Meet the BabyCenter Food Awards Winners of 2022

Why we love it

With three sections that help remind parents to serve a variety of foods at each meal, Ezpz's silicone base clings stubbornly to tables and highchair trays to thwart little ones who prefer dumping out bowls. We love that the mat rolls up into a slim tube and comes with a reusable bag, so you can easily bring it along with you for meals out. 

Good to know: The mat's basically the same size as a sheet of lined school paper, which is too big for some highchair trays. 

Community reviews

"Stays put."

"Shape and size are good."

"I like the sections because it helps my daughter feed herself easier."

Why we love it

Parents love the nice long handle, which is easy to grip and manipulate, even when your baby is grabbing at the spoon. They also like the cheerful colors that add some panache to everyday meals. These spoons have a shallow bowl to provide a baby-sized bite each time, and with six to 12 in a pack, you can get through at least a whole day of meals before doing the dishes. 

Good to know: This spoon is on the long side, which makes it trickier for kiddos to feed themselves.

Community reviews

"Cheap and work well. Teaches colors as well as functional."

"I love the colors; very easy to grab."

"They are soft and my baby loves them so much."
 

Why we love it

Make sure you like the looks of this workhorse Graco highchair, because it's so versatile it'll be with you for a while. It starts as a reclining highchair for infants, then sits up straight for older babies before transforming into an infant booster seat, a toddler booster seat, and then finally a youth chair that can hold kids until they're 6 years old. Parents love how easy the tray is to remove, too: no wrestling with it when your hands are covered in yogurt. 

Good to know: With lots of nooks and crannies, the Blossom isn't the easiest highchair to keep clean. 

Community reviews

"Easy to use, multi stage, easy to clean."

"From highchair to booster, serves all the kid ages!"

"It’s a great product that grows with your child."
 

Why we love it

Oddly enough, most "portable" highchairs are surprisingly hard to travel with: bulky, heavy, awkward. But this lightweight (4 pounds) little chair folds nicely into a carrying case about the size of a loaf of bread and then pops out like a camping chair to safely hold your baby. It sits securely on the ground so it can go to the playground or the beach, or straps to a chair at restaurants or Grandma's. 

Good to know: Many different baby brands make similar chairs; if you buy from a competitor, make sure the chair comes with a carrying case as this one does. 

Community reviews

"Compact, portable."

"Convenient and foldable."

"Great for camping." 
 

Why we love it

Grocery carts and restaurant highchairs feel grimy and sticky; it's alarming to imagine what your baby might ingest by teething or tasting. But this cleverly designed cover drops right over the top of trolleys and highchairs to provide expansive coverage and keep everything your baby could possibly touch nice and sanitary. In between tours of duty, it folds up to a small package that can easily fit in a diaper bag. 

Good to know: This cover should not be used for car seats, particularly while driving. 

Community reviews

"Using this cover allows us to use the shopping cart instead of the stroller; one step less we need to take."

"Great for kids on the go."

"We use this on restaurant highchairs, shopping carts, etc."
 

Why we love it

With a large pocket in front that catches dribbles and crumbs, and an adjustable neckline that easily accommodates children from infancy to grade school, these silicone bibs are wipe-clean wonders that'll keep your child's clothes spiffy for years and years to come. Available in cool modern shades, they're good lookers too. 

Good to know: These bibs are easy to clean, but brightly colored food like tomato sauce may stain it (baking soda mixed with white vinegar removes most discoloration). 

Community reviews

"Easy to clean." 

"So durable." 

"Easy clean up and catches spills or crumbs."
 

Why we love it

Made with organic oats and fortified with iron, calcium, and vitamins B and C, this cereal from household name Gerber is easily stirred into a smooth paste that babies go crazy for. It's a super-easy and nutritious first food your grandma would recognize and approve of, too. 

Good to know: Note for those with wheat sensitivity: Like most products processed in facilities that also process wheat, this cereal does contain some wheat. 

Community reviews

"Nutritiously great."

"Best on the market."

"Trusted brand, well packaged."
 

Why we love it

With baby-beloved true flavors and a light texture that melts away smoothly in the mouth — yet doesn't leave hands messy — these puffs are staples in every snack container in every diaper bag in America. Of late, Gerber's been pleasing parents with innovative flavor combinations that go beyond simple tastes like banana or vanilla: fig berry, cranberry orange, and sweet potato are all modern faves. 

