MFM Awards 2024 Winners — Special Awards

From simple-but effective designs, to the latest in family tech, the MadeForMums team took note of the thorough feedback from our parent testers and their children to discover the 2024 winners of our special awards.

See winners in:

• Sustainable/eco-friendly product for babies
• Multi-stage/longlife parenting product
• Cost-saving parenting product
• Everyday parenting essential
• Game-changer parenting product under £50
• Game-changer parenting product over £50
• Innovation of the year
• Technology product for babies and families
• Parenting brand of the year

Sustainable/eco-friendly product for babies

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

Gold — Bambino Mio Revolutionary Reusable Nappy, £19.99

Why it’s a winner: These soft and appealing reusable nappies can be used time and time again, potentially saving thousands of disposables from rotting away in landfill for years. Designed to be a one-size-fits-all nappy, it can be used from birth right up until your toddler is ready to swap their nappies for a potty. Velcro around the waist and poppers which adjust the length mean you can easily adapt the nappy to fit your child. Our parent testers liked the fun prints and the "'poo catcher' pocket design to stop anything escaping up the back."

In the words of parent tester Gemma, who tested this with their 1 year old: "It's easy to use, looks cute and appealing and is made from soft but durable materials. Considering it can be used from birth to potty, the number of times it can be used makes it fantastic value and a worthwhile investment."

Buy from: Amazon and Ocado

Joint Silver — Hauck Learn to Walk Plants, £69.95

Best for: A sweet walker and toy in one.

In the words of parent tester Ellen, who tested this with their 1-year-old twins: "The flower box really brings this walker to life and the girls love to pull out all the colourful flowers and discover each one. The adjustable wheel brakes which help slow it down really help with their stability and the handle is very sturdy and easy for babies to grip."

Buy from: Hauck

Joint Silver — Splash About Happy Nappy DUO, £17.99

Best for: An eco-friendly swim nappy approved by swim schools

In the words of parent tester Zoe, who tested this with her 5 month old: "Removing the need for disposable nappies at swimming lessons is a great eco-friendly move and money saver. The product looks really well made, the material feels high quality and really durable. We have the 'Tug Boat' print and it is beautiful."

Buy from: Amazon, Boots, Natural Baby Shower

Bronze — Folk & Thread Organic Baby Sleep Bag, £22.99 to £39.99

Best for: An organic cotton sleeping bag with great eco credentials.

In the words of parent tester Alexandra, who tested this with their 4 month old: "It feels lovely and soft, with a definite snuggle factor. The premise is certainly sustainable – a baby sleeping bag that covers 3-18 months, crafted from high-quality organic materials. I also respect the company's values and appreciate their charitable intention of donating bedding to families in need."

Buy from: Folk & Thread

Shortlisted: Joie Versatrax Trio | Magical Wool | Water Babies Fish Toys

Multi-stage/longlife parenting product

Key features we tested/judged — Ease of use, worth the money, effectiveness, quality and design, life span, multi-functionality.

Gold — Joie i-Spin XL, £300

Why it’s a winner: A car seat which can be used from birth right the way up to 12 years old, this is an investment that could potentially last your child throughout their childhood. The 360 degree rotation is designed to make it easy to get your child in and out, and the seat can be used both forward and rear facing (up to 105cm). Our judges and parent testers felt it offered "great value for money" and found it easy to install, with one describing it as "easy to use and easy to clean." Offering stylish good looks and longevity of use, it really fit this category's criteria.

In the words of parent tester Megan, who tested this with their 6 month old and 5 year old: "The 360 degree swivel on the base makes it really easy to put a baby or child into the seat and the button to make it spin is at the side of the chair, so easy to access. Both children were comfortable, well supported and, most importantly, safe."

Buy from: John Lewis, Very and Mamas & Papas

Silver — Oyster 4-in-1 Highchair, £169

Best for: A versatile highchair which can also be used as a play centre and table with chair.

