![]() Additives like fragrances or aloe vera then vary from brand to brand. Fiorito, MD, a pediatric infectious disease physician at NYU Langone Hospital on Long Island, N.Y. “Theoretically, if there is a break in the skin barrier and colonization of bacteria/fungi on the wipes, it could cause a skin infection.” Fiorito says that this could mean anything from an infected wound to cellulitis, which is commonly referred to as “a Staph infection.”įurthermore, the ingredients found in baby wipes differ greatly from one brand to another and the interaction of certain wipes ingredients with heat poses another potential health risk.īaby wipes are typically formulated with three basic ingredients: water, surfactants for cleansing, and preservatives that help prevent microorganism growth that can occur in water. “The general concern is that in potentially heating wipes, they’re closer to the human body temperature, and therefore more of an environment for bacteria and fungi to ‘set up shop,’” says Theresa M. While there are no current studies that link baby wipe warmers to bacterial growth or health scares among babies, some experts say the very act of heating baby wipes can create conditions that may be more hospitable to germs. No results turned up when I searched for health concerns like bacterial growth and, at the time of publishing, the CPSC has not responded to further questions about whether complaints related to bacteria have been filed. The majority of baby wipe warmer complaints and recalls involve electric shocks, fire hazards, and cracked devices-though it’s worth noting there haven’t been recent recalls or complaints about wipe warmers on the CPSC website. Baby wipe warmers are not regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, though standards from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a third-party certification company, likely apply because they are considered electric heating appliances, according to a representative at the CPSC. Here’s where things take a turn for the fuzzy. Other perks you’ll find in some models include variable heat settings (more on those in a bit), night-lights, auto shut-off functions, and transparent windows that allow you to see how many wipes are left in the warmer. (Note: PureBaby recommends swapping sponges for new ones every three months, while the Prince Lionheart EVO Baby Wipes Warmer features a pillow that it says should be changed every three months.) Wipe warmers like the Munchkin Mist Wipe Warmer feature a water reservoir that needs to be refilled. Some wipe warmers, like PureBaby Wipe Warmer with Digital Display ( Amazon, Pure Baby, Walmart), have a moistening sponge or insert pillow at the base to keep wipes warm and moist. (Note: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) refers to them as dispensing heat from the top or heat from the sides.) Those that have internal heating functions at the top, like the Hiccapop Baby Wipe Warmer and Dispenser ( Amazon, Hiccapop), are ideal for warming just a few wipes at a time and, as Hiccapop claims, its “top-heated design keeps wipes at the top warm without drying out lower wipes.” Wipe warmers with base heating functions, such as Prince Lionheart EVO Baby Wipes Warmer ( Amazon, Prince Lionheart), are designed to keep all wipes warm and are particularly useful if you use a lot of wipes in one session.īut if you choose to include a baby wipe warmer in your nursery, some work will be required on your part. Most baby wipe warmers operate via electricity, and you’ll find two types of designs: top and bottom warmers. They usually feature a top compartment that you lift and fill with disposable baby wipes or cloth wipes and a top flap for removing wipes and snapping closed to keep wipes dry. ![]() Wipe warmers resemble a box of baby wipes, which can be a pro for parents who don’t want yet another gadget that takes up lots of room. To understand why experts and parents are growing concerned about baby wipe warmers, it helps to know how they work.
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