As toxic as a baby's bottom

A recent bout of nasty nappy rash on my 11 month old baby girl gave me the push to investigate the ingredients on baby wipes. In all honesty I knew it wasn't going to be good, but had chosen to live in ignorance and relish in the convenience of the pre-soggyed, disinfecting, throw-away-straight-away nappy (and hands and face) wipes. However, due to my baby's blistered bot I could no longer ignore the elephant in the room.

If you read the ingredients on the nappy wipes packaging I am sure you have to break the words down into syllables (clap with me - Phen-Ox-Y-Eth-O-Nol). Normally, this is a pretty good give away that the ingredients are synthetic, somehow concocted by scientists in white coats and safety glasses and generally have some potentially nasty side effects associated with them. 

The long list of ingredients makes me wonder why so many things are required for the simple (albeit sometimes unpleasant!) act of wiping one little bottom.

The various ingredients are used to make the wipes wet, stop them from drying out, kill bacteria, extend the shelf life, soften hard water, make them foam slightly and to prevent mold and other bacteria from growing on them.

So granted, the ingredients make the wipes very suitable for cleaning up messy situations quickly and effectively, and disposing of the evidence almost immediately. However, almost all ingredients in standard nappy wipes are skin and eye irritants. Many can also irritate the respiratory tract and/or damage target organs (eg: liver, kidneys, central nervous system, lungs and reproductive organs).

Propolyne Glycol, a popular ingredient among manufacturers due to it's ability to stop the wipes from drying out (incidentally it is also used in anti-freeze, lithium batteries and deodorants) has been found in animal testing to effect genetic material, have adverse effects on reproductive systems and cause birth defects.

Other common ingredients include Glycerin which is considered to be toxic to kidneys; Citric Acid which can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract and erode tooth enamel; and Tetrasodium EDTA which has been found to cause birth defects, damage kidneys and can accumulate in one or many human organs and therefore deteriorate general health. Tetrasodium EDTA may also cause changes in behavior (we've started to appreciate that food additives can affect our childrens' behaviour, but so too can chemicals we are dousing them in!).

Among the ingredients on a packet of hand and face wipes (endorsed by 4 gents in coloured skivvys none-the-less) was a variety of parabens (Methylparaben, Butylparaben to name a few... clap it out if you need to.). Parabens are currently under scientific review, due to the large number of breast cancer biopsies containing traces of these chemicals.

Granted, the MSDS' for these chemicals often indicate that the side effects are more likely if there is prolonged or repeated exposure and/or the chemical is ingested. However, I consider wiping my baby's bottom on average 6 times a day everyday for up to 2 or 3 years, fairly "repeated". In addition, wipes were never meant for culinary enjoyment, but there would be very few babies out there who haven't indulged in a wipe or two at some stage. Or, at the very least had their hands straight in their mouth, or licked their lips after mum or dad have cleaned their trademark grotty hands and faces.

So, it turns out nappy rash is probably the least of our worries!!

So what to do?? Well I can't say I have banished nappy wipes from our change table station completely. They really are just too damn convenient. However, I have cut up a metre length of flannelette, had it sewn (yes, "had it sewn" enter red face emoticon for my lack of sewing ability and lack of sewing machine) into face-washer size squares.  I dampen these, wipe up the mess and then chuck them into a soaking bucket before washing. 

I encourage you to give it a try - it really isn't as grose as you may think. It's cheap, convenient and does all the things that wipes do - without the nasty chemicals. Save the wipes for the nappy bag - when you are out and about. And don't ever use them on the little one's hands or faces - opt for the old spit and wipe with a napkin, tissue or handkerchief.

If you really can't come to terms with the extra soaking and washing - look for an organic brand of wipes. But be warned the terms "organic" and "natural" are grosely overused and underregulated. You may be paying a lot for very little difference.

 Here's to fresh bottoms and healthy babies!