What is a toddler bib?
A bib for one- to four-year-olds, with a bigger body, a wider neck range and often sleeves or a pocket.
It protects clothes from spills and dribbles while they feed themselves, and it is often used at nursery or day care too.
Which style for which toddler?
Messy eaters do well in smocks; tidier eaters often prefer an apron or a pocket bib.
Go by the age range on the listing and check how the neck adjusts. Toddlers pull at fastenings, so choose something simple.
Our top picks
1 PandaEar silicone bibs, 3-pack
A budget silicone set with a wide age range
Three silicone bibs with a deep pocket and a neck strap that adjusts to four sizes. The Canadian listing says they suit children from 10 to 72 months and calls the silicone 100% soft.
- Material
- Silicone
- Size range
- Neck strap adjusts to four sizes
- Closure
- Adjustable neck strap
- Pocket or catcher
- Deep spill pocket
- Pack size
- 3
- Age range
- 10-72 months
The maker says: 100% soft silicone
Worth knowing: The listing doesn't give washing instructions, so check them on the page. Silicone doesn't soak up dribble, so think mealtimes.
Amazon listing: PandaEar 3 Pack Thick Silicone Baby Bibs for Babies & Toddlers (10-72 Months)| Waterproof Baby Feeding Bibs Adjustable with Wide Food Catcher Pocket, Soft, Unisex, Non Messy |Brown/Blue/Green
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon2 PandaEar thin silicone bibs, 5-pack
Five light, thin bibs for a full day of meals
Five silicone bibs with a four-size neck strap and a pocket that the listing says stays open. The listing gives 6 to 18 months in the title and 10 to 72 months in the details.
- Material
- Silicone
- Size range
- Neck strap adjusts to four sizes
- Closure
- Adjustable neck strap
- Pocket or catcher
- Large pocket that stays open
- Pack size
- 5
- Age range
- 10-72 months
The maker says: 100% soft silicone
Worth knowing: The listing says it carries a lifetime warranty; we haven't read the terms. Silicone doesn't soak up drool, so think mealtimes.
Amazon listing: PandaEar 5 Pack Silicone Bibs for Babies & Toddlers, Waterproof Toddler Bibs 6-12-18 months for Weaning, Adjustable Baby Feeding Bib with Large Pocket Food Catcher, BPA Free
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon3 YINGJEE silicone bib with pocket
Six neck positions for a long fit
A silicone bib with a six-stage adjustable lock, a roomy pocket and a foldable design. The listing says to rinse it with soapy water.
- Material
- Silicone
- Closure
- Six-stage adjustable lock
- Pocket or catcher
- Roomy crumb pocket
- Machine washable
- Rinse with soapy water; machine washing not stated
- Pack size
- 3
The maker says: 100% food-grade silicone
Worth knowing: The listing doesn't state the pack size or an age range, so check both before ordering.
Amazon listing: 3PCS Cute Silicone Baby Bibs, Waterproof with Food Catcher Pocket
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon4 PandaEar sleeved bibs, 5-pack
Five sleeved bibs with a back tie
Five long-sleeve bibs in lightweight polyester with a waterproof front, a crumb-catcher pocket and an adjustable back tie. The listing gives 6 to 36 months.
- Material
- Lightweight polyester with waterproof front
- Closure
- Adjustable back tie
- Pocket or catcher
- Crumb-catcher pocket
- Machine washable
- Hand wash or wipe clean
- Pack size
- 5
- Age range
- 6-36 months
Worth knowing: The listing says to wipe them clean or wash them gently by hand, not in the machine.
Amazon listing: PandaEar 5 Pack Baby Bibs with Sleeves, Waterproof Baby Weaning Bib
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon5 KeaBabies Presto waterproof bibs, 3-pack
A lightweight wipe-clean bib that isn't silicone
Three lightweight bibs that the listing calls 100% waterproof, with a drip tray at the front and a Velcro closure. The listing says they can be machine or hand washed.
