Is the Baby of the Year® Competition the Same as the Gerber® Baby Contest?

If you've been searching for the Baby of the Year® competition or the Gerber® Photo Search contest, you might be wondering:

Are they the same thing?

The short answer is no.

While both celebrate incredible babies, they're two very different experiences for families. Let's walk through some of the most common questions parents ask when comparing the two.

What Is the Difference Between Baby of the Year and the Gerber Photo Search?

Baby of the Year is a nationwide online competition operated by Colossal, a professional fundraiser with an online platform that helps raise money for charities.  Baby of the Year is a celebration of new life, proud families, and a community coming together to support babies everywhere, while helping raise funds to support Baby2Baby.

The Gerber baby photo search contest is an annual brand campaign that selects one child to serve as the face of Gerber.

Both recognize remarkable children, but they have different goals, different formats, different prizes, and different experiences for participating families.

Now let’s talk about how each of them work.

How Does Baby of the Year Work?

Baby of the Year begins with a free online entry.

Parents create a competitor profile, upload photos, and share their baby's story. Throughout the competition, family, friends, and supporters can rally behind their favorite competitor by voting as they advance through multiple rounds.

The competition includes rounds like Top 20, Top 10, Top 5, Group Finals, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals before one Baby of the Year champion is named.

Throughout the competition, optional votes by donation help support Baby2Baby's mission of providing children living in poverty with essentials like diapers, clothing, and formula.

How Does the Gerber Baby Photo Search Work?

The Gerber Baby Photo Search also begins with a free online submission.

Families upload a photo and answer a few questions about their child. Instead of public voting, entries move through several rounds of judging before one child is selected to become the next Gerber Baby.

Who Can Enter?

Baby of the Year is open to eligible babies from birth through 24 months of age who meet the requirements in the Official Rules.

The Gerber Baby Photo Search is open to eligible children from birth through 36 months of age who are legal U.S. residents.

What Does the Winner Receive?

This year, the Baby of the Year champion will receive $25,000, and appear in a nationwide, multi-channel advertising campaign reaching millions of consumers across digital, social, print, retail, and out-of-home media. This includes features on The Honest Company’s social media channels and official website, as well as social media ads featuring Honest products run through Honest’s channels. This also includes an appearance in a Variety Magazine advertorial.

The Gerber Baby receives a $50,000 cash prize, wardrobe benefits, and serves as the face of the Gerber brand for up to one year.

Which Experience Is Right for Your Family?

That depends on what you're looking for.

If you'd like to participate in a community-driven competition where friends and family can support your baby while helping raise funds benefiting Baby2Baby, Baby of the Year offers that experience.

If you're interested in a traditional brand ambassador search decided by a judging panel, the Gerber Baby Photo Search may be a better fit.

No matter which path you choose, both programs celebrate the joy that babies bring to families every day.

Learn more at Babyoftheyear.org.