Best Baby Bib
Scoring high in almost every category, the KiddyStar Toddler Bib earns a podium spot. We think this bib is an excellent, well-rounded, trusty bib. The bib's front is 100% certified organic cotton, and the back is 100% polyester fleece. The bib feels ultra-soft and comfortable (great for babies' delicate skin). With four snaps, it offers a range of neck sizes, providing the ability to fit your child as they grow. When it comes to absorbency, it's performance is stellar. Truly, it outshines most of the competition. It absorbs thin liquid (water) nearly instantly and thick liquid (milk) a little slower. Also noteworthy is how much liquid it can retain before leaking. Leaks can lead to more outfit changes than a Kardashian at an awards show.
There are a few downsides to consider. It is large. So, if you seek a small bib, you may want to pass on this option. The bib's care instructions make this option slightly high maintenance—the manufacturer suggests adding a 1/2 cup of vinegar to its initial wash to help set and preserve color, and, for best results, it should lay flat to dry. Alternatively, you could tumble dry the bib on low heat, which is faster, and if you are already running the dryer, why not toss it in? We did notice mild shrinkage after its initial wash, and the bottom edges slightly curl up, but ironing will remedy this issue. With that said, if you don't mind a little work on the front end, and you have a youngster that is a heavy drooler, then the KiddyStar Toddler Bib is your best defense. It will save your sanity by avoiding multiple outfit changes throughout the day, plus you will have no qualms about your baby's comfort.
The KUDL Absorbent Baby Toddler Bib is a top-contender among the cloth bibs. It features premium cotton on the front and fleece lining on the back, which feels ultra-soft. It has incredible absorbency capabilities, absorbing thin liquid instantly and thicker liquid a little slower. Most impressive is how much it can retain before seepage, merely the same amount as our top-performing bib. This bib offers a convenient snap-on closure, which we think is easy to use for the caregiver and most comfortable for baby. The KUDL is easy to launder. Toss it into the washer, then dry it on low heat. While testing, we did not find this bib to shrink after its initial wash, plus the ends do not curl up. We think these are two additional perks on top of its excellent performance.
This bib is large, and we believe it is too big for a newborn, but fitting for a toddler. The bib also offers three neck-size settings, which is better than other contenders in our lineup, but one less than the top-performer. Regardless of this minor difference, the KUDL performs nearly the same as the KiddyStar Toddler Bib, and we think it is worth consideration.
If you prefer a silicone bib for mealtime and appreciate a deal, consider the PandaEar Silicone Bib. It is 100% food-grade, BPA-free silicone, and fits babies 10 months of age and older. We believe the bib is easy to wash by hand and quickly dry with a towel, making it ready for your baby's next meal. It offers a button and hole closure system, plus four neck-size settings. The material is pliable, and the pocket stays open to catch liquid and food. We also think this bib is great for meals away from home. Place a utensil in the pocket, roll the bib up, stash it in the diaper bag, and hit the road.
We discovered that fastening only one button was not enough protection to keep our baby tester from removing the bib during testing. However, connecting two or more buttons created more strength and prevented the baby from pulling it off. Also, from our experience, silicone holes are prone to ripping with time. Despite these flaws, this silicone bib is easy to clean and dry, and it makes mealtime cleanup a breeze. Plus, its low cost is eye-catching. We think this bib is worthy of joining your baby gear arsenal.
The MatiMati Bandana Bib is noticeably stylish and a good option for little ones who dribble from teething. The front is 100% organic cotton, and the back is 100% polyester fleece. The bib is soft to the touch, primarily the fleece on the backside, and we noticed it lays flat on baby's chest instead of bunching up underneath the chin. The bib snaps on, and babies from 3 months to 24 months of age can wear it. It slowly absorbs thin liquid, and it is excellent at retaining a decent amount. However, due to its bandana size and limited footprint, we believe it doesn't hold as much as traditional-style bibs.
The bib absorbs thin liquid slowly and struggles to absorb thick liquid well. It can retain a decent amount of liquid before seepage, nearly matching the traditional-style cloth bibs, but its bandana-style shape is smaller, causing the bib to tap out earlier. The bib is easy to wash, but care instructions say to lay it flat to dry, and we view this as time-consuming. It also offers two neck-size settings, which we believe is limiting; you either have large or small, but no other choice. Although this bib lacks a range of adjustability, it is a bronze medalist for absorbency, given how much it can retain. We recommend this stylish bib to families who appreciate the quantity of 8 bibs, plus at a reasonable price.
