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 a baby’s life.
Spit Happens Frequently
You don’t need us to tell you babies are messy – especially when feeding is involved. Burping is an important part of your child’s early life when they still need help getting rid of excess gas. (Said gas causes major discomfort, not to mention crankiness you can both do without.)
But infant burps can get, well, wet, thanks to leftover milk and other spit-ups. Cue burp cloths, an essential part of a baby’s feeding routine. Why? They keep all those yucky fluids off you and your kid. Drape them over your shoulder, lap or arm – basically whatever area’s in the splash zone – and use them to wipe off the dribble from the baby’s face. But really, they’re far more versatile than that. Think of them as small rags handy in a pinch whenever there’s a mess.
Putting the Right Number of Burp Cloths on Your Registry
You’re probably wondering, “How many burp cloths do I really need?” It depends on how often your little one spits up and how often you want to do laundry, but anywhere from eight to 14 burp cloths is a good basic range to aim for. But really, the more the better! You’ll want one handy whenever you’re feeding, plus a backup in case it gets dirty or soaked.
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 burp cloths in various patterns or colors. The soft material is excellent for everything from gently wiping a wet chin after feeding to sopping up the 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.
And since feeding happens multiple times a day (and you can only do so much laundry), you may find yourself blowing through your stack of fresh burp cloths fast. Don’t worry about going overboard with burp cloths—you can always repurpose them as towels or cleaning rags!
Don’t forget to follow A Matter Of Style on Instagram for more great decorating ideas for kids and babies and take a look at our new selection of baby burp cloths to help you avoid soiling your clothes.