Good to know: This product contains added sugars, which the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding for children under age 2. 

Community reviews

"Helps with a light snack when hungry and melts away when eaten so they can't choke."

"Cheap and no choking, easily dissolves."

"I can find them in any store."

"Perfect size for pincer practice." 
 

Why we love it

They're big, flat, and have a textured surface that babies find easy to pick up and hold onto while nibbling, and the innovative ingredient combos are wow-worthy: pea and spinach, sweet potato and banana, blueberry and purple carrot. 

Good to know: These crackers contain a small amount of added sugar. 

Community reviews

"Perfect for little hands. Flavor variety and healthy."

"Multiple flavors, easy for little hands to hold, dissolve nicely."

"We have a dairy free baby, and there's no dairy in the flavor we bought, which was a problem with some other brands!"

Why we love it

Beech-Nut has been making simple baby food since 1931, and not much has changed since: They still make purees of non-GMO ingredients from vines and trees, cook them lightly to preserve nutrients, and pack them into recyclable glass jars (or BPA-free pouches for mobile meals). It's clean food you'll feel good about feeding your baby.

Good to know: While many parents love glass jars (and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends glass as a storage vessel over plastic due to concerns about BPA, phthalates, and other potential toxins), they can break and become a significant hazard, so always supervise when feeding from glass. 

Community reviews

"Glass jars, portable, great tasting, and easy to mix with other flavors and foods."

"Beechnut offers a lot of different varieties of foods for the baby."

"Natural, affordable, and tasty for baby."
 

Why we love it

Made in the USA from recycled milk jugs, available in a rainbow of glorious colors (25 in all), and tough enough to take years and years of wear and tear from toddlers and preschoolers, these divided plates have stout sections that keep foods from touching, and encourage reluctant feeders to try a little something from every section. 

Good to know: These plates are dishwasher-safe, and labeled "microwave-safe" for short intervals, but many experts do not recommend microwaving food in plastic due to concerns about BPA, phthalates, and other toxins leaching into food. 

Community reviews

"Durable, dishwasher/microwave safe, no toxic chemicals, and my kids like their food divided."

"Makes serving a variety of foods easy."

"Beautiful set." 
 

Why we love it

Both toddlers and parents love the juicy rainbow colors these spoons and forks come in, and these utensils are tough enough to get tossed in a diaper bag or lunch box, and cheap enough that you won't be heartbroken if they don't make it home. They're dishwasher-safe in the meantime, so you can use them as long as you like, and recyclable (in most communities) when you're ready to say goodbye. 

Good to know: The tines of these forks aren't exactly sharp, which makes them safer for little ones, but also makes it harder for them to stab food to eat. 

Community reviews

"Love the colors."

"It's very light and comfortable to hold."

"Colorful, affordable, large pack."
 

Why we love it

They come in 13 unique and brilliantly colored patterns, they're a nice size for a light lunch or big snack, and the reliable insulation safely keeps food cold until lunchtime. Parents also like how the Lone Cone's carry strap buckles open and closed, so you can clip it to a backpack to keep your child's stuff together. 

Good to know: Lone Cone offers similar lunch boxes in a different, more upright shape, and in a slightly larger size. 

Community reviews

"The design is beautiful."

"So nice." 

"Easy to open and clean."
 

Why we love it

With a wheat/oat/corn flour crust and organic filling with the sweet natural taste of juicy strawberries, these bars are just the thing to appease a toddler on the edge of crankiness. Plus, they’re individually wrapped, so they're easy to throw into a pocket or purse. 

Good to know: Each bar contains 5 grams of added sugar, which is well under the AAP's daily limit of 25 grams for children over age 2, but should still be accounted for in your child's daily nutritional intake. 

Community reviews

"Organic, cutest toddler friendly packaging."

"Tasty." 

"My toddler loves strawberries, especially the natural taste of fruit." 

Why we love it

These classic fish-shaped crackers are practically a requirement for daycare snack packs, and they're healthier than you might expect: They contain real cheese, no artificial flavors or preservatives, and the colored varieties get their bright hues from plants, not man-made dyes. They sure are tasty, too. 

Good to know: The bright orange or rainbow colors don't leave residue on your hands, but crushing a cracker into a carpet or a car seat results in a shocking mess. 

Community reviews

"Whole family loves them."

