As a new parent, you likely have a lot of questions about caring for your little one, including how often you should replace items like burp cloths. Burp cloths are an essential for catching spit up, dribble, and other messes when burping or feeding your baby. But when is it time to retire those stained cloths and replace them with fresh ones? Here is a guide to how often you should replace burp cloths.
What are burp cloths?
Burp cloths, also sometimes called burping cloths, are small absorbent cloths used to protect clothing and surfaces when burping or feeding an infant. They catch spit up, dribbles of milk or formula, and other messes that often accompany eating and burping. Burp cloths are typically made of absorbent fabrics like cotton, bamboo, microfiber, or flannel.
Burp cloths serve several purposes:
- Absorb spit up, milk/formula, and dribbles when burping baby over your shoulder
- Protect clothing and surfaces from messes during feedings
- Wipe up messes around baby’s mouth
- Pad surfaces like high chairs when feeding solids
- Provide a barrier between baby and surfaces when placing baby down
Having a stack of burp cloths on hand is essential, as they will get plenty of use in those early months especially. Many parents prefer using cloth burp cloths that can be easily washed rather than paper towels or napkins.
When should you replace burp cloths?
There is no set timeline for when you absolutely must replace burp cloths. Here are some general guidelines on when it’s time to retire overused burp cloths and swap in fresh ones:
- When stains can no longer be removed – If a burp cloth becomes heavily stained despite washing and stain treating, it’s a sign it should be replaced. Once stains set in, the material is not as absorbent.
- When cloth starts to thin or fray – Thinning fabric or fraying edges means a burp cloth has been through too many wash cycles. Fraying in particular can start to irritate baby’s face.
- When odors develop – If a burp cloth starts to retain odors even after washing, it’s time to replace it.
- Every few months – Some parents opt to replace all burp cloths every 2-3 months. The regular use burp cloths get means they tend to show wear and tear faster than other baby items.
Keep in mind you may need to replace specific burp cloths more often if your baby is a frequent spitter upper or tends to saturate cloths quickly. Having a surplus of 10-20 burp cloths on hand allows you to retire stained ones and rotate fresh cloths in.
How to extend the life of burp cloths
To get the most use out of burp cloths before needing to replace them, here are some tips:
- Wash regularly – Frequent washing prevents stains from setting and odor buildup. Wash every 2-3 days.
- Use stain remover – Treat any stains as soon as possible with stain remover or dish soap. This prevents stains from setting in.
- Avoid fabric softener – Skip the fabric softener, as this can reduce absorbency of the material over time.
- Air dry – Air drying prevents wear and tear from the dryer. Hang or lay flat to dry.
- Rotate cloths – Use cloths in rotation so each one gets a break rather than relying on just a few favorites.
Choosing durable, absorbent fabrics can also help your burp cloths withstand frequent washing. Look for natural fibers like cotton, bamboo, and hemp that can absorb a lot of liquid while still washing well. Flannel also tends to hold up over many washes.
How many burp cloths do you need?
Having a large stash of burp cloths on hand is key, as babies can go through many per day. Here are some guidelines on how many burp cloths to have on hand:
- Newborn stage – At least 2 dozen burp cloths. Young babies tend to spit up frequently.
- 3-6 months – At least 15-20 burp cloths as spitting up decreases.
- 6-12 months – 10-15 burp cloths. Still used at most feedings.
- Toddler stage – 5-10 burp cloths for wiping hands and faces after feedings.
Consider having different sizes as well. Larger burp cloths (35″x35″ or so) are useful for placing under baby during feedings and for bigger messes. Smaller cloths (12″x12″ or so) are convenient for wiping hands and faces on the go.
Having a surplus allows you to toss stained cloths into the laundry basket to be replaced immediately with a fresh one. You may also want designated “nice” burp cloths for when company is over.
Burp cloth replacement timeline
Here is an approximate timeline for how often you may need to replace burp cloths as your baby grows:
| Baby’s Age | Burp Cloth Replacement Timeline |
|---|---|
| Newborn | Replace 2-4 per month as they become heavily stained |
| 2-4 months | Replace 1-2 per month as spitting up decreases |
| 5-7 months | Replace as needed when stained/torn, or every 2-3 months |
| 8+ months | Replace as needed every 3-4 months |
Of course, the exact replacement timeline will vary based on your baby’s habits and how often burp cloths are laundered. But in general, plan to replace burp cloths more frequently in the early months as they get heavy use. By 8 months, you likely won’t go through burp cloths nearly as quickly.
