Reduce your laundry by feeding toddlers topless

I'm always looking for ways to avoid laundry. Here's Amber's eminently logical suggestion:

Being a single mom of toddler twins, I always have too much laundry and never enough time! Instead of messing with bibs that never stay on due to grabby hands and instead of funding the makers of Spray N Wash singlehandedly [I hear ya. -- Ed.], if we are eating something messy, such a yogurt or pasta, the shirts come off and they eat topless! When they are all done, a thorough wipe down is all that is needed and the shirts go back on. Saves a lot of time, laundry and hassle!

Tags: Feeding kids, Parenting, Toddler

Comments

[mamaloo]

We did this, too. My son would not even allow us to put a bib on him when he was baby. After enough dirty shirts, offf came the tops and out came the washcloths.

[christie]

We did this too (twins now three years old). My kids eventually started taking off their OWN shirts when they heard the word "ravioli." :) (I learned this trick when working with 1-yr-old daycare kids. It's an AWESOME trick.)

[momma2mingbu]

Yup...we did this too. My kids hated wearing bibs and it was just easier to let them eat topless and then, if necessary, have bathtime right after a messy meal!

[Jill]

Mine have never had a popsicle while wearing a shirt- they know the routine! When I have someone else's child in a potentially messy situation, (especially if they're slightly older and might be uncomfortable getting stripped) I have them put their shirt on inside out. At least then the stains won't show if their parents can't get them out.

[Gail Reed]

For those times when you'd rather your child was not topless, you can use a pelican bib. They're made of plastic that's firm but soft (like rubber) and have a crumb catching tray built in. They get wiped off and are ready for use again. You can see them at http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=pelican+bib
(I have no commercial connection to this product, I just wish I did.)

[stacey]

this is a great idea! the only thing i would worry about was serving something hot that they could drop/spill on themselves and get burned. but i guess if anything is THAT hot i shouldn't be serving it anyway!

[dutch from sweet juniper]

In our house, we have taken this one step further. everybody dines topless!

we did get some funny stares at that fancy french restaurant last week, probably because everyone was shocked that a lady with such great tits would ever procreate with a flabby guy with a beer gut such as myself.

[Mom101]

Dutch...that was YOU? Oh my God, we were the table hiding behind our coq au vin, by the ficus.

[Parent Hacks Editor]

Sicko, Dutch. We only dine topless at home, when potlucking with neighbors.

Oh, and the Pelican bib? I used the Baby Bjorn model when my son was little -- a lifesaver! Thanks for reminding me, Gail. I've added it to "Things We Like."

[Charisse]

My folks used to take this one step further when cherries were in season--naked (or when older, bathing suits) with a bowlful in the bathtub. Hosedown immediately following.

[Larry Wright]

When our youngest was first eating solid foods, we would use a bib that could be wiped off after each use (saves on the laundry). The disposable bibs are handy for dining out though (not that we do that too much these days...).

As for dining topless, we do that on spaghetti night, and then it's straight off to the bathtub. Doesn't keep them from getting it in their hair/eyes/ears though.

[Serena]

And another "take it a step further" option--eat outside and avoid any table/floor cleanup.