In the words of parent tester Amy, who tested this with their 7 month old: "It is a really well designed product that looks nice in our dining room. I love the fact that it can easily be changed into different set ups just by clicking it apart. The toy storage in the frame of the high chair is really useful."

Buy from: Very, Argos and Baby Planet

Bronze — iL Tutto Chelsea Glider Nursing Chair, from £549

Best for: A relaxing and supportive place to sit while feeding your baby.

In the words of MadeForMums Editorial Judge, Catherine Ball: "This could be used as an armchair long after you stop using it as a nursing chair – it's a nice piece of furniture which would last. I also like the fact the chair has a charger and speakers, as well as a recline function."

Buy from: Il Tutto

Shortlisted: TUM TUM 3 Way Trainer Cup

Cost-saving parenting product

Key features we tested/judged — Ease of use, worth the money, effectiveness, quality and design, cost-saving value.

Gold — Bibado Coverall Weaning Bib, £19.95

Why it’s a winner: This bib is a must for parents who are sick of trying to wash food stains out of their child’s clothes. Designed to be fitted to the highchair, the Bibado Coverall Weaning Bib will catch all the mess, making cleaning up easier. As it protects your child’s outfits, they’ll last longer and you won’t need to spend as much money washing or replacing them. Our parent testers loved that it folded up small so was easy to take out and about, with one mum commenting: "I wouldn't be without one, especially for baby-led weaning!"

In the words of parent tester Laura, who tested this with their 8 month old: "An overall fantastic piece of parenting kit. I love the new popper feature rather than the original Velcro. This product has 100% saved me from doing several washing cycles a day to clean up the inevitable mess made by a weaning baby!"

Buy from: Amazon, John Lewis and Natural Baby Shower

Silver — BabyDam Bathwater Barrier, £38.99

Best for: Saving water and energy by turning your main tub into a baby bath.

In the words of parent tester Kate, who tested this with their 10 month old: "It saves me money on the cost of heating, was a lot more time efficient, and allows my baby to have a deeper bath, which he enjoys (more splashing!). I also like that there is no assembly required – you pretty much just push it into the bath and push down."

Buy from: Amazon, Verbaudet and Jojo Maman Bebe

Bronze – Wombat & Co. London Babywearing Shell Cover, £69.90

Best for: Staying warm and dry while babywearing with a one-size-fits all cover.

In the words of parent tester Esther, who tested this with their 1 year old: "You can quickly put it on and off without any fuss, making outings in unpredictable weather easy. The cover has proven its worth in keeping my little one warm and dry. It has a simple stylish design and you won’t need to buy a babywearing coat."

Buy from: Debenhams and Mountain Warehouse

Shortlisted: Bambino Mio Revolutionary Reusable Nappy

Everyday parenting essential

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

Gold – Azebabydream Wipe-clean Messy Mat, £22

Why it’s a winner: Help protect your floors, tables and carpets in style with this wipe-clean mat. You can place it under your highchair or dining table, use as a play mat, tablecloth, arts and crafts surface or even as a picnic blanket. Our judges praised this simple, versatile yet practical idea which helps makes parents lives easier day-to-day, with our parent testers commenting how it's "very lightweight but not too thin" and "easier to fold" than a traditional oil cloth. It also won points for being easy to maintain, as you can wipe it clean, rinse it in the shower or throw it in the washing machine, on repeat. Style-wise, you can pick from a range of neutral and printed designs which got the thumbs up from our parent testers.

In the words of parent tester Alexandra, who tested this with their 1 year old: "It's extremely effective at what it’s meant to do and creates a perfect space for eating or play. We have been using it as a mat under our daughter’s highchair and it catches all the spilt food and liquid, and we don’t have to clean the floors and carpet afterwards. It definitely makes meal times a LOT simpler."

Buy from: Azebabydream and Etsy

Silver – Etta Loves Plant Print 3-pack Muslins for Newborn to 4 months, £28

Best for: Excellent quality, multi-use muslins with a sensory design.

