"There's not much [that is] more trusted than a mom's word, and we know that mothers often buy products based on other mom's recommendations, which is why opted to have our community vote for their favourites," says Amanda Rogaly, founder of BabyYumYum.

"Instead of having a panel of judges, we called on our community — more than 150 000 parents — and asked them to choose their favourites in the first parenting product awards of its kind in South Africa," adds Rogaly.

The winners, who were voted for on an online poll, came from six categories:
  • Bathing and Changing
  • Feeding Equipment
  • Maternity
  • Food
  • Travel and Safety
  • Stores
"Whether you're a new or 'experienced' parent, shopping for baby products can be overwhelming and confusing," Rogaly says. "Awards like these guide parents on the most highly rated products out there, likely saving them much time and money."

"We are ecstatic that so many of our community voted in these inaugural awards. [We] love their spirit of having a say and helping other parents navigate their way a little easier," concludes Rogaly.

The BabyYumYum product winners include:

Bathing and Changing:
  • Bath range — Johnson's Baby
  • Disposable nappies — Huggies
  • Cloth nappies — BiddyKins
  • Bum cream — Sudocrem
  • Nappy bin — Tommee Tippee
  • Potty — Bumbo

Feeding Equipment:
  • Bottle — Philips Avent
  • Pacifier — Nuk
  • Sippy cup — Tommee Tippee
  • Utensils — Munchkin
  • Bottle warmer — Tommee Tippee
  • Breast pump — Medela

Maternity:
  • Vitamins — PregOmega Plus
  • Stretchmark product — Bio-Oil
  • Underwear — Carriwell
  • Clothing — CottonOn

Food:
  • Infant formula — NAN
  • Snacks — Purity
  • Ready-made meals — Purity
  • Cereal — Cerelac

Travel and Safety:
  • Car seat — Chicco
  • Pram — Chelino
  • Baby wearer/wrap — Chelino
  • Baby monitor — Angelcare
  • Baby proofing — Safety 1st
  • First aid — Dettol

Stores:
  • Baby retailer — Baby City
  • Baby essentials' pharmacy — Dis-Chem
  • Children's clothing — Ackermans
For more information, visit www.babyyumyum.co.za. You can also follow BabyYumYum on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.