When preparing for your baby, you likely already know what newborn essentials you’ll need. One of those apparent items is burp cloths, but you might not know quite how many burp cloths you’ll need for your little one.
Whether you’re starting your baby registry, or you already have your new baby at home and are wondering, ‘how many burp cloths do I need?’, you’re in the right place. In this article, you’ll find the ideal number of burp cloths, plus answers to many popular questions.
Let’s get started!
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Things to consider when buying burp cloths:
Before you decide how many burp cloths you’ll need for your baby, there are some valuable points to think about beforehand. Here are the top five points:
1. Materials
One of the most crucial things about a burp cloth is the fabric they are made of. Because you use a burp cloth to absorb your baby’s spit-up, you need them to do their job.
So, when looking for the best burp cloths, you’ll want to avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester. Sure, a cotton-poly blend will absorb some, but it won’t be the most effective fabric.
Instead, you’ll need burp cloths made of cotton fabrics like muslin or flannel.
2. Size
As you shop for burp cloths, you’ll find that they come in many different shapes and sizes. You may not know what size you find most helpful until you use them, but you’ll want to steer clear of any really skinny burp cloth.
3. Ease of Use
Another thing to consider when buying burp cloths is their ease of use. The last thing you want when trying to burp your baby is to struggle with the burp cloth staying in place.
One way to ensure the ease of use of a burp cloth is to check that it’s long enough. If a burp cloth is too short, you might struggle to keep it in place. As a good rule of thumb, you’ll want a burp cloth that’s at least 10 inches long.
Similarly, if a burp cloth is too large overall, you could have the same struggle.
Also, read reviews! If you see other people complaining about using a particular burp cloth, it might be best to try a different brand.
4. How often do you do laundry?
When deciding how many burp cloths you’ll need, you must consider how often you typically do laundry. How often you do laundry will directly affect how many burp cloths you need!
For example, if you do laundry once a week, you’ll need more burp cloths than you would if you do laundry every other day.
5. Does your baby spit up often?
If you’ve already had your baby and you’re wondering if you have enough burp cloths, consider how often your baby spits up.
For example, if your baby has reflux and is spitting up after every feeding, you’ll want plenty of burp cloths so you don’t run out daily. But, if your baby spits up occasionally during the day, you can get by with fewer cloths.
So, how many burp cloths do I need?
After considering the points above, you might still be unsure of how many burp cloths you’ll need for your baby. As a good rule of thumb, try to have no less than ten burp cloths.
Having 10-15 burp cloths is ideal because it gives you enough wiggle room, so you don’t have to do laundry as often. Even if you use three burp cloths a day, you’ll still have enough to where you only have to do laundry every few days.
Filling out your baby registry? Check out these related articles:
- How Many Diapers Do You Need for the First Year?
- How Many Baby Clothes Will You Need in Each Size?
- How Many Cribs Sheets Will Your Baby Really Use?
- How Many Bibs Do I Need? The Ultimate Guide
- How Many Swaddles Should I Have for My Baby?
- Do I Need a Baby Monitor? The Ultimate Guide
Different Types of Burp Cloths:
Now that you know approximately how many burp cloths you’ll need, it’s time to think about what kinds of burp cloths you want. There are three main kinds of burp cloths:
1. Skinny Burp Cloths
One of the most common kinds of burp cloths is the skinny burp cloth. You’ll likely see slim burp cloths in big box stores.
Now, you know you’ll want a burp cloth that covers your shoulder enough to protect your clothes. That’s why you have to be cautious about skinny burp cloths. Some of the skinny burp cloths out there are as little as 5.5″ wide, which is pretty small.
Our Favorite Skinny Burp Cloth:
These burp cloths from Carter’s are lovely if you’re looking for a more slim option. Measuring 8.5″ x20″, they are wide enough to cover your shoulder without too much overhang. Plus, they come in a four-pack, have many cute prints to choose from, and are made of cotton, so they are super soft.
2. Wide Burp Cloths
The next most popular option for burp cloths is the wide burp cloth. Broad burp cloths give you a bit more coverage in width as well as length.
When my son was a baby, he spit up quite frequently. I always preferred broad burp cloths because I never had to worry about them slipping out of place.
