12 best baby wipes to buy for babies in 2022
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FIGURES show that a new-born baby will typically go through over 300 nappies a month. Now, that’s a lot of wiping - so you want to make sure you’ve got the best baby wipes for the job.
We’ve rounded up the best baby wipes based on cost, feel, effectiveness and eco-friendliness, using a combination of our own expert insight and customer reviews.
There are lots of baby wipes to choose from, and a few factors may influence your decision.
The first is cost: some baby wipes give you a lot more value for money, and considering how many you’ll go through each day, week and month, that can be an important factor.
We’d recommend bulk buying to save money. Don’t worry, they will all get used up. Remember, toddlers and school children need baby wipes too.
The second determining factor is your baby’s skin: certain wipes are fragranced, others are unscented, while others still are made primarily with water to provide the purest experience for sensitive babies.
Midwives typically encourage wiping baby’s bottom with cotton wool and water (which you’ll likely realise isn’t going to work for you by baby’s fifth poo, we predict), but many midwives have also given WaterWipes, whose wipes are made entirely of water, with a drop of fruit extract, their stamp of approval.
Yet another major factor when it comes to choosing the best baby wipes is the environmental impact. If this is a concern of yours, you'll be relieved to know that eco-friendly, biodegradable wipes are now widely available. Reusable wipes are also an option.
As with all baby gear, what works well for one family might not be the right choice for another, so when it comes to finding the best baby wipes for you, try a few brands out and see which ones you – and baby – like best.
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Best biodegradable wipes: Aqua Wipes
Aqua Wipes tick a lot of boxes when it comes to eco-friendliness (they're 100 per cent biodegradable and compostable) and ethics (they're vegan-friendly and chemical-free).
Made from 99.6 per cent pure water with a drop of aloe vera, these wipes have won multiple awards and are used by the NHS.
Parents also love them, for their good-to-nature qualities and the fact 'they're lovely to use too'.
Best Dove Baby Wipes: Baby Dove’s Biodegradable Wipes
Baby Dove's biodegradable wipes are made with 100% naturally derived plant fibres so they're as kind to the planet as to your baby.
They're also hypoallergenic and have been dermatologically and paediatrically tested for newborns.
Best unscented baby wipes: Jackson Reece Kinder by Nature
These wipes have over 99% naturally derived plant ingredients and are made from biodegradable, compostable, chlorine- and polyester-free cloth to minimise environmental impact.
These have also won numerous awards, and are well-suited to sensitive skin.
As far as parents are concerned, they also do the job of effectively wiping grubby hands and bottoms.
Best sensitive skin baby wipes: Mum & You Wipes
The big gripe many parents have with favourites like WaterWipes is that they’re not biodegradable. Enter Mum & You.
The wipes are planet-friendly, ultra-gentle and a popular choice for parents whose babies have allergy-prone skin.
Best washable baby wipes: Cheeky Wipes Washable Baby Wipes
If you’ve made the decision to use cloth nappies, then we’re betting you’re also planning to buy reusable wipes.
Cheeky Monkeys' terry-towelling wipes can handle even the most potent nappy contents; just use with warm water and chuck in the wash when done.
Can also be used on tiny faces to wipe up food.
Best chemical-free wipes: Kit & Kin Baby Wipes
Kit & Kin's plant-based baby wipes are a favourite for their gentle feel and 99 per cent water formulation.
These are also fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.
Best reusable microfibre baby wipes: Little Gubbins Microfibre Reusable Wipes
Twice the absorbency of cotton, these colourful microfibre wipes are a brilliant choice for keeping baby fresh - but note, you shouldn't use them to wipe pooey bottoms.
The quick-drying design can be used to wipe food, hands... and even clean around the house.
This set of 20 includes a laundry bag for your convenience.
Best all-rounder baby wipes: Huggies Pure Baby Wipes
When it comes to wipes that do the job every time (from cleaning poo-covered newborn bums to pureed broccoli-smeared babies), Huggies Pure baby wipes are great value for money and have a tick of approval from the British Skin Foundation.
These are hypoallergenic and made with 99% pure water. Parents swear by how soft and effective they are.
Best water-based baby wipes: WaterWipes For Sensitive Skin
These baby wipes were created by a dad whose daughter suffered from nappy rash, which motivated him to come up with a pure, chemical-free alternative.
WaterWipes are made with 99.9% purified water (and a drop of fruit extract), are midwife-recommended and are even approved by Allergy UK.
Sure, they’re the choice for babies with sensitive skin, and also thousands of other parents who want a mild, effective baby wipe.
The downside? They're more expensive.
Best dry baby wipes: Canny Mum Bamboo Baby Wipes
Another eco-friendly choice, these bamboo wipes are biodegradable and can be used for a range of things as an alternative to tissues. Simply wet them to use as baby wipes.
Parents like how strong and soft they are, as well as their slightly larger size (compared to your typical baby wipes).
Best flushable wipes: Andrex Washlets
While your baby will let you use any wipe you please on them, your toddler will require more persuasion when you want to wipe their faces after an ice cream or clean up sticky hands on the go.
These wipes from Andrex will help, especially for those getting used to independently using the loo.
Best bamboo baby wipes: The Cheeky Panda Biodegradable Bamboo Baby Wipes
Made from natural and sustainable bamboo, these wipes are completely cruelty-free.
They only contain purified water with aloe vera and fruit extract, and reviewers like that they are soft, good quality and as good at removing makeup as they are at wiping bums.
What are the best baby wipes for sensitive skin?
When it comes to finding wipes that won't irritate sensitive skin, look for those that are fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and primarily made from water to minimise the chance of an allergic reaction.
WaterWipes have the seal of approval from Allergy UK while biodegradable brands like Aqua Wipes, Mum & You and Kit & Kin tend to work well on sensitive skin types too.
Can I use baby wipes on a newborn?
The midwife advice is typically to use cotton wool and water on newborns' sensitive bottoms - but that can get messy.
Try using reusable wipes on newborns - washable cotton wipes work well, wash easily and won't irritate newborn skin.
Eco-wipes brands and WaterWipes also work: usually, any wipes without chemicals or fragrances should do the trick. If your newborn's skin does get irritated, discontinue use of the wipes.
Are baby wipes antibacterial?
As wipes are meant to replicate gentle cleansing, it is very unlikely that baby wipes will have antibacterial properties. Also, antibacterial wipes will have alcohol in them, which could be consumed by babies if they put the wipes in their mouths.
Can you use baby wipes on dogs?
Dogs have a different pH on their skin compared to humans, so human skin products are not suitable or made for them. Also, some ingredients in the wipes might be toxic for dogs if they consume them—dogs are likely to lick themselves after using a wipe—so it's probably not worth taking the risk.
How to wipe a baby girl
To avoid inflammation in the urinary tract, it is recommended to wipe baby girls from front to back or using two separate wipes. If bacteria from the bum is brought forward via using a wipe, it could cause infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs).
For more information on how to change a nappy, .
Can you flush baby wipes?
It is recommended by academics and plumbers that wet wipes should not be flushed down the toilet, even if it says so on the packaging. This is because wet wipes take a long time to break down in the water and can cause problems with drainage pipes, swears and even make their way to our rivers.
Where to buy baby wipes?
Baby wipes can be bought from pharmacies such as Boots and Superdrug and major supermarkets such as Tesco, Morrisons and others.
Some brands also sell baby wipes directly from their own websites.