The 5 Best Baby Bibs of 2024
Baby bibs are an essential accessory for feeding time. In this buying guide for the best baby bibs, we’ll go over how to pick the best one for your baby, frequently asked questions, how many bibs you need, tips for baby self-feeding, and the best baby bibs for both feeding and baby-led weaning.
Medically reviewed and cowritten by Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
Baby Bibs
With all that you have on your plate right now, the last thing you need is more spit-up or mashed peas all over your blouse, in your hair, or spread over every inch of your floor. Sure, all the drool and messy eating come with this job called parenthood, but to stay sane, a reliable baby bib is an absolute necessity. Finding the best baby bib can make mealtime a more enjoyable and mess-free experience.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll point out my absolute favorite baby bibs, as well as top-rated options amongst the parenting community that will provide excellent protection against mealtime messes. Plus, they will keep your baby comfortable and dry. From innovative designs to the cutest baby bibs out there, I’ve got you covered (literally!).
Our Top Picks
- My Overall Favorite: Simka Rose Silicone Bib – $19.98 at Amazon
- My Favorite for Baby Led Weaning: Bumkins Sleeved Bib Baby Bib – $14.95 at Amazon
- Best Silicone Bib: Mushie Silicone Baby Bib – $12.99 at Amazon
- Best Value: Green Sprouts Stay-Dry Baby Bibs, 10-Pack – $19.50 at Amazon
- Best Bib for Newborns: Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Comfi-Neck Baby Bib – $8.30 at Amazon
How to Pick the Best Baby Bib
There are a few practical features to keep in mind when selecting the best baby bib for your lifestyle. First answer a few questions: Do you want bibs that can be machine washed or wiped clean? How often do you think you’ll do laundry? What stage and size is your baby at? Here are a few things to keep in mind while choosing the best bib for your baby:
Material
Baby bibs typically come in soft cotton, rubber, and silicone. I recommend starting with soft and absorbent cotton or muslin baby bibs for newborns and eventually grow into silicone baby bibs with wipeable surfaces or backings at around 4 to 6 months. If you decide to do baby led weaning, where they feed themselves, you’ll want to upgrade to a wipeable material and a deep pocket or silicone baby bibs to catch bits of food.
Comfort
If your baby’s bib is not comfortable, they’ll be more focused on taking it off than eating their food. Always choose a bib that is neither too large nor too small around the neck and you can loosely measure your child’s neck to ensure the proper size. It should fit snugly but give enough space for moving freely without creating huge spaces for liquids or food to sneak through. While some of my favorite baby bibs can be used for multiple stages as the baby grows, there are some that are specific to certain ages.
Ease of Cleaning
Make sure to read the label carefully to know if you can wash and dry your bibs as some need to air dry. I recommend pre-treating stains right away by using an old toothbrush to apply stain removal before you toss it in the dirty pile or leave to soak. Do not use hot water because it can set the stain and always choose a baby-friendly detergent that won’t irritate skin.
Closure
The closure of a baby bib can make or break mealtime! Your closure needs to be easy for you to get the bib on while your baby is hungry and fussy and easy to take off after a big spill, but needs to be secure enough to prevent her from ripping it off. I think baby bibs with cotton ties can be too tedious. You have to double tie them to keep them in place and any knots can be a nightmare. Velcro can get stuck in the hair and it’s difficult to get food out from all the plastic crevices. I prefer snaps or buttons because they can be fastened and unfastened quickly without much extra effort.
Here are my top picks for the 5 best baby bibs you can buy right now!
Reviews of The Best Baby Bibs
1. My Overall Favorite: Simka Rose Silicone Bib
The Simka Rose baby bibs are my top choice for anyone who needs to stop the madness at mealtime or for anyone who needs help for baby-led weaning. They’re made from food-grade silicone that is softer than you’d expect a plastic to be, super easy to clean, and they won’t stain like cloth baby bibs. Plus, they last a long time (I’ve had mine for 6 years!).
The catch pocket is a lifesaver for anything that drips down and will also catch any bits of solid food so you don’t end up having peas or cereal all over the floor. When mealtime is over, you can pop it in the dishwasher and move on to the next chore. It’s a complete win in my book.
The Specs:
- Type: Feeding
- Material: Silicone
- Care: Dishwasher and microwave safe
- Quantity: 3
The Pros:
- Soft and comfortable
- Four adjustable neck sizes
- Last for years
- Cute design
The Cons:
- Can get stuck in hair
- Takes up more space than cloth
What Others are Saying:
The Simka Rose Silicone Bib baby bib has more than 3,100 reviews and a 4.8 rating on Amazon.
Simka Rose Silicone Bib
This silicone bib is perfect for babies 6 to 24 months. It’s easy to wipe off and will last you many, many feedings to come!
2. My Favorite for Baby Led Weaning: Bumkins Sleeved Bib Baby Bib
For baby-led weaning, this is my favorite baby bib. I’ve also owned these ones for 6 years and love that they have long sleeves to provide full coverage as a baby learns to feed themself! It’s more of a temporary outfit than a bib, but I’ve had no trouble getting my kids to wear it. The bib can grow with your baby, too, and is made for babies and toddlers from 6 to 24 months. It measures 14 inches across the chest, 13 inches from neck down, and 32 inches from cuff to cuff so you can always measure your child to ensure it fits.
