MFM Awards 2023 Winners — Baby and toddler feeding and weaning products

If you're about to start your weaning journey, or are looking for products that will make feeding easier, quicker and (hopefully!) less messy, these are the products for you.

See the winners in:

• Baby & toddler snack
• Baby food/pouch
• Organic baby food
• Toddler & child food
• Highchair/booster seat
• Bib
• Cup/beaker
• Cutlery & tableware
• Mealtime sets
• Weaning & feeding product

Key features we tested/judged – Taste, texture, worth the money, ease of use, quality and design, effectiveness.

Gold – Organix Rice Cake Clouds, £1.25

Why it’s a winner: Our judges and home testers were impressed with the taste, value and convenience of this handy snack, which comes in five fruity flavours. The melt-in-the-mouth texture made the rice cakes easy for babies to eat by themselves, and our testers also praised the organic ingredients as well as the eye-catching packaging. The Organix Rice Cake Clouds are not just for babies, either. Our Nutritionist Expert Paula Hallam said: “I’d recommend to serve these with a meal or as a snack for toddlers by adding nut butter or cream cheese.”

In the words of parent tester Charlotte, who tested this with their 8-month-old daughter: “These are great snacks to introduce my daughter to finger foods and for her to practice chewing food, as they are easy for her to hold. They are great for quick snacks in the buggy too.”

Buy from: Boots, Sainsbury's and Organix

Silver – Aldi Mamia Oaty Bars - Strawberry & Apple, £1.69

Best for: An organic, handheld snack at an excellent price point.

In the words of parent tester Katie, who tested this with their 5-year-old and 14-month-old: “The ingredients are simple and healthy for a snack and it offers good value for money. I would make a special trip to Aldi just to stock up on snacks such as these.”

Buy from: Aldi

Bronze – Aldi Mamia Soft Biscotti Strawberry, £1.89

Best for: A sweet, on-the-go snack that is good value for money.

In the words of parent tester Charlotte, who tested this with their 22 month old: “The texture is perfect for babies and toddlers. My daughter really enjoyed them and liked the strawberry taste. They are a great on-the-go snack and absolutely are worth the money!”

Buy from: Aldi

Shortlisted: Aldi Mamia Baby Biscuits | Organix Weaning Wands

Key features we tested/judged – Taste, texture, worth the money, ease of use, quality and design, effectiveness.

Gold – Organix Baby Meals, £1.50 - £2.20

Why it’s a winner: An excellent range of baby meals with plant-based protein sources, Organix wins gold for convenient, balanced baby food that comes in a variety of flavours with colourful packaging that is fully recyclable and reusable. Our Nutritionist Expert Paula Hallam praised the “very balanced nutrition”, adding that it is “good to see added beans, lentils and chickpeas in the meals as a source of protein and iron”.

In the words of parent tester Lauren, who tested this with their 8 month old: “The organic source of the ingredients was reassuring for me as we are quite new to solid foods and I really want to create good, healthy eating habits. I loved the pots – they are easy to pack for days out and useful for storing leftovers in the fridge overnight.”

Buy from: Boots, Asda and Organix

Silver – Little Freddie Super Strawberries & Bananas Multipack, £4

Best for: An organic, on-the-go fruit puree with recyclable packaging.

In the words of parent tester Phoebe, who tested this with their 7-month-old daughter: “My baby liked the texture, it was very smooth and easy for her to eat. The packet feels like a quality item, I can see it's fully recyclable.”

Buy from: Amazon, Ocado, Sainsbury's and Tesco

Bronze – Kendamil Cereal Bundles, £11.25 - £12.50 for a bundle pack of 5

Best for: Iron and zinc-fortified baby cereal in a good-value pack.

In the words of parent tester Beckie, who tested this with their 5 month old: “It mixes very well and makes a smooth consistency of porridge mixture. This is very good value with how many servings you get.”

