MFM Awards 2023 Winners – Special Awards

See the winners in:

• Sustainable/Eco-Friendly Product for Babies
• Everyday Parenting Essential Under £25
• Everyday Parenting Essential Over £25
• Game-Changer Parenting Product Under £50
• Game-Changer Parenting Product Over £50
• Technology Product for Babies & Families
• Innovation of the Year
• Parenting Brand of the Year

Key features we tested/judged — Value for money, sustainability/eco value, effectiveness, ease of use, quality and design.

Gold — Aqua Wipes Premium 3-in-1, £3.50 for a 48-wipe pack

Why it’s a winner: Kind to baby’s skin and the environment, these wipes are plastic free, biodegradable and compostable. The outer packaging is fully recyclable yet also functional. Our home testers were impressed by the smooth flow from one wipe to the next wipe as they’re pulled out – no need to dig into the packet. There were no skin irritations reported by our home testers, in fact extra creams weren’t necessary during nappy change as the wipes alone did a sufficient job.

In the words of parent tester Hannah, who tested this with their 1 year old: “These wipes are one of the best I’ve seen in terms of being eco-friendly as they’re plastic free, biodegradable and even vegan friendly! The wipes state they are a premium product, and I would agree they definitely are.”

Buy from: Ocado

Silver — Splash About Happy Nappy DUO, £17

Best for: An eco-friendly swim nappy.

In the words of parent tester Janet, who tested this with their 2 year old: "This nappy fully protects your baby in the water, without the need for a disposable nappy underneath (as lots of other reusable swim nappies require). It will save so many nappies unnecessarily going to landfill."

Buy from: Amazon, Kidly and Splash About

Bronze — 3-in-1 Scampsuit by Muddy Puddles, £80

Best for: Outerwear with longevity and durability.

In the words of parent tester Janet, who tested this with their 2 year old: "The fleecy inner lining and waterproof outer are made from recycled plastic bottles. Judging by the stitching and durability of the fabric, I would say the likelihood of needing to replace this suit due to wear and tear or accidental damage would be relatively low."

Buy from: Kidly and Muddy Puddles

Shortlisted: MAM Original Pure Soother | NUK for Nature Start Set | Shnuggle Eco Touch

Key features we tested/judged — Ease of use, quality of product, appeal for parents, safety for babies, worth the money.

Gold — Aqua Wipes Originals, £2.90 for a 64-wipe pack

Why it’s a winner: Coming in recycled packaging and containing 99.3% purified water, plus organic aloe vera, these wipes are good for the environment and kind to your baby. They are plastic free, biodegradable and compostable, fully vegan and approved by the NHS. Our testers loved how a percentage from each pack sold is donated to Great Ormond Street and how few wipes you needed for a nappy change, with one parent tester saying, “you only have to use one or two wipes, compared to cheaper, drier brands – this makes my life easier and save son the amount I use, too."

In the words of parent tester Becky, who tested this with their 3 year old: "These are a good size and are thick; not so thin that they fall apart or you put your fingers through them. They are superbly wet and deal with all manner of messes easily and with no fuss."

Buy from: Boots, Ocado and Amazon

Silver — Bibado Coverall Weaning Bib, £19.95

Best for: Reducing mess and waste during weaning.

In the words of parent tester Charlotte, who tested this with their 3 month old: "This bib honestly lasts months, is easy to wipe down and the material is soft on my baby’s skin. I liked that the bag the bib comes in is biodegradable and that there are lots of gender neutral designs to choose from."

Buy from: Amazon and Bibado

Bronze — Mamia Night Pants 4-7 years, £3.99 for a 15-pack

Best for: Encouraging independence during night time potty training.

In the words of parent tester Ann, who tested this with their 4 year old: “My daughter loved the design – even choosing them over our usual brand. The fit is excellent and the great absorbency meant that she was comfortable overnight.”

Buy from: Aldi

Shortlisted: Mamia Ultra Dry Nappies | Mamia Sensitive Wipes

Key features we tested/judged — Ease of use, quality of product, appeal for parents, safety for babies, worth the money.

Gold — Munchkin & Bear Luxe Padded Play Mat, £99-£138

Why it’s a winner: For the second year running this luxury playmat takes Gold. These plush mats are padded and easy to clean, and offer great longevity – they're just as handy for tummy time with your baby as they are for messy weaning in the kitchen or as a comfy place to play as your children get older. The non-slip backing makes it ideal for wooden or laminate floors and it can be rolled up when you’re not using it. Our parent testers loved the huge choice of sizes, colours and designs on offer (over 30), with one saying “we felt proud to have it on our floor and it made life easier with nappy changes and playing together as a a family.”

