How Many Burp Cloths Do I Need | Baby Journey

How Many Burp Cloths Do I Need for My Baby?

Burp cloths are an essential part of caring for your baby. You may be asking ‘how many burp cloths do I need?’ Well, the short answer is that you would need at least 10-15 burp cloths at home, split in two batches so that one batch can be washed while another batch is in use.

Many parents, especially new ones might wonder to themselves “How many burp cloths do I need?” The answer may vary from parent to parent, but they all agree that having more is better than not having enough.

It’s also worth considering what the best burp cloths are and whether they’re really necessary. To get answers on these questions, let’s look at burp cloths in greater detail.

What is a Burp Cloth? Demystifying the Burp Cloth Dilemma

Burp cloths are small pieces of fabric that parents typically drape over their shoulders while feeding their baby. These protect the shoulders from spills, vomits and spit either during baby feeding or while the baby is being burped over the shoulder.

Burp cloths are placed over your shoulder to catch any spit and spills. - How Many Burp Cloths Do I Need | Baby Journey
Burp cloths are placed over your shoulder to catch any spit and spills. Source: Walmart

Burp cloths are also known as burp rags and should fit snugly on an adult person’s shoulder without falling off. Some burp cloths have a pocket lining one side to catch anything that your baby throws up, but it’s not necessary.

Burping cloths are thicker than normal towels, and are often several towels thick in order to prevent any liquid from soaking through and staining the feeder’s shoulder. Apart from being used in this way, burp cloths can also be used to wipe us any mess and clean the baby’s mouth during feeding.

They’re really versatile and functional, and can be used for various things since they absorb liquids really well. Here’s how you can use your burp cloth:

How Many Burp Cloths Do You Need?

The amount of baby burp cloths you need really depends on the habits of your baby. Some babies tend to drool or have more spit so more will be needed.

Keep in mind of course that burp cloths are useful up until your baby starts eating more solid baby food, at which time bibs should be used. You’ll then have to ask “how many bibs do I need?”, in which the numbers may be different from burp cloths.

How many burp cloths do I need for a newborn?

For newborns, the amount of burp cloths you have should ideally be between 10-15. This is because newborn babies tend to throw up a lot more than older babies, especially when fed with unfamiliar formula milk or suffering from irritated digestive system (we did cover an article on the best formula for gassy babies, which you could check).

Therefore, you should at least prepare one burp cloth for every feeding time, just to be safe, even if you are using slow flow bottle for newborns to reduce the chances of them from over-gulping milk and throw up. Usually, most parents are comfortable with 5-7 burp cloths, but you should double that amount since you’ll need some more on standby while doing your laundry.

How many burp cloths do you need for twins?

Generally, the best number of burp cloths to prepare for your twins is about 20-30 cloths.

However, more often than not, you don’t actually need to double the amount of burp cloths if you have twins. If you’re feeding your babies one after the other, you can actually reuse the burp cloth if it’s clean.

Having twins doesn’t necessarily mean you have to double everything. - How Many Burp Cloths Do I Need | Baby Journey
Having twins doesn’t necessarily mean you have to double everything. Source: Flickr

What is the Best Size for a Burp Cloth?

Burp cloths are typically rectangular in shape, and have one side much longer than its width. Typically a burp cloth should measure between 10- 15 inches in width and 15-22 inches in length. The reason why it’s so long is so that this cloth can be draped comfortably across your shoulder without falling off.

Long burp cloths are also able to shield your entire back more effectively, so you don’t want anything that’s too short. At the same time, those who know how to use burp cloths also know that you don’t want a cloth that’s too long or it might get tangled or caught in other things as you walk when nursing your baby.

Ideally, you’ll want a burp cloth that sits snugly on your shoulder and tapers off your arm for a bit. In addition to simple rectangle shaped burp cloths, there are various cloth other designs that you can consider. When I was nursing, I personally liked the ones with a cut-off portion at the neck as it doesn’t tickle or agitate my skin when being used.

Here’s a helpful video on how you can burp your baby. Notice how the burp cloth is being used here:

What is the Best Material to use for Burp Cloths?

Burp cloths need to be functional as well as easy to wash. You’d also want your burp cloth to be made from a breathable and cooling fabric, so that you and your baby don’t feel too hot and uncomfortable when using it.

Burp cloths that are made from Terry and cotton knits are great for summer months and they’re pretty breathable and easy to wash. For the colder parts of the year, you can use flannel. All these materials are hypoallergenic and won’t cause any problems to your baby’s skin or breathing.

Whatever material you choose to go with, always remember that quality should trump all other aspects, as these burp cloths have to be washed constantly. Therefore, they should be able to withstand being in the machine and not fray easily.

What are the Best Baby Burp Cloths?

A good brand of baby burp cloth will have a balance of affordability and quality. Here are some of the best burp cloths on the market:

  • Burt’s Bees Baby Burp Cloth: Made of 100% organic cotton knit fabric, this super absorbent burp cloth comes in a 3-panel design for easy folding and storage.
  • Gerber Baby Flannel Burp Cloth: These flannel burp cloths measure 20” by 14” and are made of 100% cotton flannel. Their edges have also been neatly finished to prevent fraying.
  • Green Sprouts Muslin Burp Cloth: These hourglass shaped burp cloths are made from four layers of breathable muslin which is designed to be narrower in the middle, so you can drape it close to your neck more comfortably.
Green Sprouts burp cloths are hourglass shaped for extra neck area comfort. - How Many Burp Cloths Do I Need | Baby Journey
Green Sprouts burp cloths are hourglass shaped for extra neck area comfort. Source: Bonne Bonne
  • Copper Pearl Burp Cloths: Highly absorbent fleece layer with cotton front and back that is thick and super soft to the touch. Easy to wash with a wide coverage generous enough for burping and stopping spits, measuring 21″ x 10″. They also come in trendy, modern-looking prints!
  • KeaBabies Organic Burp Cloth: A soft, versatile and thick yet breathable burp cloth designed to absorb spills and clean up any mess in a jiffy.

Burp Cloths are Part of Your Baby Essentials

When preparing for a new baby or buying for your child, it’s always good to plan ahead. In summary, you’d want to prepare 10 -15 burp cloths if you’re expecting a newborn, and 20-30 burp cloths if you’re having twins.

If you are undecided over which type of baby burp cloths to get, I recommend this Green Sprouts Muslin Burp Cloth for the simple reason that I love its hourglass design and lightweight muslin fabric that’s really absorbent. There are tons of burp cloths out there, but at the end of the day, the bottom-line is to pick something that is comfortable plus easy to use and wash for you and your baby.

Hope this simple guide helps. If you have questions, don’t forget to leave them down in the comments!

How Many Burp Cloths Do I Need | Baby Journey

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