There are many things to think about when having a baby, especially for new parents, as they rarely have experience to lean on. One thing that many new parents forget to consider is the subject of baby bibs. There are different types of bib, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. As a new parent, you will probably think that you don’t need to think about bibs until your baby is at least 4 months old, the age at which some babies can wean.
However, many new parents have found that they have neglected a key area: the baby’s drip. Even if your baby does not eat solid foods, he may drip a lot and therefore need to wear a bib. If your baby doesn’t drool a lot, it’s worth taking the time to consider different types of baby bibs. Here, we discuss the pros and cons of various types of bib, from bandana bibs to scoop bibs, in hopes of preparing you to face one of the most troublesome times in a baby’s life: weaning.
Bandana bibs
Bandana bibs get their name because they are modeled on the bandana (a scarf folded in half to create a triangle and then tied around the neck for decoration).
1. Ideal for babies who are teething or dripping a lot, because they look like clothing, rather than bibs.
2. Because they sit quite high on the neck, they absorb much more drip than a regular bib.
3. They are difficult for the baby to remove because they are tied around the nape of the neck.
Disadvantages
1. They do not reach very low, so they may not protect clothing as much as other types of bibs, such as overalls (see below).
Spoon bibs
These are a familiar type of bib. They are usually made of plastic and have what looks a lot like a feeder at the bottom of the bib, which catches food as it falls. These bibs are to be used only at meal times, because they are not very comfortable.
Advantage
1. They are easy to clean. They simply need to be cleaned after use.
2. Provide children with a sense of independence, as parents are more likely to allow the baby to feed himself (because they will not make less mess).
Disadvantages
1. Babies must be able to sit up on their own before this style of bib can be worn; If baby can’t sit up, opt for bandana bibs or traditional bibs.
2. They may feel uncomfortable, hitting the table or high chair, and rubbing their necks.
Overalls bibs
These, as the name suggests, cover the entire upper body of the baby. These are plastic bibs and look like sweaters, rather than a traditional bib. They are ideal for older babies, who already know how to feed themselves, but have yet to learn the art of cleaning.
Advantage
1. They protect a much larger clothing area than other bibs.
2. Babies love them because they usually sport favorite cartoon characters and other funny images, or they look like a uniform, for example a police officer’s jacket, which children love.
3. They are easy to clean.
Disadvantages
1. They can be very uncomfortable if they have elastic neck or wrists.
2. They usually cost more than the middle bib.