As parents, we know that mealtime can get really messy! While your little one may thoroughly enjoy orchestrating spills and messes as they explore new, exciting foods, you’re left to clean up these messes and wash the stained clothes. And that adds another task to the already long list of parenting chores!
Worry not, this is where baby feeding bibs come to the rescue. Bibs might seem like a small, avoidable accessory, but they are an absolute must-have in your arsenal to make life as a parent easier. In fact, bibs are the second most-used baby item after diapers!
Whether you’re new to the world of babies or an experienced parent looking to upgrade your baby gear, our comprehensive guide on baby bibs will walk you through everything you need to know—what a bib is, its uses and benefits, and how to choose the right one for your precious little pea.
What is a Bib?
A baby bib is a garment worn around the neck by children, especially infants and toddlers, to protect their clothing and skin from food spills, stains and drool. Their soft, absorbent material instantly soaks up any messes and keeps the baby clean and dry.
Bibs come in different types, shapes, sizes and designs to address different baby growth stages and needs. But no matter the shape or size, they are a life-saving baby essential for all parents.
Uses and Benefits of Bibs
The multiple uses and benefits of bibs for babies and parents alike make them a trusted mealtime companion. Be it protecting the baby’s clothes and skin, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene or reducing the laundry load, bibs are an extremely practical and handy baby essential. If you’re still contemplating whether you need a bib in your bag of baby gear, these uses and benefits of bibs are sure to convince you that you do!
1. Wardrobe Saviour
Babies are awfully cute, but let’s face it, they can also be awfully messy. Bibs act as a protective barrier and prevent food spills, spit-ups and drool from reaching the baby’s clothes. This keeps their clothes dry, clean and free from stains, saving you the hassle of frequent outfit changes. After all, you wouldn't want those adorable outfits to end up with permanent stains.
2. Perfect Protection for Sensitive Skin
A baby’s skin is as delicate as a feather, and spills and wetness from feeding, burping, or teething can irritate it and cause rashes. Bibs soak up all the spills from a baby’s mouth and keep the skin dry and free from irritation, discomfort and allergies. This means more mealtime memories and smiles for you and your tiny tot!
3. Less Laundry, More Laughter
When you’re already juggling so many parenting tasks, any relief comes as a welcome win. While mealtime messes are inevitable, bibs prevent spills and stains on clothes, meaning you’ll have fewer dirty outfits to wash—you can simply clean the bib instead. This saves you so many precious hours and effort, giving you more time to make happy memories with your bundle of joy.
4. Better Hygiene, More Happiness
By soaking up skills and catching fallen food bits in their pockets, bibs help maintain a clean and healthy environment for your baby. Eating clean and staying clean also instills a sense of personal hygiene and cleanliness in your child, reducing the risk of illness and infection caused by unhygienic practices.
5. On-the-go Ease
If cleaning up messes at home is a task, managing messes when you’re travelling or dining out can be an even bigger hassle. Bibs offer a convenient solution—they are lightweight and portable, and disposable bibs can be easily discarded after use, making them a handy accessory to have when you leave the house with your little one.
Lastly, bibs are a very versatile baby utility which can be used for purposes beyond feeding, such as crafts or outdoor activities.
These amazing benefits of bibs are sure to convince you to make them a part of your everyday baby routine!
How to Choose the Right Baby Bib
We’ve covered the basic questions: What is a bib? What are the benefits of using one? But now, let’s address the most important question: How do I choose the right bib for my baby with so many options available?
We know you want only the best for your little one, so here are a few factors to consider while purchasing a baby bib.
1. Material
When choosing a bib for your baby, carefully consider the material. You may opt for soft, breathable and absorbent materials like cotton for drool and spit-ups, while waterproof materials like silicone are easy to clean, and hence, ideal for big feeding spills. Nintara Baby’s bandana bib offers the best of both worlds—crafted with 6 layers of 100% organic cotton with a waterproof layer in the middle, it prevents seepage while also being gentle on your baby’s skin.
Lastly and most importantly, make sure that the bib is made of materials that are free from harmful chemicals and BPA.
2. Size and Coverage
An appropriately sized bib with adequate coverage is necessary to protect the baby’s clothes and skin. The bib should be large enough to protect a significant part of your baby’s clothes during mealtime, but also small enough to ensure a nice, snug fit. While small dribble bibs are sufficient for teething and drooling messes, mealtimes generally necessitate bigger bibs.
3. Ease of Cleaning
Bibs save you the hassle of constant dirty laundry, but they require thorough cleaning after every meal. That’s why, choosing a bib that is easy to maintain can make your life a whole lot easier. Machine washable bibs are convenient for everyday use as they can just be tossed in with the laundry—a blessing for busy parents juggling numerous parenting and household chores. Waterproof bibs, like those made of silicone, can simply be wiped with a wet cloth, making them ideal for quick cleanups on the go. They can even be washed in the dishwasher.
4. Closure Type
Babies are fidgety, always trying to tug at or remove their bibs during mealtime. To prevent this, it's essential to choose bibs which are secure and durable. Bibs with snap buttons are more secure and durable, and therefore less likely to be removed by those curious little hands. Velcro fasteners are quick and easy to put on, adjust and remove.
5. Comfort
Just as with every baby product, perhaps the most important thing to consider while choosing a bib is the comfort of your baby. If your little one is uncomfortable in their bibs, every feeding break will be a cranky struggle. It's also vital that the bib allows your baby to breathe properly.
Design and functionality are, no doubt, key factors to consider while finding a baby bib, but that doesn't mean mealtimes can't be smart and stylish too! You could pick bibs with fun colours and designs to jazz up your little one’s mealtime look, and carefully curate these for different outfits and occasions. After all, your little rockstar deserves his time in the limelight!
Lastly, while high-quality bibs could be slightly more expensive, investing in them can save money in the long run by being more durable and effective.
Baby bibs are a faithful friend in every parenting journey. At Nintara Baby, we have designed the most functional yet fancy baby bib to make managing messes easier for you. Designed with 6 layers of 100% organic cotton, our bibs ensure top-notch comfort and quality. The cherry on top? A waterproof layer in the middle prevents seepage, allowing the bib to be used from both sides! This means extended usability and durability and even fewer laundry loads than usual! Check out our range of baby care products to find the perfect bib for your little one!
