Is It Safe for My Baby to Sleep with a Muslin? Expert Advice for Parents

Muslin cloths are one of those baby items that seem to do everything. They wipe up spills, double as feeding covers, become impromptu blankets, and often end up as comforters for little ones. But when it comes to sleep, parents often ask: is it safe for my baby to sleep with a muslin?

The short answer is: not always. Safety depends on how a muslin is used, your baby’s age, and whether the product is specifically designed for sleep. Let’s explore the guidance, the risks, and the safe ways muslins can fit into your baby’s sleep routine.

Muslin is a finely woven cotton fabric, lightweight and breathable. In the baby world, muslins usually come as squares or larger swaddles. Their versatility is what makes them so popular:

• Newborn care: burp cloths, changing mats, comfort layers.

• Feeding time: covering shoulders, cleaning spills, or draping over when breastfeeding.

• Soothing: babies often grab, stroke, or hold muslins because they’re soft and familiar.

This natural attachment is why many parents wonder whether it’s okay for a muslin to be part of sleep.

The Lullaby Trust, the UK’s leading charity on safer sleep and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), is clear: babies should sleep on a firm, flat surface with no loose bedding, pillows, or soft toys. Anything loose, including muslins, can cover the baby’s face and increase the risk of suffocation.

The NHS echoes this guidance. Their safe sleep recommendations highlight a clear cot: no duvets, pillows, bumpers, toys, or loose fabrics. Babies should sleep in their own space, on their back, feet-to-foot in the cot.

The bottom line: it is not safe for babies under 12 months to sleep with a loose muslin cloth in their cot.

Even though muslins are breathable, the risk lies in them covering a baby’s nose and mouth. Newborns and young babies lack the strength to move the fabric away, which can lead to suffocation or overheating.

Muslins also bunch up easily. A folded or scrunched muslin is less breathable, making it just as risky as thicker fabrics.

This doesn’t mean muslins have no place in your bedtime routine. Used carefully, they can be safe and comforting.

Large muslins are often used for swaddling newborns. Swaddling can make babies feel secure and reduce startle reflexes. But it must be done correctly:

• Keep the swaddle loose around the hips to prevent hip dysplasia.

• Stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows signs of rolling.

• Always lay your baby on their back to sleep.

Many brands make muslin comforters — smaller cloths often attached to a soft toy head or stitched in a safe design. These are tested to safety standards such as BS EN 71 (toy safety).

It’s best to wait until your baby is at least 12 months old before introducing a muslin as a sleep comforter. By this age, the risk of suffocation is much lower.

If your baby loves their muslin, let them hold it during supervised naps or cuddle time during the day. This helps build comfort without risk during unsupervised sleep at night.

If your baby seems to need something for comfort or warmth at bedtime, here are safe alternatives:

Sleeping bags (sometimes called “gro bags”) are designed for safe sleep. They come tog-rated for different seasons, so you can control warmth without loose blankets.

If you prefer blankets, choose a lightweight cellular blanket and tuck it in firmly, no higher than your baby’s chest. Place your baby with feet-to-foot position in the cot.

When your child is older (12+ months), choose small, safety-tested comforters rather than larger muslin squares.

Babies often associate muslins with comfort, but nighttime sleep needs to prioritise safety. You can build other bedtime cues like white noise, a consistent routine, or a safe comforter when the time is right.

Not necessarily. While muslins are breathable, they still pose a risk if loose in the cot. A properly fitted sleeping bag is always safer.

It’s not advised. Even tied muslins can become loose or pulled over your baby’s face. Cots should remain uncluttered and hazard-free.

• Keep muslins for feeding, changing, or daytime comfort — not for unsupervised sleep.

• Wash them regularly to keep them hygienic, since babies often chew or suck them.

• Choose smaller, safety-tested muslin comforters if introducing after 12 months.

• Educate caregivers (grandparents, babysitters, nursery staff) about safe sleep practices.

Muslins are wonderfully useful. They’ll likely be with you from the first feed to toddlerhood — not just as cloths, but as transitional objects of comfort. With safe use, they can be part of your baby’s routine without putting them at risk.

Remember: when it comes to sleep, the rule is “clear cot, safe cot.”