MFM Awards 2024 Winners — Family health, bathtime and skincare products

Our mini judges chewed on teethers and splashed in bathtubs as we examined the best toiletries, soothers, reusable underwear and more. We've ensured all products have been tested on the relevant skin and hair types, and asked our family testers for honest feedback on scents, textures, value and effectiveness.

Combining their feedback with our expert judges and the MFM team, we've found the perfect products to help your family feel great.

See the winners in:

• Baby bathtime product or accessory
• Baby & child bubble bath
• Baby & child shampoo/hair care product
• Baby & child skincare product
• Baby & child toiletries brand
• Health product for babies & children
• Health product for parents and parents-to-be
• New parent skincare & toiletries
• Reusable absorbency & period product
• Home safety product
• Soother & dummy
• Teether

Baby bathtime product or accessory

Key features we tested/judged — Ease of use, worth the money, effectiveness, quality and design, comfort for baby/child.

Joint Gold — BabyDam WarmWave Baby Bath Support, £17.99

Why it’s a winner: This simple bath support is designed to hold young babies in a good position for bathing, with their heads elevated so you can make eye contact as you wash them. It fixes to the bath using strong suction cups and allows you to use your usual bath tub to wash even very young babies. We liked that it was available in 5 different colours and is extremely simple to use. Our testers commented that it was “sturdy and well made” and feels like a safe, practical and supportive choice for bathing babies until they can sit up unaided, (although parents should always keep hold of their baby in the bath, even with the added support of a product like this).

In the words of parent tester Rachel, who tested this with their 4 month old: "I wish I had found this with my first child! I like that I can use this to bath my baby and toddler at the same time and not worry that baby is not fully supported, which I have felt with other products. It is well worth the money."

Buy From: Amazon

Joint Gold — Shnuggle Ellie – The Bath Toy Drying Caddy, £18.99

Why it’s a winner: With its sweet elephant design, this cute and stylish drying caddy is a great choice for stowing away all your little one’s bath toys once bathtime is over. It can be used as a scoop to collect the toys out of the tub, with large holes to help the water drain away quickly, and we liked that it can store a decent amount of toys without taking up too much room. Ellie comes in a range of muted pastel colours so you can find one that fits your bathroom colour scheme. Our parent testers particularly liked the drip tray which comes with it, with one commenting: "It adds to the design, avoids water building up in the bottom with the toys and keeps the bathroom surface dry."

In the words of parent tester Rebecca, who tested this with their 11 month old: "It has a lovely design and is made from quality materials. Although it is compact, it holds a great amount of toys, both big and small. We have the grey colour option and my daughter reaches for it as soon as she gets into the bath."

Buy from: Amazon, Kiddies Kingdom

Silver — Angelcare 2-in-1 bath tub, £35

Best for: Growing with your baby, whether lying down and sitting up at bathtime.

In the words of parent tester Charlotte, who tested this with their 8 month old: "The Angelcare bath feels good quality. It's stylish and looks good in most bathrooms due to its simple and clean design. It's also very easy to use, with clear guidelines for maximum water capacity."

Buy from: John Lewis, Argos, Amazon, Very

Bronze — BabyDam Orbital Rotating Baby Bath Seat, £29.99

Best for: Babies who are old enough to sit up and splash around at bathtime.

In the words of parent tester Laura, who tested this with their 7 month old: "This is a very reasonably priced, well thought out product with a helpful 360-degree spin function. This BabyDam baby bath seat has given Atti the freedom to sit up and enjoy bathtimes and a splash around."

Buy from: Amazon, JoJo Maman Bebe

Shortlisted: baby plus Bath Seat | brush-baby WildOnes rechargeable electric toothbrush | Buddy & Barney Bath Time Muddy Paws Colour Changing Bath Book & Stickers | Water Babies Splash Mirror

Baby & child bubble bath

Key features we tested/judged: Smell, quality of bubbles, kindness to skin, ease of use, worth the money.

Gold – Mamia Bedtime Bath, 85p

Why it’s a winner: At just 85p a bottle, this bubble bath offers great value for money. It has a gentle tear-free formula and contains vitamin E to moisturise your baby’s skin. Our parent testers liked the smell of the product and felt it was soothing and calming – just right for getting little ones in the mood for bedtime. Parent tester Sian liked the purple colour and how soft it felt on her son’s skin, adding, "Aden hasn't been a huge fan of baths (and being naked), but we've found using this makes him hate it a lot less!"

