https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:10:17 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-700030 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 16:04:26 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 700030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can I just say that DH thought my A&amp;A blankets were the stupidest things in the world...and now we have 3 packs and he is OBSESSED with them? He is always looking for an A&amp;A and if I hand him a Carter's blanket he will just stare at it like it is so inferior and nasty. Men..hmm?</p> <p>So, maybe compromise and get one pack...and later down the road you'll probably need/want more;) hehe and let him get his dumb tea towels if that is what it takes, jeesh! What does a girl got to do to get some A&amp;A?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-700013 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:59:42 +0000 Cherrybee 700013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: Yeah it would cost you a fortune and id have to pay 20% import tax on them, too (yes, even for gifts!). But the thought was lovely, thank you!! He really is interested in the tiny details and is obsessed with saving money - mind, so are his parents, they said they'd dig out the cot sheets they had from when their kids were young 30 yrs ago!! I mean, a fitted sheet is about £5 (and its, you know, fitted, and not 30yrs old!) - we can stretch to £5!! Jeez!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-699171 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:29:09 +0000 shopaholic 699171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: this thread has me cracking up! Oh my! I'd love to get a gift contribution together just to get you a stack of muslin and some A&amp;a blankets just so your poor baby's face isn't being wiped with tea towels!</p> <p>Muslin cloths you mean are basically burp cloths right? Sooooo funny your husband is obsessed with this stuff. I'll be like @sea_bass: and admit it's mildly sexist, but really why should be care so much?</p> <p>I rarely even show or tell DH whatever I choose to buy and be could care less. Some pricey things he balked at, tried to dissuade and stuff, but honestly since the baby's arrival he doesn't care about the $. It's just about baby! Anything that goes against that soft precious skin of a newborn should be delicate. Anyhow, I do understand your DHs point about the industry and parents such as myself that overspend, but every mom needs at least a small luxury here and there for baby! I think if we mailed you burp cloths would cost more in postage than the actual item! Lol! Good luck Hun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698956 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:22:25 +0000 tysonja 698956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: LOL this thread is too awesome :) but only if you end up getting those muslins!!! I'm super jealous that your supermarkets carry regular muslins and you don't *have* to buy A+A if you decide not to! :) it's so hard to find cheaper ones here! :)</p> <p>my husband was like... for REAL? when i picked up a pack of A+A at target in the states haha.... but once baby came, he can't say enough good things about it, and now it's our go-to baby shower gift, as not many moms here have them (canada), and they are definitely a bit of a splurge for thin, cotton blankets!!:) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698880 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:56:04 +0000 Grace 698880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: That is a brilliant idea to give the blankets to your friends to give you! Very sneaky. I approve. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698798 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:30:49 +0000 Cherrybee 698798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lemondrop: Gasp!!!! That was very naughty!!! I could never outright lie to my hubby - not least because I'm a terrible liar! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698771 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:21:13 +0000 Cherrybee 698771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sea_bass: I am indeed more qualified to decide what I spend money on - I am a money advisor after all!! :-) Nah, he's not controlling (I'm the controlling one!!!!!) but he is very stubborn and when he gets an idea into his head, there's no convincing him! He has been 110% involved in every little decision - it's his baby as much as mine and he wants the best for us as a family, which, in his mind, involves reigning in my wild, crazy spending! A £1 cloth - whatever next, I'll be after a gold plated crib soon!!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698740 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:13:59 +0000 lemondrop 698740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A&amp;A's are a must have in my opinion, we still use them like crazy with a toddler! Buy some and just tell him they came in the mail (post?) as a gift from a distant friend, relative, or HB member ;) Gotta be devious here, that's how I got my pricey diaper bag that my pregnancy hormones told me I just HAD to have, my "great aunt" sent it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698730 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:11:26 +0000 LazyLightning 698730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: yeah my friend actually gave me a blow up one. It's for an older baby who can sit up though. My thought is, we'll see how it goes, if he thinks it's a hassle to wash the newborn maybe that'll change his mind! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698723 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:10:34 +0000 Cherrybee 698723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LazyLightning: Oh Lordy, I hadn't even thought about a baby bath! I'm getting a washing up bowl, aren't I?! A second hand one at that!!! :-) Could you get one of those inflatable ones? Would he go for that? