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.

If you are interested in starting your own baby product business, we are welcoming you to be our distributors. Be part of BabyLux family, if you want to be baby products distributors but not sure where to start, drop us a message!

3 Things you must know before buying Loulou silicone bibs

Everyone knows that babies need bibs. But it probably wasn’t until you actually reached of parenthood that you realized just how necessary bibs are. When it comes to BLW, you need keeping food off your baby or toddler’s adorable outfit, any bib is better than nothing. But options that are easy to wash and keep food from ending up in her lap or on her arms are your best bet.

Content:

| Are Loulou silicone bibs worth it?

| How many silicone bibs do you actually need to own?

| Why Loulou LOLLIPOP silicone bibs?

Are Loulou LOLLIPOP silicone bibs worth it?

A few months ago, I introduced solid foods to my daughter. I first fed him purées with a spoon, but after she started grabbing the bowl and reaching out for any food in sight, I incorporated baby-led feeding into the mix, giving her pieces of soft vegetables that she could pick up and feed herself. Thanks to countless videos on the social media, I knew that when babies feed themselves, food flies everywhere. A good bib—with a pocket to catch at least some of what didn't make it into my daughter’s mouth.

Silicone bibs are soft, flexible and waterproof. They can also be wiped clean after mealtime. Most have a lip or pocket at the bottom to catch food that your little one drops so it doesn’t end up on her lap.

I’ve used Loulou LOLLIPOP for 2 months now, I personally love the printed one better than the regular one. I feel that the printed bibs have a bigger and wider pocket, I can catch a lot of food that didn’t make it into my daughter’s mouth. So, for me it is totally worth it!

Read more: Loulou LOLLIPOP a strong chewable teether that your baby will LOVE!!

The printed silicone bibs.

How many silicone bibs do you actually need to own?

You could probably get by with just one, but it’s never a bad idea to have an extra bib or two around for backup. For newborns who only have some occasional drool or spit up, five bibs may be enough to last the week. For babies who really crank out the drool or spit up, though, you might go through five bibs a day.

So how many bibs do you actually need to own for those messy little eaters? The answer depends on your own family's needs. I have around 5 silicone bibs.

Read more: Grabease all-over bib review

Why Loulou LOLLIPOP silicone bibs?

If your older baby or toddler always tears off bibs with velcro closures, try this. The button closure is more likely to stay put, plus the adjustable buttons are designed to fit kids up to age 3. And if you’re not a fan of the typical baby colors, you’ll be psyched to hear that these bibs come in soothing earth tones like beige, olive and marble. They also have the printed one, which I very like.

A molded, catch-all pouch and easy, wipe-down surface makes for quick cleaning. With reinforced buttonholes for a durable, adjustable fit, this handy bib is available in an array of modern colors and fresh designs to complement baby’s wardrobe.

• 100% food grade silicone

• bib catch-all pouch to collect crumbs

• Free of BPA, PVC, phthalates, lead and cadmium

• Ages: 3-36 months

• Top rack dishwasher safe

Read more: Knowing more about Loulou LOLLIPOP teether, swaddle, blanket, bibs, and towel

At last, I had two main concerns with the material and make of the bib - Is it actually waterproof? And how easy is it to clean? We favored bibs that could easily be cleaned in the sink and that dried quickly.Tell me your story about your kids and your bibs.

Welcoming you to be part of BabyLux family, planning to start own business by being baby products distributors but not sure where to start, drop us a message!

4 Reason why I love Grabease silicone suction bowl

Silicone products are becoming increasingly popular and can be found in almost every kitchen, bathroom or nursery. Grabease stay-put bowl provides peace of mind to let littles explore self-feeding without the worry of them making a mess.

We love these Grabease silicone suction bowl since they are easy to clean, even with foods like tomato sauce that can stain other plastic plates. They’re also a safer material for heating in the microwave and washing in the dishwasher. They are very resistant to scratches and have been very durable in our experience, because scratches can break down the material.

