Baby Bibs: The Best in the Market
From spit-up, to drool, to food, parenting is messy at every stage of life. The first year or two is especially full of these messy milestones for boys and girls, including teething and starting solid food. While burp cloths and baby wipes are excellent tools to keep in the diaper bag, the only way to truly protect those adorable baby outfits and make mealtime easier is with a quality baby bib.
However, not all bibs are created equally, and finding the best baby bib for your little one when there’s so much choice out there can be a pain. If you’ve visited too many baby stores or scanned the virtual aisles online and are feeling fed up, we’ve got you covered. So, whether your baby boy or baby girl is a drooler or enjoys getting messy at mealtime, we’re sharing the best baby bibs in the market.
Types of Baby Bibs
There are several styles and types of bibs for little ones of all ages. Newborns can wear bibs immediately, as long as they’re made of a non-irritating, soft material. Since toddlers are known for getting messy, there’s really no end date for wearing bibs either, as long as it’s comfortable around their necks.
Classic Bibs
Classic bibs are ideal for all ages, including newborns. They are generally plain, made of cotton, and machine-washable. These bibs are best for newborn spit-up or drooling. However, they are not ideal for catching food.
Bandana Bibs
Bandana bibs are basically a stylish version of the classic bib. They’re soft, shaped like a triangle, and are usually machine-washable. If you plan to use them all day to catch drool or spit-up, they are cute and come in many designs to match your baby’s outfit. On the downside, they generally have less coverage than other options and are not the best choice if your baby is starting to eat solid food.
Silicone Bibs
If your primary concern is catching food and keeping your little one’s clothes protected while eating, silicone bibs are one of the best choices. Most feature a large pocket at the bottom to catch food and keep it from falling on the legs or clothes. Not only do they wipe clean, but many options are dishwasher friendly.
Full Coverage Bibs
Those who want to fully protect a child’s outfit or have an extremely messy little one will want to pick up full-sleeve bibs or smock bibs. These come in many styles, some with long sleeves and others that are extra long. They generally wipe clean or are machine washable.
What to Consider When Buying Baby Bibs
1. Cost
With all the baby gear and accessories out there in the market, you might start to wonder which items are necessary and which you can live without. If you want to protect your baby’s Christmas dress or avoid changing a sopping wet onesie every hour, baby bibs are a must-have. Luckily, they come in all sorts of price points and don’t have to break the bank. Plus, baby bibs are incredibly versatile and practical and the good ones last.
2. How Ethically-Friendly They Are
Searching for bibs that are eco-friendly and generally healthy for the planet is easier said than done. You’ll want to invest in quality bibs that are reusable, rather than invest in disposable bibs that fill the landfill. Plus, reusable bibs end up being more cost-friendly. You can also consider buying bibs that are made from recycled material or buy from a brand that cares about reducing its carbon footprint.
3. Ease of Use and Comfort
Always check a manufacturer’s care instructions for their method of cleaning. Machine-washable bibs or bibs that easily wipe clean are a must-have, especially when using several in a single day. Also, is the bib comfortable for the baby? Is it too tight around your baby’s neck, or does it scrape their arms? It’s not worth buying the bib if the baby isn’t going to want to wear it.
4. Effectiveness
Does it actually work? The most important feature when choosing the best baby bib is its effectiveness. You’re looking for a bib that keeps drool and other messes from seeping through to your baby’s clothes or a bib that catches food. Water-resistant or waterproof options are helpful. If you plan to keep a bib on your baby all day to catch the constant drool, you may want to consider a stylish bandana bib that matches your baby’s outfit.
How We Chose Our Favorites
We consulted with experts and parents to narrow down the very best baby bibs. We also tapped into these experts' advice to find out which brands were readily available on Amazon.
The Best Baby Bibs on the Market Right Now
Happy Healthy Parent Silicone Baby Bibs
Not only are these silicone bibs 100% waterproof, but they’re also stain-resistant and dishwasher-safe. The adjustable straps are ideal for all ages, and the bibs are made with food-safe silicone. Plus, they feature a wide, stay-open front pocket to catch food and keep clothes clean.
Here’s What Reviewers Have to Say:
“We went through quite a few bib brands before finding these. These are PERFECT. The pocket actually catches food, yet the whole bib is soft enough that it doesn’t dig in my LO neck or chest. It can also be squashed easily into a diaper bag to bring when going out to eat.”