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698716 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:08:48 +0000 pinkcupcake 698716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It seems a little silly for him to be so deadset against the A&amp;A-type blankets when it's honestly not that much of a $ difference. I really hope someone gifts them to you! Otherwise, just buy 'em and say they were a gift :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698695 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:04:29 +0000 sea_bass 698695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: Wow he sounds fairly controlling! </p> <p>Why not just tell him you are putting aside X number of pounds for baby purchases that you want to make, and then spend that money as you see fit. (I imagine you are more qualified to..) I can't imagine he spends as much time as you researching looking into things. </p> <p>I haven't involved my DH in any purchases, he could care less about what we get. I'm baffled your DH would even want to be involved?! (Sorry mildy sexist remark there..). </p> <p>I am much like your husband and haven't bought really anything for baby and would LOATH to spend so much money on branded muslins. </p> <p>HOWEVER, if it means something to you and you want to then he should not be raining on your parade! Its your precious first born after all. You have all the time in the world to be sensible for the rest of your life (and it sounds like you already have been by accepting lots of gifted/second hand stuff). </p> <p>Provided he hasn't confiscated your debit card (?), id just order them and tell him you wanted them and you want to get more special items for baby as well as the 2nd hand stuff..... </p> <p>*Because you are pregnant with your first, working hard, and you will damn well buy what you like* (Within reason). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698682 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000 LazyLightning 698682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will say also, husband was very against a baby bathtub. So we'll be bathing our child in the sink with no support of any sort. Should be fun! (I don't really have a place to store it anyway, but I thought I should at least try to find something to use...) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698653 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:48:46 +0000 LazyLightning 698653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: haha that's kind of what I did with strollers. "Look honey, strollers are $700!! but i found one for only $100..." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698645 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:46:23 +0000 Cherrybee 698645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LazyLightning: Oh he doesn't know the cost of A+As........!! We are talking refusing to spend £10 for a pack of 8 plain white muslins from the local supermarket! If he saw the cost of A+As he would pass out!!! </p> <p>I retrospect, I should have shown him the A+As first then pretended to sulk as he insisted we have the supermarket ones....! Hind sight is always 20/20! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698644 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:45:46 +0000 illumina 698644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: Your last comment about distributing to friends to gift you back is hilarious! I can totally picture the look on your DH's face! If I wanted something for baby, or in general really, I would just buy it, bring it home and be like "hey, I picked up x, y and z today..." and DH wouldn't bat an eyelid. He'd probably be glad I'd spared him having to pick something up later! I would obviously consult on something major though, say over £50. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698631 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:42:57 +0000 Cherrybee 698631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: Oh he'd notice!! He has become so obsessed with them - we were at my friend's house the other day and she was dabbing her baby's mouth with a muslin cloth... well, he was scowling at the thing!!! They are his current arch nemesis!! </p> <p>@MrsCB: Lol! Talk about adding an additional dimension of difficult to an already difficult task! </p> <p>@Grace: Thanks for the practical reasons why tea towels are not a good option!! My BFF said the same thing (when I took the offending tea towel to her earlier to get her experienced opinion), that they are as rough as sack cloth and not as absorbent as her muslins, either. </p> <p>I may be forced to buy some (he wont notice a few quid here and there!) and distribute among friends to give to us as gifts!! Chuckle! I'm loving that option!! He will get madder and madder as each gift includes muslin cloths! Hahaha!!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698582 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:31:23 +0000 LazyLightning 698582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ahh, so funny! Like you, we can afford whatever and I feel like we've spent SO LITTLE on the nursery. (Thrifted dressers, $100 crib, etc). I didn't get a fancy car seat or fancy stroller or anything. Like others have said you earn your own salary so just buy it. I bought a 4 pack of A&amp;A on Amazon.com and just didn't say anything about the cost. Granted, your husband already knows the cost of this so that's too bad - but in the future, he doesn't really need to know... ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698475 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:02:44 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 698475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hopefully someone buys you the A and A blankets as a gift ;)</p> <p>Your hubby sounds like us, but it must be annoying if your not on the same page. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698432 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 08:49:58 +0000 Reese 698432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: omg you kill me "lay her in a manger" </p> <p>buy the A+A towels and say they were a gift from a friend/family member (or just tell them to get them for you anyway) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698414 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 08:41:37 +0000 ShootingStar 698414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ha, my husband's the complete opposite. I've had to ban him from buying anything without having a coupon. He was even trying to talk me into changing the bathtub we picked out to one that's more expensive and vibrates. Maybe that appeals to other people but I don't want to try to wash a newborn in something that's vibrating and shaking, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698382 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 08:26:04 +0000 Boheme 698382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This made me giggle. Men can be so ridiculous! Get your A+A blankets girl! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698361 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 08:15:14 +0000 Grace 698361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Haha! I'm sorry, that just really made me giggle this morning. Since your DH is so practical, I'm going to come up with reasons for you to throw at him about why tea towels are not ok:</p> <p>1) they are rough. Yes, they are for wiping up spit, but they also go against your shoulder and baby lays on it when you are burping. Baby won't be happy with the sandpaper against his/her cheek.</p> <p>2) tea towels aren't big enough, are they? I can't imagine using mine to swaddle or cover a car seat for shade.</p> <p>3) technically, it's a waste of money to buy the tea towels, because a proper baby cloth has multiuses whereas tea towels can only be used to wipe up stuff that hits the floor (if you agree with my first two thoughts).</p> <p>If none of that works, I suggest what other people said. Even if you don't have a shower, people will bring gifts. Make it known how sad you are about not having any A&amp;A blankets. I bet you'd get tons. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698293 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:20:46 +0000 loveisstrange 698293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: Put your foot down about the AA blankets, they got a LOT of use!! They are on my must-have list for sure.</p> <p>I actually was going to say just to buy the cloths yourself and not bring it up again. lol</p> <p>On another note, I have 1000 burp cloths that we hardly used. I could post some to you. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698291 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:15:50 +0000 looch 698291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband is like this. In the end, I just get what I want and don't make a big deal about it. He forgets and moves on to something else, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698283 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:10:27 +0000 Cole 698283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can totally see my husband doing this, he is not a fan of anything he sees as a marketing gimmick. We keep our finances combined so it isn't like he wouldn't figure out if I just go out and buy this stuff. What about saying you are really excited and while you are thrilled to talk over these purchases with him before hand you would love to set aside 50£ to get whatever sweet things catch your eye. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698272 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:00:05 +0000 heffalump 698272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>if you have a registry you can put them on there. Or if a friend or family member asks what you need for baby tell them that. This way its a gift and not your fault, not your money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698270 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 06:58:07 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 698270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: Sounds like my DH. I might be mischievous here and ask if he would notice if you brought them yourself? Like you said, the cost is minimal, so get what you want. Trust me, when itccomes to that super soft and sensitive baby skin, you want to pamper it with soft blankets. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698264 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 06:46:00 +0000 pui 698264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This kind of reminds me of the way my DH was about our wedding. He was obsessed with saving money almost to a fault, but I kind of just went with it. Well, 2 months before our wedding he had a change of heart and bought a few upgrades/items that he previously thought were "a waste of money". No pressure from me! </p> <p>My advice would be try and just go with it. It is admirable that he really wants to protect your future family by saving money. Saving $10 can seem petty, but every bit counts and can make a bigger difference than what is obvious now. However, I think as he gets wrapped up in my baby excitement, perhaps just before or after the baby arrives, he will probably want to buy more things too and see the value in some of this baby industry stuff. Like PP have said, this is really not worth fighting about. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meh-hubby-wants-to-use-ikea-tea-towels-instead-of-muslin-cloths#post-698241 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 06:30:27 +0000 Dandelion 698241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @sea_bass:, especially since it's not really all that expensive. </p>