Meet the Winners of the 2026 What to Expect Feeding Awards

Earning nearly 30% of the votes, it’s no surprise that Dr. Brown’s bottles are back-back-to-back-to-back What to Expect Feeding Award winners. Although the brand has several great bottles, What to Expect parents highly recommend the Options+ Anti-Colic bottles — with many saying these are the only bottles their baby will take. 

The reason? The bottles include a special internal vent system (which can be removed, if you find your baby doesn’t need it) that’s designed to help preserve milk nutrients and aid in smooth digestion for your baby. And yes, it works. Several parents saw a difference in their infant’s gas, burping, and spit up after switching to Dr. Brown’s bottles. Parents also praise the brand’s slow-flow nipples, which they say more closely mimic the experience of breastfeeding and makes it harder for babies to guzzle milk from these bottles.

The shape of these bottles is thoughtfully engineered: Parents say the breast-like nipple helped transition their little ones from breast to bottle, and that the narrow size is easy for tiny hands to grip once your baby can hold things. 

While there are more pieces to clean than the typical bottle, everything is safe to throw in the dishwasher, sterilizers, or boiling water. And many parents say that they don’t mind the extra parts since their babies took to these bottles so well. They’re available in several sizes, too, all the way from 2 to 8 ounces.

Removing remnants from baby’s bottle is a lot easier when you have a bottle brush. What makes Dr. Brown’s Baby Bottle Brush a standout (and What to Expect Feeding Award winner) is that it combines bristles and sponges to ensure a thorough cleaning; the bristles get into all the nooks and crannies, while the sponge provides a final, scratch-free wash. Additionally, the brush's handle has little grooves that make it easier to tend to nipples and narrow pump parts. 

The extra-long brush is especially helpful when cleaning Dr. Brown's tall, narrow bottles, but works with any bottle brand. And since they come in three-packs, you don't have to worry about reordering every six weeks.

Bonus: The brush comes with a suction clip, which you can attach to a wall or counter to store your brush. 

A bottle drying rack may seem like a non-essential, but moms say it is crucial for drying and organizing any feeding gear. The only downside is that they tend to take up a lot of kitchen real estate. Enter the OXO Tot Space-Saving Drying Rack. This feeding accessory lives up to its name, taking up less than a foot of counter space.

The secret is the vertical design. It pushes up against the wall and has angled pegs, which not only minimize the space it takes up but also maximize drying efficiency. Meanwhile, the top and base have multiple compartments and grooves for drying those teeny-tiny pump parts. To clean it, just remove the top and base and throw everything in the dishwasher.

If you find it's just a tad too small, OXO Tot makes an expandable version that features a pull-out tray and side basket.

You can never have too many burp cloths. And while they can seem like a not-so-exciting baby purchase, What to Expect parents love Comfy Cubs' muslin cloths. So much so that it was voted the most reliable pick for the third year in a row.

Comfy Cubs burp cloths are soft, easy to clean and (most importantly) ultra-absorbent; What to Expect parents say they “catch everything.” The fabric is gentle against your little one’s skin while protecting you from any spit-up. These burp cloths are just the right size — not too big, not too small, and easy to pack in a diaper bag. Despite the elegant white fabric, parents say they don’t stain, though they’re also available in four other colors if you prefer something more vibrant. 

You can use them as more than just burp cloths, too, whether you’re wiping up everyday messes, want a breastfeeding cover in public or use them as a washcloth. In the words of one mom, "THE. BEST. PERIOD."

Enfamil is a trusted formula brand that countless families rely on. For a conventional cow’s milk-based formula, the NeuroPro variety is a tried-and-true formula with all the nutrients your baby needs to grow and thrive, and lots of moms say they’ve noticed their babies digest it with ease. 

If, however, your child can’t digest cow’s milk, Enfamil offers plenty of other options; something parents say they appreciate. The NeuroPro Gentlease Infant Formula, for example, is ideal for babies who have excessive gas, while the Enfamil Nutramigen Baby Formula can be given to babies with milk allergies. 

Named the Best Breast Pump by What to Expect editors and moms alike, the Spectra S1 boasts plenty of impressive features. (So many, in fact, one voter said it should be in the Hall of Fame!) For one, this hospital-grade pump is efficient. Moms say this double electric breast pump has superior suction that very effectively expresses a noticeably larger amount of breast milk than other pumps, which can help cut back the amount of time you spend pumping. A true win for time-strapped moms. 

Although this pump isn’t the smallest one on the market, it’s still surprisingly portable, thanks to its handle and built-in rechargeable battery. (Another win: You don't have to be plugged into a wall while you pump.) Moms say it’s relatively lightweight and easy to move from room to room. It also operates on a closed-system design, which makes the whole thing more hygienic and easier to clean. And it’s consistently reliable — many moms note that they simply have never had any issues using this pump and that it lasts a long time.

