Newborn Checklist: How Many Burp Cloths Do You Need? (2024)

Baby Registry Family Planning Newborn Nursery Essentials Pregnancy

In the first months of pregnancy, it’s normal to feel nervous and excited. Building a baby registry is an excellent way to take a task off your to-do list and feel more productive. As you scour your favorite apps and websites for the best products, you’ll find that you need to register for popular baby essentials such as newborn clothes, bibs and burp cloths. While you may be able to imagine what your infant needs or the different types of baby clothes to have, it’s a little more difficult to decide how many of each item you require.

Burp cloths are one of the most overlooked items on an expecting mother’s wish list. Most new moms underestimate how many they will need, especially in the first year of baby’s life. In this guide for new moms and expecting mothers, we’ll explain how many new burp cloths you should put on your registry—and why. We’ll also share our experience on what makes for the best burp cloths and how to care for them. Since you won’t be registering for the wrong number of supplies, your family and friends can focus on additional must-haves, such as a crib, a car seat and diapers. Being strategic about your feeding accessories will also help you save time and money once your baby is born!

Putting the Right Number of Burp Cloths on Your Registry

Most baby registries feature four to six burp cloths, or an average of two packs. Our rule of thumb is to double that. Register for 10 to 12 cloths in various patterns or colors. The soft material is excellent for everything from gently wiping a wet chin after a feeding to sopping up drool.

If you buy ones in a hue other than white, they’re less likely to stain. Plus, having a ton on hand will keep you from having to do endless loads of laundry. Expect to go through at least one cloth per day, if not more. It’s also nice to have extras to keep in your car or diaper bag.

Newborn Checklist: How Many Burp Cloths Do You Need? (1)

How to Care for Burp Cloths

Stains from formula, breast milk and baby food will quickly discolor your burp cloths. Use a three-step process to ensure they stay fresh, vibrant and clean. Before you place the garments in your washer, spray them with a stain fighter. Find a product specially made for babies. Apply a liberal amount of the spray to the blemish and then rub the material back and forth to coax the stain out. Once the discoloration loosens a bit, let it sit for five to 10 minutes.

Fill your washer with warm water on a delicate cycle. Use baby-safe detergent. Add the burp cloth with the remaining stain fighter still on it. Once the cycle is over, allow the garments to hang outside or pop them in the dryer. If you use a machine, ensure the heat is on a low setting. This will keep the material from shrinking. Fold them in half or in quarters and place them in a convenient spot, such as on your diaper changing shelf or by your breast pump station.

Choosing the Best Burp Cloths

While your baby deserves the softest material against their skin, you need durable and long-lasting infant supplies. Registering for quality burp cloths from a trusted baby brand will ensure your little one is comfortable. It’ll also help you save money in the long run. If you’re looking for baby girl burp cloths, you’ll find our designs in sweet pink, whimsical flowers and polka dots. Our baby boy designs are also quite diverse. Have some fun with grey and white stripes, teddy bears or blue elephants.

Consider selecting different multipacks for various needs and seasons. Flannel burp cloths are excellent for the cooler months of the year, while terry burp cloths are plush and help to eliminate moisture. Cotton knit designs are popular because they feel great and are easy to clean.

Newborn Checklist: How Many Burp Cloths Do You Need? (2)

Helping Baby Thrive with the Right Supplies

Before you knew you were going to be a mom, you didn’t realize how many questions you would have during your pregnancy! Now that you know the answer to “how many burp cloths do I need?”, you can move on to more important subjects. The quicker you master your baby registry, the easier it is to devote your time to your birth plan and your nursery goals. Most importantly, you will have more mental space to focus on your self-care!

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Newborn Checklist: How Many Burp Cloths Do You Need? (2024)

FAQs

Newborn Checklist: How Many Burp Cloths Do You Need? ›

If you are wondering, 'how many burp cloths do I need?' It depends on how often your young one spits up, the number of feedings(which are unnumbered as they are still breastfeeding), and how often you want to do the laundry. But anywhere between eight to 14 burp cloths is a good number to have for a single baby.

How many burp cloths do I need for a newborn? ›

Most baby registries feature four to six burp cloths, or an average of two packs. Our rule of thumb is to double that.

