Best Baby Bibs

Updated: January 11, 2021
Best Baby Bibs

Everyone knows that babies need bibs. But it probably wasn’t until you actually reached the throes of parenthood that you realized just how necessary bibs are. You can easily go through several a day, and different activities require a specific type of bib.

So what are the best types of bibs for each job? And which options will actually keep your little one dry, comfortable, and (relatively) clean? Here’s everything you need to know. 

Types of baby bibs

Bibs for mealtime

When it comes to keeping food off your baby or toddler’s adorable outfit, any bib is better than nothing. But options that are easy to wash and keep food from ending up in her lap or on her arms are your best bet. You could probably get by with just one that you clean frequently, but it’s never a bad idea to have an extra bib or two around for backup.

  • Silicone bibs are soft, flexible and waterproof. They can also be wiped clean after mealtime. Most have a lip or pocket at the bottom to catch food that your little one drops so it doesn’t end up on her lap.
  • Plastic bibs are thin like cloth bibs, but are made of waterproof plastic that can be wiped clean. Some have pockets for crumbs, but they don’t always catch as much as silicone bibs. Some options are also big enough to cover a child’s shoulders or lap. 
  • Smock-style bibs are waterproof, wipe-clean bibs with sleeves. They’re a good option for messy eaters since they offer full coverage.
  • Disposable bibs are single-use options that can be helpful for meals-on-the-go or when you’re traveling. 

Bibs for teething or drooling

Some babies and toddlers are just big droolers, while others only drool when they’re teething. Either way, a lightweight bib can sop up the spit to keep her shirt from getting soaked (and potentially irritating the skin underneath). A drooly tot can go through several cloth bibs a day, so they’re worth buying in bulk. 

  • Cloth bibs are just that: Simple, machine-washable bibs made from a soft, absorbent material like cotton, muslin or terry.  
  • Bandana bibs function just like regular cloth bibs, but with a little more style. They work for any age, but can be especially good for drooly toddlers, since the bandana style looks less babyish. 

Bibs for newborns and little babies

Even babies who aren’t yet eating solids or sprouting pearly whites could use some extra protection. A bib can keep dribbled breastmilk or formula off of your little one’s clothes during feedings — and help sop up the inevitable spit-up that comes after. You’ll probably go through a lot of these each day, so get a bunch.

  • Newborn bibs are extra small cloth bibs designed to fit your baby’s tiny neck. 
  • Multi-use bibs are burp cloths with a contoured shape that can be draped over your baby’s shoulders and used as a bib.

Now that you have an idea of what’s out there, which are the bibs that really deliver? Here, we’ve rounded up our faves.

Why Trust Us?

Best Newborn Baby Bib

Gerber Unisex Newborn Dribbler Bib Bundle

Available at Amazon starting at $13 for six
Pros: Simple; affordable; customizable
Cons: White cotton won’t hide stains
Why We Love It

Soft and absorbent, these little cotton bibs do the job of keeping your new bundle clean, plain and simple. The white color goes with everything, but if you’re feeling crafty, you can always personalize them before your little one arrives. (Hello, tie-dye or embroidery!

Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 0.7 inches

Best Silicone Baby Bib

Oxo Tot Waterproof Silicone Roll-Up Bib

Available at Amazon starting at $20
Pros: Waterproof; wipe-clean fabric at the top is more comfortable on baby’s neck
Cons: Babies can pull Velcro bibs off
Why We Love It

What sets this silicone option apart from the crowd? The top half is actually made from a waterproof, wipe-clean fabric that’s more comfortable on your tot’s neck. What’s more, the bib length is long enough that the large food pocket sits below your child’s tray table — so it catches all the crumbs.

Dimensions: 2 x 8.45 x 11.5 inches

Best Baby Bib for Toddlers

BabyBjörn Baby Bib

Available at Target starting at $20 for two
Pros: Firm; adjustable neckband grows with your child
Cons: Some parents prefer all silicone
Why We Love It

If your older baby or toddler always tears off bibs with Velcro closures, try this one. The soft neckband is totally adjustable, growing with your child from age 4 months and older. It can easily be wiped clean (but is also dishwasher safe) and comes in a slew of stylish pastel colors.

Dimensions: 9.65 inches x 8.25 inches

Best Plastic Baby Bib

Green Sprouts Snap + Go Wipe-Off Bibs

Available at Amazon starting at $10 for three
Pros: Easy to clean; covers baby's torso well; pocket catches a lot of food
Cons: Design wears off after a few washes
Why We Love It

These bibs are free of common plastic chemicals like formaldehyde and PVC — and that's just one thing we love about them. The contoured design, wide shoulders, long body and large catch-all pocket are (almost) guaranteed to keep your tot’s clothes from getting stained. After mealtime is over, the soft material rolls up easily to contain the mess.

Dimensions: 10.5 x 14.75 x 0.5 inches

Best Baby Bib for Extra Coverage

Bumkins SuperBib

Available at Amazon starting at $18 for three
Pros: Wider coverage than other bibs on the market
Cons: Fabric is thinner than silicone options
Why We Love It

Want the long front coverage of a smock bib but don’t feel like dealing with sleeves? This wider option is 10 inches across, so it’ll easily cover spots. The lightweight, stain-resistant polyester isn’t bunchy or uncomfortable, and it’s a cinch to wipe clean.

