Baby bibs for BLW: Grabease all-over bib, Bumkins sleeved bib, or Tidy-tot bib?

Baby led weaning (BLW) could be so messy and frustrating, but BLW is totally worth the mess! So I choose to raise my baby with BLW method and I know I need to stocking up on a few great BLW bibs, it help me to feel so much happier while doing BLW. No constantly stress about the mess and instead I can enjoy eating with my daughter. I have 3 great bibs, Grabease, Bumkins, and Tidy-tot. I’ll let you know the pros and cons of each bibs.

My daughter always sat on her highchair during mealtime, so in this article, I will focus on the bibs that are designed for highchair user. Check out here for on-the-go bibs.

Contents:

| Why we need bibs when BLW

| Bumkins sleeved bibs pros and cons

| Grabeaase all over bibs pros and cons

| Tidy tot bibs pros and cons

| Conclusion

Why we need bibs when BLW

It is of course to minimize the mess. A good bib can catch food easily, some bibs offer full coverage over clothing including sleeves, others are made from soft muslin or high-tech neoprene and some are more rigid, made with pockets to collect any spills. Not all bibs are equal and it is important to look for fabrics that are comfortable, protective, durable and washable, along with a design suited to your child’s stage and that is easy to fasten.

I always look for a durable, easy to wash and the perfect size for protecting baby’s clothes but not getting in the way of self-feeding. I also love bibs with a handy pocket to catch falling food. With a fresh bib for each meal, I can recycle food that’s fallen into the pocket back on to baby’s plate or bowl, also helping to minimize food waste.

Read also: 3 Rules you must follow when giving first food to your children

But if you are one of those moms whose always let your child naked, then you might not need the bibs so much, haha.

Bumkins sleeved bibs pros and cons

The good:

• Lightweight but durable long-sleeved bibs featuring a catcher pocket.

• Bumkins sleeved bibs protect almost every inch of my daughter’s clothes from spills

• They machine wash

• Free from BPA, PVC, phthalates and lead

• I love the tie back, not only it gives plenty of room to grow, my daughter keep pulling off the bibs that have velcro

• Wrists have little cuffs so nothing can get up the sleeves

The not so good:

• One small criticism from me was that the bibs could get stained with time

• If I went to a restaurant without air conditioner, my daughter will be pretty cranky due to the long sleeves and she feel hot.. I recommend it for at-home-usage

Where to buy Bumkins sleeved bibs.

Grabease all-over bibs pros and cons

The good:

• Large size covers my daughter and it perfectly pairs with my high chair

• Lightweight - roll up the bib for easy storage or to bring it on-the-go!

• Washable - Because who has time to hand wash? Both machine and hand wash, remember to hang dry completely before storing

• Safe! It BPA-free, PVC-free, vinyl-free, phthalate-free and lead-free

• 100% polyester with TPU coating for waterproofing - it really keeps my baby dry from drool and spills

• I am impressed with Grabease all over bibs waterproof effectiveness

• I love its colors, especially the blush one!

• Grabease all-over bib has a short sleeves, but this what makes me even love it more, I live in Asia where the weather is quite hot here, my daughter couldn’t stand the heat if she wears a long sleeves bib

• You can even use it as cover while making your own baby’s hairstyle

Read also: Best baby self feeding spoon and fork set

The not so good:

• You need to have either booster chair or high chair to use it, some restaurant don’t have neither of them, so need to use more on-the-go bibs

• I am not a big fan of their stretchy neck and arm holes, my daughter doesn’t really enjoy it

• The price is very high comparing with other bibs’ brand

Where to buy Grabease bibs.

Tidy tot bibs pros and cons

I let my daughter use the iconic bib and tray kit

The good:

• The tray can be used for weaning and messy play, keeps food and toys off the floor

• Is hygienically clean – provides an antibacterial, food-safe, BPA and Phthalate free surface for your baby to eat from, wherever you are

• The tray is easy to assemble, folds away for easy storage

• Comes with a storage bag

The not so good:

• I rarely use Tidy tots iconic bibs, in my point of view this bibs is not that convenient, it contains bibs and the tray, which I need to clean 2 separate items.