In the words of parent tester Emily, who tested this with their 3 month old: "We used them in a variety of ways, from burping cloths to hanging over his car seat handle or play mat. The designs stimulate and entertain him. My older boy also loves holding them up and moving them for my little boy to follow with his eyes."

Buy from: John Lewis, Etta Loves and Natural Baby Shower

Bronze – Hauck Learn N Explore, £129.95

Best for: Step stool that fosters independence in your growing toddler.

In the words of parent tester Amy, who tested this with their 2 year old: "It's compact and doesn't get in our way in the kitchen; our daughter can push it to where she wants as well as climb up and down safely. The tower has allowed us to create special memories, at the same time as teaching my daughter skills such as pouring, chopping, and mixing."

Buy from: Amazon, Argos and Pramworld

Shortlisted: BioGaia Protectis Baby Drops

Game-changer parenting product under £50

Key features we tested/judged — Ease of use, worth the money, effectiveness, quality and design, game-changer value.

Gold – Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator, £7.98

Why it’s a winner: This refillable sunscreen applicator is designed to be child friendly so they can apply their own lotion if you think they’re responsible enough for the job. The chunky bottle uses a roller ball and sponge so you can put suncream on without getting it all over your hands. As well as reducing mess, it aims to cut down on waste too and you can wash it out and use again and again. Parent tester Emma felt it was the perfect size, adding "it comes with a handy key ring so you can attach to your child's school bag or your handbag."

In the words of parent tester Karen, who tested this with their 1 year old: "It’s a great shape for holding and using and there are stickers that can be used to personalise it, making it fun and engaging for young ones. It’s much easier to manage when my son wriggles than it is when your hands are covered in slippery cream!"

Buy from: Boots

Joint Silver – Sock Ons, £4.99

Best for: Keeping your baby’s socks safely on their feet.

In the words of parent tester Holly, who tested this with their 4 month old: "The fabric is stretchy, whilst also being adept at holding the sock firmly in place without constricting my baby's foot too much. She didn't seem to notice they were on, and while wearing the Sock Ons, her socks always stayed on."

Buy from: Amazon

Joint Silver – ergoPouch Tuck Sheet, £29.95

Best for: A safer alternative to a baby blanket when sleeping.

In the words of parent tester Annabel, who tested this with their 1 month old: "The ergoPouch Tuck Sheet eliminates worries over blankets coming loose. It feels like a more sustainable and convenient choice with the 2 tog rated options in one product, and my baby felt snug and secure when using it. The fabric is super soft and comes in lovely colours, and the zips are easy and smooth."

Buy from: Natural Baby Shower

Bronze – Giggly Tots Pacifier Holder Bib, £19.99

Best for: Preventing your baby from losing their dummy, and helping them get it back in their mouth.

In the words of parent tester Emily, who tested this with their 3 month old: "A lot of thought has gone into the design of the bib, including the dummy-catching pocket, the shape of the bib, and the velcro fastening – it looks lovely and stylish. I like that it's machine washable and can go in the tumble dryer."

Buy from: Amazon

Shortlisted: Azebabydream Wipe-clean Multi-use Cushion | brush-baby Chewable Toothbrush | EDURINO Early Numbers and Shapes with Robin | Love To Dream Swaddle Up Transition Bag

Game-changer parenting product over £50

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

Gold – Oyster Swinging Crib, £249

Why it’s a winner: This crib has a lot going for it – there are 5 different side-to-side rocking speeds, 7 built-in lullabies and you can connect it to your device to play your own music. We liked the fact you can operate it with a remote control and there are built-in time settings so you can decide how long you want your baby to be rocked to sleep. The frame folds up so you can potentially take it with you when you go away. Parent tester Samantha loved the drop-down side for access, adding: "They truly have thought of everything to make a parent’s life easier."