In the words of parent tester Reagan, who tested this with their 2 week old: "Once in the stream of water, Bedtime Bath bubbles instantly and doesn’t require a lot of product to create a good amount. I know this will be loved by my daughter once she is a bit older and can play in the bath. I also found it soothes her skin."

Buy from: Aldi

Silver – HiPP Kids Clean & Green Bubbly Bath Hippo 300ml, £3.75

Best for: Cute packaging and colour-changing water magic.

In the words of parent tester Sian, who tested this with their 2 and a half year old: "Gets a thumbs up and a big 'wow' from my daughter. She definitely had fun with the green colour and bubbles and would be asking to go for a bath to use 'the green soap'. No nasties, so good for sensitive skin."

Buy from: Tesco and Sainsbury's

Bronze – Nala's Baby Bubble Bath, £5.50

Best for: Natural, nourishing ingredients for sensitive skin.

In the words of parent tester Esther, who tested this with their 8 month old: "My child enjoyed the bubble bath; the scent was just perfect, not too overwhelming and not bland. It produced great bubbles and it did not leave my baby's skin dry. I like the soft neutral colour of the packaging in particular."

Buy from: Boots, Amazon

Baby & child shampoo/hair care product

Key features we tested/judged — Smell, effectiveness, quality, ease of use, worth the money.

Gold — Mamia Baby Shampoo, 85p

Why it’s a winner: Who doesn’t love a brilliant baby shampoo that can be picked up while you’re doing the weekly shop? Better yet, a gentle and cleansing shampoo that doesn’t break the bank? Mamia’s Baby Shampoo is our winner thanks to its large size (although one of our parent testers did think a pump would make it easier to use), excellent lather, and vitamin E properties which help to moisturise the scalp while it’s cleaning. “Her hair looks fresh and fluffy after washing and beautifully clean,” raved parent tester Charlotte.

In the words of parent tester Laura, who tested this with their 3 year old and 2 month old: "Less than £1 a bottle is fantastic with the cost of living at the moment. Even though the shampoo is very affordable, it still did a great job and left my children’s hair clean, fresh, and smelling great!"

Buy from: Aldi

Silver — Nala’s Baby Body Wash & Shampoo Vanilla Cloud, £5.75

Best for: A moisturising all-in-one baby shampoo and body wash.

In the words of parent tester Esther, who tested this with their 8 month old: "Overall this is a great product for bathtime – it does the job and is appealing to the eye. I think the quality is worth the price tag, as it contains no harsh chemical and my daughter's hair and skin looked and felt clean and moisturised after using it."

Buy from: Boots

Baby & child skincare product

Key features we tested/judged — Ease of use, worth the money, effectiveness, quality and design, kindness to skin.

Gold — Nala’s Baby Body Butter, £6.50

Why it’s a winner: Packed with a buttery-blend of shea butter, cocoa, and chamomile, this luxurious body butter has a coconut scent and will leave your little one’s skin beautifully soft and moisturised from top to toe. Our judges and parent testers loved the clean and 98% naturally derived ingredients, and that it’s suitable for even the most sensitive skin. "This is a must for anyone looking for a high-quality, natural skincare product for their baby or child – or even for themselves," commented parent tester Yvonne. The price point is perfect if you’re looking for a great skincare product that nourishes the skin and smells wonderful.

In the words of parent tester Catharina, who tested this with their 5 year old, 3 year old and 6 month old: "I really love this body butter and will definitely be recommending it to my friends. It left my children's skin soft and it looks and feels like a premium product. The gentle scent was also perfect to help them feel more relaxed for bedtime."

Buy from: Boots, Amazon

Silver — Colief Baby Face Balm, £7.99

Best for: Protecting dry and sensitive skin.

In the words of parent tester Hannah, who tested this with their 7 month old: "I love the consistency of this balm, and a little goes a long way. It helped my daughter's dry skin and it can be used on other parts of the body as well as the face. I also liked the easily portable tin the balm comes in."