The little pockets on the bottom help catch food, and it’s available in 27 cute patterns. Made of a durable, waterproof fabric, it can easily be wiped for quick cleanup or you can toss it in the wash after, which is key to me because mealtime can be so messy.
The Specs:
- Type: Smock
- Material: Polyester
- Care: Machine wash
- Quantity: 1
The Pros:
- Full coverage
- Waterproof
- Easy to wash
- Grows with baby
The Cons:
- Hot for summer use
- Tie can come undone
What Others are Saying:
This waterproof baby bib has more than 16,000 reviews and a 4.7 rating on Amazon. It was named best bib with sleeves by Good Housekeeping and Epicurious.
Bumkins Sleeved Bib Baby Bib
This baby bib acts more like a protective top, so your baby really can’t get too dirty. The waterproof fabric makes it easy to clean and welcomes many messes.
3. Best Silicone Bib: Mushie Silicone Baby Bib
This baby bib is made from food-grade silicone that resists stains and is water resistant, so it keeps the baby comfortable and dry. The large pocket makes it good to collect all sorts of foods and purees that drop out of your baby’s mouth — meaning less cleanup on your actual baby. Plus, the built-in neck fasteners are easy to attach and are snug enough that your child can’t pull them off but will still feel comfortable wearing them.
It’s easy to wash out with soap and leave to dry, whereas other catch-all bibs made of fabric demand immediate cleaning or they will stink. You can get them in 32 adorable colors.
The Specs:
- Type: Feeding
- Material: Silicone
- Care: Hand wash only
- Quantity: 1
The Pros:
- Dishwasher safe
- Easily adjustable
- 32 cute designs
The Cons:
- Can push against high chair
- Not dishwasher safe
What Others are Saying:
The Mushie Silicone Baby Bib has a 4.7 rating on Amazon with more than 16,000 reviews. It was also named best silicone baby bib by The Bump.
Mushie Silicone Baby Bib
Available in 32 adorable patterns, you might end up picking up a few of these silicone bibs to add to your rotation.
4. Best Value: Green Sprouts Stay-Dry Baby Bibs
Baby feeding can be a frenzy throughout the day, but if you buy this 10-pack of baby bibs in bulk you’ll always have a fresh one ready to go. What makes these Green Sprouts ones so great is the two layers of fabric — a super absorbent top layer (similar to a towel) to soak up messes, and a waterproof layer underneath that stops any leaks from getting baby’s clothes wet.
At less than $2 each, you absolutely cannot beat the price for this set. Plus, it won’t be the end of the world if you accidentally leave one somewhere.
The Specs:
- Type: Feeding
- Material: Cotton
- Care: Machine washable
- Quantity: 10
The Pros:
- Affordable
- Waterproof
- Lightweight
- Beautiful color combinations
The Cons:
- Small around the neck
- Not as soft as others
What Others are Saying:
These Green Sprouts Stay-Dry Baby Bibs have more than 800 reviews and a 4.6 rating on Amazon. Additionally, they were named best value baby bibs by The Bump and Good Housekeeping.
Green Sprouts Stay-Dry Baby Bibs
Coming in a 10-pack, you’ll have more than enough cotton bibs for you baby. Just throw them in the wash while you use the others available.
5. Best Bib for Newborns: Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Comfi-Neck Baby Bib
Unlike other baby bibs that are typically made for baby’s 6 months and older, the Tommee Tippee was designed with newborns in mind. The plush collar with a rolled design that fits snugly at baby’s neck makes it one of the best baby bibs you can buy to guard against drool, spit-ups, or drips from milk and formula. Because it catches every drip, the baby will stay dry and you can avoid irritation around delicate skin.
It’s relatively affordable too, at just $10 for two bibs. The manufacturer does suggest washing it by hand, but reviewers have washed it in a washing machine with no problem.
The Specs:
- Type: Drooling, feeding
- Material: Cotton
- Care: Hand wash or washing machine
- Quantity: 2
The Pros:
- For both newborns and infants
- Easy velcro fastener
- Reversible
- Padded for comfort
The Cons:
- No waterproof liner
What Others are Saying:
This inexpensive duo has more than 5,000 reviews and a 4.8 rating on Amazon. The Bump and Good Housekeeping both named it the best bib for newborns.
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Comfi-Neck Baby Bib
Perfect for newborns and infants, this cloth option has two sides — one for drooling and one for feeding — meaning you’ll have less to wash.
Other Baby Bibs to Consider
KeaBabies Organic Bandana Drool Bibs
There are so many bandanas bibs out there, but these ones are quite popular with a 4.8 rating and more than 10,000 reviews on Amazon. They are made of water-resistant fleece and an extremely absorbent organic cotton, so they are very lightweight. The 8-pack comes in 16 different combinations and reviewers say they look like new after multiple washings, but are only best for infants. The KeaBabies Organic Bandana Drool Bibs is available at Amazon for $18.96.