"My baby loves Goldfish and has fun mastering his pincer grip by picking them up one at a time. Or sometimes just trying to stuff them in his mouth by the handful!"

"They grow with your kids. All of my older children (including teens) have eaten these since they were able to eat them and still do! When my oldest son was 2 he lived on a diet of Goldfish and milk."
 

Why we love it

Annie's is a legacy brand in healthier prepared food, stretching back to when Annie Withey first sold her boxed macaroni and cheese kits in 1989. Generations later, Annie's line of frozen mac-and-cheese meals, waffles, pizza bagels, pizza rolls, and sweet confections are reliable treats that are ready in a snap when you have a hangry toddler. 

Good to know: Though Annie's is known for its organic ingredients, not everything in every snack or meal is organic, so read labels if this designation is important to you. 

Community reviews

"Annie's frozen food is good."

"Organic products are often more expensive but definitely worth it!"

"Organic and from a smaller business."

Why we love it

Happy Tot has cornered the toddler pouch market by drilling down on parents' nutritional concerns, and producing different blends to suit any tot: Happy Tot's Fiber & Protein purees each have 3 grams of fiber and protein per pouch, Veggie Forward pouches have a whole serving of vegetables, and Superfoods pouches are blended with omega-3-rich chia seeds for extra nutritional punch. 

Good to know: It's worth noting that these pouches are not recyclable. 

Community reviews

"Come in lots of flavors, organic, and easy for my baby to feed themselves."

"Great flavors, great nutrition! Good value."

"Simple ingredients, variety of flavors."
 

Why we love it

It's simple enough for a kid to make (and believe us, they do): Add water, microwave, eat. In just minutes you have a steaming hot meal your little one will really love, made with real creamy Kraft cheese — just like the blue box you used to beg for at dinnertime. 

Good to know: Each cup is a single serving, so if you're making mac and cheese for your family, you'll have to hold down a microwave production line. 

Community reviews

"One of the few foods my toddler will consistently eat."

"We love it." 

"All three kids beg for it!"
 

Why we love it

Looking and functioning much like a real cup (and without the dental concerns that sippy cups carry with them), this innovative training cup allows your child to drink from anywhere around the rim, yet seals shut in between times to prevent leaks.

Good to know: Since there are no narrow valves, this cup is relatively easy to clean, but there's a silicone gasket on the cup's lid that has to be removed regularly for cleaning or the cup can grow mold. 

Community reviews

"No spill, I love it." 

"Easy to drink water and practice to drink from an actual cup."

"360 sets them up for success with a real cup."

Why we love it

It looks like a big-kid sports bottle — not a babyish sippy — yet it's even easy for little ones still learning. This bottle's spout is bite-resistant for little nibblers, and we love that the bottle's anti-leak valve comes apart, so it's easier to clean out any gunk that might build up. 

Good to know: The bottle's silicone valve can be tricky to wiggle back into place after cleaning; consult your bottle's instructions if it leaks after the valve is removed and replaced. 

Community reviews

"Great trainer water bottle that limits spills."

"Easy for kids because it has a straw-like spout."

"Works very well for toddlers on the go."
 

Why we love it

Make the moments before you serve meals count with these educational mats, which introduce children to the basics of letters, shapes, colors, and numbers and help them wait more patiently for their food. The mats have silicone backing so they cling stoutly to the table yet wipe clean between mealtimes. 

Good to know: These mats don't roll up, so storing them between uses can require a little more maneuvering.

Community reviews

"Toddlers get attracted by the colors."

"Educational." 

"Learning is FUNdamental!"
 

Why we love it

Making life just a little easier for parents of children who can't handle their foods touching, these divided trays are tough as nails, big enough (at approximately 9 inches square) to hold a hearty-but-not-huge serving for small kids, and durable enough to withstand years of washing without fading. They're made in the USA, too. 

Good to know: Note that these plates are labeled "microwave-safe," but that just means the plastic won't melt or get too hot. Many experts, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, advise against microwaving food in plastic due to potential toxin contamination.

Community reviews

"No foods touch one another."

"Hold up over time." 
 

Why we love it

It swings open easily with the touch of a button and closes with an audible snap that leaves no doubt about whether it's securely closed or not. The vacuum-sealed interior keeps liquids cold for up to 12 hours, and the handle on top makes it easy to carry around, or to clip to a backpack or lunch box to keep things together. 