Cloth bibs and mealtime don't always mix, especially when you have a messy eater on your hands. Thankfully, the Happy Healthy Parent Silicone Bib answers the call of making mealtime easier to clean up. The bib's material includes food-grade, high-quality silicone, free of BPA and PVC, 100% waterproof, lightweight, and pliable. Plus, silicone does not easily stain like cloth. The closure system consists of buttons and holes, which are relatively easy to connect and disconnect, and it offers a range of four neck-size settings. Most noticeable is its deep sturdy pocket that stays open to catch spills and food, and your baby may be excited to discover leftover treasures in the pocket. When it comes to cleaning the bib, the task couldn't be easier - empty the pouch of food, handwash the bib with soapy water, and let it air dry or towel it off. However, if you prefer to stick it in the dishwasher, it is dishwasher safe. But, we think hand washing will prolong the bib's lifespan. The ease of wiping, washing, and quick-drying this bib makes it an excellent travel-friendly option, too.
This bib is not for soaking-up drool or to be worn for an extended time. We think the pocket does not catch-all, but significantly reduces the amount of food you will be picking up off the floor. In our opinion, the buttonholes can rip over time, and a child's long hair can catch in the closure system. Despite these flaws, we believe the Happy Healthy Parent Silicone Bib is one of the easiest bibs to use and a mealtime must-have.
The smock-style Bumkins Sleeved Bib offers an advantage that other bibs in our review do not: full-coverage. Its waterproof fabric and long sleeves protect clothing underneath. This bib is suitable for babies 6 months to 24 months of age. The material is free of BPA, Lead, Phthalates, and PVC. The closure system is a tie that holds its durability over time and is not easily undone by baby, which is great for when your little one is covered in a mess. Another bonus is that this bib is machine washable. Toss it into the washer, and let it air-dry.
A downside of this bib is that the large pocket is basted 1/4 inch in the middle at the top to preserve the pocket shape, which limits what you can place inside. Also, the bib is relatively long, and the pocket lays at lap level, so it is not very effective at catching food. Even though the bib is soft and flexible, we do not think it's as comfortable as other cloth bibs. But, if you have a little Picasso who enjoys messy art exploration or a child who wants to feed themself, then this bib is an excellent full-coverage option.
Do you have a teething babe on your hands? The Nuby Reversible Muslin Teething Bib stands out among the competition as a bib and teether combo. We consider the bib a drool catcher and, with a built-in teether, worry less about teething toys falling onto a germy floor or out of your baby's reach. The bandana style bib is made of muslin, sports a high collar to keep drool off your baby's neck, and the teether (BPA-free) is attached at the tip, easily accessible for little hands. Wash and tumble dry this bib on low heat, and the fabric feels softer with each wash. This bib is designed for little ones as early as 3 months of age and on.
This bib does have a few drawbacks. The bib offers one neck-size, and we think this limits the amount of time the bib can be of service to your growing baby. It uses a Velcro closure system, and, from our experience, we believe Velcro loses strength over time, making it easier for babies to remove bib. We did notice slight shrinkage after laundering, and, from hands-on testing, we believe this bib is not overly absorbent. Therefore, we do not recommend it for heavy droolers. With that said, the Nuby may not be your primary bib, but it provides a unique solution for your teething baby with its convenient teether and bib to catch dribbles.
The Aden + Anais Burpy Bib is undoubtedly versatile. It features a 2-in-1 design. Use it as a burp cloth or snap-on bib. This bib is made of 100% cotton muslin and feels soft, which is excellent for a baby's delicate skin. It is one of the largest bibs in our lineup, and its kidney bean shape and substantial size provide superior coverage, making it handy when burping or feeding. This bib is easy to wash and can tumble dry on low heat. From our experience, this bib offers longevity. Use it from day one when you welcome home your sweet little babe, all the way to introducing solids, and beyond.
The Burpy Bib has a few downsides. It lacks absorbency powers, even with its quilted material. It absorbs both thin and thick liquid quickly but performs better with smaller amounts than larger volumes. The baby bib offers only one neck-size, and the neck space is on the larger side. We also noticed some mild shrinkage after its initial wash. Regardless of these flaws, we believe this bib is worth the splurge for its dual-purpose, longevity, and generous size that offers excellent coverage.