Also nice? The fact that you can easily change the speed without altering the rhythm for ultimate customization. It even has a built-in night light that comes in handy during late-night pumping sessions. All of these essential features are probably why Spectra has won a Mom Must-Have Award for six years in a row.

Medela's manual pump is, simply put, a game-changer. Despite having zero battery power, moms say it expresses as much milk as its electric counterparts — and in the same amount of time! The ergonomic handle keeps your hand from cramping and makes it easy to switch between stimulation and expression for an optimal pumping session.

The slim design makes it perfect for travel, slipping into a diaper bag with ease.

Not only does this manual pump help you save a ton of milk, but it can also provide much-needed relief from engorgement pain. Made of 100 percent food-grade silicone, this pump is small in size and incredibly easy to transport. Cleaning is also simple, as it's dishwasher-safe and can be sterilized.

If we had to describe the Boppy in one word, it would be versatile. This durable pillow is essential no matter how you are feeding your baby. While countless What to Expect parents rave about how helpful it is as a breastfeeding or bottle-feeding pillow, the Boppy really stands out for its ability to do so much more.

For starters, this pillow provides much-needed ergonomic support when you’re feeding your baby. It’s comfortable for little ones to snuggle into and offers crucial support for all parents, but especially for nursing moms — it gently lifts baby to the breast to prevent the need to hunch over. Some moms say they like sitting on it for extra support during the postpartum period, too. 

Best yet, once your little one is old enough, the Boppy can be used to prop her up for supported sitting and for tummy time. Many What to Expect parents say their toddlers still use it to lounge or play, so you could potentially use this humble pillow for multiple years. (Just remember that this pillow is for supervised awake time only, not for sleeping.)

There are tons of machine-washable covers that you can swap out so you can get one that’s perfect for your nursery aesthetic, and it’s easy to slide the different covers into place. 

After you've pumped that liquid gold, you'll need a secure bag to store it. While building up their freezer stash, many moms rely on the Motif Medical Breastmilk Storage Bags. The 6-oz. bags can be laid flat or stood up, allowing for flexibility depending on your space.

Moms share that there's no leakage, thanks to the double zipper. Additionally, the thick, BPA-free material makes them extra durable and less prone to freezer burn. Another perk: each bag has a nifty pour spout to help with the transfer from bag to bottle.

If you’re interested in lanolin-free nipple cream options, join the many moms in the What to Expect community who have discovered (and loved) the Earth Mama Nipple Butter. The first non-GMO verified nipple cream, it’s also USDA-Certified organic and made with key ingredients like olive oil, beeswax, cocoa seed butter, shea butter, mango seed butter and calendula flower extract. One mom insists there’s “magic” in this product, saying it’s the reason why she’s been able to exclusively pump for more than 10 months. Not to mention, moms also use it for their lips, cheeks and other spots that could use more hydration.

Moms report that it’s super soft and non-sticky, and you can apply it directly to your breasts or smooth it onto pump flanges. Our editorial team backs it, too, and recently named it Best Organic Nipple Cream. 

Those first few weeks of breastfeeding or pumping can come with some unpleasant pains, which is why many moms rely on Lansinoh’s Breast Therapy Packs. The beauty of these packs is that, as the name suggests, they can be used hot or cold depending on your needs. Warm them up in the microwave, and they can increase circulation and open up milk ducts, helping with let-down. Toss them in the fridge or freezer, and they can reduce swelling to provide relief from engorgement, clogged ducts and mastitis. 

The packs come with machine-washable covers, which provide a comfortable barrier between your breast and the extreme temperature. These covers also come with a snap to create a round, nipple-cover-like shape, making it easy to place into your bra when your breasts could use some R&R in between feedings or during pumping sessions.

It’s not surprising that several award-winning products from Lansinoh appear on our Feeding Awards winners list. The brand’s trusted Stay Dry Nursing Pads are a tried-and-true favorite of breastfeeding parents, and our editorial team also named them Best Disposable Nursing Pad.

These nursing pads are thin, but still manage to soak up an impressive amount of excess milk, helping you confidently stay dry for hours. (In fact, a number of the moms we surveyed said they never experienced a leak while wearing Lansinoh pads.) They never feel thick or bulky inside a bra, and you can’t see them through thin clothing. Moms appreciate the extra-sticky adhesive, which helps to hold the pads securely in place. They fit well in several different nursing and pumping bras, too. 

And despite the fact that they stay on so well, they feel super soft and gentle against your skin. The fabric is made from recycled materials and free of fragrance, BPA and BPS.

Momcozy has made a name for itself in the breastfeeding space, creating a line of powerful yet discreet wearable pumps. So it's no surprise that moms who use Momcozy pumps also highly recommend the brand's extensive line of pumping and nursing bras.