In the words of parent tester Vanessa, who tested this with their 4 month old: "My son likes to be rocked to sleep so the swinging motion saved me so much time. I loved the variety of songs it comes with as well. It looks very stylish and doesn't take much space so it fits beside my bed."

Buy from: Kiddies Kingdom

Silver – Sleepytroll Baby Rocker, £126.90

Best for: Automatic hands-free rocking for baby’s pram, car seat or crib, so you can take a break.

In the words of parent tester Suzanne, who tested this with their 8 month old: "This product really does make life easier and saves your back, arms and sanity! The sensor works so well. The slightest stir would normally wake my son up before I can get to him, but the Sleepytroll picks that up straight away and he settles back without waking fully."

Buy from: John Lewis, Natural Baby Shower

Bronze – MANtenatal, from £50

Best for: Preparing men for a new arrival with online antenatal classes aimed at dads-to-be.

In the words of our parent tester, who tested this during his wife’s pregnancy: "I like how when you register for the course you can take the modules at your own leisure within a 6-month period. I think having the knowledge of what is going on is going to help me process thoughts and feelings from a physiological point of view."

Buy from: MANtenatal

Shortlisted: DockATot Deluxe+ | Etta Loves Animal Print Playmat | Happy Parents Happy Baby In-person Antenatal Classes | Munchkin Bluetooth Baby Swing Chair and Seat | Stepup Baby Montessori Toddler Tower | Tiny Explorers Rentals Ltd | Vital Baby Nurture Advanced Pro UV sterilisers

Innovation of the year

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

Gold — Maxi-Cosi SlideTech, £219.99 to £349.99

Why it’s a winner: Maxi Cosi’s new SlideTech feature on the FamilyFix 360 Pro Base allows parents to slide and rotate their baby’s car seat, making it easier to get them in and out the vehicle. Designed to prevent mums and dads having to lean over, twist and get into awkward positions, this innovative technology was a hit with our parent testers who described it as a “game-changer”. Mum and parent tester Sian said: “As a single mum with a fairly small build, anything that makes lifting and transporting my son easier is extremely welcome and this certainly does the job!”

In the words of parent tester Tui, who tested this with their 4 month old: “In terms of ease of use, Maxi-Cosi has played a blinder with the creation of their new SlideTech technology. Being able to pull the seat towards you made lifting our youngster in and out of the car so much easier. Stiff shoulders, be gone!”

Buy from: Natural Baby Shower, Boots, Mamas & Papas

Silver — Giggly Tots Pacifier Holder Bib, £19.99

Best for: Helping young babies keep their dummies in their mouths with a clever bib design.

In the words of parent tester Shauni, who tested this with their 2 month old: “This product is excellent and fulfils its promise, helping to prevent the dummy being dropped onto dirty floors. It's something we use when we have to hold and settle our daughter while doing other tasks, to stop it falling. The bib is made from a thick organic cotton and features a beautiful unisex animal design.”

Buy from: Amazon

Bronze — Happy Parents Happy Baby In-person Antenatal Classes, £199 to 259

Best for: Expectant parents wanting in-person sessions at fun venues with expert advice.

In the words of parent tester Hollie, who tested this at 29 weeks pregnant: “It was nice to connect with other parents in the same situation and we met some lovely people who we will stay in contact with. The course midwife was very friendly and knowledgeable. Each in-person session was also followed by a Zoom chat with a professional to ask further questions.”

Buy from: Happy Parents Happy Baby

Shortlisted: LeapFrog LF2936FHD Remote Access Smart Video Baby Monitor

Technology product for babies and families

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

Gold — Annabel Karmel's Baby & Toddler Recipe App, £2.99 a month or £23.99 a year

Why it’s a winner: This app is designed to make it easier for parents to feed their babies and toddlers with more than 750 recipes as well as meal planners, shopping lists and feeding guides. It also comes with a handy allergy tracker so parents can record any symptoms their little one experiences after trying certain foods. Those with the app can also access Annabel’s listen-along weaning course. Our parent testers described it as a “highly effective resource” and a “brilliant app for weaning,” with one tester commenting that "in terms of value for money, the app scores a solid 10."

