What are burp cloths and how many does your baby need?
Burp cloths are small pieces of fabric or absorbent material that are placed over the shoulder of an adult who is feeding a baby to catch spit-up. It can also be used as a prop under an infant's chin to avoid spills when feeding. Burp cloths come in different shapes and sizes, some resembling towels while others are shaped like bibs. And that is what affects the number of burp cloths that your children need.
Babies typically begin spitting up around 3 months old, but this varies depending on how developed the toddler's stomach muscles are at birth. Babies typically outgrow this phase by age 5 or 6 months old. Additionally, babies may become more prone to spitting up after consuming new foods or liquids due to their digestive system trying to adapt to these changes. That is why they need spit up towels.
However, spitting up can still occur even after outgrowing the phase. It is common for adults to become alarmed at the thought of something getting on their clothes when caring for babies, but it can be helpful to keep calm and follow these simple steps when your baby spits up.
What are burp cloths used for?
Burp cloths are not just limited to catching spit-up. Babies need to use them while feeding or just while laying down if they still drool excessively. They also come in handy when cleaning up messes because you can wipe the excess liquid off of a surface after wiping the toddler's mouth without transferring saliva back onto an object or other person who might touch that area later.
Anything saliva touches becomes contaminated, so it is important to get rid of excess saliva after cleaning up a baby. If you are not near a sink or have run out of burp cloths, disposable paper towels can be used for this purpose.
Are there different types of burp cloths?
Because they come in different shapes and sizes, some people use more than one type of burp cloth while caring for their babies. One may prefer to use two small kitchen dishcloths when feeding the baby with both hands, but if they need to feed the baby with only one hand they may choose to use a larger towel instead.
Or, if you plan on using your spit out cloth as your child's bib during meals (which can make clean-up easier) you might want to invest in multiple cloths in different designs to match your child's outfits. Of course, you don`t necessarily need it, but many parents prefer their newborns to look like candies.
There are such types as thin burp cloths, thin absorbent burp cloths, thin kitchen dishcloth style spit out towels, thin terrycloth style burp cloths, thin bib-style burp clothes, thin cotton candy or camo print burp towels, terry cloth thin baby towels. They are thin to make it easier for parents to hold them during feedings.
Thin is good for many people but others like the thick feel of a baby towel. You can also get several types of infant clothing so you always have one that goes with whatever your child is wearing that day or if you don't want everything to match.
What materials should I look for when buying new burping cloths?
Your choice in the fabric will depend on how you intend to use your burp cloths and your personal preference for the material. Towels, such as terrycloths or dishcloths, work well because they are soft and absorbent. Terrycloth is also very versatile and can be used not only for feeding but in a toddler's daily bath routine.
Some people need cotton, which is another popular choice and comes in several designs and colors to match different outfits. Cotton is lightweight but absorbent; however, it has the potential to shrink when washed repeatedly so consider this if you plan on using them at each meal or even throughout the day when they get dirty from drool. If you like cotton clothing for your child then opt for something that matches their style (ruffles, flowers, etc.).
What if I don't need spit up towels but instead use old towels or other clothing?
It is perfectly fine to use older, larger pieces of clothing as burp cloths. If you do not have any around the house and cannot afford them, consider using a pillowcase. Just make sure that the material you choose is absorbent and comfortable against your child's skin so they do not become irritated while drooling or feeding.
You could also get creative and stitch two smaller pieces together to achieve the same effect without buying new fabric. Keep in mind that cotton can shrink after many items of washing so this may not be an ideal choice for repeated use unless it has been preshrunk beforehand.
What size should burp cloths be?
The size you need depends on what you plan to use them for and which areas of the body your child spills on most. If you prefer to use one larger cloth as a bib, then choose something that is at least 4 feet long and 2 feet wide; if however, you want to hold several smaller pieces while feeding your baby with both hands, it may be easier to keep track of these if they are each about 1-foot square or smaller.
You can also use small towels as accessories (buttoned onto clothing) during feedings since they do not take up as much room in your hands and will not cause excess drool around your child's face afterward.
How many burp towels does your baby need?
About three to five burp cloths are sufficient for most people, especially if they intend to use them at each meal. If your baby tends to spit up often you may want more (10-20 depending on the size); these should be kept in different areas of the house or within arms' reach when traveling.
You can also use the same type of clothing after it has been laundered; just remember to change them around as you need since they will not all absorb liquid equally well after multiple uses.
Does the amount of spit up cloths depend on the age of your baby?
The amount of burp towels you need depends on the age of your baby. It is recommended to have enough burping cloths to change at each mealtime until they are old enough to use normal napkins or small hand towels, which are also very absorbent.
