5 of the best baby cotton buds 2024
DO YOU NEED BABY COTTON BUDS?
Baby cotton buds were invented in America in the 1920s as a baby care product. They were originally called ‘Baby Gays’ but this was changed to Q-tips. The Q stands for quality.
They were created as a way of safely cleaning and drying between a baby’s fingers, toes and around the eye, belly button, outer ear and nose. They should never be inserted into the inner ear or nose.
What to look out for when choosing baby cotton buds?
Buds designed for babies often narrow at the tip for cleaning and drying very small areas and are called safety buds.
If you want an environmentally friendly option, there are cotton buds with organic cotton tips and paper or bamboo wood stems. This makes them biodegradable. Single-use plastic cotton buds are now banned from sale in the UK.
THE BEST BABY COTTON BUDS IN THE UK
This list has been narrowed down to the very best with thorough research and the following considered:
Consumer reviews
Best-seller lists
Recommendations from industry experts
Award-winning products
Personal experience and the products loved by other parents.
The list is updated annually. It was last updated on 6 January 2024.
If you buy through a link, we may earn a small affiliate commission. 5% of profits are donated to UK Baby Banks to help parents in need of essentials.
1. Boots Baby Organic Cotton Buds
200 baby cotton buds.
With a GOTS-certified organic cotton tip.
The stem is made from FSC paper.
The packaging is cardboard.
2. Leaf boat Bamboo Cotton Buds
Cotton buds that are safe to use with babies.
The sticks are made from sustainable bamboo and the buds are GOTS-certified organic cotton.
Plastic-free and 100% biodegradable. Can also be home composted.
100% recycled packaging.
Cruelty-free.
3. JOHNSON'S® Baby Cotton Buds
A pack of 200 buds with 100% pure cotton tips and paper sticks.
Specially designed for babies.
Comes in a plastic-free, recyclable box made from 90% recycled materials.
4. Sky Organics baby cotton swabs
Suitable for babies and with narrow tips
100% GOTS-certified organic cotton buds.
100% biodegradable.
Cruelty-free.
5. My Little Star Safety Cotton Buds
Pack of 50 baby cotton buds.
100% cotton tips and 100% paper stems.
Specially designed for safe and gentle use.
MORE OF THE BEST
Baby hairbrushes and combs • baby baths • baby nail scissors • bath thermometers • baby towels • baby washcloths • baby wipes • breast pumps
FROM THE BLOG
These 15 toys are all popular for a reason. Babies between the ages of six and twelve months love them. And they don’t drive their parents insane. Any ones that make noise have an off switch and many also a volume control. If you are looking to save money, there is only one item included that is anywhere near the £100 mark. Ten of the toys are under £20 and five are under £10.