Sure, it’s the most magical time of the year, but planning a Christmas your tot will love can also be a little stressful, so sometimes, we parents must treat ourselves with one of these special adult Advent calendars to get us through the seemingly endless nativity plays and Christmas gift shopping.

Sure, chocolate advent calendars are fun and great for the kids, they just don't quite cut it for everyone (although, if you have a sweet tooth, we have included some decadent ones below). Therefore we’ve rounded up the best advent calendars for us parents on the market – from bath bombs and candles to coffee advent calendars and beer; we’ve got it covered. Enjoy!

Remember, it's never too early to buy your family Advent calendars. Many big brands release theirs months before December, so to ensure you get the ones you want, it's best to purchase them as soon as you can.

The best adult Advent calendars 2026

Things to consider when buying an adult Advent calendar

When purchasing Advent calendars for adults, there are a few things you should think about, particularly if you're buying them as gifts.

Preferences - Obviously, the most important thing to consider when buying Christmas calendars is the recipient's favourite things, whether that's chocolate, sweets, gardening, beauty etc. Nowadays, there seem to be infinite Advent calendar ideas to go for, so you can really go as generic or niche as possible.

Size - Most Advent calendars have 24 doors, while others have 25; sometimes, they have 12 doors or boxes (to represent the twelve days of Christmas). So, it's a good idea to think about where you're going to store it for the month, especially if it's a large Advent calendar.

Allergies - No matter whether it's a food calendar or a beauty Advent calendar, it's important to check the ingredients for potential allergens or elements to which they may have an intolerance to.

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby. With a background in both print and digital journalism, she has written extensively on pregnancy, fertility, perinatal mental health, and the best in baby and parenting products. A first-time mum, Emily combines her professional expertise with personal experience, offering readers trusted advice and relatable insight. Specialising in product and travel reviews, she stays ahead of the curve on the latest parenting trends and is passionate about showing that life with a little one can still be full of adventure.

The Mother&Baby Awards celebrate the very best products, stores, and brands – chosen exclusively by you, the parents who actually use them. From everyday essentials to game-changing innovations, these awards shine a spotlight on the items that truly make a difference in your pregnancy, parenting, and family journey.

This year’s shortlist brings together trusted favourites alongside exciting new names, all tried, tested, and loved by parents.

Have a scroll to see who has been shortlisted across a range of coveted categories.

Best Baby Toy

Done by Deer, Tummy time sensory mirror - Tiny farm
Hape, Shake 'n Sparkle Flower Rattle
Nuby, Things with Wings Pram Toy Bundle
Puggle, Sensory 2-in-1 Activity Playmat & Gym
Taf Toys, Farm Musical Tummy Time Book
VTech, First Steps® Baby Walker

Best Toddler Educational Product

CONNETIX, 48 Piece Roads Creative Pack
Hape, Dynamic Pixel Piano
Inspire My Play, Sensory Play Starter Set
Ladybird Books, Uh-Oh Niko: The Farm by Chris Chatterton
Magic Cat Publishing, Jamie's Little Food Library: Let's Make Pasta
Orchard Toys, Tractor Tractor
Plus-Plus BIG, Moomin Valley Playset
Puffin Books, Is This a Plum? by Dan Ojari and Finn Ojari
Puffin Books, You Choose Farm by Pippa Goodhart, illustrated by Nick Sharratt
Smoby Life, Smarty Market
tickit, Ocean Animal Layer Puzzle
TOPBRIGHT, Finger Math

Best Outdoor Product

Doona, Liki S5 Trike
Out'n'About, Nipper Wagon
Puggle, Easy Twist 6-in-1 Folding Trike with Parent Handle
Zoomee by TP Toys, 4 in 1 Deluxe Trike - Grey Storm

Best Pregnancy Product

Allaboutthebump, Pregnancy notes folder
Aniball UK, Aniball
doomoo, Buddy Microbead Comfort Maternity Pillow
Lansinoh, HPA® Lanolin Nipple Cream
Lola&Lykke, Core Relief Pregnancy Support Belt
Momcozy, BirthEase Maternity Ball Set
Momcozy, Ergonest Maternity Belly Band
Najell, Pregnancy Pillow
Optibac, Pregnancy
OVA, OVAHer Fertility & Pregnancy Support
Proceive, Pregnancy (Trimester 1, 2 & 3)
Purflo, Luna Collection: Pregnancy and Support Pillow

Best New Mum/Maternity Skincare Product

Childs Farm, OatDerma Face Cream
doomoo X Shinncare, Nourishing Anti Stretch Mark Oil
Lansinoh, HPA® Lanolin Nipple Cream
Lil-Lets, Nipple Cream
My Expert Midwife, Mama to Be
My Little Coco, BABY MAMA Hydrating Bump Sheet Mask
Sainsbury's, Maternity Towels

Best New Mum/Postnatal Product

Childs Farm, Mum & Baby Sweet Dreams Gift Set
doomoo, Postpartum Mum Recovery Kit
Frida Mom, Motherload[ed] Hospital Bag - Pre-Packed Essentials for Labor and Delivery, Postpartum Recovery and Baby
Fraupow, Reusable Bamboo Nursing Pads
Lansinoh, C-section Hydrogel Pads
Lansinoh, Extra Absorbent Maternity Pads
Lansinoh, Post Birth Underwear
Lil-Lets, Nipple Cream
Lola&Lykke, Postpartum Support Underwear 2 Pack
My Expert Midwife, R&R, the ultimate postpartum recovery set
My Expert Midwife, Spritz for Bits
Sainsbury's, 40 Maternity Breast Pads

Best Baby Food Range/Product

Aldi Mamia, Organic Strawberry & Apple Pouch
Aldi Mamia, Organic Stage 2 Pouches
Aldi Mamia, Organic Mixed Fruit and Vegetable Pouches
Aldi Mamia, Organic Red Burst/ Organic Purple Burst Pouch Multipacks
Aldi Mamia, Organic Greek Style Yogurt Range
Aptamil®, Follow On Milk 800g
Bickiepegs, Teething Biscuits
Cerelac®, Baby Cereal 30% Less Sugar with Milk Banana
Kendamil, Classic Follow-On Milk
Kendamil, Goat Follow-On Milk
Kendamil, Organic Follow-On Milk
Sainsbury's Little Ones, Pouch Range 6+ Months

Best Toddler (12 months+) Food Range/ Product

Aldi Mamia, Organic Corn Hearts
Aldi Mamia, Organic Melty Stix - Strawberry & Banana/Sweetcorn & Carrot
Aldi Mamia, Organic Stage 4 Tray Meals
Aldi Mamia, Organic Veggie Straws
Aldi Mamia, Organic Wafers
Annabel Karmel, Chilled Meals for Toddler & Kids
b.box for kids UK, the big bento lunchbox
Cow & Gate, Stage 3 Toddler Milk Ready to Drink 200ml
Grow with Iris, Fortified plant-based growing up drink 12months+
Little Angels by Asda, Feeding Range (plates, bowls, drinkware & cutlery)
Organix, Strawberry & Apple Puffcorn
Sainsbury's Little Ones, Tray Range 12+ Months

Best Highchair

Chicco, Meraviglia Highchair Ebony
Graco, Presti 3-in-1 Highchair
hauck, Alpha+ Highchair Economy Bundle
Joie, chestnut™
Kinderkraft, FINI UP
Nuby, 4-in-1 Multi-Use Highchair
Puggle, Foodie Eat & Play 9-in-1 Hi-Lo Highchair From Birth
Venture, Flare High Chair
Venture, Neyo 2-In-1 Baby High Chair

