Baby Food Recipes, News and Information

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A recent survey has suggested that doctors are not identifying cow's milk allergies in babies.

500 doctors were polled and almost 80% thought that their colleagues were confusing the symptoms of cow's milk allergy with other conditions. This is probably because some symptoms - like skin rashes and diarrhea - can be caused by many other things besides milk allergy. Also, symptoms can vary widely, making them hard to spot.

The survey also discovered that many doctors do not know the best treatment to offer.

Cow's milk allergy is very common and it is estimated that there are at least 10,000 babies with the condition in the UK. If you are concerned that your baby may have an allergy to cow's milk, then it is important to discuss your concerns with your doctor - and don't be afraid to seek a second opinion if you feel that a diagnosis may be incorrect. Baby food allergies, left untreated, can lead to a failure to thrive and develop.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk

Click below to read more about when and how to introduce dairy products into your baby's diet...

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November 21, 2006 15:42 - Canada - Warning To Avoid Certain Cantaloupes

If you are in western or northern Canada, please be aware that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning consumers to avoid certain brands of cantaloupes. This is because of fears of contamination by salmonella.

Full details of this situation are available from Freshplaza at the link below.

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November 21, 2006 21:50 - Fluoride And Baby Formula Warning

Bottlers of water have been given permission by the FDA to claim that fluoridated water may help prevent tooth decay - but the Minnesota Dental Association is anxious to ensure that parents realize this claim is not for use on bottled water for babies.

If babies receive too much fluoride, they can develop fluorosis. This is not a disease, but is a condition which can cause white marks on tooth enamel and can affect teeth as they develop - even before they emerge through the gums. If you are using baby formula, then it is very important to establish how much fluoride is contained in the water you use to mix the formula.

Researchers are concerned that babies could be at a higher risk of fluorosis if their powdered formula or liquid concentrate is mixed with tap water. Further studies will be carried out before any firm guidelines are issued, but - for now - recommendations are that

• babies are breastfed whenever possible
• if your baby is formula fed, you should use ready-to-feed formula instead of powdered formula. This is to make sure that the amount of fluoride your baby receives is safe
• if you DO use powdered or liquid concentrate formula, then mix it with water that is fluoride free or contains very little fluoride - examples include purified, demineralized, distilled, deionized, or reverse osmosis filtered water.

Occasional drinks of water containing optimal fluoride levels should not significantly increase the risk of fluorosis.

Speak to your child's doctor or dentist to find out the best type of water to mix with your baby's formula in your area - and whether the water should be sterilized first.

There is more information about fluoride for young children at the American Dental Association's website. Or click below to read more about giving your baby water.

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November 21, 2006 22:49 - Recall Of Polly Pocket Magnetic Playsets

If you have older children with Polly Pocket toys, then please read more about this important recall, which has been prompted by some serious injuries.

The toys being recalled are

• Polly Pocket! Polly Place - Hangin’ Out House (item no B2632)
• Polly Pocket! Polly Place - Treetop Clubhouse (item no B3158)
• Polly Pocket! Spa Day (item B3201)
• Polly Totally! Polly Place - Totally Tiki Diner (item no B7118)
• Polly Pocket! Quik-Clik - Boutique (item no G8605)
• Polly Pocket! Quik-Clik - City Pretty Playset (item no H1537)
• Polly Pocket! Quik-Clik - Sporty Style Playset (item no H1538)
• Polly Pocket! Totally Zen - Playset (item no H3211)

The danger from these toys is that the tiny magnets inside the dolls can fall out and often go unnoticed by parents - the magnets can then be swallowed, aspirated by young children or placed by a child in their ears or nose. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other, which can cause perforation of the intestines, infection or potentially fatal blockages. If the magnets are aspirated into the lungs, immediate surgery is required - and if magnets are placed in the ears or nose, they can cause swelling and can be very difficult to remove.

There have been 170 reports of magnets falling out of these toys - worryingly, there have been 3 reports of serious injuries caused by swallowing more than one magnet. All three children needed surgery.

The magnets in these toys are about 1/8 inch in diameter and are found in the hands and feet of some dolls, or in plastic clothing, hair pieces and other accessories. On some of the playsets, the model number is printed on the bottom of the larger pieces. If you can't find the product number on a set you may have at home, you should contact Mattel. The playsets were sold in toy stores and department stores from May 2003 through to September 2006, for between $15 and $30.

