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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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January 15, 2007 14:45 - Snacks For Babies?
We received a letter from a parent today telling us about her little boy and how he likes to snack between meals. She wondered whether she should allow him to snack on foods during the day - or whether she should restrict food to full meals, served three times a day.
In fact, if you are careful to control the nutritional quality of the snacks you are offering, then snacking is good for babies and can be a great way of getting them to eat more healthy foods than they might otherwise consume during their set meals.
It's important to remember that babies have very small tummies - so they quickly become full and then become hungry again fairly quickly, too. Snacking "tides them over" until their next meal - although it's not a good idea to offer your baby a snack TOO close to a main meal-time because, of course, it will reduce his appetite.
Snacks For Babies - Hints And Tips
ALWAYS ensure that the snacks you are giving your baby are nutritious. Visit our baby finger foods page for some great ideas for healthy snacks for babies. Offering fresh fruits or vegetables as snacks is the perfect way to get your baby eating more of these valuable foods.
Time your baby's snacks to fall midway between meals, to avoid ruining his appetite.
Don't allow your baby to snack constantly throughout the day - stick to your allotted "snack times". This is to prevent your baby getting too used to eating all day long - which could lead to weight problems in later life.
It's not a good idea to let your child wander around with his snack - the risk of choking is increased by allowing him to play with food in his mouth.
Only offer your baby a snack if you believe he is actually hungry - don't try to pacify or entertain your baby with food - again, this can establish unhealthy eating patterns for the future.
If you are driving with your baby, DON'T offer him a snack unless someone is sitting beside him. Although it may seem a good way of keeping him occupied, the risk of choking makes it very unsafe. Use a good travel toy to occupy your baby during long journeys if you are driving without another adult and stop as needed to offer your baby a snack (there is more information about taking road trips with babies here).
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January 15, 2007 15:29 - My Baby Won't Eat!
You've read all the advice, prepared some delicious homemade baby food and settled your little one into his highchair... and he absolutely refuses to eat anything! Or, your baby has been happily enjoying solid food for some time, but now seems to have gone on a hunger strike and won't eat a thing. What can you do?
These situations are incredibly common and very few babies seem to "go by the book" when it comes to solid feeding. Nevertheless, as a parent, your baby's refusal to eat can be very stressful and worrying - so here are some information pages to help you deal with some situations you may encounter...
How much should my baby be eating? helps you determine whether or not your baby's feeding patterns are "normal" and when your baby's reluctance to eat could be a cause for concern
Our baby feeding problems page looks at the difficulties some babies have when eating solid foods, including gagging and a reluctance to eat lumpy foods
My baby won't eat vegetables provides you with a list of techniques to encourage your little one to eat lots of nutritious veggies
Our baby feeding tips page gives you some ideas about how to successfully and peacefully include your baby at the family dinner table
If you are concerned that your baby isn't eating as much as you think he needs, it is important to discuss your concerns with your child's doctor. For further advice about tempting your baby to eat, please add your comments below so that other visitors can offer THEIR tried and tested tips - alternatively, please contact us with your questions.
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When preparing your baby's food, it is very important to take steps to eliminate any risk of food poisoning - babies, of course, are particularly vulnerable to illness caused by food borne bacteria.
Foods such as fish, eggs, raw meat or raw poultry can contain bacteria responsible for food poisoning, such as salmonella and E. coli. Campylobacter infection, a common cause of food poisoning, likes to live in milk and poultry. You can also contaminate foods with these bacteria by preparing them with dirty hands, or preparing them on unclean surfaces.
Here are some tips to help you keep your baby's food safe.
Make sure that your refrigerator is running no higher than 40 deg F or 4 deg C. When storing food for your baby, it is sensible to use a fridge thermometer to be absolutely sure of its temperature.
Store prepared foods in shallow containers - they will cool very quickly, minimizing the growth of bacteria.
Keep raw meat and fish wrapped at the bottom of the refrigerator to prevent them contaminating foods on the shelves below.
Make sure that there is plenty of room in the fridge for the air to circulate effectively - an over-full fridge may not keep all items cool enough.
When cooking food, make sure it reaches a temperature of at least 160 deg F (70 deg C).
Completely defrost all frozen foods overnight in the refrigerator before cooking them for your baby.
Serve cooked food to your baby immediately (once it is cool enough for him to eat, of course) and refrigerate leftovers straight away. Do not leave food sitting at room temperature.
