FAQs

Most babies are ready to start solids around 6 months of age. Australian Government and World Health Organization guidelines recommend exclusive breast or formula feeding until around 6 months, then gradually introducing solid foods alongside continued milk feeds until at least 12 months.

Signs your baby is ready for solids

Look for these developmental signs before starting:

• Sitting upright with minimal support — essential for safe swallowing
• Showing interest in food — watching you eat, reaching for food, opening their mouth
• Loss of the tongue-thrust reflex — no longer automatically pushing food out
• Good head and neck control
• Bringing hands and toys to their mouth

Starting before 4 months is not recommended, and most paediatric guidelines recommend waiting as close to 6 months as possible to allow your baby's digestive system to develop.

Two approaches to starting solids

There are two main approaches, and many families combine both:

• Traditional spoon-feeding with smooth purees, gradually progressing to lumpier textures and finger foods
• Baby Led Weaning (BLW) where babies self-feed soft whole foods from the start

Both approaches are evidence-based and safe when done correctly. Choose what works for your baby and family.

What you'll need

The most useful gear for the first 6–18 months of solids includes a stable highchair, soft-tipped weaning spoons, a non-slip suction plate, and a full-coverage smock bib to protect clothing during the messy learning phase.

Always consult your maternal child health nurse or paediatrician if you have specific concerns about your baby's readiness for solids.

A full-coverage smock bib is the best choice for starting solids and baby led weaning. Unlike traditional bibs that only catch food at the chest, smock bibs protect arms, sides, lap and clothing — essential for the messy hand-feeding stage from 6 months.

When choosing a smock bib, look for:

• PFAS-free, waterproof fabric — many waterproof fabrics contain "forever chemicals" that don't break down in the body
• Snug sleeve cuffs — to block liquids running up little arms
• Secure mid-back press-studs — so little fingers can't pull the smock off
• No front pockets — leftover food can get trapped between meals
• Adjustable sizing — to grow with your baby through the first 12+ months of solids

Little Chomps smock bibs tick all of these boxes and have been trusted by Australian families for over 10 years.

A smock bib covers a baby's full torso, arms and lap, while a regular bib only covers the chest. Smock bibs offer significantly more protection during messy meals, baby led weaning and solids exploration.

Regular bibs (cloth, silicone or pelican-style) typically catch food at the chest but leave sleeves, sides, back and lap exposed while bub wriggles and plays.

During the first 6–18+ months of solids when food goes everywhere, a smock bib means less time changing outfits, less laundry, and longer-lasting clothes.

Smock bibs offer more coverage than silicone bibs, but they serve different purposes. Silicone bibs are quick-rinse and good for tidy eaters; smock bibs are designed for full coverage during messy meals, baby led weaning and self-feeding.

Silicone bibs catch food at the chest in a fixed pocket, which works well for spoon-fed babies and older toddlers who eat tidily. Smock bibs cover the chest, arms, sides and lap — protecting clothing during the messier stages of feeding development.

Many parents use both: a silicone bib for snacks and tidy meals, and a smock bib for purees, BLW, sauce-heavy meals, and self-feeding practice. Smock bibs are also better for sensory-sensitive children, as the soft fabric is more comfortable for extended wear than rigid silicone.

Yes. Smock bibs are specifically designed for baby led weaning and self-feeding, where babies explore food with their hands and food ends up on sleeves, sides and lap as well as the chest.

Baby led weaning involves babies feeding themselves from around 6 months, which means significantly more mess than spoon-feeding. A full-coverage smock bib protects clothing during this developmental stage and lets you embrace the mess that's essential to building fine motor skills, independence and confidence with food.

Little Chomps smock bibs are recommended by paediatric nutritionists, dietitians, occupational therapists and speech pathologists for BLW and starting solids.

Yes — Little Chomps smock bibs have a 96% 5-star rating from over 240 verified reviews and have been trusted by Australian families for over 10 years.

Designed for full coverage, and recommended by paediatric nutritionists, dietitians, occupational therapists and speech pathologists. PLUS the fabric is certified PFAS-free.

What customers tell us makes the difference:

• 360° coverage protects clothes from spills on the sides, back and lap — not just the chest
• Wipeable between meals, machine-washable for bigger messes — fewer outfit changes, longer-lasting clothes
• PFAS-free, BPA-free, PVC-free fabric — independently tested against Australian standards
• Designed in Australia by Bree, a mum of three, with 10+ years of refinement.