Buy from: Amazon

Bronze — Chhaya Lily Baby Lotion, £19.95

Best for: Easy application and hypoallergenic properties.

In the words of parent tester Ryan, who tested this with their 7 month old: "The packaging is lovely and the pump applicator makes it easy to use with a wriggling baby. My little one’s skin felt soft and well moisturised after using this lotion and it’s nice and gentle on his sensitive skin."

Buy from: Amazon

Shortlisted: Colief Baby Massage Oil | SOS Balm

Baby & child toiletries brand

Key features we tested/judged — Ease of use, worth the money, effectiveness, kindness to skin, range of products, quality and design.

Gold — Mini U Toiletries Range for Baby & Child, £1.95 to £15.95

Why it’s a winner: Mini U’s toiletries are vegan and free from gluten, soy and dairy as well as microplastics. We like the brand’s commitment to sustainability – its packaging is easy to recycle, products aren’t tested on animals and the palm oil used is sustainable. The products look bright and inviting with cute sea creatures on the packaging and the bath bombs and bath crayons add a sense of fun to bathtime. Parent tester Laura loved that each bath bomb contained a sponge animal, adding "my children were desperate to use them all so they could see what other animals they could find."

In the words of parent tester Joanna, who tested this with their 8 year old: "All beautiful, bright colours. So easy to use, and all really effective! My daughter particularly enjoys smelling everything before we use it – and she loves the smell of the hair products. After we've used them, she walks around flicking her hair and asking everyone to smell it!"

Buy from: Mini U

Silver — Nala’s Baby, £5.50 to £54.99

Best for: Gentle care for little ones with sensitive skin and scalps.

In the words of parent tester Rebecca, who tested this with their 5 year old: "Worth every penny as it smells and feels good – perfect for the whole family. The range instantly soothed the back of my daughter’s legs where she suffers from dry eczema skin in cold months and the conditioner worked really well with our daughter’s thick afro hair."

Buy from: Boots, Amazon

Bronze — The Kids Bathing Co. Organic Lime & Mango products, £6 each

Best for: Fruity and refreshing toiletries designed to appeal to kids and teens.

In the words of parent tester Kayleigh, who tested this with their 6 year old and 7 year old: "These products were really kind and gentle on my children's hair and skin, leaving them soft, nourished and smelling fresh. A great in between product for kids who feel they have outgrown the childlike toiletries but are not ready for toiletries made for adults. Plus, a little goes a long way."

Buy from: The Kids Bathing Co.

Shortlisted: Brush-Baby Gum and Dental-care Products

Health product for babies & children

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

Gold — ASDA Little Angels Vapour Bath 500ml, £1

Why it’s a winner: With a menthol aroma to help soothe and comfort little noses at bathtime, our judges thought this was a handy product for every parent during cold and flu season. They were impressed by the value for money offered by the "good sized bottle" at just £1, and the gentle formula also won points for being dermatologically tested and paediatrician approved, as well as suitable for vegans. Our parent testers agreed this was good quality for a supermarket brand product and would recommend to other new parents for "a calming bathtime."

In the words of parent tester Carol, who tested this with their 1 year old and 3 year old: "Priced at £1, this is a cost-effective and excellent quality choice. The soothing aroma offers relief and comfort, notably improving sleep during illness. The fact that it is a no tears formula adds to its appeal."

Buy from: Asda

Silver – Vamousse Head Lice Treatment, £14.99

Best for: Effectively dealing with head lice.

In the words of parent tester Crystal, who tested this with their 2 year old: "It works really well and is so easy to apply – it actually stays where it needs to while you’re rubbing it in. I found it a lot quicker to use and it definitely helps when treating the hair of little ones who don’t like sitting still."

Buy from: Boots, Amazon

Bronze – brush-baby BabySonic – baby's first electric toothbrush, £13.99

Best for: Developing a good dental health routine from the start.

In the words of parent tester Katie, who tested this with their 15 month old: "My child is now excited when I tell him it's time to brush his teeth. This brush has made teeth brushing a pleasure and hopefully will be the start of a lifetime habit for him."

