Although it would be nice to believe that all baby products are kind to our baby’s skin, unfortunately, this isn’t the case.
A large number of parents use wipes to clean their baby’s bottom, and really, we can’t blame them! Baby wipes are a convenient and quick way to change your baby’s diaper. But is there an alternative that’s just as fast and much kinder to your baby’s behind?
Enter, the humble cotton pad.
That’s right! Cotton pads are a wonderful alternative to baby wipes and have a lot of benefits that you won’t find with baby wipes. In fact, there aren’t that many benefits to using baby wipes at all!
In this article, we’re going to look at cotton pads vs. baby wipes when it comes to caring for your baby’s bottom to help you make an informed decision.
Skin
Baby wipes contain several harsh chemicals (polysorbate 20, parabens, phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate…to name a few) and fragrances that do damage to your baby’s delicate skin. The surface of baby wipes also tends to be quite abrasive. Although they may feel soft to your hand, your baby’s skin is 3 to 5 times thinner and, as a result, more delicate. Their thin skin also means that they absorb products, good and bad, much easier than we do.
Cotton pads, especially those that are organic, are softer and kind to your baby’s skin.
The environment
You might be surprised to find out that baby wipes contain micro-plastics. This means that they aren’t biodegradable and can take 100 years to break down and disappear from landfill. The harsh chemicals that they contain will also make their way into the earth and, in time, water systems.
Biodegradable baby wipes are a better alternative as they’re made from natural materials. However, they can still take 1-3 months to biodegrade - giving them lots of time to cause blockages and damage to sewage systems.
Because cotton is a natural material, cotton pads are 100% biodegradable. You can even put them in your compost bin!
Convenience
Because baby wipes are already wet and come in a handy packet, they may well win the title of “most convenient”.
However, to use cotton pads, all you’ll need is a pack of cotton pads and some water or organic diaper lotion. And when you weigh up the extra time that it might take to prepare your cotton pad, it doesn’t compare to the damage that wipes can do to your baby’s perfect skin.
Cost
Cotton pads are cheaper than baby wipes, and water is free! Although diaper lotion will cost money, the total is still cheaper than purchasing baby wipes. In addition, when using an organic diapering lotion, your baby skin will be protected so well that they will not have rash anymore. Which will save you the cost of a rash cream!
After all, it can take a lot of baby wipes to clean just one poopy bottom. Because cotton pads are larger and thicker than wipes, you'll definitely use less of them.
The takeaway
Although baby wipes may be slightly more convenient than cotton pads, the harm that they can do to your baby’s skin and the environment isn’t worth saving yourself a few seconds of time.
If you’re ready to make the switch, why not get started with some organic cotton pads and a bottle of La Petite Creme Organic Diaper Lotion? Made with just 6 all-natural ingredients, certified organic and EWG Verified, we guarantee that your baby’s bottom (and your hands!) will love it.
✨💛 HAPPY DIAPERING 💛✨