Best Bibs for Starting Solids: An Aussie Parent's Guide (2026)
Starting solids is exciting, and it is also messy. Really messy. The right bib is the difference between a quick wipe-down and yet another outfit change followed by a soak in the laundry sink. If you are searching for the best bibs for starting solids, this guide walks you through the options, what actually matters when you choose, and why we built Abibi to fix the things ordinary bibs get wrong.
A quick note on who we are: Abibi was created by two Adelaide sisters, both mums, who were sick of scrubbing stained clothes after every meal. We could not find a bib that actually contained the mess, so we designed our own. We have sold over 25,000 bibs in less than 12 months, and Abibi is now one of Australia's most talked-about baby bibs. So yes, we are biased, but we will still give you the honest pros and cons of every option.
When do babies start solids?
In Australia, the guidance is to introduce solid foods at around six months, alongside continued breast milk or formula, and never before four months. Look for readiness signs: your baby can sit up with little support, has good head control, and shows interest in food.
Once solids begin, expect food everywhere: hands, face, hair, sleeves, the high chair and the floor. That is normal and part of how babies learn. A good bib just means less of it ends up soaked into clothes, which is exactly why we started Abibi.
The main types of bibs, and where each one falls short
Silicone bibs
Waterproof, wipe clean in seconds, with a deep pocket at the front that catches dropped food. Dishwasher friendly and they do not stain.
Best for: easy cleanup and catching food that falls straight down.
Watch out for: they cover the front only, so sleeves, shoulders and laps are still exposed. The stiff pocket can be uncomfortable, and many babies pull at it.
Towel and cotton bibs
Soft, absorbent and gentle on sensitive skin. Babies often accept them readily because they feel like clothing.
Best for: dribble, milk feeds and lighter meals.
Watch out for: they absorb rather than repel, so they soak through with wet purees and stain over time. You go through a lot of them.
Smock and long-sleeve bibs (this is where Abibi comes in)
Smock bibs cover the front, the arms and often the lap, which is exactly where weaning mess ends up. They are the best choice once your baby starts self-feeding.
Watch out for: most smock bibs on the market still get the details wrong. They gap at the collar, ride up, or sit the food catcher too low to do anything. That is the gap we set out to fix.
Why Abibi is the bib we wish we'd had
Most bibs sit flat. Babies don't. We designed Abibi around how babies actually eat, and these are the differences that matter at mealtime:
- Inner collar flap that seals the gap at the neck, so mess does not run straight down onto the collar.
- Extra width and length for genuinely more coverage than a standard bib.
- A high-set food catcher that actually catches food, instead of a low pocket that misses everything.
- A front hem split that covers little legs in the high chair.
- Adjustable snap buttons for a comfy fit that grows with your baby.
- Free from PVC, BPA and phthalates, and built to survive a real machine wash.
It comes in full sleeve, short sleeve and sleeveless "less mess" styles, so you can match the coverage to your baby and the meal. Full sleeve is our pick for baby-led weaning and the messiest eaters.
Shop Abibi bibs | Browse full sleeve bibs
Abibi vs an ordinary bib
With Abibi you get:
- A collar flap that stops leaks
- Extra width and length for more coverage
- A high-set catcher that actually works
- Legs covered in the high chair
- An adjustable fit that grows with baby
With most other bibs you get:
- Mess straight down the collar
- A catcher too low to help
- A bib that bunches up and gaps open
- One size that never quite fits
How many bibs do you actually need?
A baby eats roughly three meals a day once solids are established, plus snacks. With washing every couple of days, most families need at least four to six bibs to never run out. If you wash less often or your baby is an enthusiastic thrower, lean toward the higher end. We built a quick bib calculator on our site to give you a number for your routine, and you can bundle and save when you buy a few at once.
Build your Abibi bundle and save
So, what is the best bib for starting solids?
For purees and dribble, a silicone or towel bib can do the job. But once your baby starts grabbing food and feeding themselves, front-only bibs leave far too much exposed, and that is when the outfit changes pile up. A well-designed smock bib gives you maximum coverage with minimal mess, and that is exactly what we built Abibi to do: seal the collar, catch the food, cover the legs, and survive the wash, meal after meal.
If you want fewer outfit changes and less time at the laundry sink, that is the whole reason Abibi exists.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best bib for baby-led weaning?
A long-sleeve smock bib like the Abibi full sleeve. Baby-led weaning means babies feed themselves, so food ends up on hands, arms and clothes. Full sleeve coverage protects far more than a front-only bib.
At what age should I start using a bib?
From the start of solids, around six months. Many parents also use soft bibs earlier for dribble and milk feeds.
Are silicone or fabric bibs better?
Silicone wipes clean and catches food but covers the front only. Fabric is soft but soaks through and stains. A smock bib like Abibi combines full coverage with easy cleaning, which is why many families switch to one once self-feeding begins.
How do I clean an Abibi bib?
A full regular machine wash works best. Avoid short rinse cycles, which do not clean thoroughly.
How many bibs should I buy?
Most families need four to six so they always have a clean one while others are in the wash. Our bundles are the easiest way to stock up.