Grabease silicone suction bowl come in 3 colors, Blush, Teal, and Gray. Bundle with the stage 1 spoons (spoon teether) which is gentle on teething gums, and stage 2 fork & spoon set for more food exploration. The bundle is the perfect companion for the whole BLW journey.

Read more: Grabease, best baby self feeding spoon and fork set

What I love about Grabease silicone bowl?

Portion, don’t separate

Sectioned to promote healthy portion sizes & satisfy picky eaters. Use sections as a way to portion, rather than separate, foods! The last thing we want is a child who's used to their foods not touching each other and falling apart when the rice touches the chicken or (god forbid!) the ketchup.

Read more: Tired of preparing a separate meal for your picky eater?

The suction is sturdy

This bowl knows how to stay-put with its sturdy suction feature. Be sure to adhere the bowl firmly to the table and allow yourself to go enjoy a cup of coffee without worrying it might end up on the floor. Deep sides for easy scooping. Strong suction base that will adhere to most surfaces.

For a perfect and sturdy suction, press the base of the suction bowl down (where the divider is located). For release, simply lift and pull the tab sticking out at the base of the suction bowl.

Read more: The importance to let your baby self-feeding, it's worth the mess

Keep bacteria away

Food grade silicone can be a safe and convenient alternative to plastic. Due to its flexibility, light weight, easy cleaning and hygienic and hypoallergenic properties (it has no open pores to harbor bacteria), it is especially convenient for snack containers, bibs, mats, protective sleeves and bath toys.

More than ever Grabease are doing are best of ward of harmful bacterias, and this bowl is ready to join the fight. Made of bacteria resistant, food grade silicone. Our food grade silicone is resistant to most bacterias, odors, and stains.

Can be both boiled sterilized

Be sure to wash and inspect bowl for any breakage before use. Discard at first sign of weakness or damage. Our food grade silicone bowl is dishwasher safe. It can be both boiled and sterilized.

Grabease suction divided bowls are designed to provide parents with a compact option optimized for young eaters - the perfect companion for you baby led weaning journey- without the worry about this bowl flying off the table onto the floor. Pairs perfectly with Grabease other items, like the ergonomic utensils.

I love how Grabease develop their product, they developing meaningful products. When I think about eating, I always have Grabease in my mind. They have develop a full kits to build an independent eater.

Read more: Grabease all-over bib review

Grabease full range of product.

Find a perfect Grabease bundle via your local distributor, or drop us a message if you can’t find one. They are available in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan and many other countries. Also welcoming you to be part of BabyLux family, planning to start own business by being baby products distributors but not sure where to start, drop us a message!

It's meal time! The best baby bowls and plates in 2019

There are many development stages in each baby's age. For example, when your baby 6 months old, it is time to start eating extra meal as a companion for breast milk. Parents must be careful in choosing companion meal. The baby's digestive tract is still not as perfect as an adult, so the food must be considered properly.

After introducing solid food to baby, the next step should be learning to eat by themselves. What is the benefit of self-feeding for baby? Beside practicing their motor skills, self-feeding also makes them independent from an early age. You would like to have the proper bowls and plates for success, here’s a list of our favorite baby feeding essentials to help reduce the mess and stress.

Best baby bowls

Avanchy Bamboo Suction Baby Bowl + Spoon

This beautifully designed bamboo set is so cool, you’ll want to eat from it. The organic material is resistant to mold and mildew, and it’s environmentally friendly. The bowl also suctions to surfaces, providing a stable base for little ones learning to feed themselves. And the airtight lock mechanism lets you know for sure that it’s stuck in place.

Keep in mind, these are hand-wash only and can’t be used in the microwave.

Olababy Steam Bowl

Made from BPA- and phthalate-free, food-grade silicone, this bowl can be placed in a saucepan or steamer to safely warm up baby puree or steam veggies without killing off the nutrients. Plus the bowl doesn’t get hot as it steams, so it won’t be too warm for baby. It’s dishwasher safe and can be used in the microwave, as well.

