What do you actually use muslins for?

[racet]

I keep hearing people rave about how much you need to have muslin cloths but what they don't say is what do you actually use them for, apart from wiping babies face? Do I need them if I plan on FF? Do I just put them over baby while feeding them to avoid spills on them or are bibs better? I won't need them for swaddling as I've got separate items for that. FTM!

I have an XL muslin that stays in my change bag. It's handy for so much.

Impromptu towel to wipe her up if she's peed everywhere and we're not at home

Impromptu blanket to cover her if it's turned a bit breezy

Impromptu change mat if doing an alfresco change and some reason I don't have mine, or it's wet etc

Impromptu flannel if she's got something all over her face, to clean up sick etc

Impromptu shade. I clip or tie it to my pushchair sometimes to make a bit of extra shade when DD is asleep for example (we have a parasol but sometimes forget it or it's not convenient to take it.)

And not relevant if you're FF but I also like to have one to hand if breastfeeding and I feel I wanna cover up a bit

XL size is a good all rounder for changing bag in my view

I think it depends on the baby. I bought quite a lot and haven't really used them that often. I have a shit load of bibs though which I prefer for feeding/clearing up pukes.

I think the main thing I used them for was tucking in over the sheet in the Moses basket near where the head is to catch sick. Easier washing muslins than changing sheets.

My favourite things are the huge muslins which were handy as summer blankets or to clip and shade.

Handy to get a few though and if you use them a lot you can buy more.

Everything when baby is young! Dd is 6 and the giant muslins are still in use as towels for her long hair. The cotton is so absorbent they work better than regular towels.

I never used them. Used tea towels and cheap face cloths for wiping up sick/putting over my shoulder for burping.

I never used them. I had a pack of 10 I think and 30 years on I think there is still one on the go in the dusters drawer.I probably did use them for under baby's head in the cot or for wiping but flannels would be just as useful.

Literally everything. I had a very sicky baby and used about 100 a day. He's 2.5 now and I used one yesterday as a makeshift bib for ice cream eating. I've used them as hankies, blankets in the summer nights, vomit catchers, face wipers. I don't use them on myself (apart from when I had an awful cold and no tissue in the night) but for my son, all the time!

@TotorosCatBus

It s a soft, environmentally friendly alternative to things like kitchen roll. You need bibs as well but bibs are for when you wean or they become dribble when they teethe.

We used muslims for bibs as DS wouldn't tolerate bibs.

You will use muslins for everything!

I have 3DC and have never used them, wondering why now because they sound very useful.

This is quite helpful as I'm due DC3 and was wondering how quickly I needed to wash the old ones and if I needed some new ones.

My first wasn't sick much but she suffered really bad nappy rash so we did lots of nappy free time so they were great for catching the wee.

Also something that noone tells you, but you should dry babys bum after wiping/cotton wooling and before putting on cream/nappy. Muslins are great for that.

As others have said, over your shoulder or under their chin for catching puke/dribble. Particularly if a friend or family member is holding them.

My second was a puker, so under their head in crib to make clean up easier. General clean up of puke etc.

You said you'll be FF so possibly less relevant after your milk stops, but I used to stuff my top with one at night as more comfortable/sustainable than disposable breast pads and meant I didn't need to wear a bra.

The big ones are great for lying baby on in a park or a not too clean floor. Or changing nappies in someone elses house. Etc.

I only bought a pack as was reluctant to fall for the MUST haves. But now I have gazillions.

And then when baby has grown up, use as flannels, cold compresses and to strain flavoured gin that you make!!!

I hardly used them at all.

Don't go mad and get loads. I did and they just took up space in the drawer and then I have them away

Putting over baby penises to stop being being on during a nappy change.

As a nappy, bib, blanket, sun hat, wipe, toy, hand, flannel, to put on top of a changing mat, towel, picnic blanket …

As years pass, add - as a dolly sheet, to practice sewing on buttons, as a bandage, as kitchen roll…

I use muslins more than I use bibs! You can never have too many muslins!!

I have an almost four year old and still carry a large one in the bottom of my bag.

We have used it recently for:

Drying the slide at the park on a rainy day
To sit on in the car seat after a travel sickness incident left the car seat a bit grubby
As a picnic blanket
To mop up a nose bleed incident

I got through with none and I have two kids. ;)
My niece’s two boys cannot cope without them- it’s a comfort thing she places along the side of/on top of head and it sends them almost straight to sleep. Comfort thing, massive comfort thing.

I didn't really use bibs until teething, muslins were fine tucked under their chin. Also used for the classic over the shoulder winding. I also had some big muslins that I used on top of the sheet in the Moses basket. I only had a couple of Moses basket fitted sheets so I saved on washing when the baby would be a bit sick/nappy leak etc. They were big enough to wrap right round safely, not just laid on top where it could become dangerous.

My 15 year old DD still sleeps with her muzzies every night 😂

9 year old here who sleeps with one or two for comfort.

As above really. I used to go through loads a day for wiping and clearing up milky reflux.

Sunshade.
Dolly’s skirt,lanket
Tie a knot on the end of one and it’s a teether.
Loads of uses.

@lavenderlou

My DC both had reflux so they were mainly used for mopping up puke.

They also used them as comforters. 8yo still likes to sleep with a "muzzy"!

My 3 year old needs one spread over her pillow and one to cuddle at night.

Everything. Every place liquid can come from a baby, it will!!

I seemed to be bought hundreds for my first... you don't need that many! But they are so useful... they wipe up sick, snot and all other manner of bodily fluids. They can be used as a blanket, a sun shade (not restricting air flow of course)... and my 4 year old now likes to cuddle one in bed.
I would say they are something very useful to have in a nappy bag as they will rescue you from most situations. And having some floating around the house to mop up colic-y sick and burps in the early weeks!

we bought ours to use as 'over-shoulder' puke protection xD

They also served as light weight blankets.

In the end, DD used them as comfort blankets and they stayed with us until she was 6 or 7 :)

A better question would be: What can’t you use a Muslim cloth for?

Definitely buy some OP. They’re good for anything

Those who don't use them. Do you dry off baby's bum after wiping with some other thing, or just pop them straight in the nappy slightly damp?

I'm not sure why I pat down after using wet wipes.. just always have.

@BrilliantBetty

Those who don't use them. Do you dry off baby's bum after wiping with some other thing, or just pop them straight in the nappy slightly damp?

I'm not sure why I pat down after using wet wipes.. just always have.

I used to dry baby's bum with kitchen towel. Wouldnt have wanted to put a nappy on a damp bum.