Bibs

[MamaBearCanada]

Just curious, at what age do you typically stop putting bibs on DCKs? I know it depends a little on how messy a kid is or the meal (spaghetti!) but on average?

If you had a really messy older child (3+) but they were embarrassed about wearing a bib what would you do? Unless it's something like spaghetti I let them go without then wipe off the clothes as best I can.

[Cradle2crayons]

I've been known on an older child who was messy....not stuff a napkin down their shirt ... But about a year ago a dental technician friend if mine "loaned me" some of those clips they clip on your napkin with to clean your teeth... Oh my gosh... They are awesome. I use that for ages 18 months and up... Only for meal time though.. Not for art etc...

They aren't cheap but are re usable and easy to disinfect...
Here is a link to them.... They last forever.....

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_gnr_fkmr0?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ADental+bib+clips&keywords=Dental+bib+clips&ie=UTF8&qid=1366722184

[JenNJ]

If I have a super messy older boy I offer them the option to eat without their shirt on, . I know it sounds silly, but it saves the clothes and makes for an easy clean up.

BUT, my favorite thing I do is have silly clothes. I buy character sweatshirts that the kids ADORE for really cheap in size 6-7. I cut the sleeves off and make the head opening larger. The kids have the option to wear a silly shirt to eat in. Washable, reuseable, the kids love it and they stay on better than bibs.

[MamaBearCanada]

Thanks those are both great ideas

[youretooloud]

Past infancy, I just take their shirts off. Even for painting.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I have children ages 2-5 and I never put a bib on any of them.

For painting and using dry erase markers, they wear a smock since that could permanently stain their clothing.

[melilley]

I just put an extra shirt over their own shirt. It works like a bib, but they don't get embarrassed.

[canadiancare]

I transition from craft to lunch so they start off with their bibs/smocks on. We do craft, wash our hands and then go to lunch.

[MarinaVanessa]

For the older kids that don't want to use "baby bibs" you can use paint smocks or aprons. I have a few of both that when I know the kid will get messy I can put one on them depending on what they prefer and then just toss in the washer after. I have a couple of the smocks from Ikea that are like a shirt with an open back that closes with velcro and they are in fun bright colors. Those are the easiest for me to use and clean but sometimes the child doesn't want to wear it so I have those little aprons that I've gottem from the old Lowe's and Home Depot workshops that work just as good. I have quite a few of them so I keep some out in out dress-up area but have a few for meals. I tell the kids they can wear them like Chefs do and all of a sudden the whole group wants to wear them ::. Suits me just fine.

[AmyKidsCo]

I usually stop using bibs for meals around 2 yrs, but I have one family who requested a bib on their daughter because they don't like her getting her clothes dirty. I have bigger pull-over ones made from towels for older children.

[childcaremom]

For my group right now I have one that hasn't worn a bib since 18 months and the rest (2, 2, and 2.5) still wear one only because they still are quite messy. I use sleeveless bibs so they don't take care of all the mess, just most of it.

None of them ever complain but if they did, I would just let them go without and change their shirt after meals.

[SignMeUp]

I've never been a huge bib user, beyond infancy when they drool out the puree or cereal.
I have it in my policy that if a parent wants a bib used, they should provide it. No one ever brings one, so if they say something about messy clothes, I just point them to the policy. And they still never bring one :: And I call that a win-win :: ::

[TaylorTots]

our bibs stop by 2 years. Bibs are really for my benefit - they contain my mess to clean up Kids have spare clothes for a reason, if they are too messy afterward to lay on mats for rest time after we clean up, we chamge clothes and send icky ones home with a note "we LOVED lunch today!" My 12m old WITH a bib often has to change clothes anyway if I don't strip her before anything saucy for lunch.

Tell mom that you want DCK to feel comfortable and wearing a bib is making him embarassed, but you can't allow him to be all around the house after he eats and is so messy - so you would like 2 extra (3 total at least) spare clothing sets and will send home the "dirty" ones daily. I tell my parents this and follow it with "This shouldn't be an issue since my handbook CLEARLY states that any clothes you send your child in here are forfeit to paint, marker, tears, stains and all the other wonderful experiences a child has."

Speaking of which, it baffles me that DCM of that 12m old regularly sends her in expensive clothing/shoes. We are in under armour shirts today with sperrys shoes. I figured she would stop after we ruined a beautiful boutique outfit with Spaghetti sauce and reminded her of the handbook clothing policy. But nope...

My bibs are all me-made and look like this: http://www.vanillajoy.com/handmade-dish-towel-bibs.html

I use the white bar mop towels you can find at walmart to make mine. They bleach out great and live on forever.

[Maria2013]

If you had a really messy older child (3+) but they were embarrassed about wearing a bib what would you do?

When little ones take off their bib, I have them wear an oversize shirt over their clothes while they're eating

for older kids, I think I would choose a different type of noddles than spaghetti

[SignMeUp]

[QUOTE=TaylorTots;458412



I use the white bar mop towels you can find at walmart to make mine. They bleach out great and live on forever.[/QUOTE]

That's good to know! I bought some at Target and they don't bleach white again AT ALL. I don't understand how all-cotton won't bleach clean. I went to all white for the kitchen, where I use bleach to clean tables and counters.
And all blue washcloths for the bathroom, where we use them as single-use hand towels.