Buy from: Amazon and Kendamil

Shortlisted: Aldi Mamia 10+m Breakfast Pouches – Mango | Aldi Mamia 10+m Baby Food Pouch - Tomato Pasta | BioGaia Protectis Baby Drops | Kendamil Classic Follow On Milk

Key features we tested/judged – Taste, texture, worth the money, nutritional benefits, quality and design, ease of use.

Gold – Kendamil Organic Cereals, £2- £2.50

Why it’s a winner: With an excellent range of flavours and organic, vegetarian ingredients, the Kendamil Organic Cereals were a winner with our judges and home testers. The bundles offer good value too, with home tester Victoria saying: “You get a lot for your money as well as a top-quality and tasty product.” The simple and clear packaging was also impressive, as were the easy-to-read nutritional values.

In the words of parent tester Emma, who tested this with their 7 month old: “The cereals are reasonably priced and appear to be good-quality products, where nutrition has been considered. My daughter enjoyed the taste of all the cereals.”

Buy from: Ocado and Kendamil

Silver – ASDA Little Angels Organic Creamy Root Vegetables, £0.65

Best for: Parents looking for an organic, vegetable-based baby food pouch.

In the words of parent tester Charlotte, who tested this with their 8-month-old son: “A product I would absolutely buy again! Tested on my 8-month-old baby who really enjoyed the meal. It's a perfect meal option for when we are out and about.”

Buy from: Asda

Bronze – Kendamil Organic Follow On Milk, £14

Best for: Parents looking for an organic, vegetarian follow on milk from a British-made brand.

In the words of parent tester Samantha, who tested this with their 10-month-old son: “The texture of the Kendamil Organic Follow On Milk is great, it’s smooth and doesn’t take much effort when the water is added. What’s not to love? It’s giving my baby all the nutrition he needs, and he loves it.”

Buy from: Boots, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, and Tesco

Key features we tested/judged – Taste, texture, worth the money, nutritional benefits, quality and design, ease of use.

Gold – Annabel Karmel's Chilled Meals for Toddlers & Children, £2.85

Why it’s a winner: “Makes mealtimes easier”, “would definitely eat it again” and “decent value for money for busy parents” were just some of the comments about our gold winner, Annabel Karmel’s Chilled Meals for Toddlers & Children. Judges were impressed with the flavour, texture, and variety of ingredients. There’s also a wide array of choices. Our Nutritionist Expert Paula Hallam praised the “good balance of nutrients". The tastes and textures were a hit with adults too, with home tester Toni saying: “I tried the meal and found it delicious.” Our home testers also liked the choice and the convenience, as well as the handy hidden veg.

In the words of parent tester Aarti, who tested this with their 2-year-old: “My son really enjoyed the meal. There was a lot of rice so the volume was quite a lot. It did taste nice, and I was happy feeding it to my son.”

Buy from: Waitrose and Sainsbury's

Joint Silver – Organix Kids Oaty Bars, £2.50

Best for: A handy, fibre-rich snack.

In the words of parent tester Dom, who tested this with their 2-year-old daughter: “My daughter loved all the flavours. We are looking to swap to these products now, so that’s all you should need to know!”

Buy from: Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda and Organix

Joint Silver – Aldi Mamia 12m Bolognese Bake Tray Meal, £0.85

Best for: A store cupboard essential for convenient, tasty meals on busy days.

In the words of parent tester Jessica, who tested this with their 1-year-old daughter: “My little one seemed to love the taste of this bolognese, I couldn’t believe it when she finished the entire serving. I did give it a try myself too and was pleasantly surprised by how tasty it was.”

Buy from: Aldi

Bronze – Little Freddie Sweet Pepper Grains, £1.80

Best for: A convenient, nutritionally varied mealtime option.

In the words of parent tester Lavanya, who tested this with their 2-year-old daughter: “Considering the price, ease of preparation and most importantly nutritional value, I would buy this product. Quality packaging, simple design with all the key ingredients clearly visible.”

