What counts as a cloth bib?
A fabric bib, usually cotton, that soaks up wetness around the chin and chest. It is the classic first bib and it does need washing.
Cloth is the better choice before solids, when the mess is wet rather than chunky. It sits softly against skin and you can buy it in packs, which matters because you will go through several a day.
Muslin, terry, jersey or bamboo: how the fabrics differ
Muslin is thin and dries fast, terry soaks up the most, jersey stretches and bamboo-rayon is very soft.
- Muslin: light, breathable and quick to dry. Layers add absorbency.
- Terry: towel-like and very absorbent, but slower to dry.
- Bandana styles: triangular, with a backing layer that keeps wetness off the chest.
- Bamboo-rayon: soft and stretchy, made from bamboo fibre rather than being raw bamboo.
On labels, words such as "organic", "OEKO-TEX" or "GOTS" are the maker's statement. We haven't seen the certificates, so we report them as claims.
Our top picks
1 Egmao organic cotton bandana bibs
Soft cotton front, fleece back, two snaps
Bandana bibs with an organic cotton front and a polyester fleece back and two snap buttons. The listing says to wash before first use and tumble dry low.
- Material
- Organic cotton front, polyester fleece back
- Closure
- Two snaps
- Machine washable
- Machine wash; tumble dry low
The maker says: organic cotton
Worth knowing: The listing doesn't give the pack size.
Amazon listing: Baby Bibs for Boys and Girls, Bandana Bibs with Snap, Organic Cotton Snap Closure for Newborn
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon2 The Peanutshell terry bib set, 10-pack
Ten cotton terry bibs with printed sayings
A set of ten terry bibs in 100% cotton for 0 to 24 months, adjustable, with printed designs. The listing says they are machine washable.
- Material
- 100% cotton terry
- Machine washable
- Yes (machine wash)
- Pack size
- 10
- Age range
- 0-24 months
Worth knowing: Some designs carry slogans; look at the pictures if that matters to you.
Amazon listing: The Peanutshell - Baby Boy or Girl Terry Bib Set, 10-100% Cotton, Soft, Absorbent for Boys and Girls, Unisex Baby or Girl Bibs Set, Newborn and Baby Bib,
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon3 NISXABEBE muslin dribble bibs, 6-pack
Six muslin bandana bibs with adjustable snaps
Six bandana bibs in muslin with adjustable snaps. The listing says the neck adjusts from 13 to 15.5 inches and that the stitching is hidden.
- Material
- Muslin
- Size range
- Neck 13 to 15.5 inches
- Closure
- Adjustable snaps
- Pack size
- 6
Worth knowing: The listing doesn't give washing instructions.
Amazon listing: NISXABEBE Muslin Baby Bibs 6 Pack Dribble Bandana Bibs Cotton Drool Bibs for Teething Soft and Absorbent with Adjustable Snaps
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon4 KeaBabies muslin bandana bibs, 8-pack
Muslin triangle scarves
Eight muslin triangular bandana bibs that the listing says are machine washable with snap fastening.
- Material
- Muslin
- Closure
- Snap
- Machine washable
- Yes (machine wash)
- Pack size
- 8
Worth knowing: The listing is short; check the page for sizes and layers.
Amazon listing: Pack of 8 Muslin Triangular Scarf Baby - Unisex Bandana Bibs Baby, Super Absorbent Drool Bibs Baby, Muslin Neckerchief Baby Girls and Boys, Baby Bib Newborn, Baby Bib (Mirage)
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon5 Simple Joys by Carter's teething bibs, 7-pack
Seven triple-layer bibs, sold exclusively on Amazon
Seven bibs with a triple-layer lining for drool, spills and spit-up, in one size. The listing says they have no tags.
- Material
- Triple-layer lining
- Pack size
- 7
Worth knowing: The listing doesn't give fabric, fastening or washing details; check the page.
Amazon listing: Simple Joys by Carter's Baby 7-Pack Teething Bibs
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon6 Comfy Cubs muslin bibs, 8-pack
Eight muslin drool bibs in a gift box
Eight bibs in muslin with absorbent layers, supplied in a gift box. The listing describes the muslin as soft and breathable.
- Material
- Muslin
- Pack size
- 8
Worth knowing: The listing doesn't give a fastening or washing instructions.
Amazon listing: Comfy Cubs Muslin Baby Bibs Pack of 8 - Drool Bib White
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon
More options
- Itzy Ritzy muslin bibs, 3-pack Triple-layer cotton muslin with three size settings Three bibs in 100% cotton muslin with three layers and an adjustable fastener that gives three sizes in one.
- Tallew muslin burp cloth and bib set Four burp cloths and four muslin bibs Eight pieces: four muslin burp cloths and four muslin bibs in four colours. The listing says each burp cloth has six layers and measures about 25 x 50 cm.