• It is hard to find a big space to dry out the tray, since it is pretty big.

• My daughter feels left out when she use Tidy tot, because the tray is so big, although she usually sit in her highchair, but Tidy tot’s tray is so big, feels distance, haha, what a dramatic daughter.

• She lover drawing, but the tray is not steady enough for drawing purpose.

Where to buy Tidy Tot bib and tray.

Conclusion

Over all, if for home use, I like Grabease better than Bumkins. The Grabease bibs can protect my daughter from the mess better and catch the food better. Maybe some of you will concern about the Grabease bibs short sleeves, but this is the feature I like about. I am living in Asia, most of the time is hot here, I’ll let my daughter wear sleeveless clothes, so the short sleeve is not a problem for me. What I like most about Bumkins is the tie back feature. But both of them is not really for on-the-go, you will need to prepare one more bibs meal time outside home. Check out here for on-the-go bibs.

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How to Choose Baby's First Spoon: A Guide to Self-Feeding Utensils

Editor's Note:

This article was originally a comparison between two specific brands. To provide more timeless and valuable advice, it has been updated to be a general guide on the two primary types of starter utensils for babies. This will help you understand the features to look for as you choose the best tools for your little one.

When your baby enters the age of 6 months, it's an exciting time to introduce them to the world of solid foods. This is when a baby's first spoon and fork come into play. Unlike the utensils we use, a baby's first tools must be specially adjusted for their little mouths, ensuring they are safe, comfortable, and easy to use.

The market is full of options, but they generally fall into two distinct categories, each designed for a different phase of the self-feeding journey. Understanding the difference is key to preventing frustration and setting your baby up for success.

Type 1: The Starter "Chewtensil" for Early Exploration

This type of utensil is perfect for the very beginning of the solid food journey, often suitable for babies as young as 4-6 months. It acts as a bridge between a teether and a true utensil.

Key Features:

• Soft, Flexible Material: Usually made from 100% food-grade silicone, it's gentle on a baby's sensitive gums.

• Dual-Sided with Textures: The "spoon" end is often textured and designed more for dipping into purées than for actual scooping. The handle is also textured, making it double as an effective teether.

• Easy-to-Grip Handle: The handle is typically short and wide, making it easy for a baby's developing grasp.

Pros:

• Excellent for developing hand-to-mouth coordination.

• Doubles as a teether, providing soothing relief during mealtimes.

• Very safe for babies to explore independently.

Cons:

• Not effective for scooping thicker foods or piercing solids.

• Babies will outgrow its limited functionality as their skills improve.

Type 2: The Ergonomic Self-Feeding Utensil

This is the next step up, designed for when your baby (typically 6-9 months and older) is ready to start scooping and piercing food themselves.

Key Features:

• Firmer Material & Real Utensil Head: While the handle might be silicone, the head is a real (but baby-safe) spoon and fork, allowing for actual scooping of things like yogurt and piercing of soft fruits.

• Short, Ergonomic Handle: The defining feature is a short, fat handle that encourages a baby's natural vertical grasp, making the motion to their mouth more intuitive.

• Choke-Protection Shield: This is a critical safety feature. A wide "cloud" or flower-shaped guard below the utensil head prevents a baby from gagging themselves.

Pros:

• Promotes true self-feeding independence and fine motor skills.

• The choke shield provides invaluable peace of mind for parents.

• Effectively prepares a child for using standard toddler utensils.

Cons:

• The firmer material is not designed for teething.

• Requires slightly more coordination than a simple "chewtensil."

Summary: Which One Is Right for Your Baby?

It's not a question of which one is "better," but which one is right for your baby's current stage.

• Think of the "Chewtensil" as Stage 1: Perfect for the initial introduction to solids, for dipping, and for teething relief.

• Think of the Ergonomic Utensil as Stage 2: The ideal tool once your baby shows a real desire to scoop and feed themselves independently.

Many parents find it helpful to own both, starting with the soft chewtensil and "graduating" to the ergonomic self-feeder as their baby's confidence and skills grow.