The 5 best Baby Wipe Warmers?
Your first few years as a new parent will involve a lot of diaper changes. While it's definitely not a must-have registry item, many parents swear by wipe warmers to keep their kids calmer and more comfortable during the time of change.
A wipe warmer looks like a regular wipe dispenser with the addition of a heating element that heats the wipes from the inside. Some models have a sponge to keep the wipes from drying out, while others have a sink. Either way, you'll have to add water to keep the wipes moist. The end result is a nice, warm baby wipe that won't shake your baby once you touch it.
Does my baby need a wipe warmer?
It's true that a wipe warmer isn't completely necessary. However, that doesn't mean it may not slightly improve your baby's quality of life (and therefore your quality of life). Wiping with a cold wet wipe is not always the most positive experience for your child, especially in cold climates.
As every parent knows, all babies are different, so if you don't want to place a warm wipe on your registry before your due date, wait until your baby is born. If diaper changes don't go well then, consider getting a wipe warmer just to add another tool to your soothing arsenal.
How do I choose a baby wipe warmer?
How big is the overall unit and does it fit your changing station?
- Top or bottom heating
Some units heat wipes from the top of the dispenser, while other units heat from the bottom. Heating from the top usually only heats the first few wipes in a pack, which is fine for most diaper changes. However, if you are doing a lot of wipes in each session, you may want to consider a model that heats from the bottom up and therefore heats the entire stack at once.
It is important to consider how many wipes the heater can hold. Too few and you will have to refill the holder an obnoxious number of times (and risk not wiping during a poo well). Too much and you may end up with dry or discolored wipes.
- Integrated night light
Many models come with a built-in night light that's perfect for nighttime diaper changes, but if you only plan to use the heater during the day or have another light source you prefer, there's no need for nighttime. It's also important to pay attention to the color of the night light, as some sensitive babies may be overstimulated by the harsh light in the middle of the night.
Although all wipe warmer will heat wipes, you should keep in mind the nuances of heating. Can I choose the temperature of the heater? If not, how warm are the wipes? It's also good to know how long it takes to heat the wipes stack after the device is turned on.
- Price
Of course, price is always a consideration. When looking at the cost of a wipe warmer, use the other factors listed here to help you determine what is most important to you and your baby, and what you can live without. This will help justify the higher cost or help you realize that a more basic model will meet your needs perfectly.
The 5 best baby wipe warmers
- Hiccapop Ultra Wipes Warmer
Pros: large viewing window, unisex design options, night light
Cons: No antibacterial lining
Knowing how many wipes are left is a very basic thing, but very important when it comes to changing diapers. After all, how do you ensure a steady supply of warm wipes when you can't see how many you have left? No worries. Hiccapop is a small, unique brand of baby products that has done just that with their wipe warmer. It has a fairly large window on the front of the unit that allows you to see how many wipes you've left in the heater.
And, the Hiccapop wipe temperature is even and the body of the machine is cooler to the touch than others. Finally, we were particularly impressed with the sturdiness of this model over the long term, with less risk of breakage if it is accidentally dropped from the diaper table. the plastic body of the Hiccapop is thick and sturdy and will not warp or crack when in use.
- Munchkin Glow Baby Wipe Warmer
Pros: Flip lid, holds 100 wipes, night light turns off automatically
Cons: Incompatible with wipes
As every parent knows, changing diapers in complete darkness is nearly impossible. That's why we love this Munchkin wipe warmer. It has a soft light that lets you see what you're doing without filling the entire room with harsh light (the 10-minute auto-off feature is an added bonus.) The Munchkin Warm Glow Wipe Warmer is simple in design and easy to fill and use (even if you're holding a squirming baby in one hand).
- Prince Lionheart Ultimate Baby Wipes Warmer
Pros: soft pull design, night light, budget friendly
Cons: No viewing window
At a little more than half the price of almost all competing warmer, the Prince Lionheart Ultimate is an excellent, reliable product. It's a bottom-up heater, which means it heats the wipes from the bottom of the container where the damp pillow sits to distribute heat without browning or drying out any of the wipes. The model also utilizes Prince Lionheart's patented "Ever-Fresh" system, an antibacterial coating that prevents the growth of bacteria.
The Ultimate Wipe Warmer is a popular choice for parents, especially for baby products that you don't want to spend an arm and a leg on. This basic model has all the features of more expensive wipe warmers, as well as the support of well-known industry names.
- Prince Lionheart Warmies Baby Wipe Warmer
Pros: Cloth wipe friendly, no dyes or bleach
Cons: No viewing window, no automatic night light off
The Prince Lionheart Warmies Wipe Warmer is designed to handle Warmies wipes, which are the brand's reusable wipes, but it can accommodate most brands of wipes you want to use.
The Warmies Wipe Warmer utilizes the company's patented Ever-Fresh system to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria on pillows, keeping wipes moist and warm.
- Prince lionheart EVO baby wipes warmer
Pros: Includes night light, antibacterial lining
Disadvantages: more expensive
This wipe warmer will not dry out or yellow wipes and will prevent bacteria growth. prince lionheart was the first company to start producing wipe warmer and they have proven that they are still the industry leader with the top of the line EVO heater.
It contains an antibacterial additive that prevents mold and bacteria from growing and even prevents wipes from turning brown from the heat. This is thanks to an innovative heated pillow located at the bottom of the heater. The pillows can be purchased separately to further ensure that your system stays fresh and clean. Not only that, but the front of the EVO has a dim light to make changing diapers in the middle of the night easier.
How do I keep my wipe warmer clean?
It's a good idea to clean your wipe warmer regularly. You can do this with simple soap and water. Remember to dry the container completely before putting the wipes back in. Some baby wipe manufacturers have added antibacterial agents and UV systems to reduce bacterial growth.
Parenting requires making choices for every aspect of someone else's life, all the way down to the temperature of the cloth used to wipe the belly. For new parents, these many choices (hampered by more input from well-meaning family and friends) can be overwhelming. But ultimately, the choice is yours to make for your child.