Choosing replacement burp cloths
When it comes time to purchase replacement burp cloths, you’ll want to choose options that are:
- Absorbent – Look for natural fibers like cotton, bamboo, hemp, and flannel that absorb messes well.
- Durable – Opt for cloths that will withstand frequent washing without fraying or pilling.
- Versatile sizes – Have a mix of large and small burp cloths for different purposes.
- Visually appealing – Pick colors, prints, and patterns you enjoy. This makes stained ones less annoying to use.
- Affordable – Burp cloths are a utility item that get dirty fast. Save splurging for other baby items.
It’s fine to mix and match styles, sizes, and patterns rather than buying all matching sets. Used burp cloths are also great since they get so dirty so quickly. Hand-me-downs from friends or family are very useful too.
Recommended materials for burp cloths
The best burp cloth materials include:
- Cotton – Natural cotton is very absorbent, breathable, and easy to wash. Look for multiple layers for maximum absorbency.
- Bamboo – Bamboo viscose is a sustainable fabric that’s extra soft and absorbs liquid quickly.
- Flannel – Flannel is soft, absorbent, affordable, and holds up well to washing.
- Hemp – Hemp is lightweight, durable, antimicrobial, and absorbs a lot of liquid.
- Muslin – Muslin cotton is very breathable though less absorbent than terry or flannel.
Avoid polyester, which doesn’t absorb well. Blends like cotton/poly can work as long as cotton makes up the majority.
Where to buy replacement burp cloths
You can find high quality yet affordable burp cloths at many retailers:
- Baby stores – Buy Buy Baby, Target, Walmart
- Department stores – Kohl’s, Macy’s
- Online – Amazon, Etsy
- Big box stores – Costco, Sam’s Club
- Baby boutiques – Local or online small businesses
For the best value, purchase multi-packs so you have plenty on hand. Or make your own using fabric store remnants for a creative DIY option.
Other items to replace on a regular basis
Along with burp cloths, here are some other baby items you’ll need to replace regularly due to heavy use:
Bibs
Bibs help keep your baby’s clothing clean during feedings but easily get stained by food. Replace bibs about every 3-6 months or as needed when stained or torn.
Changing pad covers
The surface babies lay on for diaper changes needs to be replaced when it can no longer be cleaned. Swap out changing pad covers every couple of months.
Pacifiers
Replace pacifiers every 1-2 months, or sooner if they become damaged. The plastic can deteriorate with cleaning and use over time.
Bottle nipples and parts
Regularly replacing bottle pieces keeps them clean for feedings. Swap nipples every 2-3 months and other parts 2-6 months.
Sippy cup parts
Sippy cups get grimy with milk or juice residue. Replace straws/valves and lids every 1-2 months for cleanliness.
Teethers
Once teethers show wear like cracks or cloudiness in the plastic, toss them and replace for safety. Replace after 2-3 months.
Toys
Throw away bath toys every 3-6 months as they get covered in grime. Rotate other teething toys and rattles every 2-3 months to keep clean.
Key takeaways
- Plan to replace burp cloths more frequently during the first 3-6 months when babies spit up often.
- Look for signs like set-in stains, thinning fabric, and odors to determine when burp cloths need replacing.
- Have at least 2 dozen burp cloths on hand for newborns, and slowly reduce your stash as baby gets older.
- Choose replacement burp cloths made from absorbent, durable materials like cotton, bamboo, and hemp.
- Other baby items like bibs, pacifiers, and bottle parts also need regular replacement every few months due to heavy use.
The bottom line
There’s no definitive timeline for when to replace burp cloths. Pay attention to signs of wear and rotate new cloths in as old ones start looking grimy.Aim to replace burp cloths at least every few months, more often in baby’s first 6 months. Having plenty of absorbent, stain-resistant burp cloths in your arsenal will make this messy stage a little bit easier!