- KeaBabies organic bibs, 8-pack Eight cotton drool bibs with a fleece back Eight bibs in cotton with a water-resistant fleece back and two sets of nickel-free snaps for three sizes. The listing says they give full coverage of the baby's torso.
Comparison table
The same information for each listing, as the listing states it. A dash means the listing doesn't say.
| Product | Best for | Material | Closure | Pocket or catcher | Machine washable | Pack size | Age range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egmao organic cotton bandana bibs | Soft cotton front, fleece back, two snaps | Organic cotton front, polyester fleece back | Two snaps | – | Machine wash; tumble dry low | – | – |
| The Peanutshell terry bib set, 10-pack | Ten cotton terry bibs with printed sayings | 100% cotton terry | – | – | Yes (machine wash) | 10 | 0-24 months |
| NISXABEBE muslin dribble bibs, 6-pack | Six muslin bandana bibs with adjustable snaps | Muslin | Adjustable snaps | – | – | 6 | – |
| KeaBabies muslin bandana bibs, 8-pack | Muslin triangle scarves | Muslin | Snap | – | Yes (machine wash) | 8 | – |
| Simple Joys by Carter's teething bibs, 7-pack | Seven triple-layer bibs, sold exclusively on Amazon | Triple-layer lining | – | – | – | 7 | – |
| Comfy Cubs muslin bibs, 8-pack | Eight muslin drool bibs in a gift box | Muslin | – | – | – | 8 | – |
| Itzy Ritzy muslin bibs, 3-pack | Triple-layer cotton muslin with three size settings | 100% cotton muslin, three layers | Adjustable fastener (three sizes) | – | – | 3 | – |
| Tallew muslin burp cloth and bib set | Four burp cloths and four muslin bibs | Cotton muslin, six layers | – | – | – | 4 burp cloths and 4 bibs | – |
| KeaBabies organic bibs, 8-pack | Eight cotton drool bibs with a fleece back | Cotton with water-resistant fleece back | Two sets of snaps | – | – | 8 | – |
Washing and care
Wash new bibs before first use and follow the listing's temperature advice.
Cloth bibs stain, especially with carrot and tomato, and they smell if left damp. Rinse, then wash soon after use. Dry them fully before folding away.
- Machine washable: Egmao Baby, The Peanutshell, KeaBabies
- Not stated on the listing: NISXABEBE, Simple Joys by Carter's, Comfy Cubs, Itzy Ritzy, Tallew, KeaBabies
These instructions are what each listing said when we checked and can change.
Safety, in plain words
A bib is clothing: it doesn't lower the risk of choking. Stay close, check the fastenings and take it off before sleep.
- Stay close and sit upright. Health Canada's guidance says children should be supervised and sitting upright while they eat, not lying down, walking, running or distracted. It doesn't mention bibs.
- Check the fastening. Look at snaps, ties and straps at every meal and stop using a bib with a loose, cracked or broken part. Neither source says more about bibs than that, so this is common sense, not a rule we can cite.
- Take it off before sleep. Health Canada says a crib should be completely empty except for the mattress and fitted sheet, and that a baby shouldn't be left in a crib with a necklace, elastic band, scarf or soother on a long cord. It doesn't name bibs; we follow the same rule.
- A bib isn't a teether. Don't let a bib be chewed or worn as a loop around the neck.
- Words on listings are claims. "BPA-free", "food-grade", "organic" and "waterproof" are the maker's statements; we haven't seen test reports or certificates.
Frequently asked questions
Which fabric is best for drool and spit-up?
Absorbent ones: muslin layers, terry or cotton with a backing layer. Silicone isn't absorbent.
How many cloth bibs do I need?
Count how many you use in a day, multiply by the days between washes, and add a spare. Many families end up with around ten.
Do I need organic cotton?
It is a personal choice. Listings that say organic are making a claim we haven't verified.
Can I tumble dry cloth bibs?
Follow the care line on the listing. Some say tumble dry low, some say line dry.
Should a cloth bib have snaps or ties?
Snaps let you adjust as your baby's neck grows. Check them regularly.
What is the difference between a bib and a burp cloth?
A bib covers the chest; a burp cloth sits on your shoulder. Many families use both.
Can a cloth bib be left on overnight?
No. Take bibs off before sleep. Health Canada says a crib should be completely empty except for the mattress and fitted sheet; it doesn't name bibs, so we follow the same rule.
Why are there no prices?
Prices change all the time. The Amazon page shows today's price for your country.
Sources
Read next
- The best baby bibs in Canada, picked for real life with a baby
- Baby bib store in Canada
- Baby bib safety: what the sources say
- Silicone baby bibs: how to choose one
- Baby drool bibs and bandana bibs
- Teething bibs: what they do and what to avoid
- Best bibs for baby-led weaning
- Disposable baby bibs for travel, restaurants and day care
- How we review baby bibs
- Affiliate disclosure