Spit-up, drooling and messy eating are all inevitable parts of babyhood (and parenthood). So if you don’t want bodily fluids and mushy food all over you, your child or your home, baby bibs are an absolute necessity. The best baby bibs all have a few things in common. First, they’re excellent at keeping dribble and spills off the wearer—and your kitchen floor. Second, they’re comfortable enough for said wearer not to throw a fit whenever you put one on them. And third, while adorableness isn’t totally essential, we find that cute baby bibs make messes a lot less miserable. Ready to shop? We’ve got you (literally) covered. Below, we’re sharing what to know before buying a baby or toddler bib, as well as all our favorite options.

In this article:
Best drool bib
Best bib for newborns
Best feeding bib
Best silicone bib
Best baby bibs to buy in bulk
Best baby bandana bib
Best personalized bib
Best long-sleeved baby bib
Best toddler bib
Best 2-in-1 baby bib
Best muslin baby bib
Best magnetic baby bib

What Does a Baby’s Bib Catch?

Bibs for babies are essential for catching both drool and food. While most bibs can accomplish both tasks, drool bibs—ideal for newborns and teething babies—tend to be smaller and made of soft, absorbent fabric, while feeding bibs—good for older babies and toddlers who are eating solids— are often made of dishwasher-friendly materials and tend to cover more surface area (for obvious reasons!); they also often sport wide-mouth pockets to catch drips, spills and falling morsels.

Drool bibs vs. feeding bibs

Below are some key differences between drool bibs and feeding bibs:

What to Look for in a Baby Bib

How’s a parent to decide? You can use the table above to help you figure out what to look for in a baby bib. If you’re looking for feeding bibs to put on baby during mealtime, look for ones that can be wiped clean or be popped into the dishwasher, like plastic or silicone baby bibs. For younger babies, you’ll likely only be dealing with milk dribbles or drool and spit up, which means a smaller, more absorbent drool bib might be in order. Look for soft cotton or muslin material that won’t irritate baby’s tender skin.

How Many Bibs Does a Baby Need?

Wondering how many baby bibs you should buy? We suggest starting with at least four to eight drool bibs and another four+ feeding bibs, but there’s no right or wrong answer here—it really comes down to how often you do laundry (and how drooly your baby proves to be). It’s a good idea to have a few extras on hand: You might want to toss a bib or two into your diaper bag, have some at the ready in baby’s nursery and of course stock a supply in the kitchen as well.

Best Baby Bibs to Shop

Ready to stock up? Here are our picks for the best baby bibs for every style and need.

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Plus, more from The Bump:

Your Ultimate Checklist of Baby Essentials

11 Best Baby Burp Cloths

The Best Baby Spoons and Forks for Feeding and Self-Feeding

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