What is a bib?
The bib is a piece of cloth or disposable paper that fits over the shoulder and chest and has a large section designed to absorb any food and liquids that may be spilled during mealtime.
Bibs are usually worn by babies, who can't keep themselves from squirming around when suddenly faced with a huge spoonful of cereal. Bibs allow parents to feed their children without worrying about messes or stains on clothes.
Bibs are not only made for children. In fact, there are bibs specifically designed for adults to wear during messy hobbies such as painting. It is a collection of ties that can be worn in a formal setting and used to protect a shirt from stains that may occur during hobbies such as painting, cooking, carpentry, or pastry decorating.
Types of baby bibs
There are several different types of baby bibs, including:
- The classic bib – a piece of cloth secured around the neck with Velcro or snaps
- Disposable bibs – made from paper and come pre-folded in self-contained pouches. They're designed just for single use.
- Padded and quilted bibs – these offer more protection than other models and often sport an embroidered design on the front section.
- Wipeable bibs – Some brands sell waterproof bibs that can be wiped clean after each meal to avoid stains and odors. These types of baby bibs are especially beneficial when your baby is teething because they can offer a smooth surface for your baby to gnaw on while keeping the bib free from drool.
Bibs designed to be worn at mealtimes also come in two types:
- Snaps around the neck – these are adjustable and allow you to control how tight or loose you want the bib to fit.
- Velcro strips – allow you to adjust the straps by tugging them until they're comfortable. They also make replacing wet or dirty bibs easier, since all you have to do is pull one off and put another on when it's clean.
What is a baby drool bib?
Drool bibs are large towels that you can wear around your neck to protect your clothes during teething. They usually feature a strap that you can adjust, and absorbent materials (they're made of either cotton or microfiber).
Drool bibs are designed to keep your clothes dry, no matter how much slobber your baby produces during mealtime. If you're using a regular bib without this type of neck accessory, food can get trapped around the neck area and end up causing stains on your clothes.
What are feeding bibs?
Feeding bibs are worn by babies once they've started eating solid foods (usually at 6 months old). They feature a large section that protects their clothing from spills, crumbs and mysterious squirts of fruit purees.
Most feeding bibs have an opening in front where you can slip in a spoon or small bowl filled with food. You can use these types of bibs when your baby is eating at home or out of the house.
What is the difference between baby drool bibs and feeding-time bibs?
Baby drool bibs are intended for use with infants during mealtimes when milk or food might dribble onto the child's clothes. A typical baby drool bib is a durable, machine washable material with snaps around the crotch area so it can easily attach to a baby's diaper.
Baby feeding bibs also have snaps but they're meant for wearing over a real shirt rather than a disposable one that gets thrown away after each meal. Bib clips are another option, but these are less suitable because they're not as absorbent as bibs with snaps or Velcro strips.
Some brands also offer drool bibs that feature a pocket in front where you can slip crumpled up small pieces of paper for your baby to chew on. This type of drool catcher is great for infants who are teething. They provide safe, washable materials for your child to chew on when he or she gets the urge during mealtimes.
Feeding bibs, however, don't have pockets and aren't made from material that's ideal for babies who need something to gnaw on while eating their meals. If your child needs something to help him or her focus on chewing, you can use two bibs and put a crinkled-up piece of paper between them before securing everything around your baby's neck.
If you're looking for a one-stop solution when it comes to keeping your baby's clothes clean when mealtime arrives, drool bibs are the best choice because they come in handy during both feeding and teething.
They attach to your child's diaper (or clothing) using adjustable straps made from either sturdy plastic or soft fabric. When it's time to clean up, you can simply throw the entire bib into the washing machine and let it air dry.
Choosing the right size of the bib
There are many different sizes, colors, and patterns to choose from when you're looking for the perfect bib. The measurements listed on the bib should correspond to your baby's neck size. If it doesn't, don't buy the product because it won't fit properly.
Some necklines are adjustable, but others may not be so picky about neck circumference. This is especially important if you've got a baby with an enormous head or one that's full of chubby rolls around his neck, as it could affect how well he can move his face while eating.
Avoid this problem by checking to see whether the bib has Velcro fasteners or snaps, which will allow you to tighten or loosen the neckline according to your needs.
