14 Best Baby Bibs to Keep Your Child Relatively Clean
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Everyone knows that babies need bibs. But it probably wasn’t until you actually reached the throes of parenthood that you realized just how necessary bibs are. You can easily go through several a day, and different activities require a specific type of bib.
So what are the best types of bibs for each job? And which options will actually keep your little one dry, comfortable, and (relatively) clean? Here’s everything you need to know.
Types of baby bibs
Bibs for mealtime
When it comes to keeping food off your baby or toddler’s adorable outfit, any bib is better than nothing. But options that are easy to wash and keep food from ending up in her lap or on her arms are your best bet. You could probably get by with just one that you clean frequently, but it’s never a bad idea to have an extra bib or two around for backup.
- Silicone bibs are soft, flexible and waterproof. They can also be wiped clean after mealtime. Most have a lip or pocket at the bottom to catch food that your little one drops so it doesn’t end up on her lap.
- Plastic bibs are thin like cloth bibs, but are made of waterproof plastic that can be wiped clean. Some have pockets for crumbs, but they don’t always catch as much as silicone bibs. Some options are also big enough to cover a child’s shoulders or lap.
- Smock-style bibs are waterproof, wipe-clean bibs with sleeves. They’re a good option for messy eaters since they offer full coverage.
- Disposable bibs are single-use options that can be helpful for meals-on-the-go or when you’re traveling.
Bibs for teething or drooling
Some babies and toddlers are just big droolers, while others only drool when they’re teething. Either way, a lightweight bib can sop up the spit to keep her shirt from getting soaked (and potentially irritating the skin underneath). A drooly tot can go through several cloth bibs a day, so they’re worth buying in bulk.
- Cloth bibs are just that: Simple, machine-washable bibs made from a soft, absorbent material like cotton, muslin or terry.
- Bandana bibs function just like regular cloth bibs, but with a little more style. They work for any age, but can be especially good for drooly toddlers, since the bandana style looks less babyish.
Bibs for newborns and little babies
Even babies who aren’t yet eating solids or sprouting pearly whites could use some extra protection. A bib can keep dribbled breastmilk or formula off of your little one’s clothes during feedings — and help sop up the inevitable spit-up that comes after. You’ll probably go through a lot of these each day, so get a bunch.
- Newborn bibs are extra small cloth bibs designed to fit your baby’s tiny neck.
- Multi-use bibs are burp cloths with a contoured shape that can be draped over your baby’s shoulders and used as a bib.
Now that you have an idea of what’s out there, which are the bibs that really deliver? Here, we’ve rounded up our faves.
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Best Newborn Baby Bib
Gerber Unisex Newborn Dribbler Bib Bundle
- Simple; affordable; customizable
- White cotton won’t hide stains
Soft and absorbent, these little cotton bibs do the job of keeping your new bundle clean, plain and simple. The white color goes with everything, but if you’re feeling crafty, you can always personalize them before your little one arrives. (Hello, tie-dye or embroidery!
Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 0.7 inches
Best Silicone Baby Bib
Oxo Tot Waterproof Silicone Roll-Up Bib
- Waterproof; wipe-clean fabric at the top is more comfortable on baby’s neck
- Babies can pull Velcro bibs off
What sets this silicone option apart from the crowd? The top half is actually made from a waterproof, wipe-clean fabric that’s more comfortable on your tot’s neck. What’s more, the bib length is long enough that the large food pocket sits below your child’s tray table — so it catches all the crumbs.
Dimensions: 2 x 8.45 x 11.5 inches
Best Baby Bib for Toddlers
BabyBjörn Baby Bib
- Firm; adjustable neckband grows with your child
- Some parents prefer all silicone
If your older baby or toddler always tears off bibs with Velcro closures, try this one. The soft neckband is totally adjustable, growing with your child from age 4 months and older. It can easily be wiped clean (but is also dishwasher safe) and comes in a slew of stylish pastel colors.
Dimensions: 9.65 inches x 8.25 inches
Best Plastic Baby Bib
Green Sprouts Snap + Go Wipe-Off Bibs
- Easy to clean; covers baby's torso well; pocket catches a lot of food
- Design wears off after a few washes
These bibs are free of common plastic chemicals like formaldehyde and PVC — and that's just one thing we love about them. The contoured design, wide shoulders, long body and large catch-all pocket are (almost) guaranteed to keep your tot’s clothes from getting stained. After mealtime is over, the soft material rolls up easily to contain the mess.