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

Thinkbaby BPA Free Baby Bowl

If you’re avoiding plastic, the Thinkbaby bowl is a durable alternative. Dishwasher safe, it’s made from stainless steel. Since it comes with a lid, you can use it to pack snacks for outings.

Keep in mind, just like plastic, you won’t be able to put this bowl in the microwave.

Best baby plates

ezpz Mini Mat, Happy Mat

Outsmart baby’s tendency to toss his plate on the floor with ezpz’s Mini Mat, a one-piece silicone plate and placemat combo that suctions to the table (or any flat surface). The multiple compartments encourage parents to serve a variety of foods, and its lightweight enough to bring along on trips or dinners out. Made from 100 percent food-grade silicone, it’s BPA, BPS, PVC, lead and phthalate FREE and dishwasher safe. These baby plates even come in a variety of colors.

I love that the design makes it possible for parents to stack and serve two or more mats at a time. That means you can easily use these when you have more than one little child at the table.

Read more: The best baby spoon fork in 2019

ezpz Happy Mat

ezpz Mini Mat

WeeSprout Silicone Divided Toddler Plates

They are practical and made with silicone, which happens to be unbreakable aka toddler-proof. These plates are microwave and dishwasher safe, so clean up is super easy! Surprisingly, WeeSprout plates are also oven and freezer safe, and they don’t transfer heat! The plates come in a set of three, and they are made of 100% FDA certified silicone. Unlike other silicone products, these don’t have a weird taste or smell. They are also BPA-free for safety. It’s one of the best silicone baby dishes which I really recommend.

IKEA SMASKA Plates

Available in colorful, three-piece sets, these no-fuss plates and bowls are microwave safe and dishwasher safe. Don’t let the low cost make you think they’re not safe - these products are also BPA free. It is a budget friendly plate!

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Bobo & Boo Bamboo Kids Plates

If you are looking for eco-friendly toddler plates, Bobo & Boo are some of the best choices! Sold in a set of four. These plates are made with sustainably sourced bamboo, which means they’re non-toxic, BPA and PVC free. Bobo&Boo uses FDA-approved, food-grade bamboo, which means they are baby and environmentally friendly! I also love that, instead of paint, Bobo&Boo mixed natural pigments into the bamboo by-products, so you never have to worry about them chipping or flaking in your child’s food.

Read more: The 5 best straw cups for your baby in 2019

Choosing What’s Right for You

Now that your child has a whole new, edible world to explore, meals become one big adventure. What you use to feed your wee one should make life easier for you and more fun for them. Introducing taste buds to savory and sweet treats is one of the greatest joys of parenthood. Bon appetit!

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

There are so many ways to introduce and giving the first food to your children. Proper nutrition should be given to improve the nutrition of your child. Said gastro hepatology consultant pediatrician, Dr. Frieda Handayani any method applied must prioritize nutritional needs to support each stage of different growth and development. Errors in feeding can have fatal consequences on children's nutritional conditions, such as eating difficulties and malnutrition.

"The first time feeding a child, there must be many challenges so we must be patient. But it is a child's learning process that must be passed," Dr. Frieda said it.

Read more: Baby's first solid food

3 rules that you must understand when giving your child the first meal.

1. Schedule

Mother can provide healthy food and snacks to children regularly. We recommend do not offer other snacks at meals except drinking.

The meal schedule can adjust by age of the child. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), ages 6 to 8 months, the frequency of eating is around 2 to 3 times a day. Meanwhile, at the age of 9 to 23 months, children can eat 3 to 4 times a day.

2. Environment

Create a pleasant atmosphere when children eat. Also never force children if they refuse to eat, but communicate with them.

The use of gadgets must also be considered. The tendency of children to eat while watching videos from gadgets is now done by many parents in order to let children want to eat. But this is so wrong, parents!!

