Lucas Warren, Gerber's New Spokesbaby, First With Down Syndrome

Lucas Warren was announced as Gerber’s 2018 spokesbaby on Wednesday and is the first baby with Down syndrome to be chosen as the face of the company.

Chief Executive and President of Gerber Bill Partyka said Lucas' smile was what made him stand out from the other 140,000 photos submitted.

“Every year we choose the baby who best exemplifies Gerber’s long-standing heritage of recognizing that every baby is a Gerber baby,” Partyka said in a news release. “This year, Lucas is the perfect fit.”

Lucas, a 1-year-old from Georgia, is the eighth winner of the Gerber Baby Photo Search. His family wins a $50,000 prize and Lucas will be featured on Gerber’s social media pages throughout the year. 

"He's very outgoing and never meets a stranger," mom Courtney Warren told "Today." "He loves to play, loves to laugh and loves to make other people laugh."

Other parents of children with disabilities celebrated the decision on social media. 

In a puddle of tears over here. Today @gerber announced their Gerber baby. This title brings to mind the ideal baby: cute, squishy, all smiles and giggles. For the first time ever Gerber chose a baby with Down Syndrome. This little guy, Lucas, is beyond adorable and my mama heart is so so thankful. Like @etst said, when Bodie was born I believed a lie, that others would not value him as much as I do. But, today is a new day. It is such a beautiful, good day. Thank you @gerber and @thetodayshow for helping Change The Face of Beauty. . . . . @changingthefaceofbeauty #gerberbaby

A post shared by s a m a n t h a. j o. b. (@samanthajob) on Feb 7, 2018 at 6:32am PST

@Gerber has just made my day by announcing that handsome Lucas has been appointed their 2018 spokesbaby. Thank you, @Gerber, for celebrating the diversity of the human condition. He is the cutest! I’ve been a part of the Down syndrome community since the day I was born and this directly reflects the success of our advocacy efforts. Acceptance. Inclusion. Parents, keep it up! The world deserves to recognize the beauty that our kids bestow upon it.

A post shared by Dual Divas of Down Syndrome (@catfishwithketchup) on Feb 7, 2018 at 8:13am PST

I honestly can not put into words how lucky I am to have these amazing people in my life. That I’m able to call her sister && the she allows me to call him nephew! Auntie KK is so beyond proud of you, Lucas. I love you more than the sun loves the moon. My sweet baby. #GerberBaby2018 #Gerber #Repost #Family #SuperLucas I’ll be sharing stuff all day. You will change the world.

A post shared by Kasondra Hale⚡ (@khale0910) on Feb 7, 2018 at 10:26am PST

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