This video is one in a series of short comprehensive skin health education programs that highlights the use of properly formulated wipes for cleaning and caring for infant skin.
Cleaning skin at every diaper change with properly formulated wipes has many benefits:
- Removal of potential odors and trace irritants left behind
- Wipes formulated at slightly acidic pH can help maintain healthy infant skin pH around 5 to 5.5
- Emollients in wipes can help soften and moisturize skin to reduce friction during wiping
- Baby wipes have been clinically proven to be as safe and effective to use on healthy infants and infants in the NICU compared to cloth and water
- Vongsa R, Rodriguez KJ, Koenig D, Cunningham C. Benefits of using an appropriately formulated wipe to clean diapered skin of preterm infants. Global Pediatric Health. 2019; 6: 1-6.
- Ehretsmann C, Schaefer P, Adam R. Cutaneous tolerance of baby wipes by infants with atopic dermatitis, and comparison of the mildness of baby wipe and water in infant skin. J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol. 2001; 15 Suppl 1: 16–21.
- Rodriguez KJ, Cunningham C, Foxenberg R, Hoffman D, Vongsa R. The science behind wet wipes for infant skin: Ingredient review, safety, and efficacy. Pediatr Dermatol. 2020; 37(3): 447-454.
- Lavender T, Furber C, Campbell M, Victor S, Roberts I, Bedwell C, Cork MJ. Effect on skin hydration of using baby wipes to clean the napkin area of newborn babies: assessor-blinded randomised controlled equivalence trial. BMC Pediatr. 2012 Jun 1; 12:59.
- Adam R, Schnetz B, Mathey P, Pericoi M, de Prost Y. Clinical demonstration of skin mildness and suitability for sensitive infant skin of a new baby wipe. Pediatr Dermatol. 2009 Sep-Oct; 26(5): 506-13.
- Ngai D, Vongsa R, Rodriguez KJ. Infant skin barrier damage inflicted by fecal enzymes and ways to mitigate: Why water is insufficient. Poster session presented at: 18th Annual National Neonatal Nurses Conference; 2018 September 5-8; New Orleans, LA, USA.
- Association of Women’s Health Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses. Neonatal skin care – evidence based clinical practice guideline. Fourth edition. Washington, D.C.; 2018.