In the words of parent tester Karen, who tested this with their 7 month old and 1 year old: “The waterproof, wipe-clean finish makes dealing with every possible spill or mess quick and easy. For my youngest, it was a lovely surface to lie on, while for my oldest it was a great play space – he was clearly comfortable to sit, kneel, lie, jump and crash on it while playing!”

Buy from: Munchkin & Bear

Silver — Love to Dream Swaddle Up Original, £27.99

Best for: Fuss-free swaddling, keeping baby comfortable and cosy at night.

In the words of parent tester Laura, who tested this with their 11 week old: "I felt quite daunted at the thought of doing a traditional swaddle and the Swaddle Up made it easy. The arms-up design suits how my baby usually sleeps and the clever double-zip design allows for middle of the night nappy changes with minimal disturbance when you are half asleep!"

Buy from: Mamas & Papas, Amazon and Love To Dream

Bronze — Okay Yako, £38

Best for: Helping children deal with their emotions.

In the words of parent tester Jennifer, who tested this with their 8 and 9 year olds: "We have just welcomed a newborn into the family, so we have undergone lots of change, including worry and apprehension. This has been fantastic and helps the boys always feel they can talk to me, even when I am busy with the baby."

Buy from: Okay Yako

Shortlisted: Bumbo Highchair | Nuby RapidCool

Key features we tested/judged — Game-changer value, effectiveness, ease of use for parents, appeal to kids, quality and design, worth the money.

Gold — Bibado Dippit Multi-Stage Weaning Spoon and Dipper, £9.95

Why it’s a winner: Cleverly designed to allow babies to feed themselves two-handed, the Bibado Dippit is fantastic for encouraging self-feeding and growing independence at mealtimes. It boosts hand-eye coordination by helping babies bring the food to their mouth more easily and serves as a great transition to more grown-up cutlery, beginning with the dipper for first tastes, and moving to the spoon side. It also doubles as a teether. One of our parent testers agreed it “achieves exactly what it is meant to do”, while others rated its stylish looks and value for money.

In the words of parent tester Elisa, who tested this with their 2 year old: “My daughter thoroughly enjoyed using the Dippit and definitely found it easier to hold compared to a standard spoon, as she could grip it with both hands.”

Buy from: John Lewis, Amazon and Bibado

Silver — Rockit Rocker, £49.95

Best for: A hands-free way to sooth babies at home and on-the-go.

In the words of parent tester Sophie, who tested this with their 6 month old: “It was a dream to use! The Rockit Rocker will certainly stop you having to walk your baby round for hours or eat your meal while shaking the buggy with one hand.”

Buy from: John Lewis, Argos and Rockit

Bronze — Swaddle Up Original for Moderate Temperatures, £27.99-£38.99

Best for: Helping to establish a good sleep routine.

In the words of parent tester Chloe, who tested this with their 4 week old: “This makes my life a million times easier as my baby was very hard to settle before using the Swaddle Up and now she settles so much easier.”

Buy from: Mamas & Papas, Amazon and Love To Dream

Shortlisted: Okay Yako | Scrummy Tummies The Starter Bundle | Ashton and Parsons Teething Gel

Key features we tested/judged — Game-changer value, effectiveness, ease of use for parents, appeal to kids, quality and design, worth the money.

Gold — Leclerc Baby Influencer XL, £419

Why it’s a winner: Weighing just 8.2kg, this lightweight pushchair was rated “perfect for travel and trips away” by our testers, thanks to its compact, one-touch auto fold system. With bigger wheels than some compact buggies, it has the ability to tackle tougher terrains, but the Baby Influencer XL also ticks all the boxes when it comes to style and luxury. Our testers felt it more than justified the price thanks to longevity of use – it is suitable for use from 6 months to 5 years. To make life that little bit easier when heading on family adventures, it comes with a travel bag for easy transportation and is compatible with most airline cabin carry-on rules.

In the words of parent tester Amy, who tested this with their 15 month old: “I love the luxurious design, the fact it looks so high-end, has a drinks holder, spacious basket and pockets in the back of the seat. The extendable hood is also great for naps on the go or proving shelter from the sun.”

Buy from: Leclerc and Bambinista

Joint Silver — Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Day & Night, £165

Best for: A, quick, easy and convenient way to make bottles of formula.

In the words of parent tester Stacey, who tested this with their 8 month old: “This has made life so much easier! Being able to make a bottle within a couple of minutes, rather than boiling a kettle and cooling it down has been a godsend.”

Buy from: John Lewis, Boots and Amazon

Joint Silver — Nuby RapidCool Kit, £79.99

Best for: Making and cooling your baby's formula milk down to the correct temperature in minutes.

In the words of parent tester Hayley, who tested this with their 6 month old: “Having the RapidCool gave me the peace of mind that, no matter what, my little boy had his bottles of formula made safely. It also made going on holiday far less stressful, as we knew exactly how we would make our baby's bottles.”