Best Feeding Product for Weaning

Annabel Karmel, Recipes App
BIBS, Baby Feeder
Bibado, Coverall Weaning Bib
Bibado, Dippit
Doidy, Doidy Cup
Done by Deer, Learning spoon set - Tiny farm
Munchkin, 3pk Stay Put Suction Bowls
Munchkin, 4pk White Hot Spoons
Munchkin, Easy Weaning Bundle
Munchkin, Silicone Baby Food Feeder
Pickle & Bear, Dinosaur tableware weaning set
Tots & Me, Signature Weaning Gift Set

Best Product for Bottle Feeding

Aptamil®, Follow On Milk Ready To Drink 200ml
Cow & Gate, Follow-on Milk 800g
Dr. Brown's, Options+ Anti-Colic Baby Bottle 150ml Glass Twin Pack
Kendamil, Classic Follow-On Ready to Feed
Kendamil, Organic Ready to Feed Follow-On Milk
Lansinoh, 60ml Feeding Bottle with NaturalWave® Teat
Lansinoh, Feeding Bottle Starter Set with NaturalWave® Teats
MAM, Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottles
Nuby, RapidBottle
Philips Avent, Natural Response Bottle Air Free Vent
Tommee Tippee, Natural Start Bottles
Tommee Tippee, Perfect Prep Pro

Best Breast Pump

Anker eufy, Wearable Breast Pump S2 Pro
Elvie, Wave Manual Breast Pump
Fraupow, Viva Pro Wearable Pump
Haakaa, E-Ladybug Wearable Electric Breast Pump
Kinderkraft, MAMAFLOW
Lola&Lykke, Bloome Wearable Breast Pump
Medela, Motion InBra™ Double Electric Wearable Breast Pump
Tommee Tippee, Double Electric Breast Pump
Tommee Tippee, Wearable Breast Pump

Best Product for Breast Feeding (excluding Breast Pumps)

Ddrops, Baby Ddrops 10 µg Vitamin D
Fraupow, Milk Savers
Haakaa, Petal Soft Silicone Milk Collector 2pc
HotTea Mama, Get Up & Glow Electrolyte Powder
Hotmilk Lingerie, Temptation Full Cup Nursing Bra
Lansinoh, Disposable Breast Pads
Lansinoh, HPA® Lanolin Nipple Cream
Lansinoh, Silicone Breastmilk Storage Bags
Lil-Lets, Nipple Cream
Momcozy, Busty Cotton Nursing Bras
My Expert Midwife, Nipple Balm
Natal Active, Artemis Nursing Sports Bra

Best Steriliser/ Sterilising Product

Baby Brezza, SuperQuick Steriliser Dryer
Babymoov, Nutriwash Bottle Washer & Steriliser
Milton, Sterilising Starter Kit
Nala's Baby, Hypochlorous Acid Multipurpose Sterilising Spray
Nuby, RapidSterilise+
Tommee Tippee, NightGlow Pod, UV Soother Charger & Steriliser

Best Swimming Product

Adaptive Clothing UK, Easy Peasy Swimsuit
Childs Farm, 3 in 1 Swim
Little Angels by Asda, Swim Pants Range
mini ü, Fresh Apple Detangling Spray
My Little Coco, Swim 3-in-1 Hair & Body Wash
Onesea, Shark Swimsuit
Pampers, Splashers
Splash About, Bobbin' Buddies

Best Baby Monitor

Chillax, DM688 Giraffe Portable 5" Connected Video Baby Monitor
LeapFrog, LF5817HD 7" Over-the-cot smart video baby monitor
Nanit, Pro Camera
Ottocast, Cabin Care
Owlet, Dream Duo™
VTech, RM7567HD 7” smart video baby monitor

Best Bathtime Product

Aldi Mamia, Baby Shampoo
Aldi Mamia, Bedtime Bath
Chicco, Baby Moments Head to Toe Micellar Bath Wash
Childs Farm, Bluey Hair and Body Wash
Ena Baby, Mould-Free Construction Bath Trucks
Good Bubble, The Gruffalo Bath & Haircare Range
mini ü, Groovy Grape Bubble Bath
Nala's Baby, Vanilla Cloud Body Wash & Shampoo
Nuby, Newborn Baby Bath
Panda London, Kids Bamboo Hooded Towel
Sainsbury's Little Ones, Naturals Bedtime Bath with Notes of Lavender & Chamomile 250ml
Tiny to Tots, Bath Jug

Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket

Chicco, Baby Hug 4-in-1 Armonia
Graco, Eluma™ Nest Bedside Crib
hauck, Sleep N Easyfold
Huddle, 4-in-1 bedside crib
Joie, amigo™
Joie, kubbie™ sleep
Mokee, Mini Cot Bed
Nuna, PAAL
Puggle, Dreamy Bedside Crib
Tutti Bambini, CoZee® Sense Bedside Crib
Venture, Sona Bedside Crib & Co-Sleeper

Best Bedtime/Sleep Product

Comfier Sleep, Next to me Crib Sheets
CuddleCo, Lullaby Hypo-Allergenic Bamboo Foam Cot Bed Mattress
Kabode, Night Sky Organic Cotton Fitted Sheet
Little Angels by Asda, Bedtime Bath
MAM, Original Night Soothers
Mamas & Papas, Luxury Hybrid Twin Mattress
Mamas & Papas, Signature Airflow Fibre Mattress
Night Lark, Junior - Washable Coverless Duvet Set - 4.5 tog
Panda London, Kids Bamboo Mattress Protector
Panda London, Kids Cloud Bamboo Duvet
Sainsbury's Little Ones, Naturals Bedtime Lotion with Notes of Lavender & Chamomile 250ml
Sleeping Stars, The Sleeping Stars Organic Cotton Toddler Sleeping Suit With Feet

Best Product For A Newborn – 0-4 months

Aldi Mamia, Size 1 Nappies
Braun, ThermoScan® 7+ Ear thermometer
Childs Farm, OatDerma Range
Eyas, The Gallery
Halo, Swaddle
Mama Makes Books, Tummy Time!
Momcozy, 2-in-1 Electric Baby Swing
Nala's Baby, Hypochlorous Acid Skin Cleansing Spray
Nuby, RapidTeam Bottle Feeding Starter Set
Pampers, Premium Protection New Baby Nappies
Panda London, Baby Bamboo Muslin Squares
Sainsburys Little Ones, Newborn Nappies

Best Potty Training Product (excluding disposable nappies)

Bambino Mio, Elite Potty Training Pants
Bedwetz, Organic Bamboo Mattress Protector
Hygge Sheets®, Mattress Protector
My Carry Potty, My Potty Training System 
Nuby, Easy Clean Potty
Tesco Fred & Flo, 60 Fragrance Free Flushable Toilet Tissues
Tiny to Tots, Non Slip Toilet Training Range (including Potty, Training Seat and Step Stool)
Tiny to Tots, Peppa Pig Trainer Pants (3 pack)
Venture, Pote Pals Interactive Potty

Best Baby Gift

Aden + Anais, Muslin Swaddles 4 pack
BIBS, Soothe & Go Polka Gift Set
Cotterpillar
Frida Baby, NoseFrida the Snotsucker Saline Kit
Gigil, Teddy Nappy Caddy
LeapFrog, My Best Pal Scout™
Miffy x Little Dutch, Giftbox - Lucky Leaves
My Expert Midwife, Oh Baby Baby
Nala's Baby, Luxury Gift Set
Rainbow Designs, Peter Rabbit Signature Knitted Blanket with Soft Toy
Taf Toys, Luxury Newborn Kit
Ziggle, Muslin Squares Gift Set

Best Safety Product

Babymoov, Safe & Pass Automatic Safety Gate
BooBoo Baby Products, Baby Proof Cabinet Locks (10 Packs)
Braun, ThermoScan® 4 Ear thermometer
ebebek, baby plus Guard Pro Baby Safety Gate
Munchkin, Auto Close Safety Gate
Venture, All Stars Baby Playpen
Venture, All Stars JOY Playpen
VTech, RM7787HD 7” smart video baby monitor