In addition, some bibs come with a pocket in the front to reduce the amount of mess your child will make. The pockets are usually lined with waterproof material, and they can be removed for easy cleaning.
What materials to choose?
When it comes to bib materials, you should opt for cotton or a similar soft fabric. The material should be thick and absorbent enough to protect your child's clothing from stains and spills. Washable sleeve lining is also recommended if the whole bib doesn't detach from its snaps (or fasteners).
If your baby needs something to gnaw on while eating their meals, the best option is to use two feeding bibs with crinkled-up pieces of paper between them. This will provide him or her with plenty of safe, washable material without having to worry about food getting stuck in one place around the neckline.
Choosing an ideal feeding bib can be tough this type of product isn't something you'll buy every day, so it's probably best to choose more than one and rotate them during laundry days. Babies can be messy eaters especially when they're young, so the best strategy is to have a few of these bibs on hand in case your child needs some extra protection while he or she eats.
How long should a bib last?
You'll find that most baby bibs can be used from when your child is about 4 months old all the way up to 3 years old. Older children may not need a bib during mealtimes because their eating habits have improved and they're no longer as messy as they were before!
It's a good idea to go ahead and buy an extra pack if you know you're going to use them often or look into getting some adult-size bibs instead when your kids get older to avoid confusion among different members of your family.
Tips on how to choose a good bib for your baby
- Never choose a bib that's too small for your child. It should fit snugly but not be so tight as to restrict movement around the face.
- Choose a soft, thick fabric that won't irritate your baby's skin or cause discomfort when he or she is wearing it.
- Make sure the neckline can be adjusted to fit your baby perfectly and isn't going to chafe their delicate skin while wearing it.
- If you choose a pocketed bib, make sure it doesn't have any holes nearby the pocket since these will allow food particles to get inside and make a mess of things later on.
- Get an extra pack of bibs if you know you're going to need them on a regular basis because they can take a beating when your baby gets older.
- It's best to choose adult-sized bibs when your kids get older in order to avoid confusion among family members.
Can you make a bib of your own?
Yes, you can make your own bib out of any material you like, but it's best to focus on the essentials. Make sure the neck is adjustable and fold over fabric around the edges to avoid leaks or food particles getting inside.
If possible, choose an absorbent material that will soak up any messes for good hygiene reasons. You can use cloth diapers without their inserts or even thick paper towel pieces if you want to be economical about it.
Steps on how to make it yourself
Choose your material. You can use cotton, burlap, denim, or any other type of fabric you like. If the bib is pocket-style, make sure to choose heavy-duty paper (such as thermal fax paper) for the inside layer.
Cut out two pieces in whatever shape you'd like and sew them together at their edges with a strong thread. Sew the neckline with the same tool, but make sure it's adjustable according to your baby's needs.
If you're using cloth diapers without their inserts or more than one piece of paper towel, just place them between the two layers of fabric before sewing up the edges to form an internal pocket. This will act as extra protection against leaks and stains when your child is eating.
Tips on how to wash bibs
You should never put the neckline of a bib in the washing machine because it can stretch out and become detached if you do this. They're best washed by hand with some soap and warm water, then left out to dry overnight before being used again.
You'll find that most bibs are made with fabrics that don't require ironing after they've dried, but you should always refer to the manufacturer's instructions if possible. Bibs will usually say "wash before wearing" or something along those lines, so make sure you check first before using your new product!
Did you know? Some people think that baby drool is more harmful than adult drool, but this is not true. Baby drool actually has more germs than adult drool, so it's good to practice extra hygiene around them.
You can buy reusable mesh bibs for your baby or toddler, which are especially useful if they tend to knock bottles over and make a mess of things when drinking. They're easy to pull down and clean after each use without having to worry about any fabric falling apart under the pressure of daily wear and tear.
Summary
There are various types of bibs that you can choose from, depending on the age-appropriateness of the product as well as what features will be most helpful (such as pocketed bibs if you want something you can take off quickly).
Choose an adjustable neckline so you won't have to worry about it being too tight or loose. You should also consider getting a few bibs if your baby goes through them fast since they can fall apart easily when handled by children who are still learning how to eat properly