Spit Happens: 8 Best Baby Burp Cloths
You don’t need us to tell you babies are messy—especially when feeding is involved. Burping is an important part of your child’s early life, as they’ll still need help getting rid of excess gas. (Said gas causes major discomfort, not to mention crankiness you can both do without.) But infant burps can get, well, wet, thanks to leftover milk and other spit-up. Cue burp cloths, an essential part of baby’s feeding routine. Why? They keep all those yucky fluids off you and your kid. Drape them over your shoulder, lap or arm—basically whatever area’s in the splash zone—and use them to wipe off dribble from baby’s face. But really, they’re far more versatile than that. Think of them as small rags handy in a pinch whenever there’s a mess.
Not sure what to look for? Before you buy a bundle of burp cloths, consider size, fabric and price. Size is a matter of preference and your burping method of choice, some people like a large burp cloth they can throw over their shoulder while others prefer something smaller. The best fabric for burp cloths is one that’s soft, absorbent and fast-drying. If in doubt go for a burp cloth made from natural materials like cotton or muslin. Finally, decide what you’re willing to spend and work out the cost per cloth (burp cloths are typically sold in multi-packs, so divide the price by the number of cloths per pack). Keep reading to find out how many burp cloths you actually need, then browse our favorite options to buy.
You’re probably wondering: “How many burp cloths do I really need?” It depends how often your little one spits up and how often you want to do laundry, but having 8 to 14 burp cloths is a good start. But really, the more the better! (Don’t be surprised if you get through three burp cloths per day.) You’ll want a burp cloth handy whenever you’re feeding, plus a backup in case it gets dirty or soaked. And since feeding happens multiple times a day (and you can only do so much laundry), you may find yourself blowing through your stack of fresh burp cloths fast. Don’t worry about going overboard with burp cloths—you can always repurpose them as wash cloths or cleaning rags!
Ready to shop? Below, find the best burp cloths, based on excellent reviews from real parents just like you. What makes these baby burp cloths standouts? They’re supremely absorbent, versatile and, bonus, super-cute.
Overall best burp cloths
Searching for the best burp cloth brand? Copper Pearl gets our vote. The triple-layer design offers superior absorbency without added bulk. External layers of cotton are soft enough for baby’s delicate skin, and an internal layer of fleece soaks up messes before they leak onto your outfit. We also like that the cloths are generous in size, providing greater spit-up coverage for parents. The burp cloths come in 80+ prints and patterns and, if you’re a big fan of coordinating baby stuff, Copper Pearl sells matching bandana bibs. Who new spit-up could be so chic?
Size: 21" (L) x 10" (W) | Material: Cotton, polyester | Cost per cloth: From $7.31
- Large size
- Absorbent fleece layer
- Cute designs
- High price per cloth
Best muslin burp cloths
KeaBabies offering is a close runner up on our list of the best burp cloths. Generously sized, the cloths boast wide rounded edges that taper into a narrow column in the center that won’t slip off your shoulder during burping sessions. Constructed from eight layers of bamboo muslin, these cloths soak up liquid faster than traditional cotton and dry off in a flash. The material also happens to be naturally hypoallergenic, breathable and buttery-soft, so baby can comfortably rest their delicate cheek against your shoulder. Plus, these burp cloths come in a wide variety of cute prints. How great is that?
Size: 21" (L) x 10.5" (W) | Material: Bamboo | Cost per cloth: From $4.39
- Soft bamboo material
- Anti-slip design
- Fast liquid absorption
- Best suited for over-the-shoulder burping sessions
Best organic burp cloths
Parents can’t get enough of Burt’s Bees Baby’s burp cloths. Seriously—according to the product page, even celebrities put them on their registries! What makes them so great? First, they’re extra-absorbent. Second, they cover a large surface area for added protection. Fourth, they’re made from 100 percent organic cotton making them safe for even the most sensitive baby skin. Oh, and finally they come in tons of cute prints.