Best Teething Product

Bickiepegs, Teething Biscuits
Done by Deer, Grip & teether toy - Sheepy
Frida Baby, Frida Grow-With-Me Toothbrush Set
MamaSmiles, Teething Gel
Matchstick Monkey, Tiger Teething Gift Set
My Expert Midwife, Dribble Defence
Nuby, Banana Teether
Pure Cove, Little Sharkies Teething Roller
Sophie la girafe, Original Teether

Best Baby Wipe

Aldi Mamia, Head to Toe Wipe
BARE TÆR, BARE Anywhere
Boots Little + Loved, Newborn baby wipes
Kinder by Nature, Plant-Based wipes
Kinder by Nature, Water-Based wipes
Little Angels by Asda, Sensitive Baby Wipes
Little Moments, Biodegradable Baby Wipes
Livys, Pure Baby Wipes
Pura, soft and sensitive baby wipes
Tesco Fred & Flo, Fragrance Free Wipes 72 Pack
Tesco Fred & Flo, Fragranced Baby Wipes 72 Pack
WaterWipes®, Sensitive+ Newborn & Baby Wipes

Best Reusable Nappy

Bambino Mio, Revolutionary Reusable Nappy

Best Toiletry Skincare Product

Boots Little + Loved, All over wash
Chicco, Baby Moments Massage Oil
Childs Farm, OatDerma Range
Grin, Kids 3-stage toothbrushes
Healthpoint, B5 Panthenol Nappy Ointment
Lil-Lets, Baby Cotton Wool Oval Pads
My Expert Midwife, Glow Mama Glow
My Expert Midwife, Spritz for Bits
My Little Coco, The Originals
Nala's Baby, Complete Care Bundle
Percy & Pop, Kids' Shampoo & Conditioner Bars
Sainsbury's Little Ones, Naturals Range

Best Value Disposable Nappy or Nappy Range

Aldi Mamia, Nappies
Aldi Mamia, Size 3 Nappies
Aldi Mamia, Ultra Fit Nappy Pants
Little Angels by Asda, Comfort and Protect Nappies
Little Angels by Asda, Newborn Nappies
Morrisons Nutmeg, Newborn and Ultra Dry Nappies
Ocado Kiddo, Ultra-Dry Nappy Pants
Pampers, Baby-Dry Taped Nappies
Sainsbury's Little Ones, Newborn Nappies Range
Sainsburys Little Ones, Taped Nappies Range
Tesco Fred & Flo, Easy Fit Nappy Pants
Tesco Fred & Flo, Ultra Dry Nappies

Best Performance Disposable Nappy or Nappy Range

Aldi Mamia, Nappies
Aldi Mamia, Night Pants
Aldi Mamia, Ultra Fit Nappy Pants
Little Angels by Asda, Comfort and Protect Nappy Pants
Little Angels by Asda, Newborn Nappies
Little Moments, Nappies
Naty, BioEmbrace Nappies
Ocado Kiddo, Ultra-Dry Nappies
Pampers, Premium Protection Nappy Pants
Pampers, Premium Protection Taped Nappies
Sainsbury's Little Ones, Newborn Nappies Range
Sainsburys Little Ones, Taped Nappies Range

Best Baby Carrier/Sling or Back Carrier

Ergobaby, Omni Deluxe Baby Carrier
Infantino, Honey Blossom Carrier
Joie, savvy™ lite air
LittleLife, Traveller S5
Mamas & Papas, Kudo Baby Carrier
Momcozy, 2-In-1 Hip Seat Baby Carrier
Najell, Easy vol. 2
Najell, Mirage
Nuna, CUDL deux
Out'n'About, Nipper Trek
RYLOOBABY, SLING

Best Newborn Car Seat (Stage 0/0+)

Avionaut, Pixel 3
CYBEX, Cloud G3
Doona, Doona X Car Seat & Stroller
Graco, SnugLite i-Size R129 with SnugTurn i-Size R129 base bundle
Joie Signature, i-Level™ Pro & i-Base™ Encore
Joie Signature, i-Starter™
Nuna, ARRA flex + BASE curv
Nuna, Pipa Urbn

Best Baby/Toddler Car Seat (Stage 1/2)

Graco, Turn2Me DLX i-Size R129 360º rotating ISOFIX car seat with fixed base
Joie, i-Irvana™ Max
Joie, i-Spin 360™ Compact

Best Multi Stage Car Seat

CYBEX, Pallas G3
Graco, Turn2Me™ Grow i-Size R129 360° Rotating Car Seat
Joie, i-Irvana™ Max
Joie, i-Spin 360™ Max
Kinderkraft, ENDURA SAFE Modular System
Silver Cross, Motion 3 All Size 360

Best Multiple, Twin or Tandem Pushchair

CYBEX, e-Gazelle S
Graco, DuoRider™ Lightweight Double Pushchair
Joie Signature, estrella™
Momcozy, ChangeGo Baby Stroller
Nuna, TRVL dubl
Out'n'About, Nipper Double V6 Plus Pushchair

Best Lightweight Buggy/Stroller

Amana, Luxo Compact Stroller
ERGOBABY, Metro 3 Deluxe Compact Stroller AND New accessory CARRY COT
Graco, Myavo Stroller
hauck, Fly N Care
hauck, Lite N Care
Joie, pact™ pro
Joie Signature, parcel™ lx
Joie Signature, valora™
Joolz, Aer² with Nest to seat
Kinderkraft, NEBO
Nuna, TRVL lx
Venture, Avio Stroller

Best Pushchair

Avionaut, Airby
Joie Signature, valora™
Joolz, Hub²
Nuna, TRIV lx all-season set Cosmopolitan
Out'n'About, Nipper Compact
Silver Cross, Breez Accessory Bundle

Best Travel System

Amana, Sereno 3 in 1 Travel System
CYBEX, BALIOS S LUX With fold cot
Graco, Near2Me DLX Bundle
iCandy, Peach 8
Ickle Bubba, Stomp Luxe Elements Edition
Joie Signature, finiti™ Flex Travel Ready Bundle
Nuna, MIXX next ARRA fllex Bundle
Nuna, TRIV next PIPA urbn Bundle
Venicci, Upline 3

Best Travel Product Under £30

Aldi Mamia, On The Go Wipes
Cow and Gate, Follow-on Milk Ready to Drink 200ml
Gigil, Nappy Pouch
Momcozy, Portable Sound Machine
Munchkin, Pram Fan
Taf Toys, Ride Time Busy Book
Twinkle Safe, Reflective Pram Stickers

Best Travel Product Over £30

Babymoov, Moov & Sleep Travel Cot
Chicco, Bento Booster Seat
Chicco, Fold&Go S i-Size
Graco, FoldLite™ LX Travel Cot with Bassinet
Naturalmat Baby, The Travelmat
Nuby, RapidCool and RapidSterilise+ Travel Set
Out'n'About, Nipper Nest Travel Cot
Trunki, Trunki Glide
Venture, Airpod Travel Cot With Newborn Insert
VTech, V-Hush Rocker
WriggleEase Ltd, WriggleEase Lap Seat

Best Changing Accessory/Product

Bibbilyboo, Waterproof Travel Changing Mat
Bloom Cove, Nova Diaper Bag
Childs Farm, All Over Balm
Gigil, Luxe 2.0 Changing Backpack
Lola&Lykke, Multifunctional Changing Bag
My Expert Midwife, Changing bag essentials set
Tiny to Tots, Comfi-Plush Changing Mat
Tiny to Tots, Anti Roll Wedge Mat

Best Sun Protection Product

Babymoov, Moov & Protect Anti UV & Cooling Pop Up Tent
Car Shades, Full Rear Set
Childs Farm, Bluey Sun Cream
WildMint Cosmetics, SPF 50 Hydrating Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin

Innovation of the Year

Albani Baby, Baby Up
Bibado, Sporkit
Chicco, Baby Hug 4-in-1 Armonia
Cool Cuddle™
Cow and Gate, Pouch Mixed variety pack x4
ergoPouch, Drift Home Monitor
Joie Signature, sprint™ & i-Base™ Encore
MAM, Pulsi
Nuby, RapidTeam Bottle Feeding Starter Set
Silver Cross, Nia Compact Travel Stroller with Carrycot

Best Eco Friendly Product

BARE TÆR, BARE Anywhere
Ecoegg, Laundry Egg - Sensitive Skin
Flora & Curl, Mini Tresses - The Soothing Wash Day Trio
Grin, Ultra Clean Kids Dental Floss Sticks 80pk
Kit & Kin, Eco Laundry Liquid
Muddy Puddles, 3 in 1 Waterproof Scampsuit
Panda London, Kids 100% Bamboo Fitted Sheet
Solution International, Licensed Stainless Steel Sipster (Paw Patrol and Peppa Pig)
Splash About, Happy Nappy Hero

The Mother&Baby Awards team want to hear from you!

Have your say and vote for who you think deserves to win the coveted Retailer of the Year award and Supermarket of the Year award at this year’s Mother&Baby Awards, sponsored by Asda.

Voting closes 9th October 2026.

Autumn children's books are a great way of exploring, embarking on an adventure, starting interesting conversations about nature, and observing the changes that are going on around us.

Reading books regularly with your child also helps to builds comfort, confidence, security, enjoyment, and entertainment. It also shows them how important they are, when giving them attention which helps with their self-esteem, vocabulary, imagination and even develops a better sleep routine.

From sweeping up those crunchy Autumn leaves and finding unique conkers, to noticing squirrels coming in and out of trees, as the evenings draw in and the mornings become frost-filled and crisp, celebrate the changing seasons with an Autumn book. So, keep snug under a blanket and jump into our world full of the best children’s books about Autumn.

Best Autumn books for children

What are the benefits of reading?

Autumn is a great season to get your child into reading book because Autumn picture book are often beautiful to look at with vibrant colours, and they tend to be stories about woodland creatures your little one loves or include topics and activities that can inspire outdoor play and foraging for leaves and other Autumnal goodies.

Reading in general is an important all-season activity and has many benefits for your child, including:

• Helps your little one relax

• Improves their concentration and memory

• Boosts their vocabulary expansion and strengthens their future writing abilities

• Develops knowledge

• Increases their imagination and creativity skills

About the author

Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on eleven years of parenting her two children to help others navigate their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.

If Yoto is already part of your day (or you’ve been thinking about it for screen-free listening), there’s a new update worth knowing about. Yoto has announced its 4th Gen Yoto Player and 4th Gen Yoto Mini, with changes aimed at making it easier for children to find what they want to listen to - and for you to build routines around it.

The new Green Button

One big feature is a new Green Button, which you set up in the free Yoto App. Once it’s ready, your child can press it to play a selection of favourites from their library - up to 20 audio titles - without needing to insert a Yoto Card every time.

It’s designed to work with more than physical cards too, so you can include digital-only content and bonus App audio (such as soundscapes and timers) alongside your usual listens.

Making routines feel smoother

If Yoto already plays a part in your mornings or bedtime, the 4th Gen update is built to support that. The Green Button can be used as a quick “start here” option for different parts of the day - for example, a morning playlist that helps everyone get going, or a bedtime mix that stays consistent night after night.

On the Yoto Player 4th Gen, there’s also a new night light panel with seven colours, plus Ok‑to‑Wake cues. Yoto says future free software updates will add dynamic lighting effects that match what children are listening to.

Faster hardware and more storage

Both new players have upgraded internals, including a new processor and boosted memory. They also add Wi‑Fi 6 and Bluetooth 6.1.

Storage has been increased to 64GB on both devices - which Yoto says is enough for up to a whopping 1,000 hours of audio.

A tougher, travel-ready Yoto Mini

The Yoto Mini 4th Gen has been redesigned to be more robust for everyday family life on the move. It’s IP67-rated, meaning it’s built to be puddle-proof, splash-resistant and dust-resistant - useful if your Mini is a regular in the car, in a backpack, or on holiday.

Accessories refresh

If you already use a jacket or travel case (or you’re fed up of players getting knocked about in changing bags), Yoto has also updated a few of its add-ons alongside the new 4th Gen players.

The silicone Adventure Jackets have been refreshed to fit the new 4th Gen devices, with four new colour options. The Yoto Mini 4th Gen version also includes an all-new wrist lanyard, which could be handy for carrying on days out.

There’s also an updated Yoto Travel Case, now designed to fit both generations of the Yoto Mini, while still leaving space for over-ear headphones and up to 30 Yoto Cards - aimed at making car journeys, weekends away and trips to grandparents a bit more grab-and-go.

What’s included in the box?

To help you get started straight away, each player includes a free digital card:

Yoto Player 4th Gen: 5 Minute Stories From Around the World

Yoto Mini 4th Gen: Journey Jams

Both players also include a Make Your Own Card and stickers, which can be linked to digital content via the App or the player.

Price and availability (UK)

Yoto Player 4th Gen: £119.99
Yoto Mini 4th Gen: £89.99

Both will be available via Yotoplay.com, and the Yoto Mini 4th Gen will also be available on Amazon. Pre-orders open on 10 September 2026.

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby. With a background in both print and digital journalism, she has written extensively on pregnancy, fertility, perinatal mental health, and the best in baby and parenting products. A first-time mum, Emily combines her professional expertise with personal experience, offering readers trusted advice and relatable insight. Specialising in product and travel reviews, she stays ahead of the curve on the latest parenting trends and is passionate about showing that life with a little one can still be full of adventure.

Bugaboo has become something of a cult brand among parents. Mention the name “Bugaboo” and most new parents will probably recognise it. The brand has built a reputation for premium pushchairs that combine design, quality and practicality.

So when I got the chance to try the new Bugaboo Cub, I was genuinely excited. It’s a brand that has become a go-to for so many parents, but with that reputation comes a premium price tag.

After using the Bugaboo Cub, I can see why Bugaboo has such a loyal following. There is a lot to like here, particularly the build quality, smooth manoeuvrability and comfort. But it’s not perfect. And when you’re spending this much on a pushchair, those compromises are worth knowing about before you buy.

The Bugaboo Cub is a 2-in-1 all-terrain pushchair designed to be used from birth to around four years old. It can be used with either the carrycot or reversible, reclinable seat and features suspension and large puncture-proof wheels. The seat has a maximum child weight of 22kg.

It weighs 10.7kg with the seat or 11kg with the carrycot and has a generous 35-litre underseat basket capable of holding up to 10kg. Other features include one-handed steering, a dual-sided PureBreeze mattress, UPF 50+ sun canopy, one-piece self-standing fold, two-piece compact fold and car-seat compatibility with adapters. The Cub is currently priced at around £749 in the UK, although prices and bundles can change.

Testing the Bugaboo Cub

For this review, we were able to test the Cub at two different stages. The carrycot was tested with a four-month-old baby, while the pushchair seat was tested with a two-year-old. This gave us a much better idea of how the Cub works beyond just one configuration and how practical it is as your child grows.

The first thing that struck me about the Bugaboo Cub was the quality. It looks expensive and it feels expensive too. When you’re putting it together and using it, you can really feel the quality of the materials and construction. The chassis feels sturdy and substantial rather than lightweight or flimsy.

That sturdiness gives the pushchair a reassuring feel. It feels like something that’s been built to cope with years of everyday family life rather than something you’ll be nervous about taking away from smooth pavements.

