How Many Washcloths Does a Baby Need?

Determining Needs

• The number of washcloths you need depends on how often you will use them. Men's Health says that wet washcloths can be breeding grounds for mold and bacteria, so you should use a clean one each time you wash your baby. Therefore, if you are bathing your baby every day, you should have at least one washcloth for each day. If you plan to do laundry every few days, you may only need a few. However, a more realistic plan is to have one or two weeks' worth of washcloths for bathing alone. At least 10 to 14 will give you a comfortable stash that won't have you constantly doing laundry. If you use washcloths for other purposes -- which you might find convenient -- you may need to increase your supply.

Other Uses for Baby Washcloths

• If you aren't sold on the need for baby washcloths, consider all the other ways that they may be used. Baby washcloths are small and easy to stow in a diaper bag. They are ideal for cleaning up spit up, using as burp cloths, or even subbing in for wipes if you run out. You can also them as cloth wipes, if you prefer something more eco-friendly and frugal for diaper changes. Once your baby gets older and starts exploring, they are also great for cleaning up sticky hands and faces. If you find washcloths useful for these other purposes, you may consider doubling or even tripling your stash.

Stocking Up

• Baby washcloths are tiny, and they get lost easily. It's best to buy even more than you think you need so that you have a stockpile in case any are lost. You may consider doubling the amount you need, or at least adding an additional week's worth of washcloths. Keep your extra stash in a separate location from your regular rotation. Only dip into it if you end up needing it. Otherwise, you may end up losing them, as well. If you never use them, you can pass them on to another new parent who needs them.

Skip Them Entirely

• Baby washcloths may be cute and super soft for baby's delicate skin, but they aren't totally necessary. You can easily use your own washcloths to bathe your baby or to clean up messes like spit up. If you don't want to add more baby gear to your stash, or if you don't want to spend any more money, you can forego baby washcloths entirely and use other linens you already have in your home.