Buy from: Boots and Argos

Bronze — iCandy Core Pushchair, from £1,280 (pushchair and carrycot) or £1,450 (complete bundle)

Best for: Quick conversion via the interchangeable wheels

In the words of parent tester Emily, who tested this with their 9 month old: “It is so stylish and luxurious and my baby always seems so comfortable and happy in it. It has driven through mud, sand and snow and was a must-have on our holiday in Portugal.”

Buy from: iCandy (pushchair and carrycot) and John Lewis (complete bundle)

Key features we tested/judged — Effectiveness, ease of use, safety and features, quality and design, innovation, worth the money.

Gold — Tommee Tippee Dreamsense Smart Baby Monitor, £299.99

Why it’s a winner: This new hybrid solution for parents instantly wowed our judges with its smart features, including a parent pod that helps conserve the battery on your phone by acting as an initial alert system. Once you do open the app, the Dreamsense keeps you updated with everything from the temperature to the amount of humidity in the room, and can track your baby's sleep patterns. The higher price point of just under £300 didn’t deter our testers, who said it justified the price tag by being top quality, reliable and innovative. The HD night-vision was noted as being so exceptional that one tester reported even being able to see their baby’s chest moving as they slept.

In the words of parent tester Vasi, who tested this with their 1 year old: “I was so impressed with how you can customise the sound, temperature, humidity and light comfort levels you are happy with, and the app will notify you if the monitor unit detects any of these factors have fallen outside those comfort zones.”

Buy from: John Lewis, Amazon and Argos

Silver — LeapFrog LF815HD 5″ Smart WiFi High Definition Pan & Tilt Monitor, £149.99

Best for: Great features at a good price

In the words of parent tester Emma, who tested this with their 4 month old: “I really enjoyed using all the features of the monitor – it wasn't complicated to set up and the instructions are simple to understand. Security is my main concern with baby monitors but this one put my mind at rest.”

Buy now: John Lewis, Mamas & Papas and Currys

Key features we tested/judged — Ease of use, quality and design, value for money, innovation value, effectiveness.

Gold — iCandy Core Pushchair, from £1,280

Why it’s a winner: “Future-proof for a growing family” was how one tester described this innovative pram. Our judges and home testers were so impressed with the luxurious iCandy Core, which offers great longevity of use and versatility, thanks to its ability to convert from urban use to an all-terrain pram by changing the wheels – effectively offering 2 buggies for the price of one. Innovative features such as the hub lights (handy when out in dimly lit areas), the built-in buggy board for when your second baby arrives, and easy-to-adjust harness straps all got a special mention. With a carrycot suitable for overnight sleeping, a pushchair seat offering 4 different recline modes and the extra-spacious shopping basket, it's no surprise the iCandy Core takes our top spot.

In the words of parent tester Charlotte, who tested this with their 8 month old: “All the additional features are worth the cost; my favourites are the built-in buggy board and the easy to adjust straps. I could put my 4 year old in this as well as my 7 month old and it would take me less than a couple of minutes (if that) to adjust.”

Buy from: iCandy (pushchair and carrycot) and John Lewis (complete bundle)

Joint Silver — CYBEX Anoris T i-Size Car Seat, £599.95

Best for: A car seat with a built-in airbag.

In the words of parent tester Leanne, who tested this with their 2 year old: “It is an investment, but given that it lasts from 1-6 years and the safety aspect of it, I feel it is worth it. It seems very sturdy and safe; I love that it has so many additional features.”

Buy from: Uber Kids, Natural Baby Shower and Cybex

Joint Silver — Axkid ONE 2 Car Seat, £625

Best for: Extended rear-facing up to 7 years old.

In the words of parent tester Aimee, who tested this with their 3 year old: “If you are looking for a car seat to ‘go the distance’ and have safety as a priority, this is definitely the one for you. It feels so well made and reliable.”

Buy from: Kiddies Kingdom and Axkid

Bronze: VTech BC8313 V-Hush Pro Soothing Sleep Trainer, £69.99

Best for: Helping to settle babies and children to sleep.

In the words of parent tester Lucy, who tested this with their 1 year old and 4 year old: “My daughter absolutely loves it. It settles her in the night when she stirs, meaning we all get some more sleep! My 4 year old also loves to listen to the stories on the V-Hush while we wind down and get ready for bed.”

Buy from: Boots, John Lewis and Currys

Shortlisted: Etta Loves Sky Muslin Prints | Tommee Tippee Made For Me In-Bra Wearable Breast Pump | Okay Yako | Tommee Tippee Dreamsense Smart Baby Monitor

Key features we tested/judged — Longevity, ease of use through several stages of parenting, ability to adapt with your child, quality, value for money.