Combining cloth and silicone, the OXO Roll Up Bib is an innovative option. Since silicone button and hole closure systems can be prone to rips with repeated use over time, the OXO Roll Up Bib solves this issue. On top, instead of silicone, it features fabric with a Velcro closure. This material is 100% nylon coated in polyurethane (PU), allowing liquid repels off the fabric. On the bottom, the bib features a sturdy food-grade silicone pocket to catch spills and food. This bib is great for babies 6 months of age and on, especially as the Velcro closure offers neck-size adjustability. The bib is easy to wipe off, and you can either hand wash or machine wash it before air drying. The bib can also roll into the silicone pocket and stay closed with a closure, making it travel-friendly.
We noticed that the bib's fabric is initially a little crunchy and stiff but softens with time. A Velcro closure system has the potential to lose durability over time, making it easier for your baby to remove the bib. Users mention the fabric on top may be prone to mold and musty smells if not thoroughly dried, and it does not dry as quickly as full silicone bibs. From our experience, the closure that keeps the bib rolled up for travel is not always reliable, especially when tossed around in a diaper bag. Despite these flaws, if you don't mind a Velcro closure and want the perks of silicone on the bottom for easy cleanup, this hybrid bib is worth consideration.
It is dangerous to let your baby fall asleep while wearing any bib, so remove it shortly after use to avoid this situation.
Why You Should Trust Us
With nearly a decade of testing experience, BabyGearLab holds extensive knowledge of all-things-baby and a unique skill set to guide our testing and ranking process. Leading our review is Molly Bradac, Senior Review Editor, Nanny, and Newborn Care Specialist, with over 14 years of childcare experience. Molly can effortlessly transfer her background, knowledge, and expertise to the world of baby gear, especially when it comes to baby bibs. She truly knows what will meet parent and baby standards, so take advantage of her recommendations. We purchased each bib in our review, completed hands-on testing, and side-by-side comparisons to determine performance.
Analysis and Test Results
We laundered each bib multiple times, following its manufacturer's care instructions, before hands-on testing to assess performance, particularly with absorbency, ease of use, and comfort. We also enlisted little testers' help, allowing us to determine how each bib functions in everyday life.
Absorbency
The primary function of a bib is to absorb and protect clothing underneath from wetness and mess. It is essential to know how well a bib absorbs and how much liquid it can retain before seeping. We tested two fluids of different consistencies (milk and water) on each bib's material to assess the absorbency threshold. A dose of the liquid was administered to the same location and repeated until leakage. Of all the bibs in our review, the Aden + Anais Burpy Bib and the Nuby Reversible Muslin Teething Bib struggled with absorbency, offering some of the worst results. Alternatively, the KiddyStar Toddler Bib and the KUDL Absorbent Baby Toddler Bib did the best. They can retain a considerable amount of liquid before the clothing underneath starts to get wet. Coming in behind the KiddyStar and KUDL is the MatiMati Bandana Bib. Although this bib struggles to absorb denser liquid and its bandana shape with less surface area limits the amount it can retain, it does have the ability to hold a fair amount of thin fluid before seeping.
Comfort
We examined the material, neck-size adjustability, and comfort of each product's closure system for this metric. We think a snap closure is the most comfortable for babies and consider ties, Velcro, and buttons and holes not as cozy due to various factors, like hair getting stuck. Plus, drooly babies may be wearing a cloth bib for an extended period, so comfort is vital. The KiddyStar Toddler Bib is the king of comfort with incredibly soft material, primarily the fleece backing. It has a snap closure system, plus a range of four neck-size settings, allowing it to grow with your baby. On the flip-side, the Nuby Reversible Muslin Teething Bib does not rank as high, considering it offers a Velcro closure and only one neck-size setting.
Easy to Use
If a bib is easy to use, there's a greater chance you will frequently use it. It should also be easy to launder and dry, plus easy to put on and take off your baby. The all-star champ in this metric is the Happy Healthy Parent Silicone Bib. This bib is easy to wipe, wash, and quick to dry, making it ready for multiple mealtimes throughout your day. However, the MatiMati Bandana Bib did not excel in this metric, mainly due to its care instructions that recommend laying the bib flat to dry, consuming time and space.
Conclusion
Navigating the world of bibs can be dizzying. Thankfully, our review provides the details you need to make your informed decision. And, truth be told, a baby bib is essential, and you may even need a combination of bibs to get your little one through the day. Let our expert recommendations guide you to the best baby bib that will meet your needs and budget.
— Molly Bradac