A muslin square is one of the least glamorous items on any newborn list, and one of the most used. It ends up doing feeding cover, swaddle, sun shade, sick cloth and comfort blanket duty — often all in the same day. The question isn't whether you need them. It's how many, and what actually makes one better than a plain square of fabric.

Step 1. Buy More Than You Think You Need

Muslins get used constantly — spit-up, drool, feeding, wiping — and they need washing after most uses. A single muslin means you're doing laundry mid-week just to have a clean one.

The practical number: most parents end up reaching for 4 to 6 in regular rotation, not the 1 or 2 that come bundled with other newborn items. Buying a 2-pack or 3-pack from the start is usually cheaper per muslin than buying singles later once you realise you need more.

Step 2. Standard Size vs XL — Check the Actual Centimetres

"Muslin square" doesn't mean one fixed size. Standard squares are typically around 60x60cm — enough for a feeding cover or wiping cloth. XL versions are significantly larger, generously sized enough to double as a lightweight swaddle or blanket, not just a cloth.

If you want a muslin that can also swaddle or cover a car seat, check for XL sizing specifically — like the Avery Row or Etta Loves XL ranges — a standard 60x60cm square won't do that job comfortably, no matter how soft it is.

Step 3. Organic Cotton Isn't Just a Label Detail

Muslin fabric sits directly against a newborn's face and skin more than almost anything else they own — feeding, wiping, comfort. Cotton quality affects both softness against sensitive skin and how the fabric holds up to daily washing.

Check for organic cotton specifically, not just "cotton" — it's a meaningful difference for a fabric used this close to a baby's skin this often, not a marketing distinction.

Step 4. Multi-Packs Are Usually Better Value Than Singles

Because muslins get used in rotation, buying in 2-packs or 3-packs is typically more cost-effective per item than buying single squares one at a time — and it means you're not caught short mid-wash-cycle with a genuinely reachable clean one.

Check what's actually included in a "set" before assuming more is better — some bundles pair a standard-size muslin with an XL one rather than two of the same size, which matters if you had a specific use in mind for both.

Step 5. A Patterned Design Isn't Just Decoration

Beyond the practical uses, a muslin held close during feeding or tummy time is also something a young baby looks at directly, at close range, for long stretches. Patterns genuinely designed with this in mind — high contrast for the earliest months, more detailed prints from around 5 months, like Etta Loves' sensory range — get more use out of the same square than a plain or pastel one, since the baby has a reason to keep looking at it.

This doesn't mean plain muslins are wrong — they do the practical job just as well. But if you're choosing between two otherwise-similar options, a considered print is a genuine (if small) bonus, not just styling.

Quick Picks by Budget

Budget: Etta Loves x Keith Haring 2-Pack — £11, organic cotton.

Mid-range: Avery Row XL Muslin — £15.40, organic cotton, large enough to double as a swaddle.

Multi-pack: Etta Loves Animal Print 3-Pack — £26, sensory high-contrast prints.

FAQ

Is there a real difference between a £9 muslin and a £25 one?
Usually size, material, and pack contents. A larger XL organic cotton muslin, or a 2–3 pack, costs more than a single standard-size square — check the actual dimensions and pack count before comparing price per item.

Can one muslin really do swaddling, feeding cover, and sun shade?
An XL-sized muslin can reasonably do all three at different times. A standard 60x60cm square is more limited — fine for feeding and wiping, too small to swaddle comfortably.

How many muslins should I actually register for or buy before the baby arrives?
A multi-pack (2–3) covers the first couple of weeks, but most families end up wanting 4–6 in rotation once daily use settles in — buying a second pack later is common, so it's not a case of getting it exactly right the first time.