What are muslin diapers and what are they for?
What is the peculiarity of such diapers and what is the advantage of the fabric? Muslin is a natural fabric that is produced by special plain weaving. It is very thin, but at the same time durable. This material is easy to care for. Muslin washes well and can vary in its composition.
If we talk about the varieties of this fabric, we can distinguish such types of muslin as silk, cotton and wool. The material is made exclusively from natural raw materials. Such diapers can be safely used among newborn babies and older children, without fear for the health of their skin. You can see what the fabric looks like in the photo.
Swaddling
The procedure for swaddling a child begins with thorough washing; if necessary, you can wear a disposable diaper. Items must be clean and pre-ironed to soften them. With proper and clean swaddling, the baby feels comfortable and sleeps peacefully.
The use of non-natural bases leads to dermatitis and skin irritation, and the appearance of diaper rash. For proper and safe swaddling, it is worth purchasing a comfortable table for this procedure; it is better not to choose a mattress that is too hard, and containers for bottles should be located on the side of the table.
Free
Wide
Free swaddling - a “cocoon” is created, giving freedom to the baby’s movements. The baby turns freely. It is this type of swaddling that helps the baby choose a comfortable position while resting.
Wide swaddling - legs are wrapped and fixed in an open position. This option is ideal for infants, with defects in the hip joints and loss of muscle tone. This swaddling creates a feeling like in your mother's tummy.
Benefits of muslin diapers
It's no secret that a newborn baby's skin is very delicate. Any low-quality materials can cause rashes and irritation. It is for this reason that many mothers prefer to use muslin diapers. Such products can be purchased in a set or purchased individually. Pediatricians and dermatologists recommend using such diapers not only for children in the first months of life, but also for older babies. The undoubted advantage of diapers made from this fabric is that it is highly breathable. This is especially important in the summer, as the child will not sweat much. This will prevent the appearance of diaper rash and irritation on the body.
Another significant advantage is that muslin diapers absorb moisture well. Thanks to this feature of the fabric, the child will always be dry and clean. It is very important to prevent allergies, irritation and diaper rash. If such a problem arises, it can be quite difficult to cope with it. In this case, it is necessary to use various drugs, which is extremely undesirable for babies in the first months of life.
Let's move on to the third and no less important advantage of muslin diapers. This type of fabric washes well and after washing becomes even softer and more elastic. In addition, the described fabric is very easy to iron. Swaddling a baby in such diapers is no problem. You can purchase the products in question at a pharmacy or children's store. Mommy can choose the type of muslin and its color to suit her taste. The variety of shades of diapers is amazing.
When buying diapers, it is important not to fall for a fake. It is recommended to purchase the product from reputable stores and pay attention to the label indicating the composition of the product. It should indicate that the material is 100% cotton.
How to use muslin swaddles
Briefly, the options for using this fabric are discussed above. However, it is worth dwelling on them in more detail, as well as adding more ways to use diapers.
Swaddling
Most pediatricians now recommend swaddling your baby lightly, leaving the arms and legs in a slightly relaxed position. With this method of swaddling, the baby seems to be back in the mother’s womb and therefore falls asleep faster, and his sleep is calmer and better, since unexpected movements of the limbs will not disturb him.
Swaddling
Stroller canopy
For use as a canopy, muslin is much better than flannel or chintz. The diaper will reliably protect from sunlight and at the same time provide access to fresh air.
You might be interested in: Types and characteristics of wool fabrics
Canopy
Towel
If you buy muslin containing bamboo, it will replace any, even the softest, towel for a long time.
Towel
Nursing cover
When it becomes necessary to breastfeed your baby in a crowded place, breathable fabric will allow you to safely cover your baby without fear that it will be difficult for him to breathe.
Cape
Blanket
In warmer months, muslin is ideal to use as a lightweight blanket. For the cold season, you can purchase a real blanket made from this fabric.
Blanket
Sheet for the crib
Besides a blanket, muslin can be a good substitute for sheets. Thanks to their lightness and softness, a newborn baby will feel good on them.