Dimensions: 12.2 x 8.27 x 0.12 inches

Best Smock Baby Bib

Bumkins Sleeved Bib

Available at Amazon starting at $14
Pros: Full-coverage design
Cons: Little ones might not be thrilled to wear
Why We Love It

This bib's waterproof, stain-resistant, machine-washable fabric is lightweight enough to be comfortable — but sturdy enough to control the mess. Smart elasticized cuffs keep food from creeping up the sleeves, while a crumb catcher pocket keeps it out of your little one’s lap. To top it all off? The tie-back closure is designed for maximum adjustability, so the bib will fit your little one through her second birthday. 

Dimensions: 15.16 x 8.66 x 0.24 inches

Best Short Sleeve Baby Bib

PandaEar Short Sleeve Bib

Available at Amazon starting at $11 for three
Pros: Crumb catcher pocket helps contain even more spills; product has a lifetime warranty
Cons: Machine washable but not dryer-friendly
Why We Love It

Too warm for long sleeves? This short-sleeved option offers more mealtime coverage than a basic front-sitting bib while still keeping your little one warm and comfortable. The crumb catcher pocket and adjustable back ties are great, too.

Dimensions: 8.2 x 7.8 x 0.8 inches

Best Cloth Baby Bib

Burt's Bees Baby Lap-Shoulder Drool Cloths

Available at Amazon starting at $20 for four
Pros: Organic; comfortable; affordable
Cons: Will show more wear and tear than silicone options
Why We Love It

These terry cloth drool moppers offer extra coverage, thanks to a patented design that sits on your baby’s chest and her shoulders. The stretchy neckline means they’re easy to fit over your little one’s head with just one hand (no need to fuss with Velcro or snaps here!). To top it all off, they’re made from 100 percent organic cotton.

Dimensions: 10.25 x 8.75 x 1.5 inches

Best Baby Bib for Teething

Neat Solutions Water Resistant Bibs

Available at Amazon starting at $12 for 10
Pros: Soft and affordable
Cons: Some parents prefer the durability of silicone bibs
Why We Love It

Drool’s no match for these soft bibs, made from absorbent terry cloth and lined with a water-resistant fabric. The hook-and-loop closure offers more adjustability than a snap, so they’ll grow with your baby. Best of all? They’re super affordable and come in a 10-pack.

Dimensions: 0.25 x 8.75 x 12.5 inches

Best Bandana Baby Bib

Nuby Reversible Cotton Muslin Teething Bibs

Available at Amazon starting at $10 for three
Pros: High collar keeps baby clean; added teether provides relief for sore gums
Cons: Not as full-coverage as other options
Why We Love It

These muslin bandana bibs score points for their adorable design. But there’s substance beneath all that style: The high collar keeps drool off of your baby’s neck, and the bottom of the bib has a silicone teething patch for your baby to gnaw on when her gums get sore.

Dimensions: 9 x 0.25 x 12 inches

Best Transitional Baby Bib

Parker Baby Bandana Drool Bibs

Available at Amazon starting at $25 for eight
Pros: Adjustable neckline snaps grow with your child
Cons: Smaller than other bibs on the market
Why We Love It

A polyester fleece backing makes these bandanas extra absorbent, so your little one’s front stays dry. Also nice? The adjustable neckline snaps, which are designed to fit your baby until she hits 24 months. Oh, and you can’t beat the cool, modern colors like sage, clay, olive and rust.

Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.6 x 6 inches

Most Stylish Baby Bib

Aden + Anais Snap Bib

Available at Amazon starting at $15 for three
Pros: Soft; beautiful designs
Cons: Not as functional as some silicone picks
Why We Love It

Looking for something with a little more style? These snap-back bibs offer up the kind of sweet, nursery-inspired designs that are impossible to not “ooh!” and “ahh!” over. (Put them on your registry!) The pre-washed cotton muslin is gentle on your newborn’s delicate skin and only gets softer with time.

Dimensions: 0.02 x 9 x 13 inches

Best Multi-Use Baby Bib

Aden + Anais Classic Burpy Bib

Available at Amazon starting at $24 for two
Pros: Super soft; versatile
Cons: May be more functional as a burp cloth
Why We Love It

These adorable cotton combo bibs are long enough to use as a burp cloth, but have a curved shape that drapes over your baby’s shoulders (plus a snap button to keep it there). With four layers of muslin, they’re super soft and absorbent.

Dimensions: 23.5 x 0.8 x 9 inches

Most Stylish Baby Bib

Mushie Silicone Baby Bib

Available at Amazon starting at $13
Pros: Stylish pastel colors; dishwasher-safe
Cons: A bit more expensive than other options
Why We Love It

Parents love Mushie products for their functionality (this bib is all silicone, dishwasher-safe and has adjustable neckline closures) and style (chic colors and fun patterns). They costs a bit more per item, but given how easy it is to wash and how cute your little one will look in it, you may only need one.

Dimensions: 11.06 x 9.49 x 1.65 inches

Cutest Baby Bib

Hudson Baby Silicone Bib

Available at Amazon starting at $12 for two
Pros: Fun designs; easy-to-clean silicone
Cons: Some reviewers say designs fade over time
Why We Love It

Silicone, adjustable closures and sweet designs (“love at first bite” or “have a pizza my heart”) make these bibs a trifecta of goodness. Choose your desired pattern or design (these bibs come in a two-pack), then enjoy a cleaner mealtime. The bibs are easy to wash by hand, but they’re also dishwasher-safe).

Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 0.8 inches