FAQs
What is muslin?
A muslin is a lightweight and breathable, loosely woven fabric, normally made from cotton or bamboo. We have chosen 100% GOTS certified organic cotton for our muslins as they are sumptously soft, and more environmentally friendly than bamboo fabrics.
What can I use your extra large muslins for?
Our extra large muslins are incredibly useful and versatile. Because they are both lightweight and absorbent they can be used as a blanket, a breastfeeding cover, flung over a playmat or rug for some sensory tummy time or even for swaddling your baby. We used them with Etta as a cover over her cot sheet, popped underneath her in her sleepyhead to save washing the cover all the time and put them over the changing mat too to make it a little less chilly for her. And then once your baby is a bit older and not using them for as many spillages etc you’ll find yourself using them as a picnic blanket or they even make an excellent superhero’s cape.
What are the smaller muslin squares used for?
Our 3-packs of baby muslins are perfect for having over your shoulder when feeding your baby in cradle hold, to not only keep them awake and alert but also to protecting your clothing when burping your baby after a feed. Because our muslins are created in line with your baby’s visual development alongside our expert Laura, they are perfect for sensory play so check out our play prompts for a plethora of ideas for playtime.
What’s special about Etta Loves muslins?
Our muslins are scientifically designed in collaboration with an expert in child’s vision, an Orthoptist, to support babies’ visual and cognitive development. Put simply, the patterns, scales, spacing and colours are based on what your baby can see or will be able to see very shortly. The result is that the prints will look different to your baby week after week, providing visual stimulation and leaving them utterly mesmerised, and a mesmerised baby means a moment of calm for exhausted parents too.
Can I use a 5+ month muslin for a newborn?
You can absolutely use the older prints as a functional muslin product, however visually your baby will not enjoy them as much as they will their correct age range.
Can I use the newborn – 4-month range after 5 months?
Babies love high contrast black and white well into their first year, so if they are still responding well to the newborn – 4 month designs then absolutely keep using them for daily sensory stimulation. The 5 months+ range is scaled and coloured in line with their rapidly developing vision so will provide more appropriate visual stimulation to support them between around 5 months to 1 year old, but as with all things in parenthood, be guided by what your little lovely shows an interest in, as all babies develop as different rates.
My baby is premature, is the newborn range suitable?
A very premature baby’s vision tends to track their due date not their birth date, so we recommend that you place one of our newborn patterns around 10cm away from their face and see how they respond. Depending on how alert they are you might see them showing an interest from very early on or it might take until their due date. We do also offer bonding squares for premie babies who are still in the NICU.
Caring for your products:
Follow the care instructions on our products to minimise any fading and maintain the magical high contrast but for a few specifics, read on.
Muslins Care Guide
All muslins come with a care label attached. We recommend washing the muslins at 30c to prevent shrinkage and fading. You can use fabric softener if you want to, but muslin is a fabric that gets softer with each wash. All of our products are pre-washed to set the colour and reduce shrinkage and we recommend that you wash your muslins in a white wash to maintain the brightness of the design.
Playmats
Our sensory playmats are fully machine washable, simply reshape if needed once dry.
Sensory Strip
Our sensory strips are fully machine washable for ease.
Bath Toys
Our bath toys are made out of natural rubber with no holes. We recommend you give them a wash with mild soapy water before giving them to baby.
Teething comforters
Our teethers are made out of natural rubber with no holes. We recommend you give it a wash with mild soapy water before giving it to baby and regularly clean the teether and check it for any damage. Do not give a damaged teether to your baby.
The muslin square can be detached and washed separately.
Comforters
Our knotted comforters are made of double layer 100% organic cotton muslin. As muslin dries quickly they do not need to be unknotted, simply pop in the wash as per the care instructions.
Muslin blankets
Made from 100% cotton muslins, simply wash at 40 degrees and reshape whilst damp if needed. Can be tumble dried at a low heat.
Hanging squares
Made from 100% cotton with various fills, these squares can be spot cleaned with soapy water or even a good old wet wipe.