STMs-Burp Cloth Question

GRMama24 · August 2012

Hey STMs!

Sorry if this question seems a bit unimportant, but I was wondering how many burp cloths you like to have on hand. Right now we have one pack of the gerber cloth diapers that we are planning to use (i think there is six of them), but wanted to know if you would advise getting more? I was thinking that I might just end up buying some light fleece fabric and cutting it into small-ish squares in order to have a few more around. Thoughts?

Thanks for your feedback!

nanabanana06 · August 2012

Zero. I used receiving blankets. Much bigger for the spit up. You want it to cover the most area or you'll be wearing it.

nealbl · August 2012

I am with PP I used receiving blankets for everything. Burp cloths, travel changing pad, something to lay down on carpet before I lay baby down in case of major spitup or poop, layover myself when pumping, clean myself after pumping, clean baby after spit up, put over carseat to protect form sunshine or wind or just to keep it dark if baby is sleeping. I feel like there is more, but yeah receiving blankets I liked much better.

GRMama24 · August 2012

That is good to know, I will have to get some more receiving blankets. I was really surprised because I barely got any blankets at our baby shower and I had anticipated getting a ton. Adding those to the list now!

samk213 · August 2012

I guess I'm in the minority, I used the really thick cloth diapers as burp rags. I got about 12 Carters receiving blankets, those flannel ones and tried to use them as burp rags but when DS would throw up, the liquid would just sit on the blanket and start to roll off, it was more of a mess. I threw all the Carters receiving blankets out and just used the thick cloth diapers.

HarrietNJMommy · August 2012

I use the Gerber cloth diapers for burp cloths. I'm pretty sure I have at least 3 packs..........but fleece fabric will be fine too.......

Jimsgirl5821 · August 2012

I had maybe 6 or 10. I didn't use them too much. DD wasn't one to spit up really. I would just have one around to wipe a nose or drool or something. If you get any of those tiny receiving blankets that are too small to swaddle with, you can cut those into squares

GRMama24 · August 2012

I will probably try using the thick cloth diapers we have, and the fleece fabric and see which works better for us/our little guy. Neither can hurt, and I am sure that I will use all of it anyways-especially on days I don't want to do laundry.

HeyJune · August 2012

We ended up using regular wash cloths and hand towels more than anything else. I found the gerber cloth diapers to be very hard to get clean (that rotten milk spit up smell stayed) and the ones marketed as burp cloths weren't big enough or absorbent enough. This time around, I made a stack of about 10-12 out of terry cloth and flannel.

I don't think fleece would work well on its own. It would need a second layer since it is designed to wick moisture and allow the wetness to travel through it (it is 100% polyester, which doesn't absorb at all). That's why any cloth diapers or burp cloths that use fleece are backed with a cotton or other material that absorbs wetness.

riah3377 · August 2012

samk213:
I guess I'm in the minority, I used the really thick cloth diapers as burp rags. I got about 12 Carters receiving blankets, those flannel ones and tried to use them as burp rags but when DS would throw up, the liquid would just sit on the blanket and start to roll off, it was more of a mess. I threw all the Carters receiving blankets out and just used the thick cloth diapers.

This is me too! DS was a puker (he could literally cover me with "spit up" after meals b/c he was a preemie and had acid reflux) and I really liked the thick burp clothes (I think they were Gerber?) b/c they caught and soaked up puke better. For instance if I was laying him on the floor (but staying near him) I'd lay him on a receiving blanket but put a burp cloth right under his face b/c more likely than not, he was going to spit up. I also used them on the changing table too. I would definitely recommend having quite a few (unless you like the receiving blankets better), b/c I could go through a good 3/4 of them in a day!

jrsmama2010 · August 2012

I used the Gerber cloth diapers as burp clothes and I cut a couple to use as nursing pads bc I leaked alot!

JulesDiane · August 2012

DD was a spitter upper. She had reflux. There was a whole lot of spitting up going on, and I had a lot of burp clothes.. and I needed them all. 6 would have never cut it! It was also to have them stashed in various places when needed... downstairs, upstairs, diaper bag, etc. I guess from reading the answers it definitely varies from baby to baby. I guess you could play it by ear... or get a few more.

wannabigfam · August 2012

So funny how we are all so different. I received, bought, and used 0 receiving blankets w/ my first. We used burp cloths and I probably had about 20+ of them; I used 6-8 a day. I did prefer the larger ones; we had some gerber ones that I sewed cute ribbon on the edges that were okay, but my favorite ones were wide like the gerber ones but less "cottony" material. I didn't like the 4 inch (approx size) wide ones from BRU - wayyyyy too small to catch the spit up.

Ivana_Stolichnaya · August 2012

I have about 12 Gerber cloth diapers which work out great.

If you are planning to breastfeed.....

I also recommend picking up a couple packs of water proof pads like these:

They work out great if you are nursing in bed and the baby spits up. You can find them at BRU, they feel like felt.

emaddock · August 2012

I have a lot left over from DD. she really didn't use them. If you formula feed you might want more.

Nita2603 · August 2012

I got a few at my shower and never used them. I would use receiving blankets or bibs to wipe him down. Burp cloths are glorified wash rags IMO.

Wally3 · August 2012

I loved burped cloths. I have about 24. I had a mix of the flannel cloth diaper type and cotton types. I like the smaller size, I think receiving blankets are too big. I would buy some of each and then decide what you like and then buy more of what you like.

rnbeth477 · August 2012

I used thick cloth diapers. I can't remember the brand. We had 12 and went through several a day, but my LO spit up a lot. We tried using receiving blankets, but I preferred the cloth diapers.

Lyndsay22184 · August 2012

I had a ton of burp cloths with DS1 and used them all the time. He spit up a lot and always had them close by, across a shoulder, etc. I honestly never thought about using a receiving blanket as a burp cloth. I always thought it was too thin and the spit up would just soak through anyway, but it is a smart idea to use them to cover more surface area. I did use them as other PPers mentioned- to lay down on the floor as a changing space, just to lay on, etc.

I used the thick burp cloths with DS1 and plan on doing the same with DS2.

jenwill · August 2012

My DD was a big spitter so receiving blankets never would've worked for me. They aren't absorbent at all! We used the cloth diapers for burp clothes-had around 12? They worked well. I can't remember how many we went through a day, but it was a lot. I would just wait and see how your child is once they're here. if they're not a big spitter, you may be able to use 6 diapers and receiving blankets. But if they are, you'll need more...

dicer2 · August 2012

I think we have around 30 for DS. He was a spitter and had reflux. AND the Gerber burp cloths became his "lovie". He jams them into his mouth and chews on them. He started doing it soon after he was born! We have them stashed in both cars, at day care, and around the house.

mrsmklynch · August 2012

I used both the cloth diapers and receiving blankets. I preferred the cloth diapers but had a ton of receiving blankets and no other real use for them. I would buy at least another pack of the diapers or a pack of blankets. You might go through several a day.

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