The Drool Bib
The first kind of bib that you are likely to encounter as a new parent is the cutesy drool bib. This bib probably came as an accessory to an outfit for your little one...most likely size 0-6 months. These bibs are small and not meant to be worn when feeding solid foods, trust me. They are designed for the baby to wear while donning the adorable outfit that it came with. I call them drool bibs because their sole purpose is to soak up the drool that pours from your child's mouth thus protecting the outfit underneath. They are usually secured with Velcro or a snap, neither of which your child will be strong enough to undo at this early stage in their life (that comes a little later).
The (Unlined) Cloth Bib
This bib is great for bottle feeding your baby or even the early stages of solid foods because they are larger and soak up liquids well. We didn't use bibs when we gave Tanner and Abigail bottles and most of their clothing has the milk/vitamin stains around the collar to prove it. As they drink from a bottle milk drips down the sides of their mouth and gets stuck in the adorable folds of their neck. If you don't clean this area regularly the milk will begin to smells like rotten cheese. There are few things more off-putting than nuzzling your beautiful baby and getting a whiff of rotten cheese, just sayin'.
The (Lined) Cloth Bib
We began using these bibs when Tanner and Abigail really got into solid foods. In the beginning each Twinkie used a clean bib for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This idea came to a screeching halt when we ran out of bibs on day two. As I threw all the bibs into the washing machine I decided I would give each one a new bib at breakfast and they would use it all day unless it got really gross (which happens once in a while). I hung all of their clean bibs on one side of their highchair and the bib "in use" hung on the opposite side. This was our system for a long time. When they began crawling/walking we had to move the bibs because they were constantly taking them off the chairs and dropping them in places around the house.
After a while the Velcro on these bibs got worn out from constant use and Tanner and Abigail realized they were strong enough to take them off. This is when I began using large safety pins to secure the bibs during meal time. It can be very frustrating trying to feed two babies are replace bibs that are constantly being taken off and thrown to the floor. Every once in a while I forget to use the safety pins and one of them will remind me by tearing their bib off mid-bite and smearing food all over the front of their (usually white) outfit. After a few months the bibs develop an odor, one that you would not want around your face if you were eating. Since these bibs are not washed everyday, the remains from each meal set in until laundry day so every few months we throw them out and buy new ones. Recently I switched to waterproof bibs (see below) so I wouldn't have to continually buy new bibs.
Pullover Bib
Once Tanner and Abigail perfected their bib removal skills I looked into this kind of bib because I figured they wouldn't be able to take them off. They are not as common as other bibs so they are a little harder to find. After some online research I found a FREE pattern for making one from a dish towel. I consider myself a somewhat crafty person, but with the twins I don't have time to sew. Luckily my SUPER-CRAFTY mother-in-law lives just down the road and was happy to make one for me to try out. Abigail had the bib off within a matter of minutes...so much for that idea.
Waterproof Bib
My friend Susan gave me a bunch of Bumkins bibs before Tanner and Abigail were born. These bibs are made from waterproof fabric that is both stain AND odor resistant and they have a pocket on the bottom to catch the food that doesn't make it into your child's mouth. I began using these bibs exclusively this week because I had to throw out all of our lined bibs (see above). Tanner and Abigail still use one bib a day, but after each meal I rinse their bibs off in the sink and hang them up to dry until the next meal. So far we have no lingering food or milk setting into the fabric and stinking up the kitchen...that makes me happy. The pocket is great for catching dropped finger foods although it doesn't collect the bits of food Abigail stuffs between herself and the side of her highchair, a bib can only do so much. Since these were hand-me-down bibs the Velcro is quite worn so I use the safety pins to secure them like I did with the lined bibs. So far I like these bibs the best because they are easy to clean and (potentially) won't smell bad after prolonged use.
The first kind of bib that you are likely to encounter as a new parent is the cutesy drool bib. This bib probably came as an accessory to an outfit for your little one...most likely size 0-6 months. These bibs are small and not meant to be worn when feeding solid foods, trust me. They are designed for the baby to wear while donning the adorable outfit that it came with. I call them drool bibs because their sole purpose is to soak up the drool that pours from your child's mouth thus protecting the outfit underneath. They are usually secured with Velcro or a snap, neither of which your child will be strong enough to undo at this early stage in their life (that comes a little later).