Our Favorite Wide Burp Cloth:
These burp cloths from Copper Pearl are our favorite broad burp cloths. They measure 10″ x21″, so you get quite a bit of extra coverage. Plus, they are extra absorbent with a fleece layer between two 100% cotton layers.
I also love that Copper and Pearl burp cloths come in many cute prints that match their bibs.
3. The ‘Figure 8’ Burp Cloths
Lastly, we have the “figure 8” shaped burp cloth. These burp cloths have an indentation in the middle, so they don’t bunch up against your neck. This unique shape is also supposed to prevent the burp cloth from slipping.
Our Favorite Figure 8 Burp Cloth:
These figure 8 burp cloths from KeaBabies are a great option if you want this unique design! These burp cloths measure 10.5″ x21″, giving you plenty of coverage like a wide burp cloth would.
Plus, these burp cloths also have a layer of fleece between two layers of organic cotton for extra softness and absorption.
Like some of the other burp cloths I’ve mentioned, these KeaBabies burp cloths are very highly rated and come in many cute prints. And they come in a pack of five, which can be more budget-friendly than other options.
Related Articles:
- What NOT To Put On Your Baby Registry
- The Best Ways To Get Things Done With a Baby at Home
- How To Say ‘No Visitors’ for Two Weeks After Birth
- Must-Haves You’ll Need For Your Baby’s Nursery
- What To Put in a Diaper Caddy: The Ultimate Guide
How Many Burp Cloths Do I Need: FAQ
How many burp cloths do you use daily?
One popular question regarding how many burp cloths you’ll need is how many you will use in a day. When deciding how many burp cloths to buy or register for, knowing how many you use in a day is essential.
When it comes down to it, the number of burp cloths you’ll use in a day can depend on your baby. If your baby has reflux or spits up frequently, you might need more burp cloths than others.
Also, it’s good to remember that the need for burp cloths will only go down as your baby gets older. Once your baby stops nursing/feeding so frequently, you’ll be able to use fewer cloths.
What fabric is the best for burp cloths?
Fabric is crucial when choosing burp cloths. A burp cloth made of primarily synthetic materials will not absorb your baby’s droll or spit up, leaving you with an even bigger mess to clean up.
So, when choosing burp cloths, what kind of fiber should you look for?
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is a wonderful choice for babies when choosing burp cloths. That is because organic cotton is made without toxic pesticides and substances, making it a healthier option and better quality.
Now, what kind of cotton fabrics are best for burp cloths?
Flannel
Flannel is a woven cotton fabric typically brushed on one side to give it a fuzzy softness. Many baby items are made of flannel, including receiving blankets and bibs. In addition to being so soft, flannel is also absorbent, making it an excellent fabric for burp cloths.
Muslin
Unlike the tight weave of flannel fabric, muslin is made of a very loose weave. Because the material is woven so loosely, muslin is a breathable fabric, making it a great burp cloth option in the hot Summer months.
When looking for muslin burp cloths, know that you likely won’t find cute prints and simply plain colors. But, many muslin burp cloths are cheaper than others, helping you get more for your money.
How many burp cloths should I put on my baby registry?
Once you decide how many burp cloths you’ll need for your baby, you’ll want to ensure you have that number on your baby registry. For example, if you decide you’ll only need ten burp cloths, you’ll want to add however many packs will get you to that number.
Also, it can be beneficial to add a couple of different kinds or brands of burp cloths to your registry in case you find you like one type more than the other.
How long do babies need burp cloths for?
How long you’ll use burp cloths can really depend on your baby. But in general, babies tend to use burp cloths until they are around 6 to 9 months old.
Once you notice that you are using burp cloths, but they aren’t typically getting dirty, then you can retire them! At this point, you’ll likely use more bibs for feeding your baby solids.
I hope this guide answered all of your questions about how many burp cloths you’ll need for your baby! It’s easy to get carried away and add too many items to your baby registry, so knowing the proper amount of burp cloths to get for your baby will help save you some space and money!
Before you go, check out these related articles:
- What to do When Your Baby Refuses the Bottle
- When To Start Buying Baby Stuff: The Ultimate Guide
- The Best Tips for Having a Baby on a Budget
- How To Write the Best Baby Shower Thank You Cards
- Thoughtful Gifts for Labor and Delivery Nurses
How many burp cloths do you prefer to have for your baby? Which burp cloths are your favorite kinds to use? I would love to know in the comments below!
