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 UK 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
- 6-72 months (the listing states two ranges)
The maker says: 100% soft silicone
Worth knowing: The listing gives two different age ranges, so check which applies. A lifetime warranty is mentioned on the page; we haven't read its terms.
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 Mepase silicone bibs, 12-pack
Twelve bibs, so there's always a clean one
Twelve silicone bibs in twelve colours, with a raised pocket and a neck with several adjustment holes. The listing says to clean them with soapy water and that they roll up for the bag.
- Material
- Silicone
- Closure
- Buckle with several adjustment holes
- Pocket or catcher
- Raised front pocket
- Machine washable
- Wash with soapy water; machine washing not stated
- Pack size
- 12
- Age range
- 6-72 months
Worth knowing: The listing warns not to let your baby put the snaps in their mouth and not to pull the product hard. Look at the buckles often.
Amazon listing: Mepase - 12 Pcs Waterproof Silicone Baby Bibs Soft Adjustable Bibs Unisex Feeding Supplies for Baby Boys Girls Essential Accessories, As the picture show, 9.17 x 12.4 inches/ 23.3 x 31.5 cm
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon4 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
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: Silicone Baby Bibs Waterproof Bibs with Pocket for Picking Food Crumbs Easy to Clean Comfortable Foldable, Colour 01, Grande
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon5 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 Amazon6 Hafftnun long-sleeve bibs, 5-pack
Five waterproof smocks with a back zip
Five long-sleeve bibs in polyester with an EVA waterproof layer, a large pocket and a zip at the back. The listing gives 6 to 30 months.
- Material
- Polyester with EVA waterproof layer
- Closure
- Back zip
- Pocket or catcher
- Large pocket
- Pack size
- 5
- Age range
- 6-30 months
The maker says: tested by third-party laboratories
Worth knowing: The listing says the products are tested to US safety standards by third-party labs; we haven't seen the reports. A zip near a baby's neck is worth checking at each meal.
Amazon listing: Long sleeve bibs, 5 waterproof bibs with sleeves, feeding robe for babies 6-30 months
Check on AmazonToday's price is on Amazon
More options
- 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.
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 | 6-72 months (the listing states two ranges) |
| Mepase silicone bibs, 12-pack | Twelve bibs, so there's always a clean one | Silicone | Buckle with several adjustment holes | Raised front pocket | Wash with soapy water; machine washing not stated | 12 | 6-72 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 | – | – |
| 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 |
| Hafftnun long-sleeve bibs, 5-pack | Five waterproof smocks with a back zip | Polyester with EVA waterproof layer | Back zip | Large pocket | – | 5 | 6-30 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 | – |
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, Mepase, YINGJEE, Hafftnun
- 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 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.
- 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. 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
- Cotton, muslin, terry and bamboo baby bibs
- Newborn bibs: what to buy and when to use them
- Baby dribble bibs and bandana bibs
- How we review baby bibs
- Affiliate disclosure