I’ll never forget the first time my husband and I fed our son solid food. We didn’t quite get the smile we expected, but we did get the mess. Since the meal consisted of only rice cereal, it was easy to get it out of his clothes. But it wasn’t long before he moved onto vegetables–and that required a different kind of bib to contain the chaos. I quickly learned there are lots of bibs to choose from—and that some work better than others. Here are 10 standouts that are practical, comfortable, and cute!
A Mom Who Knows Infant Bibs.This bib (pictured at left) is a cotton pullover with a stretchable neck that makes it impossible for your little one to pull it off! It comes in lots of cheerful patterns and colors and is larger than your average bib, providing extra overage for baby. $17; amomwhoknows.com.
Aden + Anais Dribble Burpy Bibs. Aden + Anais is by far one of my favorite brands for baby gear, and their bibs are no exception. Made of 100% cotton muslin, this soft bib snaps easily around baby’s neck. The best part? It not only soaks up spills, but doubles as a burp cloth that drapes perfectly over your shoulder. Choose form a variety of stylish designs like “Liam the Brave” and “Princess Posie.” $22 for a two-pack; adenandanais.com.
Baby Bjorn Soft Bib. Made of soft, recyclable plastic, this bib wipes clean easily after use, plus is dishwasher safe. A large spill pocket prevents food from landing in little laps, while an adjustable snap closure allows the bib to grow with baby. $12; target.com.
Giggle Better Basics Striped Bibs. Available in a variety of colors including Giggle’s signature orange (pictured at left) these striped bibs are made of soft organic cotton that make them perfect for wiping baby’s messy face at the end of meal time. A simple velcro closure on the side makes removing the bib a breeze, even when baby has fallen asleep. $18 for set of two; giggle.com.
Goo-Goo Baby Perfect Pocket Bib. This bib is made from biodegradable, waterproof fabric that is resistant to mildew. If you’re wondering what the ‘perfect pocket’ is, it’s designed to catch and hold half a cup’s worth of whatever food doesn’t make it into baby’s mouth, making for less post-meal cleanup. The unique designs range from “Puzzle Pieces” to “Frog Bog.” $20; googoobaby.com.
Icky Baby Blue Blast off Disposable Bibs. These eco-friendly, disposable (and fashionable!) bibs are perfect for traveling or on the go. A crumb catcher stays open to help contain the mess while the bibs themselves are leak-proof so no food or drink can soak into baby’s clothes. Eco conscious parents will love that the bibs are biodegradable and come in boxes made from recycled paper. $7 for a 12-pack (available in blue or pink); mbeans.com.
Messy Baby Bib. This brightly colored, plane-themed bib (pictured at left) includes the unique features of full sleeves as well as a crumb catcher to protect clothes. It’s made of cotton with a non-toxic and environmentally-friendly coating that keeps food from soaking through and makes the bib easy to wipe clean. $26; giggle.com.
Pottery Barn Kids Safari Bibs. The organic cotton front of this adorable bib is smooth and easily wipes clean after mealtime. On the other hand, if your child is teething, the cotton/polyester knit terry on the reverse side is helpful for catching and wiping off drool. $23 for two; potterybarnkids.com.
Ralph Lauren Striped Bib. The trademark polo logo on these bibs may be the initial attraction, but also notable are the dark colors, which make the inevitable food stains much less of an issue. Simple closures and 100% cotton fabric make it user-friendly and easy to clean, too. $30 for a three-pack; ralphlauren.com.
Koala Baby Halloween Easy Wipe Bib. With Halloween approaching, I couldn’t resist recommending this one! The large size, a front pocket which keeps spills away from clothes, and the easy-to-clean surface means you may be using it well after the 31st! (Bonus: A Thanksgiving style-one is available for November.). $5; toysrus.com.