Best parenting brand of the year
These companies are synonymous with babies and families and there aren't many parents who don't know them, as they have parenting at the heart of everything they produce
1. Tommee Tippee
Type: Feeding and baby care products
This enduring parenting brand offers a great range of simple and intuitive baby products from bottles and breastfeeding equipment to soother and monitors.
Its Closer to Nature range, for example, has long been a popular bottle-feeding choice, offering a more natural feel to babies.
The real game changer, we’d argue, is the Perfect Prep Day and night machine. Applauded by an army of parent fans, it makes feeding a dream around the clock, taking just 2 minutes to ensure a bottle is fully prepared.
It is easy and simple with a useful glow nightlight to make it easy to use at night.
MFM Deputy Editor Helen says: “Top marks for their Perfect Prep machine and their new bottle that changes colour when the milk’s the right temperature. It’s a classic parenting brand that's innovating well.”
Available from: John Lewis and Amazon
2. The Gro Company
Type: Sleeping products
Since the beginning of the new millennium, The Gro company has been helping parents get babies to sleep safely, working closely with the safe sleep charity, The Lullaby Trust.
It has become an internationally recognised brand that continues to innovate and support best practices in sleeping and creating healthy sleeping habits for little ones and their, very grateful, parents.
Over 3m Grobags have been sold over the years, and the brand has expanded to create a wide range of essential sleeping products, all of which are extremely popular with parents.
MFM Consumer & Reviews Editor and mum of 2 Christy says: “A well trusted brand which continues to innovate.”
MFM tester Anna adds: “Its products are lovely quality and are well thought out. Some have saved many a parent’s sanity, and they have led the way in many categories – from sleep sacks to night lights and sleep aids.”
Available from: Amazon
3. Maxi-Cosi
Type: Travel solutions
A long-established award-winning company providing a superb range of travel solutions from pushchairs to car seats.
It aims to provide the safest possible car seat and strollers that parents can rely on, made to the highest levels of quality and comfort.
Star products include the lightweight Adorra stroller and car seats like the Pebble Plus and the new Jade.
MFM judge Christy McGhee says; “A household name tried and trusted by many parents”
Tara Breathnach, mum of 1, added, “A name you can trust but there are other competitors that are probably better priced. However, it is a trusted name and guaranteed quality is vital for things like car seats.”
Available from: Boots
4. Pampers
Type: Nappies and wipes
Since the 1950’s, Pampers has been supporting families with a range of high-quality nappies and wipes. Hailing from the USA, the brand is sold all over the world, and is the only nappy brand to be endorsed by the British Skin Foundation.
Its latest innovation is the Pure range inspired and derived from nature, without compromising on performance. The Pure nappies include a colour changing Wetness indicator and are the first to be made from premium cotton, cellulose and sugarcane-based materials.
Although not biodegradable, MFM Consumer & Reviews Editor Christy says: “These are more ecofriendly than the usual Pampers nappies.”
MFM tester Debbie adds: “The Pure nappies have a lovely, silky smooth feel to them. Another positive is the packaging of these nappies is 100% recyclable so a little more environmentally friendly.”
MFM tester Jade Powell added; “Very expensive but good they have improved their products.”
Available from: Ocado, Boots and Asda
5. Aldi Mamia
Type: Baby essentials
Since launching its nappy range in 2010, budget supermarket Aldi’s Mamia brand has grown into a tried and tested – and trusted – range of quality baby essentials at fantastic prices.
It has been at the forefront of supermarket baby product innovation and has added a variety of quality items to its constantly expanding range, including food and non-food.
It is truly innovative and deserving of our silver award, and continuing loyalty from parents.
MFM tester Hazelann says: “A wonderful brand, super affordable, reliable, trusted, works with parents and really supports charities.”
MFM tester Magda adds: “Great quality baby and toddler products, and fantastic value for parents of all budgets. Love that the range has expanded and that the focus is on providing competitive quality of products that meet the needs of parents looking to save money.”
Available from: Aldi
6. Cheeky Chompers
Type: Teething aid
Since its founding in 2013 by a pair of mumpreneurs, and its appearance on Dragons Den in 2014, Cheeky Chompers has grown into a great brand that has developed a fantastic range to help parents of teething babies.
Recognised for safety, quality, innovation and style, the brand has gone on to sell millions of products in more than 35 countries.
Made in the UK, its range of teething products has evolved from the original Neckerchew to encompass 9 innovative teethers and blankets. This is a brand set to go from strength to strength.
MFM tester Magda says: “Great branding from a pair of mumpreneurs, backed up by well designed and high quality products that answered a gap in the market. Well done on promoting the brand in a crowded market and creating products that stand out.”
Available from: Cheeky Chompers, John Lewis and Jojo Maman Bebe
7. Philips Avent
Type: Feeding aids
A UK company created in 1984 to produce the first anti-colic feeding bottle, Philips Avent set the standard for baby bottles.
It has since gone on to develop and strengthen its bottles range and also introduced a range of digital innovations into the market. The brand works with healthcare professionals, clinicians and mums to develop numerous feeding aids including bottles, breast pumps, sterilizers, toddler feeding and monitors.
MFM Editorial Director and mum of 3 Susie says: “Philips Avent are a trusted brand that creates high quality products at high street prices. I particularly like the innovation they’ve introduced connecting their products with an app.”
Available from: Philips Avent and Amazon
8. Annabel Karmel
Type: Baby and toddler food
The queen of weaning has developed tasty meals for toddlers for years, which is why it’s one of the most trusted baby and toddler food companies in the UK.
Tested by parents all over the country and tasted by countless children, Annabel knows how to create a healthy, tasty and interesting children’s meal.
Among her award-winning products is the classic recipe book, Annabel Karmel's New Complete Baby & Toddler Meal Planner.
Featuring over 200 quick and easy recipes perfect for feeding babies and toddlers, it has sold over 6 million copies worldwide, and is the 2nd best-selling non-fiction hardback of all time. Now it has had a 25th anniversary make-over, complete with pull-out weaning chart and her new superfood puree combos.
You can also try the brand’s app, purees or child toddler meals to help keep little tummies happy.
Available from: Amazon, WHSmith and Waterstones
9. Micro Scooters
Type: Scooters
This premium scooter brand has become so ubiquitous, it is often the only brand that parents will consider when it comes to little ones’ first vehicles.
It offers trusted quality plus a novel way for children to steer their scooters, and keeps on innovating, adding new products to the mix.
Not the cheapest but the quality more than makes up for the price.
The Mini Micro is super sturdy, very easy to use and easy to pass on to other siblings and friends thanks to its durability. The Cruiser is the latest 2-wheeler from the brand, and is aimed at 5-10 year olds.
MFM tester Anna says: “A fantastic 2-wheeler that’s perfect for entry level thanks to its great usability, but is also stylish enough to suit older kids. It’s a super stylish scooter that is really easy to get the hang of.”
Available from: Micro Scooters, Smyths Toys and Amazon
10. Amazon
Type: Online retailer
From its travel-friendly Amazon Fire tablets (complete with kid-focused content and parent-pleasing security features), to its wealth of speedily delivered baby essentials, the online giant is as useful as an extra pair of hands.
Amazon has recognised the parenting market is huge, and stepped in to entice mums and dads in with handy features like a baby wishlist. Its Amazon Family programme unlocks savings such as up to 20% off nappies and baby food.
As your littles ones grow, there’s nothing like Prime’s same-day delivery for grabbing a last-minute gift for that birthday party you forgot to add to the calendar.
Available from: Amazon
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