Hi Laura

I didn't use reusable wipes, but why don't you just carry a roll of cotton wool around to start. Anywhere you change your baby will have water so you could just wet it as and when. I think water is fine, if you think about it, your changing your baby when it's just wet your cleaning off the wee before it has time to cause nappy rash. I think we all get caught into the trap of thinking our babies need absolutely everything. What did our parents use back in the day. Cotton wool and water! I never really thought about it before now, but I think I will for my next one. Good luck

I used muslin squares, cut up and carefully hemmed (done before birth, definately not after!!!). If we were going out, I made a few damp and stuck them in a small tupperware sandwich box (yes, tupperware had been invented then!) and took a spare box to pop the used ones in when i had used them. I also used terry nappies - we lived in the USA for baby number 2, and the neighbours were astounded that I could be bothered to wash and dry stuff!

We don't use facewipes or bum wipes in our home even now, basically because they clog up the septic tank!

I used good old fasioned water with cotton wool when mine were little. No chemicals ('cept what the water company add!) and just disposed of the cotton wool when used. Once they were slightly older then I kept a damp face cloth in a plastic bag (ooh not a good idea now, plastic bags.) washing the cloth after use. This was good if you were out for the day and they got their dinner everywhere! Zinc and castor oil was the barrier cream used to avoid nappy rash. Terry towelling nappies, with a muslin square as a liner. Memories, I can still see the changing of small babies with this post!

Thanks very much for your replies

I've just washed and line dried 36 reusable terry towelling wipes, so think I'll give them a go with just water - great idea about using a tupperware container of pre-damped wipes - will definitely be using that idea!

Thanks again x

Hi

How about 100% biodegradable baby wipes that contain no chemicals or nasties? they offer a range of natural & organic baby products. (you maybe able to get a sample pack) I use the baby wipes..tho not for the obvious, I use them to wipe my patients feet before I start reflexology.

Marcus

Hi all - new here

Have you considered a gentle sanitizer instead? I have just started using Green People's Foaming Baby Cleanser which they just brought out, and it's great. No wipes to throw away and really gentle too, as it contains lots of organic ingredients.

.

Hi laura,

I used old cloths with a solution of witch hazel and grapeseed oil. I just put some in a small jar to carry about with me when out and about rather than actually making pre-socked wipes.

Hi Laura

Anywhere you change your baby will have water so you

Not true unfortunately. Some don't. I'd carry around a flask of warm water with you.

You don't need anything fancy, just get some old flanners or rip up some old cloths.

Here's some info to why I don't use babywipes.... [DLMURL] http://www.theecologist.org/pages/archive_detail.asp?content_id=493 [/DLMURL]

I recently babysit for a family that used reusable baby wipes. She used small flannel squares (like face cloths) and had a recipe for sweet almond oil and chamomile essential oil. She would make up a batch and put them in [url]a wipe warmer[/url] and was good for about a week or so (depending on how many diapers we went through!). An excellent idea and such a great way to keep less stuff out of the landfills. I can hunt around for the recipe if you're interested.

Hiya,

I came across this thread when I was looking into cloth baby wipes and think I've found an easy solution at . I've been using cloth wipes for a while now, but I had just cut up an old towel and it looked like I was cleaning his bum with rags!

This kit has everything to make using cloth wipes easy - even if you're a disposable nappy user, so there's no excuse for anyone.

I particularly like the bags for out and about - makes it much more convenient too?

Hope this helps someone.

Kerrie

I dont think I would buy that

I dont think I would buy that

Buy what?

Green Baby sell some reuseable fabric face wipes - and think they're organic too.

Living in South Africa, disposable nappies were expensive, so doing our sums at the time our son was born we opted for nappy service, as it was cheaper than buying washing powder, cost of water, electricity, etc.

The nappies were pre-shaped, whilst one three cornered nappy grabber secured the nappy. Soiled nappies were placed in a sealed bucket, which had a unique freshner, so no smells other than a nice clean smell when you took the lid off and there was an inner cotten 'bin' liner. Twice a week the used bag was collected and replaced with clean fresh nappies. The deliveries were early in the morning.

It was a fab service, where I lived numerious families used the service as it was very cost effect. The disposable liners were 'flushable' again unique to the company all you did was flush them away and they were bio-degradable.

The cleaning process was at a much higher temp than an average washing machine. We were able to visit the premises to see for ourselves how the process works.

Sorry I digress, I used cottonwool and a lotion to clean, as water and cotton wool were too drying. Whilst, I had a damp flannel in a tupperware container I could whisk out and use to clean up his face and hands when necessary, again baby wipes were expensive.

Fudge

Hi everyone,
Our baby is due in a weeks time

Congratulations - I always used standard wipes when our were babies and 10 years on I use them for all kinds of things including stains.

I bought a load of flannels from IKEA and used those. It's rare to change a baby in a place where there isn't a sink so I used to wet the flannel with warm water at changing time - so much nicer than cold, disposable wipes!

My children are long out of nappies now (my youngest is nearly 6) but we still use the flannels!