The (Unlined) Cloth Bib
This bib is great for bottle feeding your baby or even the early stages of solid foods because they are larger and soak up liquids well. We didn't use bibs when we gave Tanner and Abigail bottles and most of their clothing has the milk/vitamin stains around the collar to prove it. As they drink from a bottle milk drips down the sides of their mouth and gets stuck in the adorable folds of their neck. If you don't clean this area regularly the milk will begin to smells like rotten cheese. There are few things more off-putting than nuzzling your beautiful baby and getting a whiff of rotten cheese, just sayin'.
The (Lined) Cloth Bib
We began using these bibs when Tanner and Abigail really got into solid foods. In the beginning each Twinkie used a clean bib for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This idea came to a screeching halt when we ran out of bibs on day two. As I threw all the bibs into the washing machine I decided I would give each one a new bib at breakfast and they would use it all day unless it got really gross (which happens once in a while). I hung all of their clean bibs on one side of their highchair and the bib "in use" hung on the opposite side. This was our system for a long time. When they began crawling/walking we had to move the bibs because they were constantly taking them off the chairs and dropping them in places around the house.
After a while the Velcro on these bibs got worn out from constant use and Tanner and Abigail realized they were strong enough to take them off. This is when I began using large safety pins to secure the bibs during meal time. It can be very frustrating trying to feed two babies are replace bibs that are constantly being taken off and thrown to the floor. Every once in a while I forget to use the safety pins and one of them will remind me by tearing their bib off mid-bite and smearing food all over the front of their (usually white) outfit. After a few months the bibs develop an odor, one that you would not want around your face if you were eating. Since these bibs are not washed everyday, the remains from each meal set in until laundry day so every few months we throw them out and buy new ones. Recently I switched to waterproof bibs (see below) so I wouldn't have to continually buy new bibs.
Pullover Bib
Once Tanner and Abigail perfected their bib removal skills I looked into this kind of bib because I figured they wouldn't be able to take them off. They are not as common as other bibs so they are a little harder to find. After some online research I found a FREE pattern for making one from a dish towel. I consider myself a somewhat crafty person, but with the twins I don't have time to sew. Luckily my SUPER-CRAFTY mother-in-law lives just down the road and was happy to make one for me to try out. Abigail had the bib off within a matter of minutes...so much for that idea.
Waterproof Bib
My friend Susan gave me a bunch of Bumkins bibs before Tanner and Abigail were born. These bibs are made from waterproof fabric that is both stain AND odor resistant and they have a pocket on the bottom to catch the food that doesn't make it into your child's mouth. I began using these bibs exclusively this week because I had to throw out all of our lined bibs (see above). Tanner and Abigail still use one bib a day, but after each meal I rinse their bibs off in the sink and hang them up to dry until the next meal. So far we have no lingering food or milk setting into the fabric and stinking up the kitchen...that makes me happy. The pocket is great for catching dropped finger foods although it doesn't collect the bits of food Abigail stuffs between herself and the side of her highchair, a bib can only do so much. Since these were hand-me-down bibs the Velcro is quite worn so I use the safety pins to secure them like I did with the lined bibs. So far I like these bibs the best because they are easy to clean and (potentially) won't smell bad after prolonged use.
Annadeene Konesni Fowler wrote: I love the kind that is a a towel with a tshirt neck. We got some homemade ones at our shower. I bet there is a tutorial out there...
ReplyDeleteCara Green Moore wrote: I have some great homemade ones as well. BIG and with a snap rather than velcro. Score!
ReplyDeleteChelsea Kidd wrote: I like ulubulu's bibs. I've been planning to start a site about baby products/baby shower gift finder (I think I mentioned it on here) for over a year, and I have an entry in the works about the hassle of finding a good bib. I hate regular fabric bibs, though. I only like the nylon or silicone ones that can be wiped off.
ReplyDelete