The Best Baby Bibs for Starting Solids & Baby-Led Weaning | Rated By Real Moms
The Baby-led feeding stage is an exciting journey, but let’s be real—it can get messy! That’s why choosing the best bibs for baby-led weaning can make all the difference in keeping your baby’s clothes clean and reducing your post-meal cleanup.
With so many options out there, it can feel overwhelming to find the perfect bib.
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know to help you find the best baby bibs for your weaning journey.
Every bib option on my list is one that I’ve either personally tested or my mommy friends tested with their kids.
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Why You Can Trust Us
I’m a mom of two who did baby-led weaning with both my kids. I’m also a BLW coach to other moms, helping them on their solid food journey.
So you know that everything I recommend is items that I’ve either personally used or have been used by one of my mommy friends.
I strive only to give recommendations of tried and tested products.
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How We Chose the Best Bibs For Baby-led Weaning
The bibs on this list are bibs that I and my very close group of mom friends have used in the past.
Most of them were used by both my kids for about 3 years until they outgrew the bib-wearing stage.
Before choosing these items, I tested countless numbers of bibs on the market until I found some that worked for my active kids.
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Are Bibs Safe During Baby-Led Weaning?
Bibs are safe to use during baby-led weaning, as long as they’re designed with your baby’s comfort and safety in mind.
You should always look for features like a secure velcro strap or loop closure that won’t irritate your baby’s neck.
You should also get bibs that aren’t made with toxic materials like BPA to ensure your baby’s safety.
Bibs made from food-grade silicone or soft fabric are great options because they’re gentle on your baby’s skin and easy to clean.
Using the right bib protects your baby’s clothes and encourages more relaxed, mess-free mealtimes during the weaning stage.
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Tips for Choosing A Bib for Baby-Led Weaning
Are They Machine Washable?
When you serve messy foods like spaghetti, a machine-washable bib can save you a lot of time. Look for bibs made with waterproof fabric or silicone bibs that you can easily toss into the washing machine with your regular laundry.
What Material Are They Made From?
The material of the bib is more important than you might think! Food-grade silicone, soft fabric, and waterproof material make cleanup easier and keep your baby comfortable.
How Much Food Can They Catch?
Bibs with a catch-all tray or deep pocket are great options for messier meals during baby-led weaning.
These bibs are designed to catch dropped soft table foods or sticky purees, which means less mess on the floor after each meal.
How Easy Is It to Put On?
If you’ve got a wiggly baby or toddler, ease of use is crucial.
Look for bibs with simple features like a velcro strap, elastic cuffs, or a loop closure. These make it much easier to get the bib on quickly, even when your baby is ready to dive into their meal.
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Materials Used to Make Baby Bibs
Polyester Bibs
Polyester bibs are a popular choice because they’re affordable and easy to clean.
These bibs are often lined with a waterproof material to prevent leaks and keep your baby’s clothes dry.
However, they may not always be as soft as other materials, so be sure to look for ones with a soft fabric lining for comfort.
Silicone Bibs
Silicone bibs are a favorite for baby-led weaning because they are both waterproof and easy to clean.
They usually have a deep pocket or catch-all tray that catches food before it lands on your baby’s clothes or the floor.
Plus, silicone bibs are durable and long-lasting, making them a great option for the long-term needs of your growing baby.
Muslin Bibs
If you’re looking for something light and breathable, muslin bibs might be the right choice.
These bibs are made from soft cotton fabric, making them a comfortable option for babies with sensitive skin.
They may not offer as much coverage as silicone bibs or long-sleeve bibs, but they work well for babies still in the early days of spoon-feeding purees or just starting solid foods.
Types of Bib for Baby-led Weaning
Apron-Style Bibs
For babies ready to dive into more messy play, apron-style bibs may be the best. They’re easy to put on and often feature adjustable velcro straps and elastic cuffs.
These bibs protect not just the baby’s clothes but also the high chair and surrounding area. They’re great for babies in the weaning stage who are exploring real food.
Long Sleeves
When things get really messy, a long-sleeve bib with front coverage is your best friend.
These bibs cover your baby’s arms and chest, keeping food off their clothes and hands. This style is ideal for babies eating finger foods or trying new pieces of food that tend to make a mess.
Plus, they’re easy to clean and help protect those adorable little outfits.
Bibs with Catch-All Trays
For babies who love to throw food, bibs with catch-all trays are a game-changer.
These bibs often feature a deep pocket or suction cup at the bottom, designed to catch food that falls from your baby’s open cup or hands.
They’re a lifesaver when your little one is learning to self-feed and master their pincer grasp.