There are plenty of bras to choose from, all made of soft, stretchy, breathable fabric, but the brand's classic, hands-free pumping bra is a standout. It's a two-in-one nursing and pumping bra with two fabric layers: one that pulls down to reveal horizontal slits for pump flanges and another that opens to reveal the entire breast for nursing. It also features adjustable shoulder straps to help ensure proper flange fit, as well as cross-back straps for added support.

Despite the high quality, Momcozy's bras are relatively affordable, ranging from $20 to $30 each. That makes it easy to stock up, so you won't have to do laundry every day.

Whether you plan to nurse for a few weeks, months or years, having some nursing-friendly tops or dresses will make your feedings significantly easier (a major perk when you’re trying to feed a hangry baby!). Fortunately for moms’ comfort and budgets, Old Navy has hundreds of styles designed to accommodate your growing bump during pregnancy and allow you to nurse more conveniently after baby’s arrival. They also host sales frequently, so you can usually score a deal when you’re shopping for maternity and postpartum clothing.

High chairs can be one of the pricier baby gear picks, but Graco offers more budget-friendly options that still check all the boxes for quality, comfort, and convenience. The brand has several models to choose from, each with a wipe-clean plastic frame — a lifesaver when your little one starts flinging peas with flair. The seats are made from machine-washable fabric (yes, really!), though you can also spot-clean smaller messes.

Graco high chairs are also designed with busy parents in mind. Most, like the Graco Slim Snacker fold with just one hand and can be wheeled away for easy storage — though honestly, they look nice enough that you won’t mind keeping one out. They’re also super adjustable, so you can find the right height and recline for your baby’s stage (and squirm factor).

But the perks don’t stop there. Graco high chairs are built to grow with your little one — literally. The Graco EveryStep 6-in-1 High Chair, for example, transforms through sixn (!) stages, from an infant high chair to a dining booster to a big-kid step stool. 

What to Expect moms love Lalo products for their aesthetic, functionality, and versatility. But the MVP of this brand? The Bib. Parents appreciate that The Bib provides more coverage to minimize clothing stains and features an extra-deep pocket to catch stray bites and crumbs, making mealtime cleanup a breeze. Speaking of cleanup, the non-toxic silicone bib can be wiped clean or tossed in your dishwasher's top rack for tougher stains. 

Some babies find silicone bibs uncomfortable, but Lalo's bib is softer than others, reducing irritation. Its adjustable neckline ensures a custom, secure fit that allows the bib to grow with your little one through their solids journey. Plus, you get two in a pack, so you'll always have a clean bib on hand. 

Many What to Expect parents rely on Happy Baby to help their little one transition to solids. (Though some use the brand's highly-rated formula from Day One.) Founded by moms, Happy Baby offers organic, non-GMO purees, pouches, pantry snacks, and even heat-up bowls that nourish your child through the toddler years. 

Each item is packed with a variety of fruits and veggies, ensuring your child gets the nutrients they need no matter how picky they may be. Plus, everything is packaged without BPA, BPS, or phthalates, so you can serve straight from the package without worry. 

Before baby is ready to fully chow down, it’s important to find a solid set of utensils that will promote eating and support baby's tender gums during teething. A favorite feeding brand among What to Expect moms, Munchkin's White Hot Safety Spoons are a true standout. To start, the rounded, soft spoon bowl is extremely gentle on baby’s gums — perfect if they need something to gnaw on while teething. The ergonomic handle is comfortable for parents to hold and easy for little ones to grip once they gain independence. 

The highlight, however, is the heat-reactive tip that alerts you when baby's food is too hot. If the tip turns white, the food is too hot for baby to eat. No burnt mouths or tongues; just seamless mealtime. 

Parents love Mushie products for their functionality, and the Silicone Suction Plate is no exception. The biggest draw, of course, is that the plate stays put thanks to the suction base. Parents say no matter how their child pulls, the plate never moves. (Even if they pull hard, the deep sections help keep food from spilling over the sides.)

The plate is divided into three sections, sized for perfect toddler portions. Made of food-grade silicone, the plate can be heated in the microwave without getting too hot for your little one — meaning fewer dishes to wash afterward. Although Mushie recommends washing the plates by hand with warm water, you can place them on the top rack of the dishwasher to get out tougher stains. 

The Munchkin Miracle 360 Cup has long been deemed the Best Sippy Cup by doctors, editors, and What to Expect parents — pretty much anyone who matters. Instead of a straw or traditional spout, the cup features a flat, 360-degree lid that allows your little one to drink from any angle — a true miracle for parents whose kids like to gnaw on things, since you won't have to replace a straw every few weeks. Plus, fewer parts to clean. 

The handles are easy for tiny hands to grasp, making it easy for children as young as 6 months to master. The most innovative feature, however, is the rim that seals automatically when your child isn't drinking to prevent spills.