Gold — Munchkin & Bear Luxe Padded Play Mat, £99-£138

Why it’s a winner: These super-stylish, padded play mats are soft, practical and can be used anywhere in your home. Our testers and judges were impressed with the longevity the play mat offered, from providing a comfortable space for your baby to roll and crawl to a stylish addition to an older child's bedroom. The mats are incredibly well made, with one tester saying the non-toxic, wipe-clean fabric, with protective memory foam core couldn't be faulted for quality. "We've had one for around a year and it looks as good as new" commented another tester and, while it is a bit of an investment, the judges all agreed it was worth it. The hardest part is choosing your favourite from the huge range of different sizes, colours and designs

In the words of parent tester Zoe, who tested this with their 6 month old: “This mat is worth every penny – every household with babies or children needs one of these! It will change your life for the better – particularly in homes with hard flooring. The mat helps create a play area that is safer for babies and more fun for the kids.”

Buy from: Munchkin & Bear

Silver — Bumbo Multi seat, £65.99

Best for: A lightweight, portable seat for your baby or toddler.

In the words of parent tester Andrea, who tested this with their 11 month old: “We use this almost daily for different things; play, eating, watching mummy do chores. And, while we have a highchair already in the dining room, this has been great to move around the house and take away with us.”

Buy from: Kiddies Kingdom, Scandiborn and Bumbo

Bronze — CYBEX LEMO 4-in-1, £369.95

Best for: A stylish chair that grows with your child.

In the words of parent tester Brittany, who tested this with their 2 month old: “I was impressed by the transitional style of this highchair – you feel as if you are investing in a product for life. It's eye-catching, stylish, easy to clean and straightforward to adjust the settings and heights.”

Buy from: Boots, Baby Planet and Cybex

Shortlisted: Kally Sleep U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow | Bumbo Highchair | Obaby Madison Swivel Glider Recliner Chair

Key features we tested/judged — Brand quality, brand ethos and achievements, effectiveness of products and customer feedback.

Joint Gold — Lola&Lykke

Why it’s a winner: Health and wellness brand, Lola&Lykke, works to ensure mums are informed and better equipped for whatever motherhood throws at them. Founded by 2 Finnish mothers who experienced major complications when they gave birth, they’ve brought together the best in clinical research, health expertise and digital technology to support expectant mums to create their product range, which includes support bands and breast pumps. They’re proudly women-led, with a fundamental ethos that a mother can only thrive when she is looked after too.

In the words of our judges: “We were impressed with the brand’s focus on products to provide support throughout pregnancy and birth, and their commitment to empowering parents to make informed decisions. The product entries this year were also strong, confirming the brand as one to watch for new and expecting parents.”

Visit: Lola&Lykke

Joint Gold — The Positive Birth Company

Why it’s a winner: Knowledge is power, and that’s what The Positive Birth Company is committed to sharing. Their accessible and comprehensive courses, app, book and social media resources have helped more than 30 million people around the world navigate the journey from conception right through to early years. Fundamental to their brand is the promotion of inclusion and equality – they’re tackling discrepancies in pregnancy care and birth outcomes with workshops on racial disparities and pregnancy for LGBT+ people. And their ‘Birthing the Future’ campaign celebrates all parents and the diverse routes we’ve all followed to get to this point.

In the words of our judges: “The brand’s approach to making parenting, antenatal and postnatal education inclusive and accessible shone through in its product entries this year, impressing judges and testers with courses that were easy to use, informative and welcoming to all. Other initiatives further demonstrate the action they’re taking to empower their customers and community.”

Visit: The Positive Birth Company

Silver — Mamas & Papas

Best for: Quality, style and award-winning products

In the words of our judges: “We appreciated the brand’s sustainability efforts, as well as some strong product entries in this year’s awards. Mamas & Papas manages to combine subtle, modern style with practicality and functionality in a way that's instantly recognisable.”

Visit: Mamas & Papas

Bronze — Aldi Mamia

Why it’s a winner: Wide product range and great value for money

In the words of our judges: “Offering parents and carers access to affordable buys that don’t compromise on quality, Aldi Mamia won praise from our judges for a wide range of products. In particular, we appreciated the range offered some products with additional benefits, such as being biodegradable or organic, at a very reasonable price point.”

Visit: Aldi

Shortlisted: Bumbo | Brush-Baby

See all our MFM Award winners:

• Prams, pushchairs, lightweights and double buggies — 2023 winners
• Car seats — 2023 winners
• Baby carriers, slings and wraps — 2023 winners
• Sleeping and nursery products — 2023 winners
• Breast and bottlefeeding products — 2023 winners
• Products for your pregnancy — 2023 winners
• Family health, bathtime and skincare products — 2023 winners
• Nappies, changing and potty training products — 2023 winners
• Baby & toddler weaning and feeding products — 2023 winners
• Lifestyle, travel, fashion, books and gifts — 2023 winners
• MadeForMums Editor's Choice Awards — 2023 winners