How many burp cloths do I need for hospital bag? ›

Burp cloths—basically just small rectangles of cloth—are invaluable, so be sure to pack at least three or four. Your baby will likely spit up frequently but burp cloths can help keep your clothes, and your baby's clothes and blankets, nice and clean.

How often should I change burp cloths? ›

Meaning you could use them a minimum of two times. But if your baby doesn't spit up a lot you may be able to use them up to 10 times before washing. We recommend using them for no more than a day.

Can you have too many burp cloths? ›

It depends on how often you think you will need them. If you are not sure, it is always better to have too many than not enough. Most burp cloths come in packs of 12-24, so you should be able to find a pack that fits your needs.

Is one burp enough for newborn? ›

Try burping your baby every 2 to 3 ounces (60 to 90 milliliters) if you bottle-feed and each time you switch breasts if you breastfeed. Try burping your baby every ounce during bottle-feeding or every 5 minutes during breastfeeding if your baby: tends to be gassy.

How many baby washcloths do I need? ›

It's good to have at least a few infant washcloths — four or five to start. That way, you'll always have a fresh one ready, and you can use extras as burp cloths for feeding your little one. Due to the small size, washcloths are usually the most affordable bath linens, and they don't take up much storage space.

Do I really need burp cloths? ›

Babies usually need burp cloths for as long as they're fed by bottle or breast. It's different for every child, but they get most of their sustenance from milk until about 12 months of age. While many children continue drinking milk after their first birthday, they may not still need to be burped each time.

How many newborn onesies do I need? ›

Despite the season, at least three onesies can be bought in a newborn size. Then, it is better to opt for 0-3 size. Remember that onesies with built-in footies should have sufficient length so that not to prevent your baby from movements. Still wondering how many onesies do I need, buy three pieces.

Do hospitals provide burp cloths? ›

The hospital will provide plenty of diapers, but you should also consider bringing a receiving blanket, and a few burp cloths.

How many newborn diapers do I need? ›

A daily average of 10 to 12 diapers over the first month of a baby's life means that your baby may go through around 300 or so diapers in his first month of life! Once your baby is older than 1 month, you may notice fewer soiled diapers. Babies between 1 and 5 months old typically go through 8 to 10 diapers per day.

Do I need receiving blankets and burp cloths? ›

Burp Cloth

Babies spit up a lot in the few first months, so you may find yourself going through burp cloths often. Receiving blankets are the perfect replacement when you're low on cloths, and most are designed to be machine-wash friendly, making cleanup a breeze.

Should you wash burp cloths before first use? ›

Pre-washing doesn't mean you have to wash and dry every single onesie, burp cloth, and towel before the baby is born. Just make sure to wash baby clothes or linen before you use them. Tip: Pre-wash baby clothes in phases, starting with items marked in sizes newborn through 0-3 months.

How many burp cloths does a baby need? ›

If you are wondering, 'how many burp cloths do I need?' It depends on how often your young one spits up, the number of feedings(which are unnumbered as they are still breastfeeding), and how often you want to do the laundry. But anywhere between eight to 14 burp cloths is a good number to have for a single baby.

Can you reuse burp cloths for a second baby? ›

If you are expecting a second baby and want to know if you can reuse your burping towels, the answer is yes you can. But there are a few things to consider. These are price, condition, style and how many you have.

What can I use instead of burp cloths? ›

If you're looking for a burp cloth that will last through even the most explosive feedings, look no further than cloth diapers; they're a great alternative to regular burp cloths.

How many newborn diapers do I need cloth? ›

Having 2-3 days' worth of diapers is a good starting point. That total will vary on your baby's age, your laundry habits, and the types of cloth diapers you use, but we recommend a minimum of 36 for newborns, 24 for infants, and 20 for toddlers.

How many cloth diaper inserts do I need newborn? ›

Take Your Baby's Age into Account

Newborns, for instance, can pee every hour during the day and need between 10 to 15 inserts. Infants between 6 to 12 months may need 10 to 15 inserts every day. When your baby grows into a toddler (1 to 2 years old), they may need their diaper changed up to seven times a day.

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