"Not only not good in terms of psychology, children who are given gadgets are just bothering them to learn about the taste and texture of food," said Dr. Frieda.

Also avoid to give rewards or gifts to children whenever they finish their meal. For example, parents promised them to give sweets after they finish their meal. If children is rewarded with a gift, they not eating because of necessity but because they want a gift. This kind of thing is not good for their development, parents.

Read more: The importance to let your children self-feeding, it's worth the mess

3. Procedure

Prioritize children to eat first and drink after finish meal. If they don’t want to eat and start to turning their head away, crying, and closing their mouth, try to keep offering food again.

Read more: Yummy and healthy ice cream for your baby with Grabease

But remember, don't forced. Offer food neutral as usual.

"Keep trying for 10 to 15 minutes, and if they till do not want to eat, stop the eating process," said Dr. Frieda.

The process of feeding children, Dr. Frieda said, does require extra patience. Besides being patient, feeding them is also a bonding time with children, a period of learning and loving. Don’t forget to invite them to communicate, for example you can tell a story while introducing food.

Baby's first solid food

Babies needs to be given their first food gradually after having exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of their life. After baby is 6 months old, breastmilk alone is unable to meet the nutritional needs of the baby, so baby needs to eat foods other than only breast milk, and it’s worth the mess!

Sign of babies are being ready to eat solid food

The baby has indirectly shown signs that he is ready to be given solid food near the age of 6 months. Such as being able to hold his head, able to pull out his tongue, has begun to look interested in food, look at food at the dinner table, and may try to reach the food in front of him. If the baby has shown such signs, it means they’re ready to be introduced to their first solid foods.

Read more: It's meal time! The best baby bowls and plates in 2019

There is a right moment to introduce baby food, a unique timing for every child. If parents introduce too early, baby may will stop breastfeeding soon, and they will not get the benefits of breast milk. If introduced too late, they will be more difficult to take solid food, so it may caused them a shortage of vitamins and minerals.

What is the first food parents should give to baby?

First Food

Start by giving them soft food or mashed food. The choices can be rice porridge, or baby cereal. Occasionally give boiled vegetables and fruits, such as potatoes, carrots, yams, apples or pears. Soft fruits such as melons may also be given to him.

Even so, giving varied types of food is still recommended as it is feared if only giving rice cereal, babies are at risk of excessive arsenic exposure.

Finger food

After getting used to eat soft foods, you can give him finger food. Finger food is a food that is cut to the size of a finger so that it is easily grasped and eaten by the baby. You can give banana or avocado pieces as finger food. Initially the baby may learn to hold food with his own hands and learn to put it in his mouth, but later at the age of 8-10 months, usually the little one can consume finger food in slightly larger portions.

Advanced food

If the baby can successfully eat the two stages above, it means that they can consume advanced foods that are more complex. Foods like chicken, meat, noodles, bread, rice, and boiled eggs are safe to give to them. But make sure the food is cooked till it soft to make it easier to eat and avoid choking.

Read more: Grabease, best baby self feeding spoon and fork set

Drink from a cup

Give the baby the experience of drinking directly from an open cup or glass after he is six months old. This way will help his ability to drink as well as good for tooth development.

Eat three times a day

At first, baby may eats enough twice a day, but after they are 8-9 months old, they can start eating three times a day. Later at the age of 12 months, they are used to eating three times a day plus light meals. In addition, from the age of 12 months, babies can drink cow's milk. Choose full-fat dairy products because children under the age of two need extra fat and vitamins for their physical development.

The right things to do while giving baby’s first solid food

Parents can apply the following methods to give complementary feeding to your child without interfering with the natural development of her body.

Give your baby a meal when their mood is happy and not too hungry, tired, or fussy.

Let your baby enjoy touching and holding food.

Read more: The importance to let your children self-feeding, it's worth the mess

When a baby shows an interest in eating alone, give him a chance to eat with his own hands.

Mother must be patient, do not force the baby to eat.

Keep breastfeeding baby or milk-feeding for at least one year.