Bed sheet
Blanket for changing table
In order not to spend extra money on a special blanket for the table, you can replace it with a muslin diaper.
Baby changing table
Crawling mat
When the baby begins to crawl, it is best to lay something soft and warm on the floor. A muslin swaddle will help your baby enjoy his first movements.
Crawling mat
Cover for a child car seat
Whether in the car or on the street, a loose and breathable diaper will ideally serve as a cape.
Cape
When choosing muslin diapers, you should decide for what specific purposes they will be used, and only then choose the size. Large diapers, measuring 100x100 cm or more, are suitable for swaddling. For use outdoors or as a table cover, it is better to use medium-sized diapers - 70x70 cm. There are also very small diapers (40x40cm), but they are suitable for use as handkerchiefs or a bib.
Are there any disadvantages?
When describing the disadvantages of muslin diapers, first of all, it should be noted that their cost is quite high. This is explained by the fact that the production of the described material requires expensive equipment, which is owned mainly by foreign companies.
Another significant drawback is that products of this type require more delicate care. When using them, it is important to observe the correct washing conditions. If you are washing in an automatic machine, you must select the delicate cycle. When washing muslin by hand, it is necessary to wash it at a temperature not exceeding 40°C with a powder that does not contain aggressive additives such as chlorine.
Rules for caring for muslin diapers
Muslin fabrics are quite easy to care for, but it is still worth identifying the basic rules for washing diapers and some features for handling them.
The basic principles for caring for such diapers are as follows:
- To ensure the quality of each individual diaper, it is recommended to wash them separately for the first time.
- To eliminate the possibility of shrinkage of the material and loss of its properties, washing is carried out at a temperature of 40°C.
- You can wring out muslin in a dryer or washing machine.
- It is preferable to wash diapers by hand. In the washing machine, use the “Delicate Wash” mode.
- For washing, powder and rinse aid intended for children's laundry are used.
- Diapers are washed separately from adult laundry and common items.
- There is no particular need to iron muslin after washing, but if necessary, this is done at a temperature of no more than 200°C using steaming.
You might be interested in what crepe chiffon is: the main characteristics of the material
Additional Information! When washing, to avoid staining, it is recommended to sort items by color.
Where can I buy?
Today, popular brands that produce muslin diapers include companies such as Aden and Anais, Adam Stork, Qwhimsi, Ozone, Wildberries (Valberis) and others. You can buy goods wholesale and retail at the pharmacy, as well as in such popular online stores as Aliexpress, Instagram, Babyton, Mamsi, Ikea, Detsky Mir and others.
If you are not lucky enough to buy a fake, such fabric will quickly lose its shape and color. To prevent this from happening, purchase the product from trusted stores. It is important to understand that muslin diapers cannot cost the same as, for example, flannel or chintz products. High-quality fabric that will last you quite a long time will cost many times more.
How to choose?
Depending on the age of the baby, it is important to choose the right size. Large products, the size of which is 120x120 cm, are suitable for swaddling. Medium products, with a size of 70x70 cm, can be used to cover the baby or cover the changing table.
Small diapers, the size of which does not exceed 40x40 cm, are excellent as napkins and bibs.
How to use muslin diapers correctly?
So, we have found that muslin fabric is an excellent choice for swaddling babies. It is made exclusively from natural material, does not cause allergies, is elastic, washes well and has a number of other advantages. It is comfortable for a baby to sleep in such material, because it absorbs moisture well and at the same time allows air to pass through.
With the help of the diapers in question, you can perform various types of swaddling - tight or loose. Lately, loose swaddling has become increasingly popular. In this case, the baby does not need to be wrapped too tightly. A kind of cocoon is created from the fabric, which does not allow the child to wake himself up, but at the same time allows the baby to take a comfortable position for sleeping.
Whichever swaddling method the mother chooses, the baby will feel comfortable. The fabric does not wrinkle and does not rub delicate skin. Some mothers use a muslin diaper as protection from insects and wind. The fabric protects the baby well in the stroller, but does not create a greenhouse effect, allowing air to pass through perfectly.