Buy from: Tesco, Ocado and Sainsbury's

Shortlisted: Little Steps Plantygrow Plant-based Growing Up Drink | The Family Food Co. Kids frozen meals range

Key features we tested — Ease of use, ease of assembly, comfort for baby/child, effectiveness, worth the money.

Joint Gold – Stokke Tripp Trapp, £219

Why it’s a winner: This iconic and beautiful piece of wooden furniture is strong, durable and adjustable enough to last your baby from newborn (with separate attachment) and throughout childhood, allowing your child to sit at the table. The seat is both height and depth-adjustable and the footplate can be raised, lowered or removed to give plenty of growing room. The Scandi style works in most homes and the chairs are available in a range of colours, while the design is delightfully simple and can be neatly tucked right into the table. It’s a statement parenting item that you can keep for years. Our parent testers and judges praised the eco credentials, comfort and practicality of the chair. One tester commented: “Made entirely from wood and metal, the chair is wholly sustainable, comfortable without extra padding and very easy to clean, as there are no little crannies for food or drink to get stuck in.”

In the words of parent tester Ruth, who tested this with their 16-month-old twins: “The outstanding design, quality and longevity elevates it beyond the level of a simple highchair. The slanting design not only looks great but is also practical as it makes the chair safe and secure. This chair will adapt to our children and home for many years and is really good value – it's a keeper that will see us through messy dinners, colouring and crafting sessions and homework at our table for years to come.”

Buy from: John Lewis and Stokke

Joint Gold – Bugaboo Giraffe, £205 - £524.75

Why it’s a winner: A stand-out new entry in the highchair market, this lovely looking product can be used in five ways (with snap-on accessories that are sold separately), including a baby rocker, newborn seat, traditional high chair with harness and tray, and child seat with an impressive upper weight limit of 100kg. One tester dubbed it “fantastic quality and aesthetically pleasing”, while another was delighted to discover that it was "straightforward to use as the seat and footrest are adjustable without the need for tools, and incredibly sturdy yet light enough to be easily moved around our home”.

In the words of parent tester Elisabeth, who tested this with their 6 month old: “This highly functional chair has scope to be used from newborn to school child and a rocker and a high chair, offering great longevity. It provides a safe and comfortable eating environment for my baby and is the perfect sleek and modern design to fit unobtrusively into any home. I like the feet protectors and the fact this product is made with eco-conscious materials.”

Buy from: John Lewis, Mamas & Papas and Boots

Silver – Childhome Evolu 2 Highchair, £149.99

Best for: A great value chair that works particularly well for older children.

In the words of parent tester Maggie, who tested this with their 7 month old and 2 year old: “Sleek, compact and light, this chair is great for bigger babies, toddlers and children and was perfect for my 2 year old as the footrest was at the ideal height for her. The 5-point harness is easy to adjust and I love that you can use this chair at different heights – 50cm for a kids’ table, 75cm for a standard table and, with an additional set of legs, 90cm for a kitchen island.”

Buy from: Boots and Scandiborn

Joint Bronze – Bumbo Highchair, £230

Best for: Sleek monochrome design with a one-hand removable tray.

In the words of parent tester Emily, who tested this with their 9 month old and 3 year old: “A beautifully designed chair that’s simple to put together, lovely to look at and very comfortable for babies and children up to the age of 3. It’s also incredibly easy to get babies in and out of the chair thanks to the lock-in tray that can be removed with just one hand at the click of a button. The tray is mounted on a stem that sits close enough to make mealtimes easy for my baby without being tight around his middle, making him comfortable and secure. The tray also curves round the seat, helping to limit the amount of food dropped down the sides, and offers plenty of space for my baby’s suction plate and bowls.”

Buy from: Kiddies Kingdom

Joint Bronze – miniuno Yumo Multiplus Highchair, £139.99

Best for: Moving around the home.

