South Australia’s cutest summer babies are crowned

They change our lives from the moment they arrive, and for these first time mums they wouldn’t have it any other way. Meet the bubs and their mums here.

Oh baby, South Australian newborns are cute!

More than 150 doting parents, grandparents, friends and family nominated their bubs for a chance to be crowned SA’s cutest summer baby.

We asked you to share an adorable photo of your little one born over the new year and you sure delivered.

In our quest to celebrate their chubby cheeks and journeys into the world, we can now reveal the cutest summer bubs.

Do you know a mum who has welcomed a new bub in the last month? Nominations for South Australia’s cutest March babies are now open.

Submit you March babies here.

Elle Msapenda and baby Flora

First time mum Elle Msapenda has been blown away by her little bub Flora who has just slotted into her busy life.

“We weren’t sure what we were having, my partner and I definitely thought it was a girl and I honestly couldn’t believe it – I had to ask the obstetrician four times just to be sure,” she said.

“She was so quiet when she came out, she was just looking around the room, she calmly entered the world.

Elle Msapenda and daughter Flora. Picture Dean Martin

“My husband is Zambian so I knew she would come out with all this luscious hair.”

While the past three months have been a whirlwind for the young family, the pressure of nursing a newborn was heightened after they contracted Covid.

“My husband and I both tested positive when she was around four weeks old which was pretty stressful,” she said.

“Thankfully she never caught it and was fine the whole time and we have great support from family and friends who were checking in on us the whole time.”

Mrs Msapenda admitted that before Flora came into her life she was a workaholic.

“I was never a hugely maternal person and always thought kids would come naturally but the actual love you have for this little baby is so surprising,” she said.

“I was a workaholic before where as now I can stay at home and not have to rush back to work.

“She is just so engaged now and when I walk into her room in the morning and she’s there waiting for me, there is nothing better.”

Nadia Iannunzio and baby Gia

The journey through pregnancy can be a beautiful one, first time mothers are told to enjoy the ride as ones body transforms over the course of nine months and for Nadia Iannunzio, she did exactly that.

Mrs Iannunzio welcomed baby Gia in January and hasn’t looked back since.

“I was pretty lucky, I didn’t get a lot of morning sickness and it was a nice time to see your body go through all of those changes,” Mrs Iannunzio said,

Parents, Nadia and Tim Iannunzio with their baby, Gia, 12 weeks, at home in Klemzig. Picture: Matt Loxton

“The first ultrasound was pretty amazing and once you hold them in your arms it’s the most amazing feeling.

“She is a really easy baby.”

The exciting and new journey into motherhood for Mrs Iannunzio hasn’t been all smooth sailing, offering a piece of advice to those are trying to conceive.

“Breastfeeding was one of the hardest things, probably even over the labour,” she said.

“Nobody really prepares you for how difficult breastfeeding can be, I definitely didn’t think anything of it before I had to do it.”

That aside, the Iannunzios are smitten with their summer bub and are excited to watch her blossom.

“Like every parent, they just want their child to be healthy and happy,” Mrs Iannunzio said

“I just hope she grows up and has a good head on her shoulders.”

Natasha Eli and baby Xavier

For years Natasha Eli was a mother figure to many but now it is finally her turn.

After losing her mother in 2020, Ms Eli said her baby boy was a ray of sunshine.

“He was a blessing in disguise to me and my family,” Ms Eli said.

“I’ve just nursed my mum into passing and then to become a mum without a mum is a huge journey.

“I’ve been a youth worker for 18 years and I have looked after so many children so it’s a delight now to spend the time looking after my own child.”

Unfortunately Ms Eli’s mother never knew of her grandson but that did not take away the abundance of love he felt when he arrived.

Natasha Eli and her baby Xavier Njenga. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“Xavier has been a sunshine and it has highlighted all the beautiful people I have in my life,” she said.

“For us it is such a loving time and he was well celebrated before his arrival, I had a baby shower of about 60 people.’

Overjoyed with this next chapter of her life, Ms Eli said there is nothing she would change in her journey to motherhood.

“I have previously lost babies and so when he arrived he was a blessing, he is well loved,” she said.

“He’s a dream child, he sleeps really well and eats really well and he’s got a routine where he falls asleep at 9pm every night.

“I’m lucky to be a mum and blessed to be a mum and it’s something I have desired later in life.

“I have been around kids all my life and now it’s my turn to be a mum.”