Buy from: Amazon, Boots, Argos

Shortlisted: Ashton & Parsons Teething Gel | BioGaia Protectis Baby Drops | Colief Infant Drops | Colief Multibiotic Drops | Kendamil Pro-Comfort | Troikin – lightology, skin-esteem & nightology

Health product for parents and parents-to-be

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

Gold – BABYGO Pregnancy Support Band, £29.95

Why it’s a winner: The BABYGO Pregnancy Support Band offers instant relief to mums-to-be from the common discomforts that can accompany pregnancy, taking the pressure off persistent pregnancy aches. With a support system which one parent tester commented felt like "a warm hug around the belly," our judges praised the breathable, lightweight fabric, ingenious and comfortable design and liked that it can also be worn postpartum for support. It also comes with a handy pregnancy book including 25 of the best yoga stretches for Mum and baby.

In the words of parent tester Sarah, who tested this during pregnancy: "As soon as I first put it on, I found it extremely beneficial and it provided a lot of relief to the aches and pains I was experiencing, whilst making me feel lighter! I highly recommend this product and the pregnancy book that goes with it. It is great to know that I can potentially use it postpartum as well."

Buy from: Amazon

Silver – Family First Aid Kit by Mini First Aid, £26.99

Best for: Travel first aid kit containing all the essentials, and more.

In the words of parent tester Kayleigh: "It's exactly what my family needs. I feel like I’m always having to restock the medicine cupboard, but with this impressive little kit I have no worries about being caught out in future. I would honestly say it's a must-have purchase for any family's first aid cupboard."

Buy from: John Lewis, Amazon

Bronze – BioGaia Protectis Tablets with vitamin D, £16.49

Best for: Probiotic immune-system supporting tablets that are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mums.

In the words of parent tester Nicola: "They tasted good, were chewable and seemed to have a good impact. I've noticed less bloating and the fact the tablets are suitable for breastfeeding mums is also a real plus."

Buy from: Amazon, Superdrug

Shortlisted: Lola&Lykke Core Restore Postpartum Support Band | MammaBump Postpartum Belly Band | Nutri Advanced Pregnancy Multi Essentials Multi Vitamin | Super Strength Collagen Zooki | Ultimate postpartum recovery courses for vaginal and C-section birth mama's from The 360 Mama

New parent skincare & toiletries

Key features we tested/judged — Texture, effectiveness, ease of use, formula, scent, worth the money.

Joint Gold — Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Nipple Cream, £6.19 to £11.99

Why it’s a winner: Tried and tested by generations of breastfeeding women, this cream has been helping new mums avoid having sore and cracked nipples for almost 40 years. The beauty of this product lies in its simplicity – it is made from an ultra-purified grade of lanolin, a natural waxy substance which comes from sheep’s wool. With no preservatives or additives, it is naturally hypoallergenic and you can safely leave it on your nipples when breastfeeding your baby. Parent tester Megan gave it her seal of approval, saying "it certainly does the job, the relief you get once putting it on is heavenly!"

In the words of parent tester Laura, who tested this with their 2 month old: "Does exactly what it says on the tin and more. Not only did it help my nipples (within the first use) but you can also use on your lips! I love the versatility and you can use on any dry skin, plus it's fine for baby so no fussy cleaning before feeding."

Buy from: Boots, John Lewis, Amazon

Joint Gold — WELEDA Stretch Mark Body Butter, £21.95

Why it’s a winner: This body butter contains only natural ingredients, is vegan-friendly and contains no microplastics or mineral oils. We liked the ethical side to this product – it isn’t tested on animals and the packaging is green glass made from 85% recycled content, which can be recycled again after use. It has also been certified as climate neutral. Our parent testers found a little went a long way and mum-to-be Beth liked the "natural subtle scent" and that the jar packaging meant there was no waste. She added: "The product did leave my skin feeling nourished."

In the words of parent tester Abbie, who tested this when 25 weeks pregnant: "Since using this product, I have not had a single stretch mark. I applied the product twice a day, morning and before bed. It keeps my skin nice and moisturised throughout the day, has a lovely, silky consistency and is very easy to use."

Buy from: Boots, Amazon, John Lewis

Silver – Nature's Divine Organic Mum Balm, £21.99

Best for: An eco-friendly all-purpose balm.