In the words of parent tester Emma, who tested this with their six month old: “This offers two high-quality products – a sturdy highchair and a cosy day bed – in one, making the Yumo Multiplus good value for money. The five-point harness ensured my baby was comfortable and secure whether the seat was reclined fully flat in day bed mode or more upright in highchair mode, and the removable seat can even be attached to a dining chair, allowing my child to sit at the table. The adjustable footrest is a useful feature to find the perfect fit for your baby, the feeding tray has 2 positions to ensure there’s enough space for a growing child. Portability is key as it’s light enough to easily manoeuvre while concealed wheels help the chair glide across your floor.”

Buy from: Olivers Baby Care, Jolly Tots and Little Angels

Shortlisted: BabyDam SpongePod Feeding Chair | My Little Coco My Little Everything Chair | Sweety Fox Folding High Chair for Babies and Toddlers with Toy Arch

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

Gold – Bibado Coverall Weaning bib, £19.95

Why it's a winner: “The bib is an eye-catching, well-made, supportive weaning tool”, “it keeps clothes dry and you can use the same bib a couple of times each day before throwing it in the wash in the evening”, “the plastic is free from BPA and harmful chemicals used to colour most textiles” are some of the enthusiastic comments made by our testers. This bib is a market leader that fastens to the highchair, providing clothes with as much protection as possible from stains. It's made from a soft yet robust fabric, making it a big winner for parents and babies.

In the words of parent tester Charlotte, who tested this with their 1 year old: “They are easy to use, you just pull it up the baby’s arms and fasten the velcro across the back. Then you tighten the velcro tabs underneath your table, which means the bib can fit lots of table sizes. It makes mealtimes less messy and outfits are kept cleaner. The variety of sleeve lengths means it can be used across the seasons.”

Buy from: Amazon and Bibado

Silver – Little Chomps Messy Mealtime Smock, £19.95

Best for: Quality and versatility of material.

In the words of parent tester Rebekah, who tested this with thier 11 month old: “The smock worked exactly how you expect a bib to, but this is the first one to ever meet my expectations and be used consistently at every mealtime. I have bought many bibs and smocks, but this one is far superior as my even baby likes it. She associates the smock with mealtimes, which is fantastic!”

Buy from: Little Chomps

Bronze – Ziggle Cosatto Coverall Feeding Bib, £14

Best for: Older babies.

In the words of parent tester Andrea, who tested this with their 11 month old: “If like me you have a baby who hates bibs, this might save your day-to-day life. It's the only bib that she doesn't try to pull off. She likes the feel of it as it's soft and sometimes she doesn't even remember she's wearing it. It has a bib and pocket which is perfect for messy babies and easy to wash. Most of the stains come off if you wipe them straight away or it can be machine washed.”

Buy from: Amazon and Ziggle

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

Gold – Babycup Sippeco First Cups, £9.99 for pack of 4

Why it's a winner: "I love that they are made from recyclable and biodegradable plastic”, said one tester of these simple but effective first cups. They are designed to help you follow NHS advice to encourage your baby to use an open cup, and while they may be messy, the small size helps keep spills to a minimum. "My 7-month-old baby mastered drinking with them quickly," added another tester. They're made from eco-friendly plastic with handy measurements on the side to give you everything you need to help your baby master the art of drinking from an open cup.

In the words of parent tester Maggie, who tested the cups with thier 7 month old: “These baby cups look good and come in a variety of see-through colours. They are sturdy and very good quality and have measures (mls and oz) on the side so you can see how much your baby is drinking. They’re dishwasher safe and don't seem to get cloudy. My 7-month-old baby loved using them and my toddler also loved them, so they are great for weaning and beyond.”

Buy from: Amazon and Babycup

Silver – NUK Learner Cup - Glow in the Dark, £6.10

Best for: Glow in the dark handles for nighttime thirst.

In the words of parent tester Kelly, who tested this with their 9 month old: “We use this bottle for water. Compared to previous cups/bottles my little one is actually able to suck and swallow water from this bottle (previously he would just get the water in his mouth and then let it spill back out). Also, the silicone base and handles easily separate from the bottle so you can give it a good clean.”

