How Many Muslin Blankets Do I Need? Guide for Parents

Why muslin blankets? Muslin blankets are a classic baby necessity because they’re durable, soft, and breathable. If you’re pregnant or already a mom, you may wonder How many muslin blankets I need And How many muslin blankets I should buy.

In this guide, we break down the perfect count of muslin blankets, why having them is necessary to have on hand, and what to consider when deciding how many to get.

What Are Muslin Blankets?

Muslin blankets are made of muslin fabric, a material known for its lightweight, breathability, and cosy texture. They’re generally utilized for swaddling but can pull double duty as burp cloths, nursing covers, stroller covers and play mats. Muslin fabric is a soft, breathable fabric that’s  gentle on a baby’s delicate skin and helps the baby stay comfortable and cool while sleeping.

Key Benefits:

• Breathability: Helps keep the baby comfortable by regulating temperature.
• Softness: Muslin becomes softer after every wash, making it ideal for delicate newborn skin.
• Versatility: Muslin blankets are multi-purpose and ideal for swaddling, feeding, or even as a lightweight sheet.

How Many Muslin Blankets Do I Need? Factors to Consider

How many muslin blankets you need depends on a variety of things, like how often you do laundry, your baby and their tendency to spit up or have diaper accidents, and what you want to do with the muslin blankets. But we can offer you a few rules of thumb to get you ready.

General Recommendations:

3–4 Muslin Blankets: This is a good number for most parents to start with. This way, you will always have enough clean blankets to use on a daily basis and more than enough time to get them through laundry cycles, too.

6–8 Muslin Blankets: If you prefer less laundry time, or think you might be using additional blankets for other purposes, go with 6–8 blankets. This allows you to keep exchanging them and always have a clean one handy, which is great given that your baby will likely be experiencing spit-up, diaper leaks, and heavy drooling.

Factors to Consider:

How many muslin blankets you need is not a one-size-fits-all solution . It is not a one-size-fits-all answer — there are lots of factors that play into it, including your baby’s habits, your parenting style and how often you want to be doing laundry. Here are some things that might help you decide how much is the best amount for you:

The Age of Your Baby

Newborns usually need more muslin blankets than older babies. Here’s why:

• With many diaper leaks and spit-ups, you’ll probably be using a few of these every day.
• Swaddling, in general, is good for newborns because it replicates the snug feeling of the womb, which makes babies feel safe.

8–12 muslin blankets are generally a good starting amount for newborns to help you keep clean ones ready to go.

How You Plan to Use Them

Muslin blankets are not just for swaddling. They serve many purposes:

• Swaddling your baby for naps and nighttime sleep.
• Burp cloths to clean up spit-ups.
• Nursing covers for discreet feeding.
• Tummy time mats for play and exploration.
• Stroller covers to shield your baby from the sun and wind.
• Changing table liners in a pinch.

If you have these intentions, too, you’ll probably need more muslin blankets than if you’re only using them for swaddling.

Your Laundry Routine

The frequency with which you wash the items you use with your baby is a massive factor when deciding how many muslin blankets you need. Six to eight would be adequate if you do laundry daily. In that case, having 10–15 blankets might be more reasonable if you live in a place where you like to do laundry weekly so you don’t ever run out.

Climate and Weather

If you live in a hot climate, you may well need even more muslin blankets because the thin, breathable material is perfect for layering without making your baby too hot. You won’t stop using them for sun coverage or as cooling swaddles. On the other hand, cooler weather might have you adding heavier blankets to the muslins, which could cut back on your overall need for them.

Backup for Emergencies

It’s always great having some backup muslin blankets on hand just in case of emergencies (think spills) or while on the go. Stash an additional set in your diaper bag or vehicle to have a backup when dealing with unpredictable parenting moments.

Caring for Muslin Blankets

The muslin cloth is resilient and easy to care for, keeping its softness and extending its life: treaty as a friend.

Washing Tips:

• Wash muslin blankets in cold, with a mild detergent, and let them air dry to help prevent them from losing their softness.
• Do not use fabric softeners, as they can reduce the natural absorbency of the muslin material.
• Dry on low heat or air dry for drying. Lay flat to dry, as this will keep the fabric soft and will maintain its texture.
• Muslin grows softer with each wash, so your baby is equally comfortable for every nap and bedtime.

Longevity: Muslin blankets can stand the test of time when proper care is followed, lasting through multiple kids. The material gets softer and more absorbent with each washing, so you can be sure that you are making a smart investment.

Recommended Muslin Blanket Brands

There are many brands that make good muslin blankets. Here are a few standouts that tend to get top ratings for their softness, longevity and baby-friendliness :

Recommended Number Based on Use Case

To simplify things, here’s a general breakdown of how many muslin blankets you might need based on your specific needs:

• Minimalist Families – 6–8 muslin blankets are enough if you use them sparingly and do laundry frequently.
• Moderate Usage – If you plan to use muslin blankets for multiple purposes, aim for 10–12.
• Heavy Usage – For larger families or parents who prefer to avoid frequent laundry, 15–20 blankets should keep you covered.

