The Advertiser’s Cutest Summer Baby competition winner revealed: Milah Di Raimondo

Of almost 100 finalists, Milah Di Raimondo has been awarded the title of The Advertiser’s cutest summer baby – and it’s not the first time the tiny tot has beaten the odds. Find out why.

Her big eyes and chubby cheeks have won the hearts of South Australians, who crowned Milah Di Raimondo The Advertiser’s cutest summer baby.

And it’s not the first time the tiny tot has beaten the odds.

Milah’s mum, Nikki Degabriele, shared her rare en caul birth story after first experiencing a traumatic delivery with her firstborn daughter.

Ms Degabriele said her first birth – 15 years ago – was overshadowed by trauma and fear.

“Everything was relatively textbook with my first birth – but it just happened so quickly; she was born within an hour and a half,” she said.

“I just think being a 21-year-old and not understanding my body and not knowing what to expect, I definitely went into a little bit of a panic mode and shock afterwards.

“It was obviously incredible painful but I think it was my thoughts right after which made it traumatic.”

However, Ms Degabriele decided her second birthing experience would be different by practising positive thinking and studying different techniques.

Cutest Baby Competition Winner – Nikki Degabriele with her baby Milah Di Raimondo. 21 March 2024. Picture Dean Martin

“For Milah’s birth I came into it more educated and knowledgeable about birthing and what my body can do,” she said.

Ms Degabriele elected to have a hospital water birth surrounded by her partner Ross Di Raimondo, the midwife, and the sounds of soothing music.

As Milah made her “grand entrance into the world” she was born en caul – which a rare occurrence happening once in every 80,000 births.

An en caul birth is when the baby comes out still inside an intact amniotic sac.

But Ms Degabriele said she never saw Milah in the sac as the midwife had popped the membrane bubble before the mum had time to turn around and look.

“After the birth I had told people that Milah was born in the amniotic sac and everyone started telling me how lucky it is,” the mum recalled.

Since being born en caul is considered rare, it is considered a sign of good luck with many believing it means the baby will be protected or achieve greatness.

Mum Nikki Degabriele and Milah in the bath after birth. Picture: Nikki Degabriele

Ms Degabriele believes it a very fitting interpretation.

“Milah was honestly the perfect pregnancy,” the mum said.

“We were able to conceive her on our first try, and we learnt about it when we moved into our dream home, and all the doctor scans were perfect.”

Happy and healthy Milah is now three months old, which she celebrated on Thursday while wearing her signature look – a cute outfit with a matching bow.

Milah celebrated reaching three-months old on the same day she was crowned SA’s cutest summer baby competition. Picture: Nikki Degabriele

Milah celebrated reaching three-months old on the same day she was crowned SA’s cutest summer baby competition. Picture: Nikki Degabriele

While Milah has taken the crown of the cutest summer baby, Missi Taylor was named a runner up.

The Mount Gambier baby suffered complications with the umbilical cord during labour and did not breathe for 15 minutes after entering the world – but she was saved.

Taking the bronze was Zofia Koncewicz, the little cutie who loves to hear stories about space.

In fourth place was Bailey Edwards and in fifth was Felix Nicolacopoulos.