Buy from: Amazon and Nuk

Bronze – Bear Sippy Cup with Straw – Tiny Roo, £10.99

Best for: A sweet design that teaches sipping from a straw.

In the words of parent tester Hayley, who tested this with their 10 month old: “My daughter has loved handling the cup, it is easy for her to hold. It makes life easier as it seems to be better for babies to grip rather than a plastic one which slips out of the hand sometimes. The lid comes off with ease so when the time comes it can be an open cup.”

Buy from: Tiny Roo

Shortlisted: MAM Starter Cup & Glow Handles

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

Gold – Vital Baby NOURISH weaning & feeding range, £1.99 - £7.99

Why it's a winner: This range is really well thought out, giving parents everything they need to help them on their weaning journey. It is full of long-lasting, colourful products that adapt as children grow. It was a big hit with our parent testers, who found the snack pots were great money-savers when they took their own food on days out. Other popular elements included the sippy cup, the vast array of cutlery, and the perfectly-sized bowls.

In the words of parent tester Laura, who tested the bib with her 7 month old: “The quality of the products is amazing, they're very robust. My little one has thrown them on the floor and they have stayed together. We absolutely love the colours of it all and I love the fact that there are little pots. We use them to put snacks in and take them out with us wherever we go. It is so much easier to do this, and cheaper.”

Buy from: Vital Baby

Silver – eco rascals Silicone Divider Plate, £19.99

Best for: A versatile plate with an optional divider

In the words of parent tester Cristina, who tested this with thier 12 month old: “It's very well made from a safe material for babies. It will last as your baby grows so it is good value for money. The plate is versatile as you can serve the food in 1 or 3 portions, which helps with picky eaters. Sturdy, well made and very easy to clean.”

Buy from: eco rascals

Joint Bronze – BLW Essentials training cutlery, £3.99

Best for: A first cutlery set for the early days of weaning

In the words of parent tester Maariyah, who tested this with their 9 month old: “My son enjoyed using the utensils and I felt confident with him feeding himself using them. He was able to hold them easily and take them to his mouth because of the small handles, which help with coordination. He tried feeding himself with normal baby spoons but struggled as the design was impractical for self-feeding. These utensils help babies feed themselves, the design is ideal for little hands.”

Buy from: BLW Essentials

Joint Bronze – Nana's Manners Essential Bowl and Plate Range, £11.95 - £15.95

Best for: Design details that are practical as well as pretty.

In the words of parent tester Joelle, who tested this with their 7 month old: “It's a really well thought-out range that is worth the money and feels like they will last for years. The products wash extremely well in the dishwasher, even tomato stains have come out, which cannot be said for all children's crockery. The handles are great as they ensure you do not get food from the bowl sides on your fingers. Whilst my 8-month-old is not using the bowl independently yet, I can certainly see the value for my child as she grows and can hold it herself.”

Buy from: Kidly and Nana's Manners

Key features we tested/judged – Ease of use, quality of product, appeal to child, ease of care/washing, design, value for money.

Joint Gold – Beaba On the Go Lunch Bag Set, £45

Why it’s a winner: This sleek stainless steel lunch bag set was a hit with our testers, who thought it was a quality product that looked good and worked well. The set – which includes a bag, drinks bottle and food storage container – is simple to use and kept drinks cool and food warm throughout the day. While this is an investment purchase, our testers felt “the quality makes it worth it”. The size of the containers means you can use it with bigger portions for older children, so it will last well past the initial weaning stage. Our testers also praised the minimalist design.

In the words of parent tester Charlotte, who tested this with their 22 month old:“It's a great product and absolutely worth the money. It feels like it's built to last so would be a one-off investment. Often with kids' products, the design can be quite loud but this felt stylish.”

Buy from: Beaba

Joint Gold – Scrummy Tummies Tableware Bundle, £39.99

Why it’s a winner: This “attractive and modern”, tableware set won gold in this category for being aesthetically pleasing and easy to use yet also affordable. Our testers found the Scrummy Tummies Tableware set – which includes a sectioned plate and heart-shaped dish along with a plate, bowl and spoon – was high quality, versatile and durable. It's made of food-grade silicone in four muted colours, the tableware can be used to cook food in the oven and microwave, is freezer-safe and still looked great after multiple washes in the dishwasher.