Tips for Choosing the Right Blankets

Not all blankets are cut from the same cloth. Here are some things to keep in mind as you select the best ones for your baby:

Choose High-Grade Fabric: Go for muslin cotton to avoid any roughness and to ensure maximum comfort and longevity.

Size Matters: Some muslin blankets are offered in larger sizes, which often are more useful for swaddling, and others are perfect as burp cloths.

Think About Patterns and Colors: When it comes to patterns and colours, something with a neutral colour or simple pattern is easier to repurpose for other uses or for future siblings.

Seek Out Eco-Friendly Choices: There are some brands that  make organic muslin blankets, which are better for your baby and the environment.

Receiving vs. Muslin vs. Swaddle Blankets: What’s the Difference?

Baby blankets are like tools in a toolbox — you can never have too many. Before we get to the figures at hand, we first need to understand the difference between receiving blankets, muslin blankets, and swaddle blankets.

Receiving Blankets

The first time many parents encounter receiving blankets is likely in the hospital, where they’re included in most newborn kits in some form. They are typically little, square or rectangular blankets made of cotton or flour. They are multi-purpose but are best used for:

• Swaddling newborns (however, because of their small size, you may find it difficult to swaddle large babies who squirm).
• Cleaning up spills and spit-up while feeding.
• A smooth surface for diaper changes (or even tummy time).

Muslin Blankets

Muslin blankets are the baby items that end all baby items. Constructed of a lightweight and breathable cotton weave, they’re the ideal way to keep the baby cool without overheating. Muslin swaddles are a standout because they are so versatile:

• Try them as a swaddle, sunshade, nursing cover, or burp cloth in a jam.
• They are larger, so they are great past the newborn stage.
• They are so soft and easy to wash, and they only get softer with every wash!

Swaddle Blankets

Swaddle blankets are made so that you can wrap your baby up like a tiny burrito to encourage sleep. These frequently have Velcro, zippers or snaps to make swaddling less of a hassle. They are perfect for sleep-deprived parents who can’t quite get a muslin blanket wrapped perfectly.

Swaddle blankets are a sleep saviour during the newborn stage. However, they become less essential as babies grow out of their swaddling days (usually around 2-3 months).

How Many Swaddle Blankets Do I Need?

So now that you know the distinctions between them, how many swaddle blankets do you really need? The perfect amount varies depending on a few factors, like your baby’s age, how frequently you’ll be washing them and your personal preferences when it comes to convenience.

For Newborns

Swaddling is mainly reserved for newborns, who blossom in the cosy, womb-like embrace it offers. Because newborns sleep so much (up to 16–17 hours a day, in a series of short bursts), having a sufficient number of swaddles to cycle through is key.

Other tips and tricks for the best swaddle blanket for newborns:

• You may need 4 to 6 swaddle blankets. That leaves you with a few for when the others are in the wash — because diaper leaks and spit-ups are inevitable.
• If muslin or receiving blankets will be doubling as swaddles, you may want to go higher so you always have a clean one on hand.

For Infants Out of Newborn Size

Most babies will move past swaddling by the time of 2 to 4 months old when they begin to roll over (it stops being safe to do this at this point). That said, some infants will start earlier and others later.

If your baby is showing signs of rolling over and loves being swaddled, think about getting a transitional sleep sack or an “arms-free” swaddle blanket — which is a safe alternative that offers the same comfort.

Supply tip for older infants:

2 to 3 transitional sleep sacks will be enough for babies who are transitioning from traditional swaddling.

Do You Need a Mix of Blanket Varieties?

For most parents, a mix of swaddle blankets, muslin blankets and receiving blankets is the way to go. Both types have their pros and cons — and you’ll find that you rely on one in certain scenarios and turn to the other in others.

Here’s a proposed breakdown of what you might want:

• Swaddle Blankets: 4-6 (early newborn phase)
• Muslin Blankets: 3-4 (for swaddling, nursing covers, or as a lightweight tummy-time mat)
• Receiving Blankets: 3–5 (for everyday use and occasional swaddling)

For instance, fleece or even warmer swaddle blankets are a better choice for winter babies, while lightweight muslin is great for summer.

Final Thoughts on How Many Muslin Blankets You Need

The number of muslin blankets you need really depends on what you prefer and what your baby likes to do. Most parents say that 3–4 muslins are a good amount to have on regular rotation and laundering, or 6-8 if you like to have tons of options. Ultimately, it comes down to having enough to fulfil all the necessary uses, including swaddling, coverings and cleaning up messes.

By choosing the right number of blankets and attending to them well, you’ll keep your baby comfortable without getting overwhelmed with laundry.

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