How Many Burp Cloths Do I Need? 12 Best Burp Cloth Picks

Burp cloths are one of the ultimate baby items of every diaper bag, crib, bed, and parent’s shoulder!

Baby bibs are fine for drool and small spit-up, but your baby is likely to frequently release a milk fountain that is unstoppable with just a tiny piece of cloth.

That’s why you have to get burp cloths in time! If my past self asked me: How many burp cloths do I need? I’d say tons! But 15 to 20 is probably enough.

Burp cloths and sheets are essential baby items for every parent. You can never have enough of them and thank God, many people bring them as baby shower gifts, so you don’t have to buy mountains of them yourself.

If you don’t think people will remember to bring any burp cloths as a gift, make sure to put them on the baby registry checklist as well.

New moms are usually overwhelmed by never-ending lists of baby items and tend to focus on big-ticket items like cribs, strollers, diapers, clothes, bottles, etc., and that is completely normal.

However, now that your baby is here, you probably need to check whether you got some of those cute rags at the virtual or in-person baby shower party and maybe just forgot about them or if you didn’t get any at all.

If not, I’ve got you covered with my list of the best burp cloths!

How Many Burp Cloths Do I Need?

This question depends on several factors, including your baby’s appetite and whether she has infant reflux or not.

I didn’t have any burp cloths when I gave birth to my first child but after one of my friends saw me covered in spit-up (towels didn’t help me at all), she recommended burp rags, and my life was changed.

Okay, maybe it wasn’t that revolutionary, but it was a great discovery!

These cloths are not expensive and they usually come in sets, so I would suggest you buy 15 to 20 burp cloths, so you don’t have to worry about washing them every day.

Most of these rags are machine-washable so you don’t have to waste your time hand-washing them.

Best Burp Cloths

1. Copper Pearl Baby Burp Cloth

Burp cloths play a significant role during a baby’s first year, especially when it comes to keeping mommy and daddy’s clothes clean.

Copper Pearl’s burp cloths are made of 100% soft cotton layers that will not irritate your baby’s sensitive skin.

Your little one will feel cozy and protected with these absorbent burp cloths, which have a fleece layer in the middle. This additional layer will prevent any leakage onto the parent’s clothes!

I love the design of these burp cloths – they’re super trendy and come in neutral colors that are fit for little boys and girls.

But, my favorite thing is that they’re machine washable, so you can take some time for yourself when your baby falls asleep instead of hand-washing burp rags.

This set includes three 21×10 inch burp covers.

2. ​aden + anais Essentials

Muslin is a multipurpose fabric that can be used for cloth diapers, swaddles, burp cloths, or anything else that comes to mind.

I used muslin cloths as swaddles, but when my baby started burping noisily one night I knew she would spit up heavily and I just grabbed the nearest swaddle and put it on my shoulder – needless to say, it worked perfectly!

These 100% cotton multi-purpose swaddles will be your best friends during long nights of walking around the house.

These swaddle blankets have very good absorbency, so your baby will enjoy sleeping without overheating and you’ll always have a burp rag on hand!

This set of four 44×44 inch blankets isn’t just practical, but cute and stylish as well! They come in adorable patterns that will melt your heart!

3. ​Mushie Baby Burp Cloths

These vintage-looking burp cloths are cute and very different from the usual cloths.

It is shaped to fit your shoulder and neck, so you don’t have to move it around your shoulder to prevent any accidents.

They’re made of 100% organic cotton and are very soft, which makes them the perfect choice for a baby’s skin that is delicate.

Mushie burp cloths are quite large as well, so baby spit-up won’t be a problem for you anymore!

4. ​aden + anais Burpy Baby Bib

There’s nothing better than a multipurpose baby item that can be used for a long time!

This type of cloth is primarily designed to be a bib, but it can be repurposed into a burp rag.

RELATED: How Many Bibs Do I Need To Get For My Baby? (+ Bib Buying Guide)

Lightweight, cute, and organic – nothing can beat that, especially when you add high absorbency to it as well!

It includes four layers of super soft cotton that can catch almost anything, including long dribbles, formula residue, or baby food.

And, best of all, the beautiful and vivid colors and patterns don’t fade, even after regular washing in a washing machine.

Some parents, however, have stated that these bibs can shrink in the wash.

5. ​Burt’s Bees Baby Burp Cloths

I am so happy to see how many brands are making organic burp cloths that provide softness and protection.

These cloths are quite breathable even though there are additional layers that serve to pick up any food or milk residue.

I would have to say this is one of the best burp cloths packs I’ve come across. It includes five pieces of rib knit cloths that have been proven to be stronger than jersey knit.

Burp rags are a great investment even though at first they may seem to just be like any other cloth. However, these cloths are essential for keeping you dry from baby’s drool, spit-up, and other liquid that might come out of her mouth.

6. ​Muslin Burp Cloths​​​

If you’re a fan of classic styles and tradition, you’ll love these muslin burp cloths. This pack contains 10 pieces, and I think it’s a steal!