In the words of parent tester Stephanie, who tested this with their 6 month old: “This set is of a very high quality. It is attractive, well made and perfect for weaning. The neutral colour scheme is great for either gender and it looks good on the table next to our adult plates. It is durable and has been used in the microwave and been through the dishwasher many times.”

Buy from: Scrummy Tummies

Silver – Pippeta My 1st Weaning Set, £32.99

Best for: Style-conscious parents looking for a practical weaning set that doesn’t compromise on design.

In the words of parent tester Katie, who tested this with her 7 month old: “It was easy to use and my 7-month-old baby was immediately comfortable handling the cutlery and using the plate to explore new foods. It’s good looking as well as high quality, and I know it will continue to be a staple as we go through the weaning stage.”

Buy from: Pippeta

Bronze – TalkTools Itsy Collection, £13.49 - £43.88

Best for: Smaller sections for younger babies or picky eaters.

In the words of parent tester Charlotte, who tested this with her 22-month-old daughter: “The plate and cutlery were brilliant, my little girl tries to feed herself with it. It's very good quality and feels nice and sturdy. It feels like it would wash up well over and over and last a long while.”

Buy from: TalkTools

Shortlisted: Beaba three-piece silicone meal set | Pippeta Ultimate Weaning Set

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

Gold – Beaba Babycook Neo, £170

Why it's a winner: "I find using pots and pans to steam and blend a real faff and I just love how easy it is to do it in one place," said one of our home testers of this stylish, slimline baby food machine. This product is a one-stop shop for steaming, blending, defrosting, and reheating food for your weaning baby, and testers said it was "easy to use, cooks quickly and the food comes out smooth." The settings create different textures which was a hit with our home testers. Our judges felt it offered the best combination of generous capacity and space-saving design, with everyone agreeing it would look great on any kitchen counter.

In the words of parent tester Jennifer, who tested this with her 7 month old: “It steamed food quickly and effectively and is very convenient to use. The product cooks about 4 portions of baby food so you can have a couple of fresh portions and freeze the others. The automatic turnoff feature is great – babies can be distracting and you don’t want to overcook the food!”

Buy from: John Lewis, Boots and Mamas & Papas

Silver – Babymoov Nutribaby Glass, £179.99

Best for: A sustainable, multifunctional product that'll last for years.

In the words of parent tester Sascha, who tested this with her 6 month old: “This has definitely made my weaning journey easier and more enjoyable. I’ve used it for steaming, blending, reheating, and defrosting. The steamer is fantastic and I’ve even used it to prepare my own vegetables, so it's helping me to eat more healthily as well. The reheating and defrosting functions are very convenient and easy and feel like a safer way to reheat and defrost for my baby than the microwave. I really like the water collector function to add nutrients back into the food. It is also very easy to clean.”

Buy from: Mamas & Papas, Boots and Babymoov

Bronze – Baby Brezza Food Maker Deluxe, £159

Best for: A compact, lightweight baby food blender.

In the words of parent tester Jenn, who tested this with her 6 month old: “I could easily whizz up some fruit or veg purée and other than the time it took to peel and chop, I could just stick it on and leave it to do its thing. Most impressive though is how easy it is to clean. I also like that the blade mashes rather than cuts, so no risk of slicing my fingers open when I'm in a rush. The reusable pouches are also a handy touch.”

Buy from: John Lewis, Amazon and Baby Brezza

Shortlisted: Bubba Boo Bamboo Panda Plate & Spoon | Scrummy Tummies Weaning Bundle

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
• Lifestyle, travel, fashion, books and gifts — 2023 winners
• MadeForMums Special Awards — 2023 winners
• MadeForMums Editor's Choice Awards — 2023 winners