At some point it happens: of the three cloths lying around your home, one becomes the cloth. It has to come to bed, into the pram, to Grandma's. Suddenly the other two are just cloths – this one is a member of the family.
That's the moment a muslin swaddle becomes a favourite muslin swaddle. And the moment many parents realise they should have bought two identical ones.
Why babies choose a cloth
Experts call it a transitional object: something that holds on to closeness when Mum and Dad aren't around. Soft, familiar, always smelling the same – a cloth fills this role better than almost anything else. It has no hard edges, it's light, and it can be scrunched up and held in a little fist.
When this happens varies from child to child. For some at eight months, for others not until their second year, for some never. You can't make it happen – your baby decides, and the choice usually falls on the cloth that was most often within reach.
Three situations where a second cloth is everything
| Situation | Without a spare | With an identical second cloth |
|---|---|---|
| The cloth is in the wash | Falling asleep turns into a negotiation | You swap, nobody notices a thing |
| The cloth gets left behind somewhere | Calling the restaurant, searching the tram | Annoying, but no drama |
| The cloth gets thin and grey | A replacement is rejected because it looks new | Both are the same age and equally soft |
The third point is the one people least expect – and the one that most often goes wrong. A cloth that's been in use for a year looks and feels different from a fresh one straight out of the pack. Children notice the difference immediately. If you only buy a replacement once the original is worn out, you're too late.
The muslin swaddle rotation
That's why experienced parents keep passing on this tip: start with several identical cloths and use them in turn from the beginning. Don't use one and keep two in the cupboard – keep all three in rotation so they age evenly.
That's exactly why our cloths come in a 3-pack: three identical cloths that get older together. One is out and about, one is ready to go, one is in the wash.
- Use all the cloths from day one. Switch between them deliberately, even if none of them is the favourite yet.
- Mix them up after washing. That way, none of them looks noticeably newer than the others.
- Once the choice has been made: keep rotating. Your child accepts the sibling cloths because they feel the same.
- One stays at home. The cloth that never leaves the house is your insurance.
How to introduce a second cloth later on
Missed the moment and only have one favourite cloth? It can often still be saved – it just takes a few weeks of patience.
- Wash the new cloth several times together with the original. Afterwards, the two will feel more alike.
- Put both in bed together once your child is old enough. Closeness passes on familiarity.
- Carry the new cloth around with you for a few hours – under your jumper, in your bag. The familiar smell makes a big difference.
- Swap at calm moments, not at bedtime or when your child is already grizzly.
- Don't push it. If the new cloth gets rejected, just put it alongside the other one and try again in two weeks.
If it does get lost
The obvious first: call the last place you were. Cloths are kept surprisingly often. And then – if it doesn't turn up:
Make a note of exactly which cloth it was: colour, size, pattern. “A white muslin swaddle” won't get you far in six months' time. With the size and design, you can find the same cloth again – we list both on every product page. A photo on your phone is the simplest insurance.
When can the muslin swaddle go into bed?
A clear note belongs here: experts recommend no loose cloths, pillows or blankets in the cot during the first year. Until then, the muslin swaddle is a companion for the daytime and for moments when you're there – in the pram where you can see it, on the play mat, when cuddling on the sofa.
It's best to talk to your midwife or paediatrician about when your child can take it to bed. They know your child and the current recommendations.
Which cloth becomes the favourite?
Your child decides – but you can improve the odds. Two things help:
The material. Muslin gets softer with every wash instead of rougher. A cloth that's nicer after a year than at the start has good prospects. Terry towelling and dense cotton do the opposite.
The size. Large cloths can be wrapped around and draped over, small ones are easier to hold on to and fit in any bag. Which size suits you is explained in detail in our guide to muslin swaddles – where you'll also find out how many cloths really make sense.
The bottom line
A favourite muslin swaddle isn't something you can plan – but you can prepare for it. Three identical cloths, used in turn from the start, cost hardly more than one and spare you the evening when the one and only cloth is in the washing machine and nobody wants to go to sleep.
Our muslin swaddles in a 3-pack
All made from 100% cotton muslin, always three identical cloths per set.
Large size, 112 × 112 cm:
Neutral · Teddy bear · Pink · Blue
Handy size, 90 × 100 cm:
Green / Natural · Blue · Pink
By the way, muslin swaddle sets are one of the safest choices as a gift for a new baby – you'll find more ideas in our gifts for a new baby. We ship from Switzerland for CHF 5.90, with free shipping from CHF 50; all the details are under Shipping & delivery. Not sure which size suits you? Drop us a line.
More on this topic: Muslin swaddles: 10 brilliant uses in everyday life with a baby