Do newborns need bibs?
Not always. A newborn needs a bib when dribble, spit-up or milk starts soaking their clothes, and that varies a lot from baby to baby.
Soft cloth bibs with snaps cover it. Start with a few and add more if you find you need them. Keep milk and spit-up off the neck folds, where skin can get sore.
What to look for
Small, soft, absorbent and easy to fasten with one hand.
- Size: newborn necks are tiny. Check the listing for a newborn or 0+ months range.
- Fastening: snaps beat ties on a wriggling newborn.
- Fabric: cotton or muslin on the skin side.
- Burp cloth or bib: a burp cloth protects your shoulder; a bib protects the baby's front.
Our top picks
1 SPINFOX waterproof terry bibs
Two-layer terry bibs for the first year
Cotton-blend terry bibs with a waterproof layer between two layers, and ring-and-loop closures. The listing says they suit 0 to 12 months and are light-wash, air-dry.
- Material
- 75% cotton, 25% polyester, waterproof lining
- Size range
- Large (12 x 19.7 cm)
- Closure
- Hook-and-loop
- Machine washable
- Light wash, air dry
- Age range
- 0-12 months
Worth knowing: The listing mentions a 10-pack and a 12-pack; check which one you are ordering.
Amazon listing: SPINFOX Baby Girls Boys Waterproof Bibs Unisex Cotton Knitted Solid Bib
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon2 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 Amazon3 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 Amazon4 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.
- Material
- Cotton with terry backing
- Closure
- Slip-on
- Machine washable
- Yes (machine wash)
The maker says: organic cotton
Worth knowing: The listing doesn't make clear which pack size you get, so check before ordering.
Amazon listing: Burt’s Bees Baby Organic Baby Bibs – 100% Cotton Newborn Infant Bibs for Baby Boys & Girls
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon5 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 Amazon6 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 Amazon
More options
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPINFOX waterproof terry bibs | Two-layer terry bibs for the first year | 75% cotton, 25% polyester, waterproof lining | Hook-and-loop | – | Light wash, air dry | – | 0-12 months |
| Konssy muslin bandana bibs, 8-pack | Eight bandana bibs with two snap positions | Cotton muslin front, polyester fleece back | Two snaps | – | – | 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 |
| 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 newborn bibs
Wash before the first use and keep a spare ready, because you will be changing them often.
Use the temperature the listing says. If your baby has sensitive skin, ask your health visitor or doctor about detergents rather than guessing.
- Not stated on the listing: SPINFOX, Konssy, Green Sprouts, Yukkidds
- Machine washable: Burt's Bees Baby, Egmao Baby, The Peanutshell
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.
Handy extras that go with it
A few things parents often pick up alongside bibs. These are searches, so you can compare options yourself.
- Burp cloths A spare cloth for the shoulder.
- Stain remover Treat stains soon after the meal.
- Wet bag Keeps a damp bib away from the rest of the bag.
Frequently asked questions
Does a newborn need a bib?
Only if they dribble or spit up enough to soak their clothes.
Bib or burp cloth?
A bib covers the front; a burp cloth protects your shoulder. Many families use both.
How many newborn bibs do I need?
A handful to start. Add more if you find you are changing clothes a lot.
When should I move from newborn bibs?
When the neck gets snug or the bib no longer covers the chest. Go by the fit.
Should a newborn wear a bib to sleep?
No. Take it 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.
Are bibs safe around a newborn's neck?
Check the fastening each time and use a bib only while someone is with the baby.
What is best for sensitive skin?
Soft cotton or muslin on the skin side. Keep the neck dry.
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
- Cotton, muslin, terry and bamboo baby bibs
- Baby dribble bibs and bandana bibs
- Teething bibs: what they do and what to avoid
- How we review baby bibs
- Affiliate disclosure