Of course, that substantial construction does come with a trade-off. The Cub isn’t the smallest or lightest-feeling pushchair on the market. Despite Bugaboo describing it as its lightest all-terrain pushchair, you do notice its weight when lifting it in and out of the car or carrying it.

This becomes much less of an issue when I’m actually using it. The sturdy build, wheels and suspension make it feel incredibly secure and capable across different terrains. I’d much rather have a pushchair that feels planted and handles grass, uneven paths and different surfaces confidently, even if that means it’s a little bulkier to lift and store. The weight that can feel like a disadvantage when carrying the Cub almost becomes a benefit when you’re pushing it.

Overall, I found the Cub fairly straightforward to assemble, although some parts were definitely easier than others. The instructions are image-based rather than written. While this keeps them simple, I found some of the more complicated steps difficult and frustrating to interpret.

The carrycot was relatively easy to assemble, while the seat took a little more patience. I’d allow around 40 minutes in total to get everything set up if you’re by yourself, although that will obviously depend on how comfortable you are assembling pushchairs.

The fiddliest parts for me were removing the carrycot from the frame and figuring out exactly how the shoulder straps worked. Once you know what you’re doing, everything becomes much easier. But I would definitely recommend spending some time practising with the pushchair before you need to use it properly.

Fold it a few times, remove and reattach the carrycot, change between configurations and adjust the straps. It’s much better to figure out the fiddly bits at home than when you’ve got a baby with you.

We tested the carrycot with a four-month-old baby, and this is one of the parts of the Cub that I really like. Getting a baby in and out is very easy, and there was plenty of room for our four-month-old to lie comfortably. The overall design feels spacious and well padded, and the quality of the PureBreeze mattress is immediately noticeable. It felt particularly cosy and supportive for naps while we were out, while the large canopy helped create a darker and more sheltered space when needed.

When removing the carrycot from the frame, it’s possible to accidentally recline or tilt it. That can be quite alarming the first time it happens. Once you’ve got the knack it becomes much less of an issue, but I’d definitely practise removing and attaching it before attempting it with your baby inside.

Moving from the carrycot to the seat is probably my biggest frustration with the Cub. The transition is fiddly and isn’t particularly intuitive at first. It’s not necessarily something you’ll be doing every day of course, but I’d give yourself time to work it out before you actually need to make the switch. We then tested the pushchair seat with a two-year-old, which gave us a much better idea of how the Cub performs once a child has moved on from the carrycot.

The seat itself is excellent. There’s plenty of padding for comfort and our two-year-old had a good amount of space without the seat feeling excessively large around them.

The different recline positions are particularly useful and adjusting them is straightforward. It reclines sufficiently far back to create a really comfortable flat position for naps, while the more upright settings work well when your child wants to sit up and look around. I also really like that the seat can be used both parent-facing and world-facing. This gives you much more flexibility at this age, particularly as your child becomes increasingly interested in what’s going on around them.

Switching the direction of the seat isn’t something I’d necessarily want to do repeatedly while out and about, but once you understand the mechanism, changing between parent-facing and world-facing is straightforward enough. The foot and leg support also feels well designed and, with the Cub intended to accommodate children until approximately four years old, our two-year-old still had plenty of growing room.

The harness has been more of a mixed experience. The straps themselves can be adjusted easily enough, and the the five-point buckle is much easier to do up compared to others I’ve tried. The shoulder straps however can also become twisted, so getting everything positioned correctly took a bit of practice. It does become easier once you’ve used it a few times, but it isn’t the easiest harness system I’ve come across.

Where the Bugaboo Cub really impressed me, though, was when we actually started pushing it. Despite feeling quite substantial, it is incredibly smooth and easy to manoeuvre.

The one-handed steering is excellent. I’ve found it easy to navigate smaller shops and tighter spaces without constantly needing both hands on the handlebar. The wheels feel sturdy and capable across a wide range of surfaces too. Whether I’ve been using it on pavements, grass or uneven paths, it has always felt reassuringly stable.

This is where the Cub’s extra size and weight make much more sense. You’re not carrying around a substantial frame for no reason, when you actually push it, that sturdiness translates into a smooth, confident ride.

One thing that took a little getting used to was the braking system. You need to make sure all of the brakes are released before setting off, and it can be easy to forget one initially. Once you’ve used the Cub for a while, though, it becomes second nature. There’s also an important distinction to make when it comes to folding: the Cub is easy to fold, but it isn’t particularly compact once folded.

After a few practices, I found the actual folding mechanism fairly straightforward. The main issue is simply the amount of space it takes up. It fits into a larger car boot without a problem, but if you have a small car I’d recommend checking the dimensions before buying one. It’s also perfectly manageable to lift into and out of the house or car, but I wouldn’t want to carry it for a long distance.

At home, it can stand neatly in the corner of a room, although I wouldn’t expect it to disappear into a tiny storage cupboard. Personally, this is another compromise I’m happy to make. The smooth manoeuvrability and ability to handle different terrains matter more to me than having the smallest possible folded pushchair. If you have very limited storage or a tiny car boot, however, it’s something I’d think carefully about.

The underseat basket is another area where the Cub performs well. At 35 litres and with a maximum load of 10kg, there’s plenty of space for everyday life with a baby. It can comfortably take a changing bag, shopping and all the other random things you somehow end up carrying around. I do think the basket feels a little shallower than some others I’ve used, but access is good. Importantly, you can still get into it when the seat is upright or reclined, which makes it much more practical.

The sun canopy is another standout feature.It extends a long way and has been brilliant during sunny weather. It’s also really useful for naps because you can create a much darker and more sheltered space inside the pushchair. It’s one of those features that sounds relatively minor when you’re reading the specifications but becomes genuinely useful once you start using the pushchair day to day.

We chose the black colour partly because I hoped it would be easier to keep looking clean and, so far, that seems to have worked well. The fabric wipes down easily and the wheels can be hosed down quickly after muddy walks. According to Bugaboo’s care instructions, the bassinet fabric, seat fabric, sun canopy and mattress cover can be machine washed at up to 30°C, while the mattress foam, underseat basket and grips should instead be cleaned with a damp cloth.

For something that is inevitably going to encounter muddy shoes, snacks, spills and wet weather, I’ve found it very manageable to keep clean. For me, the overall quality is probably the Cub’s biggest selling point. It feels sturdy, premium and properly built from the moment you start putting it together. The manoeuvrability is another major positive. It’s surprisingly agile for such a substantial pushchair and the one-handed steering is genuinely useful.

Its all-terrain performance is excellent too. The combination of the sturdy wheels, suspension and solid frame gives you confidence on more than just perfectly smooth pavements. I’ve also been really impressed by the seat itself. The padding, recline, leg support and large canopy all make it feel like a genuinely comfortable space for a child rather than an area where practicality has taken priority over comfort.

And the generous basket makes a noticeable difference when you’re actually using it day to day.

There are, however, a few things I don't love. My biggest frustration is still the carrycot-to-seat transition. It works, but it feels more complicated than it needs to be. The instructions could also be clearer. Picture-only instructions work brilliantly for simple steps, but some of the Cub’s mechanisms would benefit from a little written explanation.

Then there’s the size and weight. Neither ruins the pushchair for me, but you do need to know what you’re buying. This isn’t the model I’d choose if my number-one priority was having something ultra-lightweight or extremely compact.

I’d also have liked to see more accessories included at this price. A footmuff and cup holder, for example, aren’t included as standard, which feels slightly stingy when you’re already spending around £749.

Final thoughts

So, is the Bugaboo Cub worth the money? There is no doubt that this is a quality pushchair.

It feels sturdy, it manoeuvres beautifully and the attention to comfort is obvious. The seat recline, mattress, canopy and basket are all genuinely useful features rather than things that simply look good on a specification sheet. But you do need to consider what you’re paying for.