"I'll never bother with another bib again! Little Chomps smocks are just the best." — Claire, verified review

Read more customer reviews

Our premium Polyester fabric has a thin Polyurethane coating on the outside, providing a wipeable, waterproof barrier while the inner is soft against baby's skin.

Our fabric is certified free from PFAS 'forever chemicals’.

“The material is soft and flexible and although it has a waterproof sort of outside layer, it has a material feel inside and fits well. It feels nicer than other more plastic feeling smocks I’ve tried." – Emily

Yes! Little Chomps Smock Bibs are waterproof, wipeable and machine washable.

Yes. Our waterproof fabric is third-party tested and certified free from PFOA and PFOS (the two main PFAS chemicals used in textiles), along with Lead, BPA, PVC, Azo dyes, Phthalates and 7 other regulated substances.

PFAS - also known as "forever chemicals" - are commonly used to make fabrics waterproof, but they don't break down in the body or environment.

Little Chomps led the way in PFAS-free smock bib innovation in Australia.

Note: Standard garment care labels commonly contain PFAS, so we recommend cutting these off where concerned.

We have smock bibs suitable for ages ranging from infancy to 6 years.

Yes. Our smock bibs feature adjustable, secure press studs that fasten at the back of the neck and midback, out of sight and away from little fingers. Our mid-back closure also keeps our smock in place so that a wriggly baby doesn’t expose their sides and back to food and stains.

We also don’t have additional straps fastened to the highchair tray restricting baby’s movement, getting in the way of food or proving a distraction during mealtimes.

Yes! Our soft, breathable fabric keeps babies and toddlers comfortable while they explore new foods. Our smocks are loose-fitting but secure.

“My 11mo doesn't fuss at having it put on or wearing it during meal times like he did for previous smocks.” – Liz

Our Smocks are wipeable for an instant clean-up and also machine-washable.

Drying time will depend on the climate and conditions but 2+ smocks will likely help with a wash/dry rotation.

Some customers tell us they like to use one smock for a day or two wiping between meals and then another while they wash/dry the first and so on.

If you like to machine wash more often, you will likely need more smocks in your rotation.

Some customers say they like to use a smock for a day or two, wiping between meals and then use another while they wash/dry the first and so on.

For best results, we recommend:

• A wipe with a damp cloth.
• A machine wash (max 40C) with a fast spin cycle and hanging to dry inside-out in a warm position.
• We advise against rinsing under a tap or hand washing because once the fabric is wet - much like regular clothing - it may take longer to dry without the help of a machine spin cycle.

Like all fabrics, Turmeric/curry powder can cause light staining, it usually shifts with a few soapy washes.

Our smock bibs are sold online via this website and a variety of retailers nationally and internationally listed on our Stockist Page.

For terms and pricing, visit our Delivery
Guidelines.

Yes. Combine with friends or Mothers' Group for automatic free postage on orders of 5+ smocks Australia-wide. 

Baby Led Weaning (BLW) is an approach to starting solids where the baby feeds themselves whole or soft finger foods from around 6 months of age, instead of being spoon-fed purees. The method was pioneered by UK health visitor and researcher Dr Gill Rapley in the early 2000s.

How baby led weaning works

Instead of starting with smooth purees on a spoon, BLW babies are offered appropriately sized pieces of soft, whole food they can grasp and bring to their mouths themselves. Common starter foods include avocado, banana, steamed sweet potato, roasted pumpkin, soft pasta, and ripe pear.

Benefits of baby led weaning

Research suggests BLW can support:

• Fine motor and hand-eye coordination development
• Self-regulation around food — babies decide when they're full
• Earlier exposure to family foods and varied textures
• Reduced fussy eating later in toddlerhood (though the research here is still emerging)

When can babies start BLW?

Most babies are ready for BLW around 6 months, when they can sit upright, show interest in food, and have lost the tongue-thrust reflex. Always consult your maternal child health nurse, paediatrician or paediatric dietitian if you're unsure.

Why BLW babies need full-coverage bibs

Babies who self-feed are significantly messier than spoon-fed babies — food ends up on hands, arms, sides, lap and clothing, not just the chest. A full-coverage smock bib protects clothing during this developmental stage and lets parents embrace the mess that's essential to building feeding skills.

Little Chomps smock bibs are designed specifically for BLW and starting solids, and are recommended by paediatric nutritionists, dietitians, occupational therapists and speech pathologists across Australia.