- Material
- PROtech fabric (the maker's name)
- Closure
- Velcro closure
- Pocket or catcher
- Drip tray
- Machine washable
- Yes (machine or hand wash)
- Pack size
- 3
The maker says: 100% waterproof
Worth knowing: The listing describes the fabric as proprietary and the claims as certified baby safe; we haven't seen the certificate.
Amazon listing: 3-Pack Waterproof Baby Bibs for Eating - Lightweight Baby Bib with Food Catcher, Mess Proof Toddler Bibs
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon6 KeaBabies Prep silicone bibs, 2-pack
A deep-pocket pair that can go in the dishwasher
Two silicone bibs with a deep, sturdy pocket and adjustable buttons on the neck strap. The Canadian listing says to rinse them after use or put them in the dishwasher.
- Material
- Silicone
- Closure
- Adjustable buttons and neck strap
- Pocket or catcher
- Deep, sturdy pocket
- Machine washable
- Yes: rinse, or dishwasher
- Pack size
- 2
The maker says: food-grade, BPA-free silicone
Worth knowing: The listing says the silicone is food-grade and BPA-free; we haven't seen test reports.
Amazon listing: KeaBabies 2-Pack Silicone Bibs For Babies, Toddlers Girl, Boy (Slate)
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon
More options
- KIIS disposable long-sleeve smock bibs A disposable smock with full-arm coverage A disposable long-sleeve smock-style bib that the listing calls extra large, with triple-layer waterproof protection, for restaurants, car trips and day care.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PandaEar silicone bibs, 3-pack | A budget silicone set with a wide age range | Silicone | Adjustable neck strap | Deep spill pocket | – | 3 | 10-72 months |
| PandaEar thin silicone bibs, 5-pack | Five light, thin bibs for a full day of meals | Silicone | Adjustable neck strap | Large pocket that stays open | – | 5 | 10-72 months |
| YINGJEE silicone bib with pocket | Six neck positions for a long fit | Silicone | Six-stage adjustable lock | Roomy crumb pocket | Rinse with soapy water; machine washing not stated | 3 | – |
| PandaEar sleeved bibs, 5-pack | Five sleeved bibs with a back tie | Lightweight polyester with waterproof front | Adjustable back tie | Crumb-catcher pocket | Hand wash or wipe clean | 5 | 6-36 months |
| KeaBabies Presto waterproof bibs, 3-pack | A lightweight wipe-clean bib that isn't silicone | PROtech fabric (the maker's name) | Velcro closure | Drip tray | Yes (machine or hand wash) | 3 | – |
| KeaBabies Prep silicone bibs, 2-pack | A deep-pocket pair that can go in the dishwasher | Silicone | Adjustable buttons and neck strap | Deep, sturdy pocket | Yes: rinse, or dishwasher | 2 | – |
| KIIS disposable long-sleeve smock bibs | A disposable smock with full-arm coverage | Triple-layer waterproof | Smock style | – | – | – | Toddlers and kids |
Washing toddler bibs
Follow the care line. Toddlers pull the waterproofing about, so replace any bib that is cracked or peeling.
Rinse, then wash soon after the meal.
- Not stated on the listing: PandaEar, YINGJEE, KIIS
- Hand wash or wipe clean: PandaEar
- Machine washable: 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.
Handy extras that go with it
A few things parents often pick up alongside bibs. These are searches, so you can compare options yourself.
- Straw and open cups For the step after bottles.
- Suction plates and bowls Stay put while a baby explores.
- First spoons Short, soft spoons for small hands.
Frequently asked questions
When can my child stop using a bib?
There is no medical age. Many families drop bibs between about 18 months and three years, once meals are tidier.
Smock or apron?
Smocks cover arms; aprons are quicker to put on.
What size?
Go by the age range on the listing and check neck adjustment.
Can toddlers take bibs off?
Many do. Choose a fastening that is hard to pull open.
Machine washable?
Check the care line on the listing.
Bib at nursery?
Check what your nursery asks for.
Bib for sleep?
No. 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
- Cotton, muslin, terry and bamboo baby bibs
- Baby drool bibs and bandana bibs
- Teething bibs: what they do and what to avoid
- Best bibs for baby-led weaning
- How we review baby bibs
- Affiliate disclosure