There are so many bits and pieces new parents need when a new baby enters the fold.
A cot and pram are the obvious ones, but also things like breast pumps, baby thermometers, nappy bins and nursing chairs.
A baby towel is not only a practical item that parents will need as soon as their baby is born, but it can also be a very cute accessory that makes bathtime all the more fun - think designs with sweet little bear ears or duck beaks. The good news is that there’s certainly no shortage of them on the market right now.
Some choose to use a regular towel when bathing and drying their baby but there are several reasons why you might want to get one specifically designed for little ones.
Choosing a towel, or two, for your little cub is not as complicated as picking a pram or car seat, for example, but there are still some things to take into consideration.
Newborn skin is incredibly sensitive so it’s vital to ensure you’re choosing a towel made from soft, kind-to-skin fabric such as cotton or muslin. It should be large enough to wrap around their entire body yet have plenty of room to grow. A hood is also a useful feature to help dry heads and hairs quickly and keep them warm.
An absorbent and fast-drying material is also recommended, and one that can stand up to regular washing and is easy to get stains out of. You will also want to make sure that it remains soft after washing; a scratchy or stiff towel could irritate your baby’s skin.
You’ll probably want to buy more than one so you always have a spare when the first is being washed. Baby towels are also useful for swimming and travel because they don’t take up much space and will dry quickly.
Washing items such as towels, bed linen and baby grows before their first use is often recommended to make sure a newborn’s skin is really protected.
Why is bath time important for babies?
Many parents choose to establish a bath time routine early on in their baby’s life. Babies spend nine months growing and developing in water and having a bath can have a calming effect on even the youngest of children.
Routines help make children feel secure – knowing what to expect from their day can help them regulate their emotions and behaviour. A key benefit of consistent bath and bedtime rituals is that they help your child learn that it’s time to wind down at the end of the day and prepare them for sleep.
Bathtime is also a way of bonding with your child. Whether it’s a morning or evening bath, it’s a chance for some quality time with your baby, away from life’s other distractions. Many adults will have fond memories of bath time as a child and splashing around with their parents.
Having a warm, snuggly bath towel to wrap your baby in after a bath is the perfect way to prepare them for bed and keep them calm and happy.
Remember to always check the water temperature before you put your child into a bath, never leave your baby alone, use a non-slip bath mat or baby bath and wipe up any floor puddles straight away.
Keep scrolling to check out our top picks for baby towels.
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Aden + Anais Essentials Cotton Muslin Hooded Towels 2 Pack
A brand that puts cuteness and comfort at the forefront of all designs, Aden + Anais’s towels come in packs of two and are made of soft terry towelling with a muslin hood to keep your baby’s head warm.
The 76 x 76cm towels come in a wide range of prints, from safari animals to Disney’s Dumbo, bunnies and stars. Aden+Anais recommends these items are machine washed cold and not dry cleaned. The towels also come with a handy loop for hanging them on a hook so they’re within easy reach.
Another plus point of choosing this brand is that all of their packaging is recycled and complies with the EU Green Dot initiative which is a symbol signifying that a financial contribution has been paid to a national packaging recovery organisation.
Buy now £21.99, Aden + Anais
The White Company Hydrocotton Baby Towel
The White Company is a brand regarded for its high-quality, with RRPs to match.
It’s worth the expense though, especially in the case of this baby towel, made from super snuggly 100 per cent cotton while also being fast-drying and absorbent.
Offered in a selection of four colours; grey, white, blue and pink, each option comes with a hood finished with very sweet, tiny ears. The towel comes in a small (W76cm x L76cm) or large size (W100cm x L100cm) meaning it is suitable for babies of all ages and sizes. The White Company also has matching items available which would all make great gifts for a new baby.
Prices are £26 (small) £30 (large).
Buy now £26.00, The White Company
Kokoso Organic Cotton Baby Towel
This towel may not have the cute prints of some of the others on this list but it is a great choice nonetheless - here’s why.
Kokoso uses organic fibres to make its super soft towels which are also highly absorbent. The towel comes with a hood which will fit your baby snugly and keep them warm. It measures 75x75cm and is suitable for newborns and toddlers. It is made from low-twist cotton which creates more air and space between the fibres which is what makes it so soft.
If you’re giving this towel as a gift, you could add some of Kokoso’s organic coconut baby bath products too. This is a family-run company which is striving to have a low impact on the environment, while also creating lovely products for little ones.
