I would recommend something easy to clean, comfortable to wear, and long enough to protect the clothes underneath," said Fleet."Being dishwasher or machine washable would also be useful." On feeding: The bib stayed in place and had a trace of leftover residue; however, the teething tip's material made it easier to remove food and spills on the bottom of the bib Pros: Short-sleeve design provides more coverage, great at absorbing drool, BPA-free, easy to clean, comfortable Clean Cub Long Sleeve Apron Bib With Suction Cups: Though I appreciate this bib's full-body design and suction cup that attaches to the high chair, it's not practical. Most food slipped onto the floor during feeding, too.

Mealtime should ideally be free of distraction or screens and children should sit in a high chair or at the table," said Fleet. "They should be allowed to feed themselves, and should not be fed against their will, as babies and toddlers generally eat when they are hungry and stop when they're full." Force-feeding may make them resistant to eat in the future, she added.

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The soft absorbent cotton bibs keep baby dry and have a secure velcro fastening to hold them in place. How comfortable it was: This includes if the bib caused any irritation and the softness and durability of the material. Julianna is in the notoriously brutal teething stage, which means she chews on just about anything to soothe her gums as baby teeth are erupting. When I discovered that Nuby makes a teething bib, I was intrigued. On comfort: The bib was lightweight and didn't make baby squirm. She even wore it when she was in her walker and it wasn't obtrusive. We spoke to Feeding Littles cofounder Judy Delaware, OTR/L, CLC — an occupational therapist, feeding specialist, and certified lactation counselor — and Dr. Sarah Fleet, attending physician at Boston's Children's Hospital and instructor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Both provided their expertise to answer commonly asked questions about what to look for in a baby bib and what to know while feeding. What should a caregiver look for in a baby bib?

Each baby is unique in their skill development, and needs to be introduced to foods when they are developmentally ready," said Fleet. "Solid foods should be introduced to an infant when they can sit unsupported in a high chair, with good head control, and are showing interest in solid foods."

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For this guide, I put 11 baby bibs to the test with my 1-year-old niece, Julianna Grace. Between breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I tried a variety of bib styles with her, from bandana and cotton designs to silicone and apron-style bibs. The textured tip at the bib's end is what sets it apart from other bibs, but it's not the only feature that makes Nuby a standout. The material is extremely comfortable and the bib is the ideal size for feeding time. The reversible designs are also a nice touch. On feeding: Some food slid off the bib's repel-tex material, but the full-coverage design made mealtime easier Delaware recommends rinsing a bib after each use and running it through the washing machine one to three times a week. Fleet agrees, adding that food and saliva can become embedded on the bib's surface and attract bacteria and pests.

The Babybjorn Baby Bib has a convenient bottom pouch to catch food and spills and only requires a wipe to clean. The Nuby Reversible 100% Natural Cotton Teething Bib is perfect for all stages, particularly for its comfort, ease of cleaning, and unique teething tip for the baby to chew on before or after feeding. On feeding: Caught most food bits and spills, which made it a runner up to the Babybjorn; impressive at absorbing drool On feeding: Captured most food and spills right on the bib, so there wasn't a big mess on the high chair and kitchen floor Nuby’s bandana teething bibs are ideal for when babies are drooling and teething. The soft absorbent cotton bibs keep baby dry and have a secure velcro fastening to hold them in place. Features a teething corner, with multiple textured surfaces, to chew on as new teeth break through. Reversible designs, 100% cotton and machine washable (30⁰ wash) - do not tumble dry or iron. Wash before initial use, warm wash on gentle cycle.

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Features a teething corner, with multiple textured surfaces, to chew on as new teeth break through.

Fleet also recommends adding spices and flavors to infant and toddler foods. Toward the end of infancy, they may start refusing bland purees and prefer blended family meals, as they are more flavorful. How it held up while feeding: This includes how much of a mess was left over after feeding, how effective the bib was at absorbing drool and catching food, and the overall design of the bib. The Green Sprouts Stay-Dry Infant Bibs are smaller than most, but have a unique oval design that acts as a shield on the baby's shoulders to prevent spills. After Julianna ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, strawberries, and formula, most of the food bits remained on the bib's surface, so the post-feeding cleanup was a breeze.to 12 months: Beyond 6 months of age, breastmilk and formula don't contain enough iron, so solid foods are recommended more than once daily. The baby can try dissolvable solids, like puffs and veggie straws. Though the repel-tex material is super absorbent and easy to clean in the washing machine after meals, some of Julianna's peanut butter and jelly sandwich slid off into the high chair seat. This wasn't a dealbreaker, however, given the bib provides more coverage than others we tested. Below, Fleet provided a sample diet, unique to each month grouping. Be sure to speak to your pediatrician about any specific concerns. The Copper Pearl Baby Bandana Bib is the most effective bandana style we tested, thanks to its wide, catch-all design.