How Many Muslins Does a Newborn Actually Need?

If you’re expecting or just had your first baby, you’ve probably seen “muslin” pop up on every checklist without much explanation. Here’s the honest answer: how many you need, why they’re so useful, and what to actually look for.

What Muslins Are Actually For

A muslin is a lightweight, breathable square of cotton fabric. It sounds simple because it is — but that simplicity is exactly why it gets used constantly. In the first few months, muslins get used for burping cloths, wiping up milk (yours and theirs), swaddling in warm weather, covering a pram to block sun or wind, and as a light comforter once your baby’s a bit older.

So How Many Do You Actually Need?

Most parents underestimate this at first. Newborns feed often and mess happens constantly, so muslins get dirty fast. A realistic number is 6 to 10 muslins for the first few months. This covers you through a busy day without needing an emergency wash cycle, and accounts for the reality that at least one or two will always be “in the wash” or “somewhere in the changing bag, we’re not sure where.”

If you’re breastfeeding or dealing with a baby who spits up a lot, lean toward the higher end. If you’ve got a washing machine going daily anyway, you can get away with fewer.

What to Look for When Buying

Not all muslins are equal, but you also don’t need to overthink it. A few genuinely useful things to check:

• 100% cotton — softer against skin, and it holds up better in the wash than blends.
• Size — bigger muslins (around 70x70cm or larger) double up as light swaddles or pram covers, not just burp cloths.
• Weave — a slightly looser, breathable weave dries faster and doesn’t get that stiff, cardboard-like feel after repeated washing.

You genuinely don’t need “luxury” branding here — a well-made plain cotton muslin does exactly the same job as one with a premium name attached and a much bigger price tag.

Caring for Muslins

Wash on a normal cycle at 40°C. They’ll soften with every wash, which is normal and honestly makes them nicer over time. Avoid fabric softener if you can — it can reduce absorbency, which matters when you’re using them to mop up mess.

The Bottom Line

Muslins are one of those unglamorous items that quietly become essential the moment your baby arrives. Buy more than you think you’ll need, stick to plain 100% cotton, and don’t pay extra for fancy branding on something that’s going to get spit-up on within the hour anyway.