Aden + Anais 2-in-1 Muslin Burpy Bib
This 2-in-1 baby bib can be used as a silky soft burp cloth and a bib. It easily snaps at the back of the neck and spreads out wide in front. After your baby is done eating, you can swing it around your shoulder to burp them, so you don’t have to get anything else dirty! Plus, it has four layers of muslin, so it’s very absorbent. But it’s still quite expensive for a 2-pack, compared to others. The Aden + Anais 2-In-1 Muslin Burpy Bib is available at Amazon for $24.95.
Parker Baby Co. Bandana Drool Bibs 8-Pack
The organic cotton on the front is super absorbent and the soft polyester backing keeps the baby and their clothes dry, so you can do a lot less laundry. The 8-packs come in gender-neutral colors, so it’s an easy and stylish gift to give if you don’t know the sex of the baby. Plus the two nickel-free snaps adjust to grow with a newborn into the teething stage but won’t fit when they get any older. The Parker Baby Co. Bandana Drool Bibs 8-Pack is available at Amazon for $17.95.
OXO Tot Roll-Up Bib
This bib has more than 4,000 reviews with a rating of 4.8 on Amazon and parents love that the silicone is comfortable and lighter for babies. The pocket on the front catches food spills, and the shape makes it easy to store. The only drawback is that a few reviewers caution you to wash and dry it right away as they have a tendency to get stinky or grow mold. The OXO Tot Roll-Up Bib is available at Amazon for $19.99.
Why You Can Trust Us
I’m Michele Olivier, the creator of the Baby FoodE blog, where I post adventurous recipes ranging from babies first purees to equally memorable (but perhaps less enjoyable) sit-down family dinners with feisty toddlers. I began my baby food making shortly after I had my first baby girl, Elliette. I quickly realized how this feeding is quite a messy business, which is why I tried several baby bibs to figure out which ones were best for my kids. I’m sharing my favorites with you in this guide.
For bibs that I haven’t personally used, I diligently researched popular options from top parenting publications and read reviews to see how comfortable and useful these bibs were for catching food and drool. I made sure that they are not only made of baby-safe materials, but also we’re easy to clean and long-lasting. These products were also medically reviewed by Lauren Braaten, a Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
Tips for Baby Self-Feeding with Bibs
- Choose the right bib for your baby based on their developmental stage or situation. For example, a cloth bib is good for younger babies after bottle feedings or drooling, while a silicone bib with a pocket will help catch foods when your baby is eating solids.
- Make sure the bib is the right size. A bib that is too small won’t provide enough coverage, while a bib that is too large will be bulky and hard for baby to move their arms to eat.
- Make sure to wash the bib after each use to prevent bacteria from growing.
- Invest in good stain removers to help keep cloth bibs looking like new.
- A sleeved baby bib or smock bib top can be great for eating out at a restaurant, as the extra coverage is helpful for keeping baby’s clothes cleaner and it’s easy to roll up food bits into the bib before they get everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, babies start wearing cloth bibs at 1-2 weeks of age. Bibs are convenient during bottle-feeding, breastfeeding, or when your baby spits up or drools frequently during teething. When baby transitions to solid foods, parents typically switch to silicone bibs or waterproof smock bibs.
Cloth bandana bibs fit right under your baby’s chin to catch all the liquids like drool or formula to prevent any rashes or skin irritation. Wipeable baby bibs are great for pureed fruits and veggies because they protect against food residue and wetness. They often come with pockets or pouches at the bottom to catch all the bits of food that fall. Silicone baby bibs have a little piggie trough built right in to catch everything!
There’s no magic number for how many bibs you need at each stage of growth, but a few factors can help you guesstimate what works best for you.
Drooling: Newborns can go through 5 bibs per day, easy, but super droolers may need as many as 10. I would buy twice as many as you think you’ll need, just to make sure you never run out. When you get to the teething stage, double that amount again because drooling bibs can get soaked pretty quickly and you’ll be changing them often.
Feeding: The number of baby bibs you’ll need each day depends on how many meals and snacks your little one eats. Also, consider how easy your bibs are to clean. If you go the silicone route, 3 or 4 bibs used in rotation should be plenty because you can use one while the others air dry. If you go the cloth route, I suggest having at least 10 — even as many as 20 — if you don’t want to do laundry every day.
Baby Led Weaning: Again, factor in the number of meals and snacks your baby will be eating during baby led weaning where your baby feeds themself right from the start. I would say 3 to 4 silicone bibs or 6 to 8 cloth bibs with pockets will get you through a single day of meals without worrying about running out.
The Best Recipes for Baby Led Weaning
A new baby bib can be incredibly helpful when beginning baby led weaning. While there is no one, perfect, way to introduce solids into their diet, a great place to start is with my guide that outlines how to serve eggs to a baby. Eggs are my favorite first-foods for a baby because they are easy to make, loaded with essential nutrients, and inexpensive.
Once you’ve mastered serving eggs, try your hand at my other kid- and mom-approved recipes. They are all quick, easy, and nutritious.
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
