwives in my hospital were too busy to give a shit what I used. They weren't around when we changed dd anyway.

Fairydogmother · 30/06/2013 14:33

Apparently a lot of people find Johnsons products can provoke a reaction - I'm allergic to most of their stuff!

Chunky - I'm not sure which ones she meant and I've never bought them! Perhaps there's two sorts. She hated them as she said they just disintegrated mid wipe (not good with poonami lol)

AliasNemo · 30/06/2013 14:37

The easiest thing is to wash under running water: I did that with both of mine and they were fine. Cotton wool and water ( or a wet muslin once you are back home) are also fine: it's meconium, not superglue!

JazzAnnNonMouse · 30/06/2013 14:38

The pure ones are nice and thick but do sometimes stick together.

I didn't bother with cotton will for either of mine. I'd say a very very small minority carry on with cotton wool after hospital so what's the point for a day!

BabsAndTheRu · 30/06/2013 14:39

Used the same huggies wipes as you have bought for all three of mine. Never an issue with the hospital. Good luck with everything op, slightly jealous here, love a gorgeous wee newborn.

DoodleAlley · 30/06/2013 14:40

If you decide to try cotton wool go with pads not balls of cotton wool its a million times better.

Knittingnovice · 30/06/2013 14:41

Wipes from day one for all 3 of mine.

Putting Vaseline on baby's bottom definitely makes the meconium easier to clean off.

Nivet · 30/06/2013 14:41

I think they won't give a flying rats ass what you use . I reckon the baby wipe stigma stems from the olden days when you could only get one type of wipe and that was full of perfume and chemicals - I used Pure wipes on mine and they have survived.

CatharinaZ · 30/06/2013 14:42

The hospital provided the wipes for both DC - not uk. Had not heard of using cotton wool until I found mumsnet!

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Gonnabmummy · 30/06/2013 14:43

fairydogmother thanks :)

onetwo sorry my abnormality in asking a question bothers you... Childbirth is going to happen I knew that when I got preg it's a means to an end something I must do.

And thanks everyone for the fast replies :) think I'll be taking them and as many have commented its the being 'told off' 'made to feel like an idiot' right after giving birth when your vulnerable I wasn't to keen on. Bt as you have all said doubt I'll be the only one doing it x

OP posts:

fairimum · 30/06/2013 14:50

use the huggies, even now DD and DS are 5 adn 3 the huggies are the only ones they don't react to - used wipes for DD2 in SCBU as did the nurses!

intarsia · 30/06/2013 14:50

We were told cotton wool and water at hospital. With ds2 I thought "forget that!" and used them. He had the most terrible reaction to them & a sore bum for ages, and they were the sensitive ones.
We moved on to wipes after a week or so.

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