So, you’ve got a brand-new baby—congratulations! Now you’re staring at all those adorable bibs you received at your baby shower, wondering, when do babies start wearing bibs? The answer is a bit like parenthood itself: it depends on the stage! From the first tiny dribbles to the glorious mess of self-feeding, bibs are a must-have tool for keeping your little one clean and comfy .
Think of it as a journey, not a destination. You won’t need every type of bib all at once, but having the right ones on hand for each new milestone can make a huge difference . Let’s break down the different stages so you can be prepared for anything your little one throws your way—literally. Knowing when to start using bibs on babies will make your life so much easier.
Table of contents
The Newborn Stage: To Bib or Not to Bib? Shop Caden Lane's Newborn Burp Cloth Sets Drool Bibs: Your Teething Lifesaver Shop Caden Lane's Bib Sets Bibs for Solids: The Weaning & Self-Feeding Stage Shop Caden Lane's Silicone Bibs A Bib for Every Occasion: Different Types of Bibs Shop Caden Lane's Bandana Bibs When Do Babies Start Wearing Bibs and Choosing the Right Type Pro-Tip for Keeping Your Bibs Clean Beyond Bibs: Caden Lane’s Baby Essentials FAQs on Baby Bibs 📹WATCH: What TO Buy as a First Time Mom!
The Newborn Stage: To Bib or Not to Bib?
When your baby is a tiny, precious newborn (typically under 3 months), you might not need bibs as often as you think. Their diet is exclusively breast milk or formula, and the primary mess you’ll encounter is spit-up . For this, burp cloths are your best friend. They are larger, more absorbent, and perfect for draping over your shoulder or lap to catch any milky overflows. Many parents ask when do babies start wearing bibs for protection, and for a newborn, the answer is often "not yet."
Our super-soft, ultra-absorbent burp cloths are perfect for protecting your clothes while keeping your little one comfortable against your skin. They are an essential part of your feeding routine and often double as a quick-fix wipe for messes. It's smart to have a few Caden Lane bib & burp sets ready to go. The use of a newborn bib is generally for very light messes, so having a good stock of burp cloths is key.
Shop Caden Lane's Newborn Burp Cloth Sets
Drool Bibs: Your Teething Lifesaver
Around 3 to 6 months of age, a new milestone arrives: teething. Along with those tiny pearly whites come a whole lot of drool. This is when baby bibs for drooling, also known as bandana bibs, become essential. Their primary purpose isn’t for catching food, but for keeping your baby’s chest and neck dry, which helps prevent uncomfortable drool rashes and irritation. It's the first time you'll consistently be thinking about when to put bibs on babies for all-day wear.
It’s important to find drool bibs made from a soft, gentle fabric that won’t irritate your baby’s sensitive skin. Our Bib & Burp Sets are not only adorable but are also designed to be soft and highly absorbent, so you can keep their outfits fresh and dry throughout the day. For many parents, this is the stage where you'll start using bibs most frequently.
No matter which style you choose, our personalized bibs are the perfect stylish solution to drooling. They are made from our signature ultra-soft microfiber fabric that's gentle on your baby’s skin.
Featured: Caden Lane Personalized Color Block Baby Name Bib in Baby Blues
Shop Caden Lane's Bib Sets
Bibs for Solids: The Weaning & Self-Feeding Stage
Around 6 months, most babies are ready to start their messy but exciting journey with solid foods[2][3]. This is where a new type of bib becomes a true game-changer. These bibs are larger, more protective, and designed to withstand the splatter of purées and the inevitable spills from little hands learning to self-feed. This is the stage when you’ll need a wide variety of bibs to handle the messiest meals. Knowing when to start using bibs on babies for solids is key to saving their outfits!
When it comes to feeding bibs, you have several options:
- Fabric Bibs: While great for drooling, they can get saturated quickly with food.
- Silicone Bibs: These are a parent favorite for their easy-to-clean nature. They often have a built-in pocket at the bottom to catch food and can be wiped clean in seconds, or washed with soap and water.
- Full-Coverage Bibs: For the messiest eaters, these bibs resemble smocks and cover your baby’s arms and torso. They are perfect for arts and crafts, too!
The best bibs for solids are often easy to clean and catch a lot of the mess. For bibs for bottle feeding or spoon feeding, a simple cloth bib might work, but for self-feeding, you’ll want more coverage.
