Diapers? Checked! Swaddle blankets? Checked! Burp cloths? Checked! You’ve prepared almost everything for your bundle of joy. What about bibs? How many bibs does a newborn need? Do you need 5 or 20 bibs?
Don’t worry; you’re not alone! We’ve received similar questions from new parents. We made this guide to explain how many bibs you need and why quality matters. This is an important know-how to ensure the best care during the newborn stage (0-4 months), so don’t miss out!
The Recommended Number: How Many Bibs Should You Start With?
The "Golden Number": Around 8-12 Bibs
As a rule of thumb, you’ll need 8-12 bibs for your newborn. This is a good starting point, recommended by experts and experienced parents. A quick survey among SwaddleAn’s staff and customers also revealed that many parents swore by this range.
This number ensures you always have clean bibs on hand without being overwhelmed with piles of unnecessary ones.
Breaking Down the Number: Enough for 2-3 Days Between Laundry Cycles
On average, a newborn needs 3-4 bibs each day for feedings and unexpected spit-ups. So, with 8-12 bibs, you have enough fresh ones to use in 2-3 days. This allows you ample time to do laundry without feeling rushed or running out of clean bibs.
This is a godsend for busy parents. Even full-time moms and dads might not have enough time to wash bibs and other nursery items every day.
3 Key Factors That Influence the Number of Bibs You Need
How many bibs does a newborn need? The exact quantity boils down to three factors as below:
1. Your Family's Laundry Frequency
How often does your family do laundry? If it’s an everyday routine, you only need a minimum of 6-8 bibs. But if you do laundry 2-3 times a week, prepare at least 12-15 bibs for back-up.
Over 80% of American households are equipped with a dryer. However, if you are not in the majority, having a few extra bibs gives you time to air-dry without stress.
2. Your Baby's Level of Spit-Up and Drool
Every baby is unique. Since "happy spitters" need a new bib for every feeding, you'll need more than recommended.
Though your newborns haven’t become teething babies yet, some of them drool more often than others. In this case, a larger stash of drool bibs (about 15-20 bibs) will be your lifesaver.
Keep a close eye on your baby during the first few weeks and adjust the number of bibs accordingly.
3. The Types of Baby Bibs You Use
A bib made of soft, absorbent material is the kind of bib a newborn needs. But one trade-off is that once these bibs get wet or dirty, you have to change them right away.
Otherwise, the damp fabric might irritate or cause rashes on your baby’s skin. That’s why you’ll need more fabric bibs. Plastic or silicone smock bibs are easily wiped clean after messy solid food meals.
It's Not Just About Quantity, Quality Matters Too
Why Choose Good Quality Bibs?
A daily essential like bibs will go to the laundry very often. And no one wants a worn-out, frayed bib after just a few washes. It's wise to invest in high-quality products so they keep their shape and absorbency after countless washes.
Not to mention, bibs directly touch your baby’s sensitive skin around their neck and chin. So, poor-quality ones made from cheap fabrics can cause irritation.
The Benefits of SwaddleAn Bibs for Newborns
Choosing newborn bibs from SwaddleAn is a smart investment. Our ultra-soft bamboo bibs soak up liquid while being gentle on your baby’s skin.
The solid two-layer design, with a water resistant layer, stands the test of time, staying like-new after many washes. You don’t have to buy new piles of bibs every month or so.
Signs You Need to Buy More Bibs
Still not sure if this number of bibs is enough for your baby? Here are three signs you need to buy more:
- You have to constantly do emergency bib laundry because the last one just got dirty.
- Your baby’s clothes often get wet around the chest, even with a bib on. This indicates that the bib has poor absorbency, or you don’t have enough clean bibs for timely changes.
- You don’t have any spare bibs to put into the diaper bag when going out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a specific kind of bib for newborns?
Yes, newborn bibs should be super soft and highly absorbent. Go for bamboo rayon or organic cotton ones for superior softness and absorbency. Feeding bibs are often made from silicone or plastic for easy cleaning.
How should I wash newborn bibs?
Washing newborn bibs requires a baby-safe detergent, free of fragrance and bleach. For machine washing, use a gentle cycle if says they're machine washable.
When should I change a baby's bib during the day?
Change the bib once it gets wet or dirty. Letting the damp bib sit on your baby’s chest for an extended time can cause irritation.
Final Words
How many bibs does a newborn need? Starting with 8–12 bibs is a practical choice for most families with newborns. From there, you can easily adjust based on how often you do laundry and your baby’s unique habits.
And don’t stress too much about finding the “perfect” number. What matters most is choosing safe, comfortable bibs for ease of cleaning in daily care.
As your baby grows and begins eating solids, both the type and number of bibs you’ll need will change. Check out our guide on choosing the right bibs for each age and stage to stay prepared.
Ready to keep your baby comfortable and experience mess-free everyday? Shop our premium baby bibs, crafted from soft bamboo rayon now!