ByDueDate

Linen calculator

How many burp cloths, swaddles and crib sheets do you need?

If you do laundry every 2 days: about 6 burp cloths, 3 swaddles and 2 fitted sheets for each sleep space. It all comes down to how often you wash, so set yours below.

Laundry
Sleep spaces

For example a bassinet in your room plus a crib or play yard. Each needs sheets in its own size.

Change our assumptions

6burp cloths

3swaddles, for the first weeks

2arms-free sleep sacks, for after

2fitted sheets

Swaddling ends at the first signs of rolling, which the AAP says can start at 2 months. Buy the swaddles before birth and the arms-free sleep sacks around 6 weeks.

Planning numbers: each is a day's use times the days between washes, plus a spare set.

The short answer

How many to own, by laundry routine (one sleep space)
LaundryBurp clothsSwaddlesSleep sacksSheets
Every day4222
Every 2 days6322
Every 3 days8423
Once a week16845

Assumes 2 burp cloths and 1 swaddle a day, sleep sacks at 0.5 a day (never fewer than 2), and a sheet change every other day.

Burp cloths

Burp cloths get used for more than burping: over your shoulder, under your baby's head on the play mat, on the changing pad. Any soft, absorbent cloth works, and plain cloth diapers make good burp cloths. If your baby spits up a lot, raise the number per day in "Change our assumptions" above.

Swaddles, then sleep sacks

  • Swaddles are short-term. The AAP says to stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows signs of trying to roll over, which some babies start as early as 2 months. Source: AAP on swaddling.
  • Sleep sacks come next. Wearable blankets that don't swaddle the arms can be used for as long as you like, and the AAP prefers sleep clothing or a wearable blanket to loose blankets.
  • No loose blankets in the sleep space. A fitted sheet is the only bedding. Source: AAP safe sleep guide.

Fitted sheets

You need sheets for each sleep space, because bassinet, play yard and crib mattresses are different sizes. The CPSC says to use only a fitted bottom sheet specifically made for crib use, and a sheet should fit its mattress snugly. Source: CPSC crib safety tips.

Two per sleep space covers most families: one on, one in the wash. A third helps with night leaks if you wash less often.

How we calculate

  1. A day's use, from our planning assumptions, which you can change.
  2. Times the days between washes, plus one, so there is a clean set while a load washes and dries.
  3. Sheets are one on the mattress plus the changes between washes, for each sleep space.
  4. Rounded up, because half a burp cloth doesn't help at 3 a.m.

Next on your list

Linens are part of the minimal registry checklist. For clothes by season, try the onesies and sleepers calculator, and see when each buy fits in the Due-Date Plan.