Dimensions: 10.5 x 14.75 x 0.5 inches
Best Baby Bib for Extra Coverage
Bumkins SuperBib
- Wider coverage than other bibs on the market
- Fabric is thinner than silicone options
Want the long front coverage of a smock bib but don’t feel like dealing with sleeves? This wider option is 10 inches across, so it’ll easily cover spots. The lightweight, stain-resistant polyester isn’t bunchy or uncomfortable, and it’s a cinch to wipe clean.
Dimensions: 12.2 x 8.27 x 0.12 inches
Best Smock Baby Bib
Bumkins Sleeved Bib
- Full-coverage design
- Little ones might not be thrilled to wear
This bib's waterproof, stain-resistant, machine-washable fabric is lightweight enough to be comfortable — but sturdy enough to control the mess. Smart elasticized cuffs keep food from creeping up the sleeves, while a crumb catcher pocket keeps it out of your little one’s lap. To top it all off? The tie-back closure is designed for maximum adjustability, so the bib will fit your little one through her second birthday.
Dimensions: 15.16 x 8.66 x 0.24 inches
Best Cloth Baby Bib
Burt's Bees Baby Lap-Shoulder Drool Cloths
- Organic; comfortable; affordable
- Will show more wear and tear than silicone options
These terry cloth drool moppers offer extra coverage, thanks to a patented design that sits on your baby’s chest and her shoulders. The stretchy neckline means they’re easy to fit over your little one’s head with just one hand (no need to fuss with Velcro or snaps here!). To top it all off, they’re made from 100 percent organic cotton.
Dimensions: 10.25 x 8.75 x 1.5 inches
Best Baby Bib for Teething
Neat Solutions Water Resistant Bibs
- Soft and affordable
- Some parents prefer the durability of silicone bibs
Drool’s no match for these soft bibs, made from absorbent terry cloth and lined with a water-resistant fabric. The hook-and-loop closure offers more adjustability than a snap, so they’ll grow with your baby. Best of all? They’re super affordable and come in a 10-pack.
Dimensions: 0.25 x 8.75 x 12.5 inches
Best Bandana Baby Bib
Nuby Reversible Cotton Muslin Teething Bibs
- High collar keeps baby clean; added teether provides relief for sore gums
- Not as full-coverage as other options
These muslin bandana bibs score points for their adorable design. But there’s substance beneath all that style: The high collar keeps drool off of your baby’s neck, and the bottom of the bib has a silicone teething patch for your baby to gnaw on when her gums get sore.
Dimensions: 9 x 0.25 x 12 inches
Best Transitional Baby Bib
Parker Baby Bandana Drool Bibs
- Adjustable neckline snaps grow with your child
- Smaller than other bibs on the market
A polyester fleece backing makes these bandanas extra absorbent, so your little one’s front stays dry. Also nice? The adjustable neckline snaps, which are designed to fit your baby until she hits 24 months. Oh, and you can’t beat the cool, modern colors like sage, clay, olive and rust.
Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.6 x 6 inches
Most Stylish Baby Bib
Aden + Anais Snap Bib
- Soft; beautiful designs
- Not as functional as some silicone picks
Looking for something with a little more style? These snap-back bibs offer up the kind of sweet, nursery-inspired designs that are impossible to not “ooh!” and “ahh!” over. (Put them on your registry!) The pre-washed cotton muslin is gentle on your newborn’s delicate skin and only gets softer with time.
Dimensions: 0.02 x 9 x 13 inches
Best Multi-Use Baby Bib
Aden + Anais Classic Burpy Bib
- Super soft; versatile
- May be more functional as a burp cloth
These adorable cotton combo bibs are long enough to use as a burp cloth, but have a curved shape that drapes over your baby’s shoulders (plus a snap button to keep it there). With four layers of muslin, they’re super soft and absorbent.
Dimensions: 23.5 x 0.8 x 9 inches
Most Stylish Baby Bib
Mushie Silicone Baby Bib
- Stylish pastel colors; dishwasher-safe
- A bit more expensive than other options
Parents love Mushie products for their functionality (this bib is all silicone, dishwasher-safe and has adjustable neckline closures) and style (chic colors and fun patterns). They costs a bit more per item, but given how easy it is to wash and how cute your little one will look in it, you may only need one.
Dimensions: 11.06 x 9.49 x 1.65 inches
Cutest Baby Bib
Hudson Baby Silicone Bib
- Fun designs; easy-to-clean silicone
- Some reviewers say designs fade over time
Silicone, adjustable closures and sweet designs (“love at first bite” or “have a pizza my heart”) make these bibs a trifecta of goodness. Choose your desired pattern or design (these bibs come in a two-pack), then enjoy a cleaner mealtime. The bibs are easy to wash by hand, but they’re also dishwasher-safe).
Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 0.8 inches
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