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Baby Food Recipes, News and Information
For all the latest baby food news, updates to nutrition guidelines, product recalls, great new baby food recipes, hints, tips and more!
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November 14, 2006 15:21 - When Technology Lets You Down!
As much as we love the benefits of computer technology - and the internet in particular - when glitches come along they can really ruin your day (or in this case, your week!).
Homemade Baby Food Recipes has just recovered from a serious system failure - although we were able to keep our site online, we have been unable to update our information, or deal with correspondence, since last Wednesday! So for those of you who've recently subscribed to our blog and found it rather - er - quiet, please be assured that we are still here and will be back to work, bringing you all the latest news and updates in the baby food world!
We are also working our way through all your e-mails, so please accept our apologies if you are waiting for a reply - we promise to answer you as soon as possible!
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November 14, 2006 22:15 - Holiday Safety Tips
The AARP, which represents millions of older Americans with grandkids, has joined forces with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to compile an excellent list of holiday safety tips.
The list warns anyone giving gifts to children about five toy hazards to be aware of and also includes other useful toy-related safety tips. Click the link below to view the full report at the CPSC website.
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November 14, 2006 22:40 - Recall Of Woodles Activity Toys (US/Canada)
Around 18,900 Baby Gund Woodles Activity Toys are being recalled as they present a choking hazard to babies and young children.
The toy (pictured below) is available in various animal shapes and features a soft, stuffed body containing a rattle, with two wooden rings attached to loops at the end of either arm. There have been four reports of the wooden rings breaking and on one occasion a child was left with small pieces in his/her mouth, although there have been no injuries.
The toy is available in four styles- Rumba Lion Activity Toy - style number 58553, Gazoo Giraffe Activity Toy - style number 58554; Wango Horse Activity Toy - style number 58555 and Tippy Cow Activity Toy - style number 58556. Check the sewn in label for the style number.
The toys were sold in Canada and nationwide by independent specialty toy stores,from June 2005 until April 2006 for around $12.
If you have one of these toys, take it away from your child immediately and contact Gund, who will issue you with a replacement product. You can contact Gund at (800) 448 4863 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or e-mail them at woodles@gund.com. Alternatively, visit their website at http://www.gund.com.
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November 15, 2006 13:17 - Recall Of Cars Toy Storage Benches (US)
Around 3,000 Cars Toy Storage Benches, which were sold exclusively at Toys R Us from March 2006 through August 2006,are being recalled.
This is not a toy for babies - however,the red paint on the partition panels of the box contains high levels of lead. If you have one of these toys at home, your baby could be at risk of ingesting this lead,which is toxic.
The toy storage box, which has three removable cloth toy bins, is decorated with pictures from the "Cars" movie. The products involved in this recall have PO#FJ505192 or PO#FJ605042 marked on the side panel.
If you have one of these toys, you should take it away from your children immediately and return it to Toys R Us, who will give you a refund or credit.
For more information,call call Delta Enterprise at (877) 660-3777 from 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. ET Monday to Friday, or visit their Web site at www.deltachildrensproducts.com
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November 15, 2006 16:22 - Target Recalls Toys (US)
Yet another toy recall for you to be aware of, this time concerning Target stores.
Play Wonder Puzzle Tables (pictured below) are being recalled because the handles on the puzzle pieces can come off, presenting a choking risk to young children. There is also a risk that the tips of the nails on the inside shelf could be exposed,possibly causing lacerations to the skin.
These tables were sold at Target stores nationwide and on www.target.com, from December 2005 until October 2006 for around $25. You can find the Play Wonder logo in the front lower right corner of the packaging and the item number, 204/12/0162, in the front upper right corner of the packaging.
If you have one of these toys, take it away from your child immediately and return it to your nearest Target store, where you will receive a full refund. For more information,you can contact Target at (800) 440-0680 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit their Web site at www.target.com.
Target is also recalling a variety of Kool Toyz Children's Products due to lead and laceration hazards.These products are intended for older children, but present a particular risk to younger children who may have access to them. Click the link below to visit the CPSC website for more details of all the products involved in this recall.
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November 16, 2006 12:52 - Do Babies Need Electronic Toys?
Christmas is fast approaching, which means that we parents are now being bombarded with TV commercials for toy computers and all sorts of electronic playthings for our babies. But are these toys beneficial or detrimental to the education of our little ones?
Well, according to a UK government-funded study, the answer is neither!
The study set out to discover whether or not hi-tech devices - some aimed at children as young as 9 months - are any more effective at introducing number and literacy skills than more traditional methods. Over a period of 15 months, 24 families from various social backgrounds were studied in detail and a further 346 families provided written responses, which were analysed.