In the words of parent tester Jasmine, who tested this with their 7 month old, 2 year old and 3 year old: “This is an absolutely brilliant app for weaning – I love how easy it is to use and the recipes are easy to adapt for family meals. My eldest loved being part of making some of the recipes such as the cauliflower cheese and pasta sauce."

Buy from: Apple App Store, Google Play

Silver — LeapFrog LF2936FHD Remote Access Smart Video Baby Monitor, £229.99

Best for: Peace of mind while monitoring your baby with night vision and panoramic viewing.

In the words of parent tester Rianna, who tested this with their 8 month old: “It's a lot easier to set up than most monitors and I was impressed I could change settings via my phone. Night time is so much calmer; my baby now self-soothes, thanks to the lights and sounds this camera emits, while also allowing me peace of mind when I head to bed.”

Buy from: Natural Baby Shower, Robert Dyas

Bronze — Glow Dreaming Glow Sleep Easy, £119.95

Best for: Using red light therapy, pink noise, aromatherapy and a humidifier to help you or your child to sleep.

In the words of parent tester Natalie, who tested this with their 1 year old: “I really like the humidifier – it makes the room feel fresh – and, while the pink noise is loud, my son seems to like it. The red light is a nice tone to have in the bedroom and using this with the aromatherapy feature helped my son stay asleep for longer than he has done so far.”

Buy from: Glow Dreaming UK, Natural Baby Shower

Parenting brand of the year

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

Gold – Silver Cross

Why it’s a winner: Silver Cross has been a longstanding favourite among parents, with generations of fans appreciating its reliable quality, luxury style and commitment to moving forward with consumer trends. This year, the brand’s strong product entries in a range of pushchair and car seats categories confirmed the brand is not resting on the laurels of its 140-year heritage. But what really impressed our judges was an ongoing commitment to sustainable practices, an area of increasing importance among parents and families. These includes refurbishing and upcycling no-longer-needed pushchairs and donating them to a baby bank charity, a buggy repair programme, and a unique car seat recycling service.

In the words of our judges: "Tangible initiatives to help make its business practices and products more sustainable were what really stood out for us this year. Silver Cross offer the only national car seat recycling service we’re aware of, and while it’s restricted to its branded seats (we’d love to see it open up to other brands in the future), it’s great to see a brand offering responsible options from creating a product right through to disposing of it."

Visit: Silver Cross

Silver – The Positive Birth Company

Best for: Inclusive, accessible pre- and postnatal education.

In the words of our judges: "We noted how the brand’s commitment to empowering women, birthing people and birth partners is really built into their services, with an online offering designed to be accessible for every type of expectant or new parent. Its collection of courses is easy-to-navigate, with clear, bitesize portions of information to help you prepare. We were also impressed with the brand’s free workshop, Closing The Gap, launched to highlight racial disparities in antenatal services and birth outcomes to healthcare professionals."

Visit: Positive Birth Company

Bronze – Graco

Best for: Great value baby products.

In the words of our judges: "Graco’s entries this year paired great value with solid design, including a lightweight stroller that ticked plenty of boxes at very purse-friendly price, and a comfy bedside crib. But we also liked the brand’s efforts to connect with and support the community of parents it serves. Following on from the launch of its Graco Village microsite, where parents can connect with experts and influencers, 2023 saw the brand begin sponsored partnerships with post-natal depression charity PANDAS and the road safety charity, Brake, to help create safer communities."

Visit: Graco

Shortlisted: UPPAbaby, Aldi Mamia, Happy Parents Happy Baby In-Person Antenatal Classes, Lola&Lykke, Munchkin

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
• Family health, bathtime and skincare 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 Editor's Choice Awards — 2024 winners