Best Baby Bib
With high scores in nearly every category we tested, the KiddyStar Toddler Bib earns a podium spot. Honestly, you can count on this bib for absorbing mess! The bib's front is 100% certified organic cotton, and the back is 100% polyester fleece. It feels ultra-soft and comfortable (great for babies' delicate skin), and we now wish it came in an adult-sized blanket. Thanks to four snaps on its closure, it offers a range of neck sizes and will likely fit your child as they grow. When it comes to absorbency, this bib is stellar. It absorbs thin liquid, such as water, nearly instantly and thick liquid (think milk) a little slower, making its overall performance one that outshines most of the competition. Also noteworthy is how much it can retain before leaking. Leaks can lead to more outfit changes than a Kardashian at an awards show, so we appreciate a bib that can decrease the chance of additional changes.
The bib is large, a perfect size for toddlers, but too big for tiny babies. So you may want to pass on this option if you seek a small bib. Also, 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 on an ongoing basis, the bib should lay flat to dry. But, you can tumble dry the bib on low heat, which is faster. While testing, we noticed some shrinkage after its initial wash and that the bib's bottom edges slightly curl up. These minor issues are cosmetic and don't influence the bib's performance. With that said, if you have a heavy drooling youngster, 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 another excellent performing cloth bib. It feels ultra-soft with premium cotton on the front and fleece lining on the back. Its absorbency powers are notable, and the cloth retains an impressive amount of liquid before leaking, nearly the same as our top-performing bib, KiddyStar. This bib's closure uses snaps, which we prefer over Velcro or tie, mainly because it is easier for parents and caregivers to use yet comfortable for babies. Plus, the KUDL is easy to launder (wash before drying on low), and we noticed no shrinkage or edges that curl up.
The bib's size is most suitable for a toddler, so you may want to look elsewhere if you seek a small bib for a young baby. Also, it has three snaps on its closure, which is better than some contenders in our lineup, but one less than the top-performer, which slightly dropped its overall score. Aside from minor differences, the KUDL performs nearly the same as the KiddyStar Toddler Bib, and we think it is worth considering.
If you prefer a silicone bib for mealtime and appreciate a good deal, consider the PandaEar Silicone Bib. Made of 100% food-grade silicone (BPA-free), this bib fits babies from 10 months of age and beyond. It is extremely easy to handwash and quick to dry as a silicone bib, making it ready for your baby's next meal. It offers a button and hole closure system, plus four neck-size settings to grow with your little sprout. The material is pliable, and the pocket (which reminds us of a feed trough) stays open to catch liquid and food. We also think this bib is great for meals away from home. Place utensils 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 little tester from removing the bib, and connecting two or more buttons did the trick, creating more strength to prevent them from pulling it off. Also, from our experience, silicone holes are prone to ripping with time. But, we think the bib's cost and the benefits of easy mealtime cleanup outweigh potential rips and consider this option worth adding to your baby gear arsenal.
The MatiMati Bandana Bib is downright stylish and an option for little ones who dribble from teething. The bib has a snap closure, and the material (100% organic cotton front and 100% polyester fleece back) is soft to the touch. We noticed that it lays flat on our tester's chest instead of bunching up underneath the chin, and babies from 3 months of age to 24 months of age can sport this bib. Also, it does a fantastic job at retaining liquid, despite its bandana-style footprint, which is limiting compared to traditional-style bibs.
The bib's care instructions say to dry flat, which can be time-consuming; however, there should always be one ready to go with multiple bibs in a pack. Another drawback is the bib's closure with only two snaps, limiting the bib's longevity. But, if you seek an assortment of adorable bandana-style bibs to coordinate with outfits, we think the quantity and cost of this option could be a fit.
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. This bib is lightweight and pliable and made of food-grade, high-quality silicone (BPA and PVC free). The closure system consists of buttons and holes and offers a range of four neck-size settings. It has a deep, sturdy pocket to catch spills and crumbs, and your baby may be excited to discover leftover treasures hidden in the pocket! The bib's material makes it a breeze to clean - empty the pouch of food, handwash with soapy water, and dry it by air or towel. It is dishwasher safe if you prefer that option. But, we think hand washing will prolong the bib's lifespan.
The pocket does not catch all food crumbs but significantly reduces the amount of food you will be picking up off the floor. In our opinion, the silicone holes can rip over time, and a child's long hair can catch in the closure system. But, despite these flaws, we believe the Happy Healthy Parent Silicone Bib is a mealtime must-have.
The smock-style Bumkins Sleeved Bib offers an advantage that no other bib in our review does: full coverage. The manufacturer recommends this bib for babies 6 months of age to 24 months of age, and between its long sleeves and waterproof fabric (free of BPA, Lead, Phthalates, and PVC), it can protect your child's clothing underneath. The bib has a durable tie closure system and holds up over time, yet not easily undone by babies, which is great when your child is covered in a mess. Plus, for easy cleaning, the bib is machine washable. Toss it into the washer, and let it air dry - voila!
The bib does not have a sturdy, open pocket to catch food like silicone contenders in our lineup. So, if you consider that feature essential, particularly for mealtime, we suggest selecting one of those contenders. Also, despite the bib being flexible, we do not think it's as comfortable as other cloth bibs and can be warm over time. 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 is a bib and teether combo. We consider the bib a drool catcher, and with a built-in teether, you can worry less about a teething toy falling onto a germy floor or out of your baby's reach. The bandana-style bib is made of muslin material, 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 up.
This bib has a few drawbacks to consider. It has limited longevity with only one neck size, the Velcro closure can lose strength over time, and we don't recommend it for heavy drools because it is not overly absorbent. 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 to repel 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 beyond, 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.
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 the 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