Why I Don’t Recommend Bibs — And What Works Better for BLW
A Real Talk Guide to Bibs, Baprons, and Skipping the Stress
If your baby spends more time chewing on the bib than eating the food, it might be the bib… not the baby.
Prefer to listen?
When you’re starting baby-led weaning, you’d think bibs would be the easy part.
Baby + food = bib. Simple, right?
But here’s the truth: a lot of popular bibs actually make BLW harder, not easier.
Especially those stiff, scoop-pocket silicone ones that look cute on Instagram—but cause chaos in real life.
This post breaks down:
Why some bibs aren’t great for baby-led weaning
What actually works better
Whether you really need bibs at all
And how many to keep in your rotation
Let’s simplify this one piece of gear and take one more thing off your mental load.
Most were made for spoon-fed babies—not self-feeding explorers
The classic stiff silicone bib with the scoop pocket?
It’s everywhere. But for baby-led weaning, it often backfires. Why?
It sticks out awkwardly and bumps the tray
It distracts babies who tug, twist, and chew on it
It fastens around the neck, which many babies hate
It turns into a toy… instead of a tool
If your baby is fidgeting, yanking at their bib, or more interested in the gear than the food—you’re not doing anything wrong. It might just be the bib.
Not All Bibs Are Built for Baby-Led Weaning
The Best Bibs for Baby-Led Weaning
What I actually recommend after weaning multiple babies
My go-to for years? Baprons.
(Yes, like bib + apron.)
Why I love them:
They tie under the arms, not around the neck
They’re soft, flexible, and easy to ignore
They cover more of the baby’s front without getting in the way
They’re machine washable AND dryer safe
You can grab them at bapronbaby.com — just don’t blame me if you fall in love with the prints. ✨Discount code: BLWACADEMY10✨
How many do you need?
Start with 2–4:
One to use
One in the wash
One on deck
Maybe one backup for messy days
You don’t need a full drawer. I promise.
Do You Even Need a Bib for Baby-Led Weaning?
Sometimes the best bib… is no bib at all
Real talk: There are days when the bib goes out the window—literally.
If you’re serving yogurt, spaghetti, or anything saucy, and a bath is already in your future… skip the bib.
Plop baby in the high chair in a diaper and let them go for it.
Naked babies belong at the table too.
This isn’t about keeping baby clean.
It’s about making exploration easier and less stressful.
TL;DR: Bibs and Baby-Led Weaning — What to Remember
🔹 Skip the stiff scoop-pocket bibs. They cause more problems than they solve.
🔹 Try a Bapron or bib that ties under the arms. Better comfort = better focus. ✨Discount code: BLWACADEMY10✨
🔹 You only need 2–4 bibs max. No need for a different one every day.
🔹 Some days, skip the bib altogether. Especially if you’re embracing the mess.
And no matter what? Expect some mess. Embrace it, even. That’s part of the magic of BLW.
Ready to Simplify More of Baby-Led Weaning?
🎓 Watch Orientation Day: Baby-Led Weaning 101
This free class walks you through:
What you really need to start solids
How to handle the mess (with confidence)
Gear that helps — and gear to skip
Plus, the mindset shift that makes feeding fun again
What’s your go-to bib for starting solids?
Tell me over on Instagram @babyledweaningacademy.
Let’s talk favorites, fails, and what actually works with your real-life baby.
✨ You’ve got this, and I’ve got you. ✨