Compared with some cheaper pushchairs, I’m not convinced the Cub is dramatically better at the fundamental job of getting your baby from A to B. What you’re paying extra for is the quality, design, brand, feel and overall package. And if those things matter to you, I can absolutely see why the Cub would be worth the investment.

For me, the fact that it’s a little bulky and doesn’t have the smallest fold isn’t enough to put me off. I’d rather compromise slightly on size and weight to get something that feels sturdy, manoeuvres smoothly and performs confidently across different terrains.

Having tested the carrycot with a four-month-old and the seat with a one-year-old, I also got a much better sense of how the Cub works as a pushchair designed to take you from the baby stage into toddlerhood.

The carrycot felt spacious, supportive and comfortable for our four-month-old, while the seat worked really well for our one-year-old. There was plenty of padding and growing room, the different recline positions were useful and being able to choose between parent-facing and world-facing made the seat feel particularly versatile.

There are still some frustrating elements. The harness took a little getting used to, the carrycot and seat transitions can be fiddly and I think Bugaboo could be more generous with the accessories included for the price.

But when I’m actually pushing the Cub, those negatives become much less important. The smooth handling, sturdy wheels, comfortable seat and ability to cope with different terrains are exactly the things I want from an everyday pushchair.

Lorna White is the Products Editor for Mother&Baby. After running the Yours magazine website, specialising in content about caring for kids and grandchildren, Lorna brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics from potty training and nutrition to baby names and early development and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two young sisters, dog walking and enjoying the outdoors with her family.

From settling on a school that's the best fit, to getting your head around how to apply for primary schools, scoring your little one a spot at school can feel pretty overwhelming — but it doesn't have to be super-stressful. From when to apply for primary schools to how to make an appeal - if it comes to it - we’ve got you covered. You’ll be shopping for your youngster's school uniform, packing up their school backpack and little lunchbox and taking that ‘first day at school’ snap before you know it...

Do your research

As you did when applying for nursery, try to have an idea of where you would like your child to go to school well in advance of the date the forms need to be in. This way, when it's time to apply for primary school, you can get to grips with each school’s admission process and criteria in plenty of time and scout out the pros and cons of each.

Go to the Department of Education website and put in your postcode to be directed to the correct council's website where you can get a list of schools nearest to you. If you want to know all the details about each school, have a read of their Ofsted reports to find out how it was judged by inspectors.

While Ofsted is a great guide, it's not the only thing to consider. Check out websites and ask other mums with older kids about the schools their children go to. At the end of the day though, it's up to you to decide which school will suit your child the best - and it may not necessarily be the one with the best academic results.

"Ask yourself: Would my child suit an academic or more nurturing school? Does the school have a clear school philosophy? Is it what you think of as most important? It's also worth reading through school newsletters - just from the tone you can get a feel for the place," says Elena Dalrymple, editor of primary-school education website TheSchoolRun.

Plan a visit

Visit as many of the schools you're considering as you can - visit their websites or just call and ask about open days to make appointments the September before your child is due to start school.

"To get a feel for the school, visit in person, chat to the teachers and watch the children learning and playing if you can," says Elena. "You might have heard gossip about what a school is like or read its Ofsted report, but nothing is as important as looking around yourself."

"In the classroom, look at the displays," suggests Elena. "Are they showcasing recent work? Are they interactive and inviting the children to have a go at doing something? It's also worth asking about after-school clubs - extra-curricular activities can make an enormous difference to what your child will learn and experience at school and also can indicate the teachers' enthusiasm and commitment."

If you aren’t able to visit your shortlisted schools, arrange to meet up with some parents of pupils already at the schools to pick their brains.

When to start applying for primary schools 2027

Children start school in the September of the school year in which they will become five years of age, which means most children are four years old when they start school.

If your child is due to start school in September 2027, you can apply from September 11 2026. You’ll need to apply for three schools by midnight January 15 2027. Missing the deadline can mean your little one is less likely to get offered a place, so make sure you submit your application in plenty of time. Most councils now ask you to submit your application online, but each individual one decides how they would like this done so do check with your local authority.

It’s up to you to apply for your little one's place, by visiting your local council’s education department online where you will find the forms to fill in.

You should list all three of your chosen schools in order of preference as giving fewer options will give you less chance of a school you actually want your child to go to.

Understand the allocation process

Primary schools can only accept a maximum of 30 pupils per class, so prepare yourself for the possibility of not getting accepted to the school you love.

Children in public care are given priority and there are other criteria that apply, including:

• Whether you live in the catchment area will make a difference. This isn’t always how close you live to the school (it can be a designated area), so check with the school before applying to see if you apply. Remember, catchments for some areas, especially London or other cities, can be as small as 0.1 miles if you live near a popular school.
• If you or your child have a disability or special needs that makes travelling difficult you will be given priority.

• If you already have a child at the school, then your pre-schooler will have more of a chance than other children.

• Your child’s faith will be a factor if you’re applying to faith schools. Priority is given to children who have the same faith as the school.

Faith schools often have their own forms to fill in and may also ask you for a reference from your priest or other religious ministers to confirm that you regularly attend a relevant place of worship. Some faith schools have a certain number of places allocated to non-faith students, so check each one individually.

Don’t leave it until the last minute to apply as you may need additional forms and birth certificates and you don’t want to scramble around for them on the last day. Many councils do have a second round of allocations for late applicants however all applications received after this date will be processed at a later date after the majority of places have been allocated and you are much less likely to get what you prefer or want.

When do primary school places get announced?

It takes a few months to hear whether your application was successful, so in the meantime, try not to worry and be patient. You’ll hear from your local council on National Offer Day (usually April 16) if your child has got a place. If you applied online, you should receive an email notification once an outcome has been received. To find out, simply log onto the council's website from 12.30 am to see what school your child has been offered. If you did not apply online, you'll receive a letter.

Once you've heard back, you'll need to accept your offer, usually by the beginning of May (this varies depending on your postcode) by contacting the school directly.

If you don’t get your first choice school, their name should automatically be added to the school's waiting list. Call the school to ask them to keep you on it as well as the council and keep in touch with them to see where you are on the list as people do drop out.

Don’t be afraid to appeal

If your child doesn’t get a place at any of the schools you applied for, don't panic: contact the council to ask which schools still have places.

You are also entitled to appeal the council’s decision if you think the reason for refusal wasn’t fair. Take a look at the school admissions appeals code here. If your appeal goes ahead, you’ll be asked to attend a hearing either at the school or at the council’s offices and will be given at least 10 school days’ notice.

Can I apply for school uniform grants?

Local authorities in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales offer a school uniform grant but this is not the case in England. Here, it depends on where you live and if your local authority offers some support. If you're on certain benefits, such as Universal Credit and and meet other eligibility requirements, you may be able to get some money towards the cost of your child's school uniform in the form of a non-repayable grant.

Will my child be eligible for free school meals?

All children will automatically get free school meals for the first three years of primary school up until Year 3. After this, you can apply for free school meals if you get certain benefits. You can find out more via Citizens Advice.

Lorna White is the Senior Digital Writer for Mother&Baby. After running the Yours magazine website, specialising in content about caring for kids and grandchildren, Lorna brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics from potty training and nutrition to baby names and early development and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two young sisters, dog walking and enjoying the outdoors with her family.

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us.

If your tot has grown out of their baby sleeping bag and graduated to their own cot or toddler bed then they'll need a toddler duvet and pronto! Nothing is more comforting than snuggling under a cosy duvet, so you want to be sure you pick the right one - for everyone's sake. The right duvet can be the difference between a good night's sleep and a restless sleep.