Good to know: The instructions say that this bottle is dishwasher-safe, but hand-washing is recommended.

Community reviews

"Keeps drinks cold."

"Like the straw."

"The straw makes it easier for my baby to take water."

Why we love it

This is the Fort Knox of lunch boxes: no matter how often it's bumped or banged or held upside down in a backpack, it simply refuses to leak — even when you pack drippy foods like fresh fruit or salsa. The stainless steel interior won't absorb stains or smells and is so indestructible that you may be packing your child's meals in this bento for years and years to come. 

Good to know: Though this lunch box is long-lasting in terms of materials, the capacity of the three compartments adds up to 4 1/3 cups, which may not be enough for hearty teen and tween appetites. 

Community reviews

"Love the separate compartments."

"Tough and nice looking." 

Why we love it

With five compartments, this box encourages eating a variety of foods, and parents will like rising to the challenge of figuring out what combination of foods to fill up the box with. Choose the plain stainless steel versionOpens a new window of this box, or for a few dollars more, try the ceramic-coated stainless steel for easier cleaning. 

Good to know: Some parents complain that the round dip well is too shallow. 

Community reviews

"Easy cleaning!"

"Leakproof is very useful."

"Has lots of compartments."
 

Why we love it

They're sized just right for the foods you want to pack for your preschooler: The big one snugly holds a sandwich, and the two 1.2-cup containers are perfect for fruits, vegetables, chips, or other healthy sides. The containers stack neatly, with one on top of the other. Or if you wish, line up with the included blue gel freezer pack to safely keep foods cold until lunch. 

Good to know: Like all plastic containers, the LunchBlox can absorb stains and odors over time. 
 
Community reviews

"Awesome and easy to use for my kids."

"Years of experience making durable classic containers that aren’t limited to a certain age range. Years of life for the product is better for the environment."
 

Why we love it

Perishable foods in your child's lunch can safely stay cold until lunchtime in an insulated lunch box with a freezer pack, says the USDA, so a reliable insulated lunch box is a necessity if you pack meat or dairy. This value-priced box from Thermos comes in lots of kid-beloved themes and patterns (Minecraft! Pokemon! Baby Yoda!), and with its padded handle, is comfortable to carry. 

Good to know: This lunch box is wipe-clean, not dishwasher- or washing machine-safe. 

Community reviews

"I'm a fan of the Thermos brand."

"Stands up to kids."

"My kids love the character options!"

Why we love it

When snack attacks happen, parents love to serve these puffs flavored with real aged cheddar cheese. Kids love them, and they're easy to throw into a snack container or lunch box for happy munching. 

Good to know: These puffs go stale easily, so close the package tightly after opening. 

Community reviews

"It's a family favorite! It tastes great and is easy for all ages."

"Yummy and kids love it."
 

Why we love it

They feel great in your hands, come in gorgeous modern colors like mustard and sage, and the fork is a wonder: It's rigid and sharp enough to spear soft food, but not so sharp that it's dangerous for your little one. The tough BPA-free polypropylene plastic stands up to dishwasher cycles, too. 

Good to know: Like all plastic, this can stain over time. 

Community reviews

"Easy to use and safe for baby."

"Safe for her gums."

"The right amount of soft and hard. Great quality!"

Why we love it

It's a kiddie classic, a ready-made lunch in one fell swoop. Lunchables debuted in 1985 and ever since, they’ve fed generations of children who are anything but picky when they find the distinctive yellow package in their backpack. 

Good to know: Though old-school Lunchables contained mainly cheese, crackers, and lunch meat, new varieties can come with fruit, juice, and smoothies. 

Community reviews

"They have a variety my child likes. They don't have a lot of excess sugar."

"The kids can have it everywhere they go."

"Super easy to grab and go."
 

Why we love it

When time is tight, your child can still have freshly made, healthy food, thanks to Little Spoon. The meal delivery service sends foods kids love (dumplings, nuggets, pasta) right to your door. Many meals are made with vegetables cleverly concealed in marinara or cheese sauce (genius!). Just pop them in the oven or microwave to serve, and you've got a super healthy meal in minutes.  

Good to know: Along with whole meals, Little Spoon will deliver smoothies, vitamins, and baby food. Deliveries are made every two weeks, unless you specify another schedule when you order. 

Community reviews

"Great texture on the nuggets."

"Little Spoon is the best, my baby loves it."