In spoon-feeding, parents or caregivers can control the amount of mess made. However, with BWL, the baby takes the lead in their mealtime experience. Often, this means things can get messier since we don’t intervene as the baby experiments and explores food. This is where the right kind of bib can be a game-changer because it could make mealtime clean-up a lot easier. In this article, we’ve gathered our top 10 choices for baby-led weaning bibs. You’ll learn about all the different kinds and styles so you can find the perfect bib for your family’s needs. We also answer some of your top BLW questions on safety and feeding below. So, let’s scroll and have a look.
What Is A Weaning Bib?
Weaning or feeding bibs are fabric worn to keep your baby’s clothes away from drool, dribbles, and baby food spills. There are coveralls, which work like a smock and cover the baby’s upper body. There are also clip-on scoop bibs with a pouch at the bottom to catch spills. These cover only the chest and chin of your baby but are more comfortable to wear. Bibs are part of baby-led weaning essentials as we teach our kiddos self-feeding.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Bibs
Materials
Keep your baby away from harmful chemicals like: BPA and Phthalates – additives in most plastics. Exposure to these chemicals can interfere with natural hormone functioning and brain development. (1) Polyvinyl chloride(PVC) – can be found in most plastics and is a major source of phthalates (2) Lead – is a heavy metal often mixed in paints, plastic, and other common products. Long exposure to lead can cause permanent brain damage and cause poor behaviors. (2) Azo-dyes – chemicals used to color textiles. It can trigger allergies or can even cause cancer. (3) Go for safer alternatives such as:
Organic cotton
Food-grade silicone
The following materials appear to be non-toxic, though more research is needed:
Waterproof fabrics like Polyurethane Laminate (PUL) or Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) (6)
Comfort & Coverage
A bibs’ design should effectively catch crumbs and food. Consider your child’s eating style if they need a coverall or fine with a scoop-up bib. It should also be lightweight and comfortable.
Easy to clean
While most bibs are machine washable, they’ll be more convenient if it’s wipeable and quick to dry.
The 10 Top Bibs For Baby-Led Weaning
1. Bibado Long-sleeve Coverall Weaning Bib
Pricing: $25.95
Key Features
Best Features and Safety:
Covers all of the baby’s upper body The bib is strapped to your highchair, so it catches all the spills Waterproof, soft and stain-resistant
Material:
100% waterproof and stain-resistant fabric Free from BPA, phthalates, and azo-dyes, a harmful chemical used to color most textiles.
Recommended age:
Start of weaning to three years old
Cleaning & Washing Options:
Wipe clean Machine wash at 40 degrees Fahrenheit
Designs & Variations:
It also comes in a short-sleeve variation.
You can choose from these prints:
Arctic Adventure Oceans of Fun Speedy Dinos Magical Unicorns Woodland Friends
Pros & Cons
Pros: It has full coverage, so all the messy spills fall right into the pouch. Your baby’s arms and neck can be kept clean during meals. Cons: If your baby is fussy and doesn’t enjoy changing clothes, putting it on can be a bit of a challenge.
2. Mushie Silicone Baby Bib
Pricing: $12.99
Key Features
Best Features and Safety:
Convenient to use and easy to wear Can easily be clipped on your baby using built-in neck fasteners Stain-resistant and non-absorbent
Material:
Food-grade silicone BPA and phthalate-free
Recommended age:
Six months and up
Cleaning & Washing Options:
Washable with soap Dishwasher-safe
Designs & Variations:
It comes in 30 different colors
Best selling prints include:
Cambridge Blue Lilac Flowers Rainbows
Pros & Cons
Pros: It’s convenient and stain-resistant. Cons: Some parents who bought it say it can be difficult to button in the back.
3. Clean Cub BLW Apron Bib With Suction Cups
Pricing: $24.99
Key Features
Best Features and Safety:
Works like a smock to protect your baby Suction cups attach the bib to the tray to create a placemat surface Has a hook and loop design
Material:
Polyurethane Laminate (PUL) Free from lead, PVC, phthalates, and BPA
Recommended age:
6 to 12 months old
Cleaning & Washing Options:
Machine washable
Designs & Variations:
Pink Green
Pros & Cons
Pros: Because the bib can be attached to the tray, you don’t have to worry about food falling into your baby’s lap. Cons: Some reviewers complained it’s not quick to dry and cannot be put in the dryer.
4. Grabease Allover Bib
Pricing: $26
Key Features
Best Features and Safety:
Uses elastic seams instead of snap or zippers. You can pop your baby’s head in and out of the bib. Great coverage to include the nooks and crannies of your high chair
Material:
100% polyester with TPU coating for waterproofing Free from BPA, PVC, Lead, Phthalate, and Vinyl
Recommended age:
Six up to 24 months
Cleaning & Washing Options:
Wipeable Machine washable
Designs & Variations:
Teal Black Pink Green Gray
Pros & Cons
Pros: It covers not just the tray but the high chair as well. Cons: Some reviewers who bought the product complained that their babies can easily remove the bib because the elastic was too loose.
5. BabyBjörn Baby Bib
Pricing: $12.99
Key Features
Best Features and Safety:
Uses soft plastic that’s non-chafing to your baby’s skin It has a soft neckband that’s fully adjustable The pocket holds its shape so the food inside won’t spill out even when your baby is moving
Material:
Polypropylene (PP) and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) Free from BPA and PVC
Recommended age:
About four months and up
Cleaning & Washing Options:
Wipeable Dishwasher-safe
Designs & Variations:
Powder yellow Powder green Pink Powder pink Powder blue
Pros & Cons
Pros: It has a comfortable, non-chafing neckband, and it’s easy to use and clean. Cons: Some parents who purchase the item said the bib isn’t as bendable as silicone and can limit the baby’s movements.
