Our son was only a few weeks old when we wrote about Mally Bibs last year and now that we've been using one for a few months we consider ourselves total converts. We especially wanted to write about them again during Spring Cleaning Month because the "no laundry" aspect of these leather bibs is our absolute favorite feature.
It's not so much that we're lazy about doing laundry (although that is certainly true), it's that we live in a smallish rental without a washing machine in the whole building. When our son was a newborn we spent the end of each exhausting day handwashing bibs (he was a big spit-upper) and hanging them on the line to dry. It was either this or buy twenty bibs since we only get to the laundromat down the street once a week.
Our daily bib washing petered out as our son's digestive system developed and he spit up less and less. But when we started him on solid foods we could envision this daily ritual ramping up again - ugh. We just happened to have a Target gift card burning a hole in our pocket and were browsing online one day and found a small selection of leather bibs called Lucky Spills. We ordered one and were delighted to find out it was designed by the folks at Mally Bibs and featured the same high-quality leather, cute designs and magnetic closure. In the past six months we've used it three times a day and it's holding up great. We wipe it off or rinse it quickly in the sink and hang it on the fridge until the next feeding. Easy peasy! It has saved us mounds of laundry!
We just peeked at Target's site and instead of the three designs they offered before, they now seem to only have the brown apple version available (these are the baby size by the way) and it's on sale so we suspect this might not be offered by Target for much longer. But we'll gladly pay a bit more for a Mally Bib when our son is ready for the larger toddler size (with pocket for snacks!). Mally Bib's designs are really great and they have a huge selection - 56 designs as well as custom options. We also noticed on their blog that they have new designs coming out soon including these cute "pocket peepers."
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Very cute! But doesn't the leather get stiff after a while? I'm happy to see they are coming out with pocket version, as a no-pocket bib would seem to contribute to laundry anyway -- everything would end up in baby's lap. My favorites are the Bumkins, now available at Babies 'R' Us. PVC, BPA, Phthalate & Vinyl Free, rinse in the sink, hang to dry, throw them in the washing machine once in a while. They're always included in my shower gifts these days, especially now that they've got new (modern) patterns.
view Saderchick's profile
I'm a huge fan of the Bibbity™ Rinse & Roll Bib. For $10 you get a bib you can clean with dish soap. Plus, my little guy likes to yank bibs off by pulling on them and this stays on (and keeps him clean).
view jensational's profile
These are prettier, but not as practical as Bumkins bibs. The sushi one is really cute though.
view Elle78's profile
I actually do have a Bumkins, but don't like it as well (granted, it is cheaper). I prefer the thickness of the leather. The pocket peeper designs are new, but the toddler size bibs have always had pockets as far as I know. Saderchick - so far the leather has stayed very supple.
Carrie
view CMcB's profile
I work with leather restoration professionally, and the longevity of this bib would depend entirely on whether or not it was coated in polyurethane and how the leather was cared for (either as a protected leather, or as a full aniline leather)...it's an interesting option.
view strawberryfuzz's profile
I found one on ebay for less than target and with free shipping. I've been looking for a good bib and frankly, the leather ones sound better than the plastic ones. I'll try one and see. Thanks for the review.
view inkstainedwriter's profile
We have two of the Mally bibs and have been using them for the past 2 years. They are great. The leather does not stiffen when you rinse them. The pocket is a must though - definitely helps to keep the mess to a minimum. I received the first as a gift and promptly retired all our other bibs. I bought the other one just so that I could mix it up once in a while for a little visual variety. Great bib.
view olastar's profile
Can I ask where the apple print in the background is from? We are thinking of decorating my daughters room in apple grren with some reds too and it would be great! Thanks.
view wallaby's profile
Another Bumkins fan here. I like that they're wipeable and yet you also have the option of throwing them in the laundry. There are some pretty cute ones too although not as cute as these.
view robinm's profile
Thanks for the feature! We have had lots of orders since your post, so needless to say we love ohdeedoh! Did you know that now you can personalize our bibs with a name?!
I'm also curious where you got that apple print from in the photo, as it would be perfect in my kitchen... :)
Thanks so much!
view MallyBibs's profile