Accompany them while they’re eating.

Make sure the food given to the baby is clean, fresh, and not hot.

The importance to let your baby self-feeding, it's worth the mess

As a new parents, you might being really protective of you kids. You are afraid of choking issue, so you may always feed your children. Of course I know every parents might have different perception about self-feeding for children, let we discuss the importance of allowing children to be in charge of their own feeding and learn how to listen to their bodies, it is also called BLW (baby-led weaning).

This article will let you know why you should stop feeding them and let your little one self-feeding, and yes, letting them self-feeding definitely worth the mess.

Why baby self-feeding is worth the mess?

Learning to eat alone (self-feeding) must be trained early so that the child is active in various things later. When a child is able to grasp something it's good to let them eat by themselves so that his fingers are stimulated.

Children who learn to grab food and put it in their mouths are expected to be more skilled in using their hands for other positive activities such as coloring or drawing.

The more they learns to hold, after a long time their fine motor muscles or small muscles become stronger. When they gets bigger, we stimulate him to self-feeding using a utensils according to his size, and then he gets more skilled, which means he gets stronger again.

What is a good age to start self-feeding and why?

Once you introduce solid food, your child might show signs of wanting to feed himself. Just wait until your child is able to pick up food and get it into their mouths successfully, whether using their hands or utensils, then it is the right time to begin the transition to self-feeding. It is an important stage of children to self-feeding. Self-feeding involves lots of feeling, squeezing and dropping food. It might seem messy, but it’s one of the ways your child develops fine motor skills like learning to hold a spoon.

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

Start baby self-feeding with..

Finger foods

In BLW method there is mentioned about letting your children observe food by their own. Soft, bite-sized pieces of food that are easy for baby to pick up and mash between his gums or teeth. Like a small piece of soft fruit or soft and cooked vegetables like potato or pumpkin. You can add more if they’re finish their meal or if they’re drop it.

Start introduce solid food to them while they are 6 months old, the important thing is finger foods are not their main nutrition resource, by that time we encourage you to keep breastfeeding your baby, but, let them observe foods. You will find out that when they have interested in foods, then it would be easier to let them self-feeding.

Read more: Baby's first solid food

Using utensils

Technically there is no right or wrong about giving children use utensils to self-feeding, as long as utensils was made for children, like Grabease. The self-feeding journey with hands is very important as it helps a baby to experience texture and it is all important for the gag reflex. Utensils then bring to the table the next developmental step in learning about mealtime etiquette and motor development.

Why Grabease is the best fork and spoon to start with?

Let’s talk about traditional children’s cutlery. They look very much like adult cutlery, just scaled down to a small size. However, if you put a traditional child’s spoon next to a baby’s arm, you will see that a “child size” spoon is actually the same length as a 12-month old’s forearm! If adults used the same proportions in utensils when we ate we’d be eating with a serving spoon.  So, traditional children’s utensils are too big.

Read more: Self-feeding utensils, Grabease or Bumkins silicone chewtensils?

Then there is improper hand-hold in “child size” spoon. Due to the long handle, a child can’t use a proper vertical hand grasp to use them, so they hold these handles with a fist. This doesn’t encourage fine motor development.

There really is only one solution and that’s Grabease. They encourage vertical and horizontal hold because of the short ergonomic handle and have been endorsed by Occupational Therapists due to this revolutionary feature.

-The Real Nutritionist-

If you're interested in learning more about the transition to utensils for self-feeding baby, check out this.

Last but not least, messy eating and playing with food are normal parts of your baby’s development when they’re learning to eat independently. It’s normal for your baby to drop or throw food on the floor. If you react when they do this, he might think it’s the start of an exciting new game. One way to handle this is ignore it. Pick up the food calmly, without a fuss. Or you can leave the food on the floor until they finish their meal so you just have the one clean-up.

“Needless to say, teaching children self-feeding is often a long and messy journey. Just let the food fly!!”

— The Real Nutritionist