Before you had kids, you might have wondered, "What is the point of a baby bib?" They seem to be part of every layette or clothing set, but until you actually have a baby it's hard to understand their usefulness.

Once you have a baby, though, you realize that they ARE useful, in more ways than one. Their obvious purpose is to protect your favorite baby outfits from spills - but there's also the "drool factor," which begins as soon as baby starts teething and may continue until your little guy or girl has a full set of choppers.

Bibs can come in all shapes and sizes, made of many different materials - the best one for you will depend upon your immediate needs.

If your little one is just beginning to eat solids or learning to self-feed, your best bet is a bib with a water-resistant surface, impervious to food or drink spills.

Companies have made great strides in developing bibs specifically to handle the messes created by little eaters. The Dura-Bib from Dex is a good example - the pocket in the front not only catches crumbs and spills, but it also unsnaps and folds down for easy cleaning.   As a bonus, it's machine washable and dishwasher safe, so it's very easy to keep clean.

The BabyBjörn Soft Bib is another excellent option, with an ergonomic, necklace-like design for an adjustable, comfortable fit that will grow with your baby. The extra-deep pocket catches spills, and they've even added a hole for hanging when not in use, making storage easier.

If you and baby have to eat and run, you might want to consider a pack of disposable bibs, like Munchkin's Travelware Disposable Bibs. These one-use, throw-away bibs come 24 to a pack and are perfect for a mom on the go.

If your problem isn't spills and crumbs but drool, a more absorbent material will protect your baby's clothes from the wetness that comes along with that. The Bumkins Organic Cotton Chin Bib is made of 100 percent unbleached organic cotton, and comes two in a pack, each with different trim depending on your preferred aesthetic.

As baby gets bigger, so do baby's messes. No longer do clothes have to be protected just from food and drool, as you start moving into art project territory! Simple bibs might not do the trick for you anymore, so you may want to look at the BabyBjorn Eat and Play Smock, which covers both back and arms, with an easy button closure.

All of these bibs and smocks are more than just decorative additions to a cute outfit. They're meant to make your life a little easier - and to save you time and money.