Why Japanese Parents Use So Much Gauze

One baby item we ended up using almost every day in Japan was gauze cloth.

Before becoming parents, we did not realize how often Japanese families use gauze for babies. After having our baby, we quickly understood why.

We started using gauze during bath time, feeding, cleaning drool, wiping sweat, putting our baby to sleep, and even while going out with a stroller. We always seem to carry a few pieces with us wherever we go.

In Japan, soft cotton gauze is very common for baby products because it feels light, breathable, and gentle on sensitive skin, especially during humid summers.

We also often used large gauze cloths as lightweight blankets or swaddle blankets during naps and stroller outings.

In Japanese, swaddles blanckets are called “Okurumi,” which comes from the Japanese word meaning “to wrap.” We think the word sounds very soft and cute, just like the blankets themselves 😊

Another item we used very often was a multi-layer gauze blanket called a “6-layer gauze blanket.” These blankets feel soft, cozy, and breathable at the same time, so they became especially useful during sleep and quiet time at home.

We also noticed that many Japanese baby brands sell gauze products in simple colors and soft textures that feel very calming and cozy.

At first, we thought gauze cloth was just a small baby item, but it slowly became one of the things we used most often in everyday life with our baby.

Of course, every family is different, but for us, gauze became one of the small things that made parenting in Japan feel more comfortable 🇯🇵