Results showed that most parents wanted to prepare their children for school and for work, but were unsure about buying toys advertised as promoting play and learning. Researchers at the University of Stirling also concluded that toy laptops and mobile/cell phones were more beneficial to children as "props" for imaginative play (like pretending to make phone calls) than for actually teaching them particular skills. Instead, children learned more about the use of technology from watching their parents use items such as digital cameras and computers than they learned from unrealistic games using electronic toys.
There is no doubt that the marketing of electronic toys for use by small children is on the rise - sales for the birth to three age group have risen by 9% over the last year - and that many parents feel pressured to buy these types of toys. Yet Professor Plowman, the author of this study, concluded that - whilst they are not harmful - neither do they offer any particular educational benefits. She added - "...I don't think there is any problem about children having these toys at home, but in terms of basic literacy and number skills I don't think they are more efficient than the more traditional approaches... Parents who bought such toys often failed to replace the battery when it ran out after children lost interest".
The study also noted that playing at the park is the favourite activity of children - and that many children didn't consider the use of technology as a "favourite"activity at all! This is a good reminder to look past all the advertising hype that exists at this time of year and make sure that we give our babies what they love best this Christmas - lots of quality time!
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November 16, 2006 18:54 - Ingredient In Sunscreen Unsuitable For Babies
If you're planning a trip to a warm destination with your little one, be sure to check the ingredients contained in the sunscreen you plan to use. A recent report suggests that sunscreens containing benzophenone-3, which protects against UVA and UVB radiation, should not be used for young children.
Experts were already aware that benzophenone-3 can cause contact eczema, but this new study shows that the substance can be stored in the body. Experts are unsure how long the substance may be stored for, or what affects it might have, but are advising that - as a precaution - parents avoid using sunscreens containing benzophenone-3 for young children. This is because children of this age have not yet fully developed the enzymes they need to break the substance down - meaning that they may not be able to eliminate it from their bodies as easily as adults.
Most pediatricians recommend completely avoiding the sun - and the use of any sunscreen - for the first 6 months.
Click the link below for more tips and information to make life easier when travelling with your baby.
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November 17, 2006 15:39 - Ideas For Baby Food Using Tofu - Tasty Tofu Nuggets
Tofu is a highly nutritious food, packed with calcium, protein and iron - and this quick and easy recipe for tofu nuggets makes a wonderful finger food for babies who are chewing well.
You will need:
1 packet of firm tofu 4oz cornflakes, crushed finely 1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional) 1 oz Parmesan cheese, grated Beaten egg yolk (or milk if you don't want to use eggs)
Method:
Preheat the oven to 350 deg F. Cut the tofu into bite sized pieces or strips. Dip them into the beaten egg yolk or milk and then into the crushed cornflakes, making sure they are well coated. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Place the tofu nuggets on the baking sheet and cook for around 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through cooking time.
Note: Soy is a potential allergen and should be introduced with care - if your baby has not eaten soy before, please see our infant soy allergy information page and remember that you should always discuss the introduction of any new foods with your child's doctor.
Click below for more information about tofu and some great ideas on how to include it in your baby's diet. And if you have any tofu baby food recipes of your own that you'd like to share, please click on "comments" below - we love to read your ideas!
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November 18, 2006 12:58 - How Daddy Helps Develop Baby's Language Skills!
I came across an interesting report today that showed how, in a household where both parents work outside the home, the language devlopment of their toddler is influenced more by Dad than Mum!
The study, carried out by researchers from the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill's Frank Porter Graham (FPG) Child Development Institute and UNC's School of Education, recorded pairs of parents playing with their 2 year olds. A year later, the children's language skills were tested. The results showed that children of fathers who used a more diverse vocabulary with them demonstrated better language skills - but their mothers' vocabulary did not seem to have much impact! Other results from the study confirmed that children's language abilities are influenced by their parents' education levels and - to a lesser extent - the quality of childcare.
Nadya Panscofar, a co-author of the study, said that these results highlight the fact that - in two parent homes where both parents work - fathers should play a big part in encouraging the language development of their little ones. . . so Dads - take note!
Baby sign language is a popular and effective means of both communicating with baby AND encouraging excellent language skills. Click below to read more about how to start signing with YOUR baby.
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November 19, 2006 11:38 - Thanksgiving Recipes For Baby
Are you busy preparing for Thanksgiving - and wondering how to make baby's first Thanksgiving extra wonderful?
Then take a look at our delicious Thanksgiving menu just for baby - with some great recipes using traditional ingredients - and find out how he can take part in this special family meal...
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