How many spit towels do I need for twins?
As with all babies, you should have at least three burping cloths available for twins. It is recommended to keep about 10-20 burp cloths on hand depending on the age and frequency of eating and spitting up. If you plan to use the same pieces over again after they've been washed, it's a good idea to have enough so that each one has its own designated spot in your house until it can be laundered or replaced as newborns need.
Most absorbent burp cloths manufacturers
You may prefer to choose cloths with patterns, embroidery, ribbon trims, or other accents if you are planning on using several at a time while feeding your child. Flannel, cotton, and terrycloth are some of the most popular options that have stood the test of time due to their affordability and quality. Here are the most popular brands/manufacturers of burp towels:
- Carter's Baby Burp Cloths: This brand is good for people who are looking for something with a simple design. The burp cloths have an embroidered "C" logo on the corner of them which can match clothes you already own.
Carter's Baby Clothes has the most affordable brand of burping cloths out there. They come in different sizes, colors, and designs to fit your baby's personal style or preference. They are also very soft due to their 100 percent cotton build that is easy to wash and handle at any given time. - Gerber BabySpit Cloths: This company makes plain yet practical pieces without any complicated features or trims. Their products are also very affordable across various clothing lines including their line of bibs, pants, onesies, socks, hats, shirts, and sets.
- Burt's Bees Baby Burp Clothes: This brand is known for making its cloths out of 100 percent cotton materials. They are very affordable and come in different sizes, colors, patterns, and designs that you can use as your children need. Their wet wipes are also infused with natural ingredients like citrus extracts that keep your baby fresh after bath time.
- Bumkins Baby Cloths: These pieces are made especially to be durable while still coming across as stylish. The easy fix snaps on the shoulders make it possible to remove them without having to completely take off your child's shirt beforehand which makes these pieces perfect for people who are always on the go.
- Green Sprouts Muslin Burp Cloth: Parents who are conscious about what they put on their toddler's skin are sure to love Green Sprouts' 100 percent organic cotton pieces. They come in different sizes, colors, and patterns that can be used as you need or kept around for daily use.
- Maya Wrap Cloth Baby Carriers: These cloths are great for wiping spit-up especially because of their soft fleece material that is gentle against the face without the need to worry if it will irritate or damage your child's delicate skin. You can also attach this piece easily to any carrier that you already own.
How do I choose the best burp cloth?
You may want to pick out a specific size when choosing a burping cloth because it may have an impact on how quickly a baby grows. For example, a newborn will need smaller pieces of cloths to fit comfortably. As your baby gradually becomes more mature, you can switch over to larger cloths so they have adequate coverage as they need.
Remember if you are going to use the same piece over again after it's been washed, then try picking out something that has simple embroidery or stitching on it instead of complicated designs or trims that will need to be re-stitched once laundered again.
How long do spit towels usually last?
Cleaning burp cloths can be done through hand washing or machine washing depending on your preference. If you are going to use a machine, then it may be best that you place it in its own designated load with no other pieces of clothing inside the washer so that the piece will not stick onto anything else as it spins around during the cycle.
What should I look for when trying to find the best burp towels?
- Softness: The material used in making these pieces is very important to consider because softer materials allow for more comfort and protection against sensitive skin. It's best if the material is made out of 100 percent cotton instead of fabric blends since these mixes can cause skin irritation and/or rashes that can be harmful to your baby.
- Versatility: Parents should look into burp towels with versatile designs like those that can be used as a nursing cover, blanket, or clothes depending on the outfits they're wearing. Try taking a look at the different types of fabrics used in creating these pieces because certain materials work better during hot or cold seasons which will affect the number of clothes you need to keep handy for your little one.
- Size: Look for pieces that are designed specifically for infants such as flat squares about 4 inches by 6 inches which are usually good enough for newborn to adult babies. You may want to look into other sizes that others recommend once your child becomes more mature.
- Cleaning ease: It's best to choose pieces with simple designs that are easy to wash. Try checking out the lace or lace-like materials that can be easily cleaned with running water and set aside until they're completely dry before use in case you want your baby to wear it right away after washing it.
Conclusion
The number of burp cloths that you need for your child will depend on the number of days that you are willing to dedicate to laundry. You can buy as many pieces as you think your baby will use over a given time but remember that some cloths may look new after one wash while others take more time before they can be reused due to soil build-up, especially if it's made out of organic materials.
When looking for the best burping cloth available in stores, do not hesitate to check out different brands and designs until you find something that works well with your little one's need. Remember, most parents only pay attention to these pieces when their child starts spitting up or leaking milk from their mouth since this usually happens right after feedings.