Which bib should I buy?
Bibs protect children's clothing from stains and moisture while feeding and learning to eat. But not all bibs are the same – there are numerous variants, ranging from sleeved bibs to washable vinyl bibs to hard plastic bibs with a catch pocket. Here you'll learn which one is right for you and your child.
A bib like this is a great thing to have, since it saves you many, many loads of laundry full of dirty baby and children's clothing. Simply tied around the neck, bibs of various sizes protect against stains and moisture from food that didn't fully make it into baby's mouth. This classic piece of baby gear comes in numerous variants – especially in terms of material and closure.
The material: cotton, vinyl, or hard plastic
The classic in the nursery is the cotton bib. Whether plain, printed, or with an elaborate appliqué: it's pleasantly soft, absorbent, breathable, and can be hygienically washed at up to 60°C (some are dryer-safe). The cotton bib absorbs food residue and moisture especially well – so you can even use it like a napkin to wipe baby's mouth at the end. By the way: some models also feature a layer of film on the back – so nothing leaks through, guaranteed.
The downside: to get a cotton bib clean again, it has to go in the washing machine. That's why you need a certain supply of bibs on hand, unless you do laundry every single day. You also need to be careful when you have the bib with you on the go: if a damp bib is left forgotten in a bag, mildew stains can form quickly.
Vinyl bibs are among the most popular bibs, since they're especially practical to handle. Food residue can simply be wiped off with a damp cloth – so the vinyl bib is ready to use again right away. For a deep clean, the vinyl bib can also be washed in the washing machine at up to 40°C.
The downside: bibs made of vinyl aren't breathable – especially with sleeved bibs, this can be rather uncomfortable in summer (with a short-sleeved top and the vinyl bib against bare skin).
Bibs made of hard plastic are rigid bibs that can be easily cleaned under running water. Most feature a generous catch pocket, so soup, sauce, and crumbs are caught with ease instead of landing on your child's pants.
The downside: the rigid closure on the hard plastic bib isn't necessarily comfortable for the child. The wide catch pocket also makes it harder to sit close to the table, since it bumps against the table edge.
Classic bib or sleeved bib?
A sleeved bib is the perfect protection against stains, especially during the phase when your child is learning to eat independently: simply slip into the sleeves and tie at the back. Thanks to the sleeved bib, not only the chest but also both arms are protected from stains. Wiping your mouth with your sleeve is no longer a problem. And your child can't take the bib off by themselves, even if they tug on it hard.
However, the sleeved bib is also fairly large and can therefore be relatively sweat-inducing in summer, since it's worn as a second layer over regular clothing. A classic tie-on bib, on the other hand, takes up little space, protects clothing in the main mess zone, and doesn't unnecessarily add to your pile of laundry.
Tips for buying a bib
Bibs come in different sizes – from baby to toddler. So be sure to check the size when buying – baby bibs for babies who are still being fed, up to about 6 months old, are about 20-25 cm long; from 6 months on, about 30 cm; for children learning to eat, larger is fine too. It's best to go by the manufacturer's specifications.
If you like things practical and don't want piles of laundry full of bibs, you should consider vinyl or hard plastic bibs. These can be wiped clean and don't need to be washed separately in the washing machine.
Does your child always pull the bib off over their head? A sleeved bib can't be taken off so easily by little ones.
Which closure you choose is ultimately a matter of taste, or depends on your child's preferences: a velcro bib can be closed in a snap, but often stops holding after many washes. A classic tie bib is tied on with a bow, while a pullover bib has to be pulled on over the head. The latter can't come undone on its own, but not every child may like having something pulled over their head.