Buy now £14.99, Kokoso
Willa and the Bear Hooded Muslin Towel
These beautiful towels are super soft and have been block printed by hand in India and Nepal. They are made from four layers of breathable muslin and they have two contrasting prints on each side. Choose from pink or blue doves, pink, blue or taupe hearts and a range of other stylish prints.
The small size is suitable for newborns to one-year-olds and the medium is best for toddlers. Parents may be concerned that muslin isn’t as absorbent or snuggly as terry cloth or cotton but Willa and the Bear say their towels will dry your child just as effectively and become softer with each wash. It’s recommended that they are washed at 30°C.
Prices start at £40 (small) £45 (medium)
Buy now £40.00, Willa and the Bear
MORI Peppa Pig Blue Hood Bath Towel
Beloved Peppa Pig, one of the most popular children’s television characters, is here to help with bathtime.
This towel features the farmyard creature’s embroidered face and snout on the hood which children will love and will feel cosy and warm in. The towel is suitable for babies who are a bit older - aged one to three years old - and it measures 100cm by 88cm.
The towel is made from 60 per cent cotton and 40 per cent organic cotton and it is described as ‘ultra absorbent’ by MORI.
Buy now £35.50, Baby Mori
Bubba & Me Bamford Clover Baby Cotton Hooded Towel
This is the priciest product on our list but you can feel reassured that you’re paying for quality. The towel is made from 100 per cent organic cotton on the outside and is lined with soft terry cloth to protect delicate skin.
It comes in the signature Bubba & Me green animal print and has a hood for your baby’s head.
This towel would make a thoughtful gift if you’re prepared to splash out on something lavish. Machine was on a cold setting.
Buy now £68.00, Bubba & Me
My 1st Years Personalised Hooden Towel
If you’re looking for a baby shower gift, My 1st Years’ option comes at a very reasonable price. The company is known for personalising baby items such as dressing gowns and towels. Adding an embroidered name to a towel will cost an extra £5 and you can choose from three different fonts.
The towels themselves are made from 100 per cent cotton and have a cosy hood with sweet ears on the top.
Choose from five colours; mink, baby blue, baby pink, cream and dark grey. The only drawback from some customers is that the quality of the towels may not be as high as other, pricier, options on this list.
Buy now £19.00, My 1st Years
JoJo Maman Bebe Character Hooded Towel
Choose from a duck, crab, fox, koala and another 10 different animals in this delightful range of 100 per cent cotton towels.
Themed on characters, the towels measure 75 x 75cm and are super snuggly inside. They are suitable for newborns and can be personalised if given to friends or family as a gift. They come with a handy hook for hanging and are machine washable at 30°C.
JoJo Maman Bebe also does an offer where you can buy two towels for £30 which is helpful as parents are likely to need a backup towel for when the first one is being washed.
Buy now £19.50, JoJo Maman Bebe
Cuddledry Hands-Free Baby Towel
This is a baby towel with a difference and for that reason it’s become an award-winner and popular with celebrities such as Stacey Solomon. The Cuddledry towel’s innovative apron design featured on Dragon’s Den where the founder’s promoted their unique solution to holding a slippery baby.
The towel attaches to the adult like an apron which means they stay dry and can lift and wrap the baby quickly after a bath. The towel is made from bamboo and cotton which will stay soft, even after numerous washes. It measures 112cmx75cm and is suitable from birth to around 18 months. There is also an eco option available which comes with a biodegradable bag.
If you’re giving this towel as a gift, you might want to use the personalisation service to put the baby’s name on the hood.
Buy now £34.99, Amazon
John Lewis Lamb Hooded Towel
This is an adorable towel at a good price which will keep your baby wrapped up and warm before they head to bed. The hood features a very sweet lamb face and ears and the towel is made from 100 per cent cotton. The John Lewis range also includes a grey hooded towel with a panda face and ears for the same price. The towels are suitable for machine washing at 40°C and tumble drying at a low temperature.
Buy now £18.00, John Lewis
Verdict
The Aden+Anais towels get our top vote due to their adorable designs, green credentials and super soft muslin used. The towels are great value for money and customers can choose from nine different cute but classy designs. These designs also feature on a lot of their other products such as washcloths, blankets and muslin squares if you want to splash out on more.
