How Many Baby Towels Do You Need?

There is a certain charm in seeing a tidy baby bundled up in a hooded towel, but we are aware of the temptation to overspend on baby products.

Are baby towels a must-have registry item? Should you stock up if you catch them on sale? Do you even need them?

How many baby towels do you need? While baby bath towels are not absolutely essential, it is nice to have three or four. This ensures you always have a clean towel ready to use and a few on backup in case you fall behind with laundry. Look for towels that are ultra soft and absorbent, have a hood, and are made with natural products.

Do you need them? No. Are they nice to have? Yes. 

There are a few reasons why you might want baby-specific towels. Let’s discuss them, and then you can decide if you need to add those adorable baby towels to your registry. 

Do You Need Baby Bath Towels?

The American Academy of Pediatrics has not released specific standards or practices related to newborn or infant towels.

However, if you want the opinion of an experienced mother, there are a few reasons why you may want to have towels on hand that are used only for your baby. A few of these reasons include: 

• Babies have sensitive skin and will need towels made of a softer fabric than most adult towels. 
• Because of their developing immune system, babies are at risk of certain illnesses that adults and older children do not need to worry about. Having their own designated towels will reduce the chances of them catching a cold or other illness. 
• Most adult-size towels are too cumbersome to try to use with a small baby. For convenience’s sake, baby towels make bathtime a little easier and take up less room in the washing machine.

Factors That Influence How Many Baby Towels You Need

The two main factors to consider are: 

• How often you bathe your baby
• How often you do laundry

Health experts recommend washing a towel after two or three uses. For daily bathing, you can expect to use a towel for two or three days. If you do laundry regularly, try to have three to four towels on hand.

Newborn Baby Bath Towels – What To Look For

Babies have sensitive skin, and there are specific things to look for when selecting their towels: 

• Extra soft – For delicate skin.
• Very absorbent – You will want to make sure that your baby’s skin gets completely dry after a bath, especially if they have eczema-prone skin.
• Hood – Helps to maintain the baby’s body temperature and keep him/her from getting too chilly when they come out of the tub. 

Best Baby Towels

You’ve decided that you want to move forward with baby towels. Which ones do you put on your registry? 

Hooded Bath Towels

This bamboo towel is ideal for babies with sensitive skin or allergies. It is twice as soft and thick as other hooded towels and is 160% more absorbent to make sure that no water is left behind.

Organic Bath Towels

This is a more budget and eco-friendly option. The knit terry fabric is both soft and absorbent, and the hood is the perfect size to avoid covering your baby’s face. 

Baby Bath Towel Set

Get everything in one place! This set includes three hooded towels and 20 soft washcloths to complete your bathtime essentials. 

Baby Bath Essentials

Bathtime is easily one of the most fun times for babies and parents! You want to make sure you have everything you need to make it the safest and most enjoyable for your baby. 

Infant Bath Tub

If you are looking for the perfect baby tub to put on your registry, consider these few things: 

• Contoured design – To keep baby upright
• Support – Mesh sling, crotch post, or side supports
• Drain with an attached plug – For easy cleanup
• Non-skid surface – Very important for safety

FridaBaby Bath Time Bundle

This is a great starter kit to put on your registry. It includes a tub with four different positions (for newborns to toddlers), a smart sling to cradle newborns comfortably, an all-in-one extra gentle baby soap, and a rinser to wash off the suds and bubbles.

Baby Body Wash and Shampoo

When you begin bathing your baby, keep in mind that their skin is very sensitive, can be easily irritated, and is more prone to allergies. It is important to use mild and natural products.

Here are a few tips for helping you choose the best soap for your little one. 

• Avoid harmful chemicals – The ingredients play a very important role when selecting baby soaps. Scented soaps and bubble baths often have harsh chemicals that can irritate a baby’s skin. 
• Gentle and moisturizing – A good, mild baby soap provides enough moisture so that lotion is not necessary.

Babyganics Baby Shampoo + Body Wash Pump Bottle

This fragrance-free, tear-free, and hypoallergenic baby wash is pediatrician and dermatologist tested to ensure the very best for your baby.

It is free of harmful chemicals and toxins and made from plant-derived, organic ingredients that will keep your baby’s skin soft and healthy. 

Baby Towels and Washcloths

We talked a little bit about what to look for when searching for baby towels and washcloths. The more soft and absorbent, the better. 

Premium Organic Baby Bath Towel and Washcloth Set

This bamboo towel and its matching washcloth check all the boxes. They are soft, absorbent, thick, and hooded to keep your baby warm from infant to toddler. 

Soft Brush & Comb Set

While brushes may be used for styling a bad case of crib hair, they also come in handy if your baby develops cradle cap, a temporary skin condition characterized by a flaky, greasy scalp that is very common in infants. 

Natemia Premium Wooden Baby Hair Brush and Comb Set

This set has three baby grooming accessories: a soft scalp brush with ultrafine bristles of natural goat hair, a wooden comb for longer hair, and a hard bristle comb for toddlers.

By using the soft bristle brush daily on your baby’s scalp, you can help prevent cradle cap while also protecting their soft spot. 

Baby Nail Kit

Because their fingernails are so tiny and it is so hard to keep them still, trimming a baby’s nails is no easy feat. Here are a few tips for tackling that first baby manicure: 

• Use rounded baby scissors or clippers designed especially for the purpose of cutting baby nails. Some may even have built-in microscopes to make it easier. 
• When clipping, hold your baby’s finger and press the finger pad away from the nail. This will ensure that you do not accidentally clip any skin. 
• Gently snip along the natural curve of the fingernail. Be careful not to cut it too short. 

Baby Nail Care Set

This kit is stocked with nail clippers, nail scissors, a glass nail file, and soft-tipped tweezers to meet all of your baby’s manicure needs. 

Related Questions:

How Many Baby Blankets Do I Need?

Baby blankets serve many purposes and you will need several!

• Swaddle Blankets – Muslin swaddle blankets are good for swaddling, but also double as nursing covers, stroller blankets, burp cloths, and changing pads. 
• Plush blankets – These warmer blankets are excellent for tummy time, stroller blankets, and keeping babies warm at doctor’s appointments. 

If you do laundry regularly, starting with 8-12 swaddle blankets and two plush blankets is reasonable. 

Do Newborns Need Soap?

It is better to use only warm water while bathing a newborn for the first few weeks. After about 6 weeks, you can begin to use a mild, unscented soap.

Final Thoughts

While having three to four baby towels is a great idea, they aren’t 100% necessary. Still, I would recommend having a few. You and your baby will appreciate the ultra-soft texture and smaller size, especially on laundry day!