In summer, you can cover your newborn with a swaddle as a thin blanket. This material is also suitable for covering a mattress. In hot weather, it will be comfortable for the baby to sleep on such material, and most importantly, it will not be hot at all. Even if the baby sweats, the muslin will quickly absorb excess moisture, and the child will remain dry and clean.
Why is it better to choose muslin diapers?
Such products are made from natural cotton. During the manufacturing process, a special method of weaving threads is used. Due to the fact that the fibers are twisted together many times, the product is strong and durable. Things made of muslin are soft and very pleasant to the touch, the baby will be comfortable in them. Therefore, it is definitely worth purchasing diapers or a muslin blanket for a newborn. In the summer they will be especially needed - thanks to the good breathable properties of the fabric, the child will not sweat and overheat in it.
You might be interested in what Ramie fabric is: full description
Baby in diaper
Even if the child does not need to be swaddled, then muslin will come in handy in the following cases:
- On a hot day, it can be used as a stroller canopy;
- They can replace a towel and dry your child after a bath.
- Use instead of a rug or blanket.
- When changing a diaper, muslin diapers can be laid on the changing table.
- In hot weather, a bright muslin diaper will perfectly replace an envelope when leaving the maternity hospital.
Thus, it is no longer just a diaper, but a multifunctional material that can be used in various circumstances.
How to sew it yourself?
If mommy managed to purchase muslin fabric, you can sew the diaper yourself.
To do this, we adhere to the following simple algorithm of action:
- Take the required fabric size, for example, 120x120 cm.
- Spread the material on a flat surface, wrong side up.
- The edge needs to be processed. To do this, we turn the edge under and baste it with a thread and a needle or grab it with tailor’s needles.
- Now we sew the diaper. It's better to do this on a sewing machine.
Ready. Now we wash, iron the product and can use it in caring for our baby.
How are muslin diapers different from regular ones?
Why buy expensive products if you can buy ordinary cotton diapers very inexpensively? It's all about quality. Muslin is made exclusively from natural and hypoallergenic material. This means that such a product will not cause allergies, irritation or other problems in your baby. The difference between expensive material and chintz also lies in wear resistance.
A muslin diaper will last much longer and will not lose its color and shape, unlike regular ones.
Care instructions
Reviews from mothers who have tested the products in question in practice indicate that the quality of this material really justifies the price. A real muslin swaddle will last quite a long time and can be used for several generations of children. Of course, in order for the material not to lose its properties or deteriorate, it must be properly cared for.
We will tell you how to do this:
- Immediately after purchasing several items, wash them separately. This will help make sure that the fabric is really high quality and does not fade.
- To prevent the product from losing its shape and color, preference should be given to hand washing rather than machine washing.
- The water temperature during washing should not exceed 40°C. If the water is too hot, the fabric may shrink slightly.
- It is best to use baby powder or soap without adding aggressive ingredients. Detergents used to wash adult clothes can cause fabric deformation.
- It is better to wash muslin diapers separately from other items.
- If the fabric is heavily soiled, for example, if the fabric is used as a diaper, you should soak the fabric for 2 hours before washing.
- It is best to dry the material on a flat surface so that it does not stretch out.
- It is not necessary to iron diapers.
Don't be afraid to dry your muslin outside in the sun. High-quality products, as a rule, do not fade and retain bright colors for a long time.
Flaws
If we talk about the disadvantages of these diapers, which have become so popular among young mothers, then this is, first of all, high cost. The high cost of such products is explained by the fact that all these high-quality diapers are produced abroad. Mostly popular are muslin diapers from well-known American brands. In addition, due to their lightness and elasticity, these diapers cannot retain heat, so they are most often used only in the warm season. They are completely unsuitable for the cold winter period.
Unlike regular diapers, muslin diapers require a more delicate attitude. There are certain washing rules that will need to be followed. Since every young mother wants to save time, this is a disadvantage in this case.
If the product is purchased from an unverified manufacturer, then there is a high probability that the diaper will be of low quality. Such a product can quickly lose its ideal appearance or bright color after the first wash, change its shape and become more loose.