Polly Pocket magnetic play sets currently being sold in stores are NOT included in this recall.

If you have these toys at home, take them away from your children immediately and contact Mattel at (888) 597-6597 at any time, or visit their Web site at www.service.mattel.com. You can then arrange to return the set and you will receive a voucher of equivalent value for an alternative toy.

Source: http://www.cpsc.gov

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November 22, 2006 14:45 - Travelling To France With Your Baby?

Then I've found an excellent site for you, run BY parents FOR parents!

www.totstofrance.co.uk is a unique, family orientated lettings agency. It is run by a group of parents - all with children of their own - who actually visit the properties they offer to make sure that they are family friendly.

Taking your baby abroad can be worrying, particularly if you are unsure about the facilities available. But Tots To France is able to tell you EXACTLY what facilities (such as changing mats and potties) are provided - and exactly what you will need to pack. They also ensure that milk is waiting for you in the fridge when you arrive - and, for a small extra cost, they provide a Baby Pack on arrival, too! The Baby Pack contains nappies/diapers, nappy sacks, wet wipes and full cream milk.

Many properties also offer an English-speaking babysitting service.

An excellent site, well worth a visit if you're planning a trip to France with YOUR family.

Click below for tips and advice to help make life easier when travelling with baby...

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November 23, 2006 13:34 - Personalized Baby Gifts (US and Canada)

Personalized gifts make baby's first Christmas extra special - and our sponsors, 2Blockheads.com, offer an excellent range of gifts for babies AND for older children.

2Blockheads.com offers top brands, including Russ Berrie and Gund - and also offers licensed products like Sesame Street. Their personalized children's books feature your child's name, hometown and friends - and you can also request special dedications!

Their range also includes Name Trains, Personalized Children's Clocks and Music... and with some special offers at the moment saving you up to 25%, it's a good time to visit and find a unique gift for a special child in YOUR life!

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November 24, 2006 13:53 - The Importance Of Flu Shots

From Nov 27 to Dec 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other medical associations are sponsoring National Influenza Vaccination Week. Many people wrongly assume that it's too late for flu shots - but the flu season doesn't usually peak until February and higher rates of flu often continue into May.

When there's a baby in the family, it's really important to make sure that everyone is properly protected. Children up to the age of 5 years are especially vulnerable to complications from flu. But if you have a baby under 6 months, he cannot receive the vaccination - meaning that all other family members and caregivers need to be immunized in order to protect him.

The purpose of National Influenza Vaccination Week is to make sure that people are aware that there is still time to be immunized - flu shots start offering protection after only 2 weeks (after 6 weeks for children getting their first shots). Children under the age of 9 who have never recieved a flu shot before will need two shots.

Henry Bernstein, M.D., spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, and professor of pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School, says "There is no question that the flu vaccine is the best way to go for preventing influenza, Everyone should get it -- and should encourage their friends and family to get it as well."

Source: www.wtkr.com

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November 26, 2006 14:58 - How Early Should You Take Your Baby To The Dentist?

So your baby has his first sparkling new tooth... but does he really need to visit the dentist already?

Well, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and many other dental authorities worldwide, the answer is yes... or you should at least take him for a dental check-up some time before his first birthday.

This is a good idea because it gives your baby's dentist the chance to spot potential problems very early on and also to set a good prevention program in place. It also gets your baby used to the routine of dental visits and can reduce anxiety in the future.

Healthy teeth play an important role in your child's ability to chew, his speech development and, of course, they give your little one a wonderful smile!

Babies in Australia will soon be receiving dental checks when they are immunised at 12 months, as part of a new preventative approach to dental care. Disturbingly, dentists there have noticed a significant rise in the number of babies being admitted into hospital with rotting teeth. Officials say that some babies are showing tooth decay at 12 months because their parents are giving them sugary soft drinks and juices in bottles.

You should always avoid giving your baby juice - whole fruit is far healthier - and offer him water instead. If you DO give your baby juice, it should always be in a cup - not a bottle - to avoid the juice "pooling" around your baby's teeth. And NEVER put your baby to bed with a bottle of juice or milk (milk contains natural sugars) - this quite literally "bathes" your baby's teeth in sugar for an extended period of time.

Source: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph

Have you taken YOUR little one to the dentist yet? Maybe you have some tips for cleaning baby's teeth that you'd like to pass on? Just click on "comments" below to share advice with other parents.

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