Typically parents have an idea of how useful bibs are, but they are unsure how many they need. While it depends on many factors, we will give some useful advice based on my experience with my babies.
How many Bibs do I need? How many Bibs you need depends on several factors, including how often you feed your baby, your laundry schedule, and of course your baby. On average, you will probably need one to five feeding Bibs and ten to twenty drool Bibs. One of the best things about drool Bibs is that they can also act as a feeding Bib, especially when you have young babies so make sure you have more drool Bibs than feeding Bibs when starting out.
Many women, when they become a mom for the first time, have no idea how much mess their baby can make. Some babies are literal drool machines, while others drink more milk than usual, so mums have a lot of cleaning to do. Whether you’re feeding them milk or maple syrup, you’ll want to stick with high-quality bibs.
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How many Bibs do I need for a newborn?
Many parents, like myself, carry Bibs in the diaper bag. Although this bib is typically cheap and easily available, it can keep the baby clean and protect the outfit from milk. However, how many of these Bibs do you need?
It is tough to answer this question because all babies are different, including how much they drool, how messy they can get, and how often they eat so there’s no right answer to this question. However, we highly recommend that you should have at least ten to twenty Drooling bibs and up to five feeding Bibs at home. Since newborn babies don’t need feeding Bibs until later, consider buying the drooling Bibs first.
We recommend that you should keep both varieties of Bibs. There are several factors that will affect the number of bibs you need:
Feeding
How often does your baby drink milk? Or how often do you breastfeed them? These factors can significantly increase the number of bibs you need. Babies are messy eaters and usually spit milk out after feeding.
Drooling
Even before a baby starts teething, they drool regularly. Once the teeth start to appear, the drooling typically gets worse. If your infant drools a lot, it is easier to replace the bib than an outfit that is wet.
Laundry
How many times do you wash the bibs? Because this will influence the number of bibs you require. For instance, if you only require three bibs per day and wash them every third day, you probably don’t require more than nine bibs.
How much are Bibs?
The price of the bibs varies, and so does the style. You can get a pack of ten to twenty fabric bibs for approximately $15 to $20. If you want a single silicone or fabric bib, you are looking at a price tag of around 8 dollars. There are other styles of bibs as well that come with sleeves and keep the whole upper body clean. These bibs typically cost $14.
The amount spent on bibs is subjective because it varies from person to person. It also depends on how messy your baby is and how you manage the cleaning process. You can also buy bibs from the market that are made of two-ply terrycloth and can absorb the drool and the milk. These bibs come in different colors.
The main difference between a feeding Bib and a drooling Bib
Back in the day, there was only one type of bib available; however, things have changed, and there are several varieties available now. However, all types of bibs fall into two main categories:
- Feeding
- Drooling
Drool bibs are usually made from an absorbent fabric such as muslin, terry cloth, or flannel and are capable of soaking up the milk or drool. These bibs usually have smaller sides and can cover the chest and neck of the baby.
Feeding bibs have more variety than drool bibs but are made of non-absorbent materials. The materials these bibs are typically made are silicone or polyester. Feeding bibs sometimes come with a pocket.
Feeding bibs are larger than drool bibs as they even cover the torso of the baby. Stock-style feeding bibs are the largest, as they even cover up the arms. It is best that you have different types of bibs at home for your little one.
When do babies need Bibs?
When babies are six months old, they stop using the drool bib. This happens because most babies are starting to eat solids during this period, and they require a feeding bib. If your baby is teething and you need a bib that can help you out, go for those with a bandana-like shape. These bibs will protect the baby’s clothes and keep them clean.
However, babies usually let their parents know when they no longer need a bib. Other babies might be happy wearing a bib for a much longer period. There are no disadvantages if your baby wants to wear the bib longer than other babies.
Can a baby wear a Bib to sleep?
While it’s fine for your baby to wear the Bib throughout the day or while feeding under your watch, you should not let your baby wear the Bib when sleeping. Leaving the Bib on can be dangerous as it can be a choking hazard. Please remove the Bib before putting your precious baby to sleep.
What types of baby Bibs should you buy?
By now, you probably know the difference between feeding and drooling bibs. Each bib comes with different features, so pick the ones that suit your needs.
What type of baby drool Bibs should you buy?
Most drool bibs look similar, but they are quite different. There are some factors that you should consider before purchasing a drool bib:
Material of the Bibs
Typically, drools bibs are made of cotton, which gives them absorbent qualities. However, you should probably invest in bibs made from the following materials if your child has sensitive skin:
- Hypoallergenic bamboo
- Organic muslin
Types of closure
When you have a young baby who cannot remove the bib on his own, you should buy bibs that come with snaps.
Style of the Bibs
If the baby only wears the bib during feedings, buy a bib that has a rectangular shape. If the baby wears the bib throughout the day, you might want to buy the bandana-style bibs.
Matching your babies’ personality
Bibs usually come with pictures of kittens or dinosaurs, which is great because they will look good in pictures.
Best Drool Bibs for babies on the market
Drool bibs by Neat Solution
These drool bibs come as a pack and are available in several colors.
Lap Shoulder Drool Clothes by Burt’s Bees
These are 100 % organic bibs and are perfect for sensitive skin babies. These bibs come with a pullover design, due to which the baby will not be able to pull it off during feedings. These bibs are larger than most drool bibs, and you can also use them as a feeding bib.
Bibs by Nuby Teething
These bibs have a bandana-like shape and come with a teether made from silicone. The teether will help soothe the gums of the baby.
What to look for in baby feeding Bibs?
Feeding bibs are more varied than drooling bibs. It is better to try several styles before sticking to a particular brand.
Cleaning
Feeding bibs are usually made of two types of materials:
- Silicone
- Coated polyester
You will need to clean polyester bibs regularly and will also need to let them dry. On the other hand, the silicone bib is easy to clean, you need to wipe off the food particles, and it is good to go. Bibs that are made from silicone are also safe to use in dishwashers.
Coverage
Typically feeding bibs are large than drooling bibs; some offer more coverage than others. If you have a large-sized baby or one that creates a lot of mess, you must invest in a bib that is large enough to cover the torso. You can also go for a smock style.
Best Feeding Bibs for babies on the market
Superbib by Bumkins
These bibs come with loop closure, a hook, and a crumb catcher and are travel-friendly. However, while it can be tough to clean this bib, it is washable. There are many varieties of this bib, and it also comes in several colors.
Silicone Bib by Ava + Oliver
These feeding bibs come with a large-sized pocket capable of catching the food particles. This bib also has a durable closure, can resist more than 450 degrees Fahrenheit of heat, and is made from BPA-free materials. You can also put this bib in a dishwasher, as it is dishwasher safe.
Conclusion
Babies are famous for creating a mess, and mums have to clean it all up. Bibs are important for keeping the baby clean, especially while feeding. This article will help you buy the right amount of bibs for your child.
We have also discussed two varieties of bibs and how they differ from each other. However, ensure that your baby is not wearing the bib when asleep, as it can cause choking. Towards the end of this article, you will find several brands of bibs that you can choose from. Before purchasing a bib, assess your requirements and then invest.