6. Bumkins SuperBibs
Pricing: $17.95 (Set of 3)
Key Features
Best Features and Safety: Material:
Waterproof fabric Free from BPA, PVC, vinyl, phthalate, and lead
Recommended age:
6 to 24 months
Cleaning & Washing Options:
Machine washable
Designs & Variations:
It comes in bigger sizes Available in 62 unisex designs
Best selling collections include:
DC Comics Disney Baby Harry Potter
Pros & Cons
Pros: It’s affordable and practical. According to some reviewers, it’s also quick to dry and easy to use. Cons: According to some parents who bought the item, the pouch might not be as effective in catching food compared to the pockets of silicone scoop bibs.
7. Happy Healthy Parent E-Z-Clean Silicone Bib
Pricing: $18.97 (Set of 2)
Key Features
Best Features and Safety:
Soft, lightweight, and comfortable Has a wide and deep pocket that stays open to catch spills Offers a lifetime warranty.
Material:
100% food-grade silicone BPA- free and PVC-free
Recommended age:
Six months and up
Cleaning & Washing Options:
Washable with soap Dishwasher-safe
Designs & Variations:
Lime green and turquoise, Pink and purple Red and blue Orange and gray
Pros & Cons
Pros: This waterproof bib is soft and flexible but maintains its shape. Cons: According to some parents who bought the item, the bib can be ripped easily within a few months’ use.
8. Tidy Tot Coverall Bib With Tray Kit
Pricing: $42
Key Features
Best Features and Safety:
Comes with a long-sleeved coverall bib, a sensory tray, a small high chair adaptor, and a travel pouch To use, attach the tray to a compatible high chair or a booster seat. Next, attach the coverall to the front of the tray and place your baby on the highchair. Feed your baby’s arms through the sleeves of the bib. While the tray is compatible with most high chairs, it may be best to seek advice from the seller first.
Material:
Tray: Food Grade Thermopolyurethene. BPA-Free Bib: 100% premium Polyester with PU membrane
Recommended age:
Start of weaning to 2 years old
Cleaning & Washing Options:
Tray: Wipe or wash to clean, Bib: Machine washed at 40 degrees Fahrenheit
Designs & Variations:
Dove Grey Fresh Green
Pros & Cons
Pros: Because the tray is wide, food might not fall on the floor as easily. Cons: While it works with most high chairs and booster seats, you might have to check with the manufacturer if your highchair is compatible.
9. Tiny Twinkle Mess-Proof Apron Bib
Pricing: $12 to $14
Key Features
Best Features and Safety:
Soft, lightweight, and waterproof Its pocket stays open to catch spills but can also be flipped back if you don’t need it.
Material:
Weave fabric PVC, BPA, and phthalate-free
Recommended age:
6 to 24 months
Cleaning & Washing Options:
Wipeable and quick to dry Machine washable
Designs & Variations:
It has 15 designs with varied prints like rainbows, unicorns, polka dots, and more,
Pros & Cons
Pros: The closure goes around the shoulder and not just the neck, so it’s comfortable. Cons: According to some reviewers, the velcro strap can be tugged open by their babies.
10. OXO Roll-Up Bib
Pricing: $14.99
Key Features
Best features and Safety:
The neck straps are made of fabric, so it’s gentle on your baby’s skin The pocket is silicone for easier clean-up.
Material:
Fabric with silicone pocket BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free
Recommended age:
Six months and above
Cleaning & Washing Options:
Wipeable Machine washable
Designs & Variations:
Gray Pink
Pros & Cons
Pros: It’s perfect for traveling because it can be rolled up with a snap-on lock. Cons: According to some reviews, the fabric isn’t easy to clean and must be air-dried.
1. Is Baby-Led Weaning A Fad?
Evidence backs certain benefits of following BLW such as: (4)
It may promote good eating habits Your baby may be at lower risk for obesity or excess gain weight later in life It may reduce picky eating It can make feeding more convenient and easier
Baby-led weaning isn’t suitable for all babies, though. Some babies might not be ready. The following are considered common signs of readiness:
Sits on their own Shows strong head and neck control When you offer food, your baby opens their mouth or attempts to grab the food Your baby can swallow the food rather than spit it out Your baby can move food from the front of their mouth to the back to swallow
2. Can Babies Eat Too Much During Baby-Led Weaning?
A 2015 study published in the Journal of World Obesity suggests that babies who follow BLW recognize the feelings of fullness and know when to stop eating. This means babies eat based on hunger and not because foods were presented to them. When properly followed, BLW can be a safe and empowering feeding approach for the whole family. (1)(5)
3. Do Babies Use Utensils During Baby-Led Weaning?
Your little one already has one of the best baby-led weaning utensils– their fingers! But you can give your baby a chance at learning it early by giving them age-appropriate cutlery. To know more about the use of baby spoons, we have a detailed piece on baby-led weaning spoons.
4. What Do You Need For Baby-Led Weaning?
Here are a few basic things you’ll need:
Good quality high chair Toxin-free weaning bibs BPA-free plates or tray, and cutlery (we prefer silicone or stainless steel)
5. How Many Times In A Day Should You Do Baby-Led Weaning?
Get your baby comfortable eating solid foods slowly with just one meal a day. If you notice your baby is already ready for more, you can gradually increase the frequency of feedings. REFERENCES
