You may have friends or family members who absolutely swear by newborn burp cloths in cotton or muslin. If you are wondering how necessary they really are, it depends on your baby’s feeding patterns. Typically, every baby will experience a wet burp now and then, but in reality, some are more messy than others. To be safe, always keep a few gentle burp cloths close by during feeding. 

Regular towels can perform the same function of soaking up milk spills, but they are not made for this purpose. Even baby towels can be tough on the skin of a newborn’s face as this area is softer and more sensitive than other parts of the body. A baby burp cloth needs to be absorbent, gentle and soft as well as small enough for throwing over your shoulder. Towels cover a larger surface area than needed for a small burp spill, and can lead to unnecessary laundry.