In this article:

The best toddler duvets will be soft and warm, yet lightweight and breathable, helping your children sleep soundly throughout the night. Unlike adult duvets, children's duvets are designed differently with no excess fabric to overwhelm or tangle them up. Toddler duvets also have a lower tog rating as young children find it harder to regulate their body temperature. Most children's duvets typically come range from a 2.5 - 4.5 tog for summer, and a 7.5 tog in winter. These ratings help prevent them from getting too warm and sweaty.

It's important to consider the material for your toddler's duvet; synthetic fillings can be lightweight and easy to wash, but as you'd expect, natural fibres like wool, cotton, and bamboo are popular choices. These offer hypoallergenic features, which give parents peace of mind when it comes to sensitive skin or allergies.

We’ve got you covered (literally) when it comes to finding the best option for your child. While you're purchasing the right duvet for your toddler, don't forget to spare a minute to grab a pillow to match their new, big-kid bedding set.

How to choose the best toddler duvet: Your checklist

To find the right duvet for your little one, it's important to consider comfort, safety, and practicality. Here’s what you need to know before choosing the best duvet for your toddler.

1. Weight and warmth

Toddlers run warm at night. If you've ever found your little one sprawled across the bed, flushed and sweaty, you'll know what we mean. Since they can't regulate their body temperature as well as adults, it's best to go for a lightweight duvet, especially for their first one.

• If your home tends to stay warm year-round, a 4.5 tog duvet should be perfect. You can always add a blanket on colder nights.

• If you live in a cooler climate, you might want a 7-9 tog duvet for the winter.

• Keep in mind: too thick = overheating, which means restless nights for both you and your toddler.

2. Size and fit

You might be tempted to buy a standard single duvet for your toddler, thinking they'll grow into it. But resist the urge!

• For a toddler bed, the ideal duvet size is 120cm x 150cm, big enough to keep them snug, but not so large that they get tangled up.

• If they’re still in a cot, make sure to get a cot bed duvet, NOT a full single-sized one. A too-big duvet can cause overheating or even make it harder for them to move freely at night.

The right size means fewer wake-ups in the middle of the night when the duvet ends up on the floor!

3. Safety first

Your toddler’s safety always comes first, and there are a few golden rules when it comes to duvets:

• No duvets for babies under 12 months – they can pose a suffocation risk. Stick to sleep sacks or blankets until they’re a bit older.

• Choose breathable fabrics – Overheating can be dangerous, so go for duvets made with lightweight, breathable materials.

• Consider hypoallergenic options – If your toddler is prone to allergies or asthma, an anti-allergy duvet can help keep sniffles and sneezes at bay.

4. Material matters

Natural fillings (feather & down, bamboo, wool)

• Super soft, breathable, and temperature-regulating.

• Tend to be more expensive but offer excellent durability.

Synthetic fillings (polyester, microfibre)

• More affordable and easier to clean.

• Good for allergy-prone kids.

If your child suffers from allergies, always opt for a hypoallergenic or anti-allergy duvet to prevent any nighttime sniffles.

5. Washability

Toddlers are messy. Between spills, accidents, and the occasional tummy bug, their bedding will need regular washing.

• Look for machine-washable duvets that dry quickly.

• A duvet that can handle frequent washes without clumping or losing its shape will save you a lot of hassle.

• Check if it’s tumble-dryer friendly - nobody has time to wait days for a duvet to dry!

Why you can trust us

At Mother&Baby, our mission is to provide accurate and reliable reviews, ensuring our readers receive honest and transparent information about the best products available.

Our testers are either pregnant, or real parents with a baby or toddler. This could be members of our editorial team, freelance parenting journalists or external reviewers from the Mother&Baby awards. Every year, we arrange for thousands of independent parent reviewers to test the latest products on the market for this event.

We don't accept payment from manufacturers for product reviews, and maintain our editorial independence. While we do work with commercial partners on advertorials, these will always be clearly labelled.

Our writers have full control over their content, ensuring that products are selected based solely on the needs of our readers. While we may earn commissions or other compensation from links on our website, this does not affect our product choices. These links allow us to continue offering valuable consumer advice, without compromising the integrity of our reviews. We are always honest in our reviews, and we won't recommend products that we wouldn't spend our own money on.

Read more about how we test and why you should trust us.

About the author

Hannah Carroll is our Senior Digital Writer. In her capacity, she curates top-notch listicles, crafts insightful how-to guides, and delivers expert product reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah draws upon her comprehensive understanding of all facets of family life to bring true insight into all the products that make running a home easier.

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us.

Moving from a cot to a toddler bed, aka a 'big kid bed', is a major milestone for both parents and little ones. It's also the ideal time to start your search for the perfect toddler pillow. Just like when you were looking for a pregnancy pillow, it wasn't about fluff and patterns, it was about finding the right support. Now, with your toddler's pillow, the focus is on safety, spinal alignment, and breathability.

In this article:

While it’s tempting to make the cot feel extra cosy, the NHS guidance is clear: pillows should never be used for babies under one year old. They can cause babies to overheat or, worse, suffocate. To ensure we provide you with the most up-to-date information and accurate guidance, we consulted Fi Star-Stone, a parenting expert with over 25 years of experience. She says, "Quilts and pillows can cause a threat of suffocation or overheating. So, keep these items out of your little one's sleep routine. The emptier the crib or cot, the safer the sleep." She also shares her insights on choosing the right pillow for your toddler’s needs.

When it comes to choosing the right one, it's worth knowing that toddler pillows are specifically designed with a low-loft profile (thickness). This ensures their head isn’t propped too high, and offers gentle support to their neck during the night. To help you find the best toddler pillow, we've carefully selected the top picks for 2026. All these pillows are specifically designed for toddlers and are low and flat. They have also been tested and recommended by real parents for their comfort, support, and safety.

Following the recent 2025 UK Product Safety Alerts, it is more important than ever to ensure you’re choosing a pillow designed specifically for toddlers (aged 12 months plus) rather than infants. The Lullaby Trust also advise that babies under one should not use a pillow. They "can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by up to 2.5 times." However, some experts like The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggest waiting until the age of 2 before introducing a pillow.

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When choosing the right pillow for your toddler, the golden rule is to wait until they are at least 12 months old. Some parents may want to wait until their toddlers are ready to move into a toddler bed (around age two) to ensure they have the motor skills to move away if their breathing becomes obstructed. Here's what else you should look for:

• A low-profile 'loft' or thickness (ideally between 3cm and 7cm) - where the pillow has intentionally been designed to be thin and flat to prevent their chin from being pushed toward their chest, which can strain their developing neck and restrict their airway.

• Firmness over fluff - the pillow should support the head without allowing it to sink more than a few millimetres.

• Breathability and hygiene - opt for natural, hypoallergenic materials like organic cotton or wool to prevent overheating, and ensure the entire pillow is machine-washable.

Parenting expert and founder of The Regular Parent, Fi Star-Stone, says little ones really don't need pillows as we do. "They're perfectly comfortable (and safer) without one until they're ready to move to a big bed with toddler bedding (between 18 months - 3 years)" she explains.

As adults, we can't imagine going to bed without tucking up with a comfy pillow. But we know how much a toddler moves during their sleep. How often do you nip into their room to check how they are, only to find them upside down, feet hanging off the edge and head at the opposite end of the bed from where they started?

If you're going to introduce a pillow, manage your expectations. Your toddler might not sleep soundly in one position with a neatly placed pillow all night long. For this reason, it's best to wait as long as possible before giving your toddler a pillow. Wait until they show an interest in one and aren't moving around so much at night. Keeping your child's bed as clear as possible from toys, bedding, and cushions is the best approach for as long as possible.

Remember, when your little one transitions to a bed, you don't need to use a pillow right away. "In fact, to make the transition from cot to bed easier, use their sleeping bag or blankets that they are used to, so they feel familiar and settled. When they're comfortable with their new bed, choose quilts and pillows that conform to British Safety Standards," says Fi. "Toddlers don't need a standard-size pillow. Choose a pillow that is small, offers support, and retains its shape so as not to pose a suffocation risk.