Featured: Caden Lane Silicone Saying Bib in Love You a Brunch
Shop Caden Lane's Silicone Bibs
A Bib for Every Occasion: Different Types of Bibs
Choosing the right bib can feel overwhelming with all the options available. Here is a simple breakdown to help you decide what's best for your little one:
- Bandana Bibs: Ideal for teething and drooling, these stylish bibs are often made of soft, absorbent materials like bamboo and cotton. They are great for protecting your baby’s clothes from constant moisture. Read more about the best fabrics for babies.
- Traditional Cloth Bibs: These are the classic, U-shaped bibs that are perfect for catching small messes, but may not hold up to a full meal of spaghetti.
- Silicone Bibs: The undisputed champion of easy cleanup. With a built-in pocket, they catch most of the food before it hits the floor.
- Full-Sleeved Bibs: The ultimate protection for messy meals. They cover your baby’s arms and torso, keeping their clothes pristine.
Knowing when do babies start wearing bibs of a certain type can make a big difference in laundry loads!
Featured: Caden Lane Convertible Zip Romper and Bandana Bib in Safari Snuggles
Shop Caden Lane's Bandana Bibs
When Do Babies Start Wearing Bibs and Choosing the Right Type
When choosing the right bib, consider your baby’s age and stage:
- Newborn (0-3 months): Use burp cloths for spit-up and a very soft, lightweight bib for occasional feeding dribbles under supervision. The best baby bibs for newborn stage are gentle and non-irritating.
- Drooling & Teething (3-6+ months): Stock up on soft, absorbent bandana bibs to keep their clothes and skin dry. These **drool bibs** are key for this stage.
- Starting Solids (6+ months): Invest in silicone bibs or full-coverage bibs that are easy to wipe clean to handle the messiest meals.
Featured: Caden Lane Convertible Zip Romper and Bandana Bib in Dragon Adventure
Pro-Tip for Keeping Your Bibs Clean
Baby bibs and burp cloths get messy fast, so proper care is key to keeping them hygienic. For our ultra-soft bamboo bibs, washing is a breeze. Our fabrics are hypoallergenic and get softer with every wash, which is a key benefit of bamboo. Read more about the best fabrics for babies and why bamboo is the best.
- Always pre-treat stains with a baby-friendly stain remover.
- Wash bibs with a mild, dye-free, fragrance-free detergent on a gentle cycle.
- Wash them separately from other items to avoid transferring germs and odors.
- For ultimate softness and to prevent fabric damage, air-drying is best.
To learn more about how to care for our ultra-soft fabrics, check out our guide on how to wash bamboo pajamas! It's a great resource for learning about the durability and care of our materials.
Beyond Bibs: Caden Lane’s Baby Essentials
Once your baby is ready for solids, we have everything you need to make mealtimes a little easier and a lot more fun.
Explore our full range of baby essentials, from blankets & swaddles, knotted gowns, bamboo pajamas, and baby outfits for all seasons.
FAQs on Baby Bibs
What is the difference between a bib and a burp cloth?
A bib is designed to protect a baby's clothing from spills, food, and drool during feeding or teething. A burp cloth is a thicker, more absorbent piece of fabric used to protect your clothes from spit-up when burping your baby.
Can a newborn wear a bib?
While a newborn can wear a bib for catching dribbles and spit-up under supervision, burp cloths are often a more practical and safer option for this stage[1][2]. A bib can pose a choking hazard if left on a sleeping baby.
Are bamboo bibs good for babies?
Yes, bamboo bibs are excellent for babies, especially those with sensitive skin[cite: 9]. Bamboo fabric is naturally hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and incredibly soft, which helps prevent skin irritation and rashes from drool.
How many bibs do I need for my baby?
The number of bibs you need depends on your baby's stage. For a drooling baby, you might use 5-10 drool bibs per day, while for a feeding baby, 2-3 silicone bibs per meal might be enough. Starting with a set of 5-7 bibs is a good starting point.
AUTHOR
Katy Mimari
Katy Mimari is the mom boss behind Caden Lane—your go-to for stylish baby must-haves. CEO, designer, and founder, she’s been shaking up the baby world since 2005 with trend-forward gear that makes parenting easier (and cuter!).
REFERENCES
- American Academy of Pediatrics. HealthyChildren.org. Drooling and Your Baby. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/teething-tooth-care/Pages/Drooling-and-Your-Baby.aspx
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods. https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/foods-and-drinks/when-what-and-how-to-introduce-solid-foods.html
- Raising Children Network. Introducing solids: why, when, what & how. https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/breastfeeding-bottle-feeding-solids/solids-drinks/introducing-solids