In the words of parent tester Lydia, who tested this on herself while breastfeeding her 8 week old: "The balm warmed up quickly and created a lovely easy-to-apply oil which had the most beautiful scent. It hydrated my dry hands and also helped alleviate patches of dry skin on my 7 -year-old daughter. Knowing it’s safe to use whilst breastfeeding is reassuring and the product is worth the price as it’s handmade, eco-friendly and all-natural."

Buy from: Nature's Divine

Bronze – Lil-Lets Maternity Intimate Wipes, £2.99 for 25 wipes

Best for: Gentle postpartum essential.

In the words of parent tester Kris, whose partner tested these a week after birth: "These large, pH-balanced plastic-free moist wipes became a postpartum essential for my partner who was sore in the days and weeks after giving birth to our baby. She found the wipes instantly refreshing and gently cleansing and thought they were great value for money as they are thick and quilted, providing soothing and comforting cleaning without tearing."

Buy from: Amazon

Reusable absorbency & period product

Key features we tested/judged — Absorbency, comfort and fit, ease of use, packaging, worth the money.

Gold – Lil-Lets Maternity Maxi Pads, £2.19

Why it’s a winner: Designed with new mums in mind, Lil-Lets Maternity Maxi Pads are super absorbent and have a wide range of features to help you cope with even extremely heavy post-birth bleeding – our parent testers rated them "fantastic" for absorbency and "thinner and more comfortable" than other maternity pads on the market.. The individually wrapped pads have wings, to ensure they stay in place, are contoured to fit disposable postpartum underwear, are extra-long (365mm) and have a wider back design to offer more protection. There’s also a super soft breathable cover and cushioning to help delicate postpartum skin, and the pads are free from perfumes, dyes, and chlorine bleach. Our judging team thought this was a much-needed update to an essential post-birth product that will help to give new mums peace of mind at such a sensitive time.

In the words of parent tester Hannah: "Post birth your body is tender and sensitive, and the design of these pads is soft and soothing. I love how the pads stay in place – even reclining whilst breast feeding and resting didn't cause any leaks."

Buy from: Boots, Amazon

Silver – Lil-Lets Maternity Pantyliners, £2.49

Best for: For pre and post birth use, to help give mums-to-be and new mums peace of mind.

In the words of parent tester Teri, who tested this while pregnant and with a newborn: "I love that they are individually wrapped, giving a 'grab and go' element to them but also making them discreet. The product is of thick quality and good absorbency – but not too thick that it becomes irritating."

Buy from: Amazon

Home safety product

Key features we tested/judged — Worth the money, effectiveness, quality and design, ease of use.

Gold — BABYGO Baby Proofing Kit, £29.95

Why it’s a winner: This handy kit has pretty much everything you will need to babyproof your house, including corner protectors, safety locks, door stops and an oven lock. The set offers great value for money compared with buying the items separately and will help give you peace of mind once your baby becomes mobile. Each item is installed with strong sticky tape so you don’t need to worry about drilling holes or fitting screws. Parent tester Rebecca said: "I was able to childproof my whole kitchen during a nap time without using much brain power, which is definitely a win in my book."

In the words of parent tester Jade, who tested this with their 13 month old: "Since installing all of these products in our home, my day to day life has actually improved drastically. My little boy had sussed out our old child locks so would get to the cleaning products and food bin numerous times a day, which was exhausting."

Buy from: Amazon

Silver — baby plus Baby Safety Gate, £19.99

Best for: A reliable stair gate that can be opened with one hand by adults.

In the words of parent tester Ellen, who tested this with their 1-year-old twins: "A great feature is the gate automatically locks when it swings in place. Perfect for when my 4-year-old son forgets to shut the gate properly at the bottom of the stairs. This gate is strong and won’t move out of place, giving peace of mind."

Buy from: Ebebek UK (or mobile app) and Amazon

Bronze — Booboo Child Safety Cupboard Door Strap Locks, £9.95 for a pack of 10

Best for: Keeping little fingers out of cupboards and drawers.

In the words of parent tester Olivia, who tested this with their 14 month old: "The straps have a clever design with a slide mechanism to open, which my 4 year old has only just worked out how to open. I really liked the fact the straps can be adjusted in length, so can be fitted to different door and cupboard types easily."

