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 Konssy muslin bandana bibs, 8-pack
Eight bandana bibs with two snap positions
Eight bandana bibs with a 100% cotton muslin front and a polyester fleece back, closed with two nickel-free snaps. The listing says they can double as burp cloths.
- Material
- Cotton muslin front, polyester fleece back
- Closure
- Two snaps
- Pack size
- 8
The maker says: nickel-free snaps
Worth knowing: The listing doesn't give washing instructions.
Amazon listing: Konssy Muslin Baby Bibs 8 Pack Bandana Drool Bibs Cotton for Unisex Boys Girls, 8 Solid Colors Set for Teething and Drooling
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon2 Konssy cotton bandana bibs, 10-pack
Ten bandana bibs
Ten bandana bibs in 100% cotton muslin with two snap positions.
- Material
- 100% cotton muslin
- Closure
- Two snaps
- Pack size
- 10
Worth knowing: The listing doesn't give washing instructions.
Amazon listing: Konssy Cotton Baby Bandana Bibs, 10 Pack - For Boys & Girls, Teething and Drooling
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 Muslin dribble bibs, 6-pack (flysclean)
Muslin front with a plush back
Six bibs with 100% cotton muslin on the front and a plush dotted back, with two snap positions. The listing says they are hand and machine washable.
- Material
- Cotton muslin front, plush back
- Closure
- Two sets of snaps
- Machine washable
- Yes (hand or machine wash)
- Pack size
- 6
Worth knowing: The listing describes the cotton as organic in one place and as muslin in another; we haven't checked either.
Amazon listing: flysclean 6-Pack Muslin Baby Bibs for Unisex Boys Girls, Solid Colors, Soft Cotton Baby Drool Bibs, Drooling and Teething Bibs for Infant, Newborn
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon5 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 Amazon6 Green Sprouts muslin bibs, 5-pack
Four-layer muslin with press studs
Five bibs in four-layer muslin with an adjustable press-stud fastening, for newborn to 12 months. The listing says the front length is about 16.5 cm.
- Material
- Muslin cotton, four layers
- Size range
- Front length about 16.5 cm
- Closure
- Adjustable press studs
- Pack size
- 5
- Age range
- Newborn to 12 months
The maker says: organic cotton
Worth knowing: The listing describes the cotton as organic; we haven't checked that.
Amazon listing: Green Sprouts Unisex Baby 100191 bib (pack of 5)
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon
More options
- Burt's Bees Baby organic cotton bibs Two-ply cotton with a terry backing Bibs in 100% cotton with two layers and a terry towel backing, in lap-shoulder and bandana styles. The listing says they are machine washable and come in four- or five-packs.
- 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.
- 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.
- Nuby reversible muslin teething bibs, 3-pack Reversible muslin for teething babies Three reversible bibs in 100% cotton muslin from 0 months. The listing says to machine wash warm on a gentle cycle and not to use bleach.
- Nuby cotton muslin teething bib, 2-pack A textured corner for chewing Two muslin bibs for 3 months and up, reversible, with a multi-textured teething corner and a hook-and-loop closure.
- NISXABEBE muslin bandana bibs, 6-pack Six muslin bibs in solid colours Six bandana bibs in muslin with two nickel-free snaps; the listing says the neck adjusts from 13 to 15.5 inches.
- Yukkidds muslin dribble bibs, 6-pack Muslin bibs with two snap sets from newborn Six bibs in 100% muslin cotton with two sets of nickel-free snaps, from newborn to toddler. The listing says they can double as burp cloths or washcloths.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Konssy muslin bandana bibs, 8-pack | Eight bandana bibs with two snap positions | Cotton muslin front, polyester fleece back | Two snaps | – | – | 8 | – |
| Konssy cotton bandana bibs, 10-pack | Ten bandana bibs | 100% cotton muslin | Two snaps | – | – | 10 | – |
| NISXABEBE muslin dribble bibs, 6-pack | Six muslin bandana bibs with adjustable snaps | Muslin | Adjustable snaps | – | – | 6 | – |
| Muslin dribble bibs, 6-pack (flysclean) | Muslin front with a plush back | Cotton muslin front, plush back | Two sets of snaps | – | Yes (hand or machine wash) | 6 | – |
| KeaBabies muslin bandana bibs, 8-pack | Muslin triangle scarves | Muslin | Snap | – | Yes (machine wash) | 8 | – |
| Green Sprouts muslin bibs, 5-pack | Four-layer muslin with press studs | Muslin cotton, four layers | Adjustable press studs | – | – | 5 | Newborn to 12 months |
| Burt's Bees Baby organic cotton bibs | Two-ply cotton with a terry backing | Cotton with terry backing | Slip-on | – | Yes (machine wash) | – | – |
| 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 |
| Nuby reversible muslin teething bibs, 3-pack | Reversible muslin for teething babies | 100% cotton muslin | – | – | Yes, warm gentle cycle | 3 | 0 months and up |
| Nuby cotton muslin teething bib, 2-pack | A textured corner for chewing | 100% cotton muslin | Hook-and-loop | – | – | 2 | 3 months and up |
| NISXABEBE muslin bandana bibs, 6-pack | Six muslin bibs in solid colours | Muslin | Two snaps | – | – | 6 | – |
| Yukkidds muslin dribble bibs, 6-pack | Muslin bibs with two snap sets from newborn | 100% muslin cotton | Two sets of snaps | – | – | 6 | Newborn to toddler |
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.
- Not stated on the listing: Konssy, NISXABEBE, Green Sprouts, Nuby, Yukkidds
- Machine washable: flysclean, KeaBabies, Burt's Bees Baby, Egmao Baby, The Peanutshell, Nuby
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 with your baby. The NHS first foods page says to always stay with your baby while they eat in case they choke, and that they should sit upright in a securely harnessed seat. The page does not say a bib changes the risk.
- Know gagging from choking. NHS Start for Life calls gagging a normal, noisy reflex and choking quiet, and gives first-aid steps. 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. The Lullaby Trust says babies need just two items in their cot: a firm, flat, waterproof mattress and lightweight bedding, and lists soft items to avoid. 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 dribble 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. The Lullaby Trust says a cot should hold just a firm mattress and light bedding; it doesn't mention 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 the UK, picked for real life with a baby
- Baby bib store in the UK
- Baby bib safety: what the sources say
- Silicone baby bibs: how to choose one
- Long-sleeve baby bibs and feeding smocks
- Newborn bibs: what to buy and when to use them
- Baby dribble bibs and bandana bibs
- Teething bibs: what they do and what to avoid
- How we review baby bibs
- Affiliate disclosure