Size: 16" (L) x 11.8" (W) | Material: Cotton | Cost per cloth: From $3.79
- GOTS-certified organic cotton
- Compact tri-fold design
- Parents say these burp cloths stay soft wash after wash
- Thicker than other options
Best wearable burp cloths
Love the idea of multipurpose products? Try these Aden + Anais Burpy Bibs, which can be worn as bibs or—you guessed it—muslin burp cloths. Made from high-thread count muslin, these burp cloths are incredibly soft and come in a ton of pretty patterns. Drape one over your shoulder like a traditional burp cloth, or secure it around baby’s neck using the nifty snap fasteners. Whatever way you choose to wear it, the four layers of absorbent material will soak up spills, drool and dribble.
Size: 22.5" (L) x 22.5" (W) | Material: Cotton | Cost per cloth: From $12.47
- Soft and absorbent
- Made from 100 percent cotton muslin
- Wearable design is great for teething babies that drool a lot
- High price point
- Machine-wash on a cold cycle
Best value burp cloths
These baby burp cloths are some of the most affordable out there, but their quality is far from cheap. The flannel fabric soaks up spit with ease but is still soft and gentle against baby’s skin. Consider these machine-washable and dryable burp cloths your everyday go-tos.
Size: 20" (L) x 14" (W) | Material: Cotton | Cost per cloth: From $1.50
- Affordable price point
- Soft flannel material
- Gender neutral prints
- Some parents say spit-up runs off the cloths rather than being absorbed
Best trendy burp cloths
Adorned with Keith Haring’s iconic pop art, these burp cloths are undeniably trendy. The organic cotton burp cloths come in two engaging prints that have been rescaled and recolored to support babies' cognitive and visual development from birth to the 1 year mark. Aside from appearances, they’re definitively functional. Touchably soft and naturally absorbent, the muslin squares can be used to soak up spills, as a nursing cover-up or even a lightweight baby blanket. We’re sold!
Size: 31.5" (L) x 31.5" (W) | Material: Cotton | Cost per cloth: From $16.50
- Large size offers extra coverage
- Made from GOTS-certified organic cotton muslin
- Monochromatic and primary color prints
- High price point
- Single layer construction
Best personalized burp cloths
Sure, personalized burp cloths are practical (your mom friends won’t mistake them for their own and daycare won’t misplace them), but let’s be honest: They’re also just plain adorable. This Etsy seller offers single burp cloths or sets of two, and there’s seven different personalized designs to choose from. They’re honestly cute enough to turn into hand towels for your kids’ bathroom later on.
Size: 16" (L) x 9.5" (W) | Material: Cotton | Cost per cloth: From $12
- Cotton material
- Pre-washed to prevent shrinkage
- Can be personalized with baby’s name or initials
- High price per cloth
Best burp cloth alternative
Why are cloth diapers on our list of baby burp cloths, you ask? Because they’re so absorbent and durable, parents find they make excellent cloths for burping! Trust us, using cloth diapers as burp cloths is a thing. If you do decide to go down this route our advice is to try this flatfold set by Gerber. Many parents find that these cloth diapers soak up messes better than other burp cloths and even towels. But the real selling point is the price—as a bundle of plain white cloth diapers is much more cost-effective than buying a smaller pack of burp cloths.
Size: 24" (L) x 27" (W) | Material: Cotton | Cost per cloth: From $1.34
- Affordable price point
- Absorbent and quick-drying
- Large size provides extra coverage
- Material may shrink in the wash
We get it—parenting requires a lot of gear, and it can be hard to find the best fit for your family. To streamline your decision-making process, our goal is to do the bulk of the research for you, so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling through online retailers. We do this by considering a list of criteria when sourcing burp cloths, including size, material, absorbency, value and style. This way you can count on getting the best bang for your buck, while also having a reliable burp cloth on hand to soak up baby’s spit-up.
To decide which burp cloths are the best options on the market, we leverage our familiarity with leading baby brands to make sure items are from reliable manufacturers. We read user reviews to get the low-down on how these products work for families, and typically don’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating. And since many of us are also parents, we rely on our writers’ and editors’ experience using these products with their own families.
Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.
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