Buy from: Amazon

Shortlisted: BeeGo Oven Safety Child Lock

Soother & dummy

Key features we tested/judged — Ease of use, quality, design, effectiveness, worth the money.

Gold — MAM Night Soother Range, £8.30 to £12.20

Why it’s a winner: Parents who’ve searched for a soother in the middle of the night will love the MAM Night Soother Range, with a clever glow in the dark button that makes them easier to find at night time. This feature was such a hit with our parent testers, with one commenting: "I wouldn't use a non-glow in the dark soother now – it has been a lifesaver in the middle of the night." There are 3 different versions in the range, each designed to offer benefits to the baby – MAM Air with extra-large airholes to allow airflow to skin, MAM Perfect with a thinner, more flexible teat, the MAM Original soothers – and our parent testers felt that "the quality of all three is fantastic." Our judges thought these soothers were easy to use and effective, and praised the additional features such as the self-sterilising travel box that makes them easy to clean on the go.

In the words of parent tester Madison, who tested this with their 6 month old: "My baby took right away to his new MAM soother, and it certainly made our lives easier with the glow in the dark button; it saved a lot of time and stress in the middle of the night. It also does what it says – when my baby is upset, the soother helps calm him (most of the time!)"

Buy from: Amazon, Boots

Silver – Dr. Brown's PreVent Glow in the Dark Soothers, £7

Best for: Glow in the dark soother designed to prevent dental issues.

In the words of parent tester Sandra, who tested this with their 7 month old: "This dummy comes in a nice plastic case, and each dummy has an individual teat protector case to keep them clean. They are made to be kind to teeth development, and glow in the dark for a very long time, making them easier to find in the night."

Buy from: Baby Central

Bronze – BIBS Try-It Collection, £17.95

Best for: Trying different shapes of soothers to find out what your baby prefers.

In the words of parent tester Meryam, who tested this with their 4 month old: “I really love the minimal look. My daughter loves the product as well and has taken a liking to it immediately – she self soothes with the pacifier, which makes it easier for her to fall asleep."

Buy from: BIBS, Amazon, John Lewis

Shortlisted: NUK MommyFeel Silicone Soother

Teether

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

Gold – Sophie la Girafe Original Teether, £15.99

Why it’s a winner: This iconic teether has been effectively soothing teething pains for 62 years and incorporates a squeaky toy which our testers found was a great way for older siblings or parents to get baby’s attention. Made from 100% natural rubber and non-toxic, food-grade paint, Sophie is reassuringly safe for even the youngest babies and her dimensions (25cm x 14cm) make it very easy for small hands to grip. One parent tester found, "as a slightly larger teething toy, it's easier for my baby to pick up and use and because the whole toy is chewable, every part can bring relief."

In the words of parent tester Ailidh, who tested this with their 4 month old: "With a soft but firm surface and a multitude of shapes and textures for my daughter to chew on, Sophie provides much-needed relief from teething symptoms, soothing her sore mouth. The added squeak the toy lets out when squeezed brings complete delight to my daughter every time."

Buy from: Amazon, JoJo Maman Bebe, Mamas&Papas

Silver – Jellystone Designs Moon Teether, £9.99

Best for: Older babies.

In the words of parent tester Emma, who tested this with their 10 month old: "The Moon teether is made from lovely and soft food-grade silicone beads and smooth beechwood, which both look satisfying to chew and feel good quality. The rings are easy for an older baby to hold and the combination of muted colours and beechwood is really aesthetically pleasing."

Buy from: Halilit

See all our MFM Award winners

• Prams, pushchairs, lightweights and double buggies — 2024 winners
• Sleeping and nursery products — 2024 winners
• Baby carriers, slings and wraps — 2024 winners
• Car seats — 2024 winners
• Baby & toddler weaning and feeding products — 2024 winners
• Breast and bottlefeeding products — 2024 winners
• Nappies, changing and potty training products — 2024 winners
• Products for your pregnancy — 2024 winners
• Lifestyle, travel, fashion, books and gifts — 2024 winners
• MadeForMums Special Awards — 2024 winners
• MadeForMums Editor's Choice Awards — 2024 winners