The manufacturer states that these muslin cloths are one of the most essential multi-purpose baby products that can be used as protection for parent’s clothes, a changing pad cover, for teething, or as a cover-up for public breastfeeding!

Babies like to chew on everything and, as these cloths are 100% pure cotton without any artificial dyes, your baby can safely continue to rub her sore gum with them.

These cloths are great – they’re ultra-soft and have good absorbency, and they’re the best bang for your buck. As you’ll need a great number of burp cloths, this package might be just what you need!

7. ​Hudson Baby Flannel Burp Cloths​​​

Hudson’s baby cloths are one of the best examples of high quality for a budget price.

These burp cloths are also made of 100% cotton and are multi-layered which provides for better protection of clothes and higher absorbency.

There are four cloths in the pack, three of them are patterned and one is a solid color, which you can use at home, outside, or pack for the daycare.

Some parents do have concerns over the safety of the product, stating that it loses threads.

Overall this is a very good baby product for a great price.

8. ​green sprouts Muslin Burp Cloths

Muslin is one of the most popular fabrics for infants, especially when used for burp cloths or receiving blankets. You can wrap your baby in it and rest assured your little one won’t be too hot.

This fabric is considered safe and healthy for your little one. It’s very soft and protects delicate skin, including the baby’s face, as it’s free from herbicides, synthetic pesticides, and fertilizers.

Green Sprouts offers hypoallergenic burp cloths with four absorbent layers that can save you and your clothes from reflux, and any other liquids or stains.

This type of fabric is also great for cleaning around the house and eliminating stains caused by breast milk or formula.

9. ​Gerber Baby Burp Cloths

This pack of four plush flannel burp cloths will become your baby’s best friend during long nights of burping.

I know some mamas are quite skeptical about the absorbency of flannel, but once they try it, they probably won’t use any other fabric again!

Gerber has one of the best burp cloths on the market, as they have really good absorption and soft cotton that won’t irritate the baby’s face.

They’re made in a nice size that can cover any shoulder without problems and they have a very cute design.

10. ​Mukin Muslin Burp Cloths

Most of these burp rags are quite similar, as they’re made either of muslin or flannel fabrics. The main difference is in the design, shape (square or kidney-shaped), and different patterns.

This set of hypoallergenic cloths comes in five different colors that can be used for both boys and girls.

These cloths are also multi-purpose, so they can be used as washcloths for babies, rags, towels, or anything else you come up with.

These burp cloths are going to be your best friend, especially during the night when you can barely keep your eyes open.

11. ​Luvable Friends Flannel Receiving Blanket

Receiving blankets can double as burp rags, but don’t confuse the two as they’re not the same.

Burp cloths are usually smaller than blankets, so you can’t actually cover your baby with them (except a newborn, maybe).

This set of receiving blankets comes in a bundle of seven 30×30 inch blankets that will become a part of your baby’s childhood and will last for a long time.

These are more than affordable when you consider what you get for the price you pay, but they do come with some cons as well.

A lot of parents have said they’ve noticed fluff after a few washes, which is quite normal as it’s made from flannel.

12. ​Milkbarn Burp Cloths

Welcome to the deluxe side of cloths! Just kidding, even though these burp clothes are a bit more expensive, they come with great quality as well.

Milkbarn’s cloths are made of organic cotton that provides the softest touch for your little one, but some argue it’s not really worth the money you pay for them.

I’d actually say it is. It may seem expensive now, but as your little one grows, it will become her favorite comforter and remain with her for a long time.

Making Your Own Burp Cloths

Of course, there’s always a DIY solution for those mammas who have a skilled hand (not this one!).

If you have some old clothes you’d like to reuse, you can make your own burp cloths to save a few bucks for diapers as well.

All you need to do is turn over the edges and hem them by hand or with a sewing machine. You can use any type of cloth you want, from old blankets to cloth diapers.

I appreciate the recycling process and think it’s a great idea, however, I’d always go with new burp clothes to prevent any rashes or skin infection. Baby’s skin is very sensitive and requires only the best.

In Conclusion

How many burp cloths do I need? Do I need them at all?

I wish I had known all the answers with my first child – it would have saved me a lot of time and a few of my favorite shirts as well!

Cloths are probably one of the most underrated baby items. Many people think you can just use a towel or some old cloth, but those can easily soak through and you might end up with a wet shoulder after all.

Also, some people often mix up burp cloths, prefolds, and receiving blankets, even though there are clear differences between them.

They’re all made from similar fabrics (muslin or flannel), but receiving blankets are usually bigger and come in rectangular or square shapes.

Burp clothes are smaller and they usually come in two shapes as well, square and kidney shape, while prefold actually stands for a cloth diaper.

Many parents actually use prefolds as burp cloths and they swear it’s the best thing ever.

I haven’t tried this myself, as my munchkins don’t spit up anymore, but it might be worth a try. I would recommend washing cloth diapers by hand if you do choose this option.

Now that your question: How many burp cloths do I need? is finally answered, you can add these baby products to your baby registry checklist.

If you have already given birth, you can go to Amazon or another online store and order some while your little one is asleep.

Or just make some coffee and relax, you can buy cloths later, you deserve the break!

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