Top 5 Baby-led Weaning Bibs For Starting Solids
Tiny Twinkle Mess-Proof Waterproof Baby Bib
What We Love:
- Long sleeve coverage
- It has a catch-all pocket
- Machine-washable
- Dryer safe on low-heat
The Downside:
- Velcro closure sometimes gets caught in a baby’s hair
Our Experience:
This has to be the best coverall bib on the market for baby-led weaning. I own about 7 of them, not including the ones we have at the grandparents’ home.
They are so easy to put on when your baby is ready to be fed. The catch-all pockets work best when you put the bib on, over the high chair straps.
I like that the Tiny Twinkle long-sleeve bibs are made with a harder material than others on the market. This makes them more durable for machine-washing and drying (on low heat)
Get the Tiny Twinkle Mess-Proof Waterproof Baby Bib from Amazon
MOTEERLLU Coverall Baby Feeding Bib
What We Love:
- Full coverage long-sleeve bib
- Uniquely designed to cover the high chair tray
- Has a built-in storage pouch
- Machine washable
The Downside:
- Might be hard for suction plates to stick on the tray over the bib
Our Experience:
This is another baby-led weaning bib that I love. It has a unique design that allows it to cover your whole baby and the high chair tray at the same time.
So you won’t even have to worry about getting the high chair tray dirty during feedings. It also has a built-in storage pouch that makes it very travel-friendly.
Overall the moms I know who used this bib were very happy with it because it gave them mess-free meals and peace of mind.
The only issue they had was that a lot of suction plates may have difficulty sticking to the high chair with the bib over it.
Get the MOTEERLLU Coverall Baby Feeding Bib from Amazon
What We Love:
- A sleeved bib with something extra
- Built-in silicon catch-all attachment
- 2-in-one system
The Downside:
- A bit pricey
Our Experience:
If you like the cute silicone baby bibs but still desire the full coverage of a long-sleeve bib, then this one is for you.
It comes with a built-in silicone catch-all tray that can be removed when necessary. It really is the best of both worlds.
This would be great for very messy eaters who need a little more than just a sleeved bib.
Get the OXO Tot Sleeved Roll-Up Bib at Amazon
What We Love:
- Very lightweight compared to others
- Easy to clean
- Dishwasher safe
The Downside:
- May not work for older babies
- Wiggly babies may knock the food off the catcher easily
Our Experience:
My very good friend swears by this Lalo silicone bib for her kid. I tried it with my kids for a week, and I must say that I understand why.
Unlike most silicone bibs, this one is very lightweight so it won’t be too heavy on your baby. it also catches a lot of dropped food items than I expected.
Overall, I think this is one of the best silicone bibs I’ve used for my kids.
Get the Lalo Silicone Bib from Amazon
What We Love:
- An alternative to the Lalo silicone bibs
- Easy to put on with snap closure
- Has a built-in food catcher
- long-sleeve shirt bib
The Downside:
- A little expensive
Our Experience:
This is a great alternative to the Tiny Twinkle bib mentioned above. It has similar features as well.
I like this Lalo brand of sleeved bib because of the snap closure it has. I find that the velcro closures can get caught in my baby’s hair or clothes which is a little annoying so it’s good that this brand doesn’t have that.
Get the Lalo smock bibs from Amazon
FAQs About Bibs for Baby-led Weaning
Which bibs are best for weaning?
Long-sleeve bibs and silicone bibs are the best for baby-led weaning. They have catch-all pockets that catch dropped food as your baby eats. This reduces the amount of mess on the floor after feeding.
How many bibs do I need for weaning?
I would suggest getting 5-7 bibs when starting solid foods. This would ensure you have enough for breakfast, lunch, and dinner without washing and drying each one after feeding. You can always add more bibs as you go, according to your baby’s needs.
What other things do I need for baby-led weaning?
To ensure a smooth baby-led weaning journey, you’ll need a good high chair, spoons for every stage of feeding, baby-led weaning suction plates, and a straw cup for drinking. Check out the articles below for my in-depth review of different baby-led weaning essentials
What age should you use dribble bibs?
Dribble bibs are best for babies between 4-6 months of age before they start baby-led weaning. Dribble bibs help absorb drool and spit up from your baby’s mouth. Parents who do puree feeding use them to keep their baby’s clothes clean. Infant self-feeding is a messy business, so these bibs would not work for that.
At what age can you use silicone bibs?
Babies who are old enough to start solid foods, around 6 months, can use silicone bibs. Silicone bibs have a catch-all tray that allows it to collect dropped food that would otherwise have ended up on the ground.
Final Thoughts About The Best Bibs for Baby-led Weaning
Choosing the right bib can make your baby-led weaning journey a lot easier and less stressful. Whether you go for silicone bibs, long-sleeve smocks, or apron-style, the key is finding one that fits your baby’s needs and keeps mealtime messes under control.
Look for features like deep pockets, waterproof material, and easy cleaning to save yourself time and effort. With the best baby bibs, you can focus more on enjoying mealtimes and watching your little one explore new solid foods.
