Don’t waste your money on a wipe warmer. It’s another one of those baby products that big box stores have us thinking we need. It’s not a necessity; it’s hardly even a luxury.
To me, it falls under “the more trouble than it’s worth” category.
1. $$$
- Wipe warmers can run you between 20 and 40 bucks. Not only that, most require an electrical outlet. As we all know, leaving anything plugged in, even when not in use, uses electricity and costs you money. The wipe warmer is something that is meant to be left plugged in and turned on 24/7. Prince Lionhart (a popular brand of wipe warmers,) claims that their products “consumes the same amount of electricity as a tiny Christmas tree lightbulb.” However, it’s my philosophy that we need to be mindful of the things we consume, even in small amounts. Same goes for my money. Looking at my credit card statements really makes me realize how the little purchases really add up. With a new child to support, the money you would spend on a wipe warmer is really better off being spent somewhere else.
2. It eats up time
- With a new baby, time becomes a hot commodity. If you have older kids too, being efficient with your time is even more critical. Wouldn’t you rather spend your time giving your baby extra cuddles and kisses, than filling, re-filling, and maintaining the wipe warmer? It’s not as simple as just unpacking a pack of wipes and sticking them in the warmer. With most wipe warmers, you have to also add water, to prevent wipes from drying out.
3. Bacteria Growth?!
- I searched high and low for scientific studies on wipe warmers. I’m no scientist, but common sense dictates that moisture and heat are a winning combination for bacteria growth. Prince Lionhart must have read my mind, and to ease this concern, they state that their wipe warmer is made with an “EPA approved anti microbial additive to inhibit the growth of bacteria and microorganisms.” However, when I reached out to the company to inquire more details about this additive (EPA approved doesn’t mean diddly squat in my book), I got the following response: “Due to proprietary blend, we cannot disclose the exact name of the antimicrobial additive.” Well, that doesn’t exactly give me the warm and fuzzies that this product is safe. I’m trying to reduce my child’s exposure to harmful chemicals, so bringing an unknown chemical in my home (for something that isn’t a necessity and that will come in direct contact with my child’s skin), just isn’t worth it!
- Further, the wipes of my choice (due to lack of chemicals and preservatives), are recommend to NOT be placed in wipe warmers. The majority of the baby wipes on the market are laden with chemicals and preservatives to prevent bacteria growth. However, if wipes are stored in a cool dry place, you can ditch these harmful ingredients. Even though warm wipes may provide temporary comfort to a baby, it’s the responsibility of parents to look out for their overall well-being.