"Think about investing in an anti-allergy pillow or pillow protector. Keep an eye on how your toddler gets along with it. If they're throwing the pillow on the floor - don't worry! As long as they're sleeping, then they're comfortable, so don't worry that they don't use it."

Why you can trust us

At Mother&Baby, our mission is to provide accurate and reliable reviews, ensuring our readers receive honest and transparent information about the best products available.

Our testers are either pregnant, or real parents with a baby or toddler. This could be members of our editorial team, freelance parenting journalists or external reviewers from the Mother&Baby Awards.

We don't accept payment from manufacturers for product reviews, and maintain our editorial independence. While we do work with commercial partners on advertorials, these will always be clearly labelled. Our writers have full control over their content, ensuring that products are selected based solely on the needs of our readers.

About the expert

As a mum of two, Fi Star-Stone knows that parenting isn’t always easy. Her gentle techniques and approachable manner are popular with families and celebs worldwide. Fi’s qualifications include a Degree in Childhood and Youth studies, an NNEB diploma in Nursery nursing, and a Diploma in Childhood studies. She’s been working with children and families for 25 years.

About the author

Keya Modessa is our Senior Digital Writer, bringing over a decade of digital experience to Mother&Baby. With a BA Hons degree in Journalism and Sociology, she has contributed to M&B for just under a year and is also a mum of two. Her extensive portfolio includes work for national women's magazines, Food and Travel, and Muddy Stilettos.

Everyone talks about which baby carrier you need and for what age specific carriers are good for, but nobody warns you about that awkward in-between stage when your toddler still wants carrying everywhere and your arms are officially over it.

I'm raising my third baby and I still forget how tough this stage is, so when I had the opportunity to test the Hackerlily Hipsurfer I couldn't say no. Promising comfortable, hands-free carrying without the bulk of a traditional carrier, I wanted to know if these viral 'arm saving' carriers actually live up to the hype.

Build

The first thing that stood out to me about the Hackerlily is how lightweight it feels. It doesn't have the restrictive feeling that you can sometimes get from a traditional baby carrier or sling, making it comfortable to wear without feeling like you're carrying around another piece of baby equipment.

Despite its compact design as well, there's a surprisingly generous amount of storage space. I could easily fit my cards, keys and phone within the bumbag compartment which I found incredibly game changing and helped saved a lot of time rummaging around my baby bag trying to find everything!

It's also a refreshing alternative to the traditional bum bag. Rather than something you reluctantly wear because it's practical, I do feel like the Hackerlily is like an accessory and baby item that isn't an eyesore. I particularly loved that you can accessorise it too, and buy additional HipSurfer covers to change up the colour.

Usability

I couldn't possibly say the amount of times I've wrestled with my baby carriers trying to make sure I've put it on the right way, so having something that's incredibly easy to wear and adjust is an automatic yes from me. There's absolutely nothing complicated about how you put the HipSurfer on, it's a simple velcro fastening with an extra clip for security. My one-year-old is a wriggler and no matter how much she moved and bounced on the seat, it didn't move out of place.

Performance

After using the Hackerlily HipSurfer on my dog walks and for supermarket trips, I can honestly see why it could become an everyday parenting essential. It's lightweight, comfortable and has more storage than its compact appearance would suggest.

One thing I will say though is it did feel big when I was just carrying it around. It comes with a handy bag that you can store and take on the go, but unless you're actually wearing the HipSurfer, it just feels like another thing you have to remember to take it.

But I do think that the convenience and helpfulness of the Hackerlily massively outweighs any cons!

Final verdict

I honestly feel as though the Hackerlily HipSurfer hits every pain point I've ever had in my years of parenting. Not only does it feel like a reinvention of the traditional bum bag, meaning essentials are within easy reach at all times, but it's the best solution to that in-between stage of too big for the baby carrier but still wanting to be held at times!

It’s practical enough for parenting, stylish enough to want to wear, and thoughtfully designed to make life that little bit easier. I think for any parent who values comfort and giving their arms a rest from carrying, it’s a brilliant addition to take out the house with you.

Samantha Ball is a Senior Writer for Mother&Baby, having written for the brand since 2018. She's a mum of three and loves searching for the best and current trending products for little ones. She loves to bake, but spends most of her free time between football and ballet classes.

There are few things more stressful than trying to navigate airports, busy pavements or days out with a bulky pushchair in tow, and as a mum of three I still struggle trying to decide what's best! A lot of travel strollers use the one-handed fold as their unique sell, but these days every brand is doing.

But that's where the Maxi-Cosi Fame Cabin Travel Stroller is slightly different. Promising to make travelling with little ones a little easier thanks to its lightweight frame and compact fold, I was interested to see how the Maxi-Cosi Fame Cabin lived up to expectations.

Build

The Fame Cabin feels well designed and thoughtfully made, while still being lightweight enough to lift without a struggle. It really does have a compact fold, which I found handy for storing above our heads on trains and for taking in the car too.

One feature we particularly liked is the way the stroller can be lifted by the handlebar once folded, as well as having a dedicated carry handle. These might sound like small details, but when you're juggling loads of bags and kids, it makes a huge difference.

Despite the light colour as well, I found it really easy to keep clean. It was easy to wipe down from scuffs and sticky foods, and I liked that the under-storage basket hand a small hole in the bottom for clearing our crumbs.

Usability

I found the one-handed fold incredibly straightforward. With other travel strollers, I've found myself having to use two hands to open the stroller because it's either a bit stiff or the one-handed fold mechanism isn't as easy to use. But I could genuinely pop the stroller open with one hand with the Maxi-Cosi Fame Cabin!

The seat also lays completely flat, which is ideal for naps on the go and adds another level of versatility. Our only slight niggle was getting the seat completely upright, which occasionally took a couple of attempts. After using it several times though, we quickly got the knack of getting it into the right position.

Performance

I found the Fame Cabin glides effortlessly across most of the surfaces I tested it on and it feels light and easy to manoeuvre. It's particularly pleasant to push around everyday environments and some uneven surfaces.

It did struggle slightly on pebble flooring, but this is something we've experienced with plenty of pushchairs, so it wouldn't be enough to put us off, particularly given that this is designed with portability and travel in mind.

One of the standout features is the integrated LED lighting for me. While we haven't needed to use it yet, we can already see how useful it could be during the darker months. Before using the Fame Cabin, we'd often find ourselves reaching for our phone torch to light the path on dark evening walks. Having lights built into the stroller feels genuinely innovative and could be a game-changer for winter strolls.

I also really liked the breathability and mesh panels where your baby's head sits. My daughter gets quite warm, and we'd often find she got really sweaty in the pram, but we've not had that issue with the Fame Cabin! I also liked how low down the hood would come too, which was handy for keeping the sun out of my daughters eyes, but also made napping easier as we could block out a lot of the distractions.

Final verdict

Compared to the other travel strollers I've used, I would definitely recommend the Maxi-Cosi Fame Cabin as a first choice for parents.

The compact fold and lightweight frame make it easy to transport, while the lie-flat seat, generous usability features and clever LED lighting mean you don't feel like you're sacrificing functionality for portability. The niggles with getting the seat fully upright and navigating particularly uneven surfaces are extremely minor given how straightforward the stroller is to fold, carry and manoeuvre.

While the price point might be on the higher side for just going on holiday, I really think that as a busy parent that it's more than worth it for all the convenient features. We've started using the stroller for day to day not too because my daughter prefers it to using her bulkier pushchair, and thanks to its compact fold we fit so much more in our car now!

Samantha Ball is a Senior Writer for Mother&Baby, having written for the brand since 2018. She's a mum of three and loves searching for the best and current trending products for little ones. She loves to bake, but spends most of her free time between football and ballet classes.