Muslin squares - why so great?

[embarrassedtoask]

I am a bit embarrassed to ask this in case I am missing something very obvious... but why does everyone go on about how great muslin squares are - what do you use them for?!

I can see they would be good at mopping up spillages, sick etc - is that all? Wouldn't a bib do?!

they are a lot bigger/more absorbent than a bib, generally useful for an extra layer against leakage on change mats/playmats etc

I don't really get them either.
Any old bit of soft cloth will do.

I didn't get them eithr because I didn't have a sicky baby, but if you do they are a godsend apparently.

I use them for straining jelly!

Great for soaking up anything likely to flow suddenly out of a baby.

They are very popular at our baby group for baby to lie on while using the baby gyms etc.

I do find them pretty handy

but 2 of my dc have used them like cuddly blankets. they snuggle them, especially if they have dribble on (aww bless) and need to have one in their hand to go to sleep..

for all the reasons posted so far

and now my LOs are older, i use them for dusting and polishing !!

Ds2 is 13 weeks and we go through about 12 of these a day, I kid you not. He sicks up when he does a big burp and a bib would not be big enough. When we wind him we put the muslin on our shoulder and then put him up there. I would be changing clothes all day if it wasn't for them.

God, these are the best thing EVER.
Bought loads from mothercare. Soft, but absorbent. Mops up everything. Easyily washed. Carry around easily. Good for both breastfeeding and bottle - I did both. Over your shoulder for burping. Mopping up any dribbles. Endless uses.

Totally cool.
You will learn -

we used them lots for boosting cloth nappy,sicky cloth,on change mats at baby groups etc instead of laying on not so clean mat.

oh yes the over the shoulder protector and cuddly!

oh yes, good for putting baby on to change nappies, i agree. changing mats can be sooo cold imo

I didn't have a sicky baby, but I did have very leaky boobs. I used to tuck one under my boob when I was feeding so I didn't get wet clothes....and now they are useda sa comforters.

At £4.99 for a pack of 3-4 from Tescos you have nothing to lose.

sometimes i can be found cuddling a dribbly one... ssh don't tell anyone

(hi slug!)

I use them for everything from a burping cloth to lap cloth, bib, cover for pram, washing dd's face you name it, they also make good tea towels and dusters too.

I kept a couple of ds's

(hi hills!)

I also use for leaky boobs, mine still spray out and he hates it so pulls off and I have to put the cloth there quickly, still usually goes all over his face though.

Ds can't sleep without about 6 of them all over his face. Have another pile in the car, they are everywhere. Great as make so sunshades if the sun is strong in the car.

Just to be different i use IKEA fkannels that sell for £1 for 10, they're not so big but they work the same wash and dry well and are dead cheap

Yup that too Jodie. Tucked under the boob for a fast reponse

It also seems that DD3 (11m) will happily keep one draped over her head (ala nativity sheppard) in the sun whereas she instantly pulls her hat off.

Hi Nally

I've used them to make an old-fashioned nappy when I forgot to bring any disposables out with me.

They're so useful that when my first child was born my mum was still using some of the ones she had had for us 30-something years earlier - dusters, wiper-uppers, damp cloth for poorly person, all sorts of uses. And hard-wearing, too!

Giant snot rags!!