Bumkins Sleeved Baby Bib
Thanks to this long-sleeve bib with elastic cuffs, you won’t need to worry about food spoiling your child’s clothes. The adjustable tie-neck closure fits most children from 6 to 24 months, and the catch-all pocket contains spills. It’s also BPA-free, PVC-free, vinyl-free, phthalate-free, and lead-free.
Here’s What Reviewers Have to Say:
“I know people say you need all sorts of baby items but believe me when I tell you - you NEED this! My daughter hates the silicone bibs and screams the whole time she has them on, not to mention tries to eat them, and ultimately gets as much mess all over as she would have without anything on. This bib goes on like a shirt, covers most of her pants, and can go on over the high chair straps (so sick of scrubbing those things). We bought a second one for the diaper bag.”
Oxo Tot Roll-Up Bib
Get the best of a silicone bib and a cloth bib with this option. The top half and neck are made of a comfortable fabric that conforms to the neck, while the bottom half is made of silicone to help catch food and effortlessly wipe clean. It’s also machine-washable, BPA-free, and phthalate-free.
Here’s What Reviewers Have to Say:
“These are the best bibs for eating! They clean well, they catch the food, the food nicely fits into the diaper bag and they have some nice colors too! Get them!!”
Green Sprouts Stay-Dry Baby Bibs
Look no further for a waterproof teething bib that offers ultimate protection against spills, drool, and spit-up. It’s made of soft, absorbent terry cotton and features a velcro closure on the neck that quickly goes on or comes off when the baby is fussy.
Here’s What Reviewers Have to Say:
“Best bibs for drooling little ones!!! This will keep your baby dry. Been using it for years. Buy it and experience a dry neck and clothes for your little one. Easy to wash. Large enough to catch messes.”
BabyBjorn Small Baby Bib
For your baby’s first eating bib, consider this option that features a soft, adjustable neck that doesn’t chafe. The large pocket catches food, and it’s effortless to wipe clean – or you can even throw them in the dishwasher. Yes, that’s right, not the washing machine, the dishwasher.
Here’s What Reviewers Have to Say:
“We have the baby bibs and the toddler bibs! They are our favorite! I love that I can throw them in the dishwasher at the end of each day. Cuts down on clean-up time for sure!”
Parker Baby Bandana Bibs
This bandana bib set comes with four stylish bandana drool bibs made of 100% soft organic cotton on the front and 100% soft polyester on the back for added absorbency. The adjustable snaps make these bibs perfect for ages 3 to 24 months.
Here’s What Reviewers Have to Say:
“I LOVE these bibs!! I have purchased many different brands and styles of bandana bibs and so far these are my favorite!”
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Comfi-Neck Baby Bib
Protect your newborn baby’s sensitive skin and new clothes with this super soft and absorbent bib. The padded collar dribble catcher is not only comfortable around the baby’s neck, but it also absorbs moisture and food drips. Plus, the reversible design features a solid color and a patterned design.
Here’s What Reviewers Have to Say:
“Everyone needs these bibs, they help tremendously with the milk neck!!”
aden + anais Baby Drool Bibs
This three-pack of girl bibs is made of 100% cotton muslin and features an adjustable snap closure to grow with the baby. They’re also lightweight, breathable, and machine-washable. With three layers of soft muslin cotton, these bibs are super absorbent.
Here’s What Reviewers Have to Say:
“I love these bibs because they are soft, absorbent, and huge. My daughter has reflux and spits a lot. These help keep her outfits clean at home and especially at daycare where they are less careful about getting clothes messy. The designs are beautiful, too. Highly recommend!”
Hudson Unisex Baby Cotton Bibs
Little ones go through a ton of cotton bibs, and this pack comes with 10 bibs in adorable designs. With multiple layers, they’re soft on baby’s skin and absorb spills, drool, and more. They have a velcro closure and are machine-washable.
Here’s What Reviewers Have to Say:
“Our daughter spits up a lot and is also starting to drool. These bibs are great for both and really act like a towel. I love them!”
KeaBabies Organic Cotton Baby Bandana Bibs
This 8-pack of bandana bibs features a snap closure to grow with the baby and comes in various cute, gender-neutral designs. They’re made of organic cotton and are highly absorbent.
Here’s What Reviewers Have to Say:
“Having searched for ages to find decent dribble bibs (that don’t cost silly amounts) for our 4-month-old, I think we finally have a winner! These are really absorbent and don’t soak through within minutes, which is no mean feat given the cascade of dribble permanently pouring from our son’s mouth! They don’t ride up or scrunch up like a lot of the bandana-style bibs I’ve previously bought and I really like that they have different poppers to resize as they grow. These are also really soft and finally, they look really nice!”