Always make sure your baby's food is cooked through - this is particularly important with meat, poultry and eggs. Always reheat previously prepared foods thoroughly.
Always prepare raw meat or fish separately from your fruits and vegetables - it's a very good idea to use a separate cutting board for each. Do not allow raw food to come into contact with cooked food.
Wash your hands with hot, soapy water before you prepare your baby's food and between handling raw and cooked foods.
Don't give your baby unpasteurized milk or fruit juice, which will not have been through the process that removes potentially harmful bacteria. Check the label carefully if you are unsure.
Thoroughly wash any fruits or vegetables that you offer your baby under running water.
Keep your kitchen clean by thoroughly scrubbing all surfaces with hot, soapy water (it is not necessary to use antibacterial wipes or cleaners). Keep your tea towels and dish-washing sponge clean (sponges should be changed frequently)
Don't allow pets near your baby's food and make sure food is well protected from insects.
Our baby food preparation and storage page gives you more information about preparing baby food at home...
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January 17, 2007 07:35 - Recall of Bright Starts Star Teether Beads (Australia)
Bright Starts Star Teether Beads are being recalled in Australia because they may pose a choking hazard to children.
The beads (item number 8483. EAN: 074451084834) are supplied by Kids II Pty Limited and were distributed by Target, Toys R Us stores and independent baby retailers since September 2006. The danger with this product is that the flexible plastic ring holding the beads may break or crack, meaning that the teether beads can detach.
If you have any of these beads, you should take them away from your child immediately and contact Kids ll to arrange for a free replacement. The contact details for Kids ll are: phone 02 9894 1855, fax 02 9475 4020 or email francine.claxton@kidsii.com, providing your name, address & phone number.
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January 17, 2007 13:56 - Planning A Trip To Montreal, Quebec With Your Baby?
Then we've found a great website for you!
www.travel-buggy.com is a family run business which specializes in the rental of baby equipment in Montreal and surrounding areas. This is ideal if you want to avoid having to bring bulky items such as strollers, cribs and highchairs along with you. In addition to providing the items (which are all pre-checked for cleanliness and safety), travel-buggy.com will deliver, set up and collect the equipment you hire - so they really make life easy!
Their website also provides a list of activities within the area and links to useful travel-related resources.
If you're headed to Montreal any time soon, this site is well worth a visit!
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January 17, 2007 14:43 - Special Offer From Minitots (US)
Minitots, who offer a wide variety of excellent baby products, are offering a special coupon until 30 March, 2007.
Spend over $200.00 and you will receive $20.00 off - simply use the coupon code "JAN".
You can visit Minitots by clicking on their banner below.
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January 17, 2007 16:16 - Recall of Teethers Due to Choking Hazard (US)
Bright Starts Star Teether Beads and Bright Starts Teether Beads are being recalled in the US as they present a choking risk.
The distributors, Kids II Inc., of Alpharetta, Ga., have received 24 reports of the plastic ring that holds the beads in place breaking or cracking and the beads becoming detached. No actual injuries have been reported.
The Bright Starts Star Teether Beads (model 8483) have soft, textured plastic beads in various shapes and colours attached to a flexible plastic ring. The Bright Starts Teether Beads (model 8549) has brightly coloured oval shaped beads connected to a flexible plastic ring.
The rings were sold at discount department and juvenile specialty stores nationwide from June 2006 through January 2007 for between $1 and $3.
If you have one of these toys, take it away from your child immediately and contact Kids ll to arrange for a free replacement. They can be contacted toll-free at (877) 325-7056 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or you can visit their website at www.kidsii.com
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January 18, 2007 15:53 - Cooking Quinoa For Baby
Here's a simple recipe using quinoa, an incredibly nutritious grain and an ideal food for babies - particularly those on a wheat-free diet.
Quinoa is a very rich source of calcium and is related to the amaranth grain. It has the highest protein content of all grains and contains phosphorus (which is important for a healthy heart, kidneys and brain), vitamins B and E and iron . It can be cooked and served like rice, or served along with other grains (visit our wheat flour substitutes page for a list of other grains to try).
Quinoa is also gluten-free and is therefore ideal for gluten-intolerant babies.
This recipe is suitable for older babies who are accomplished at eating solids and happy to eat textured foods.
Cooking Quinoa For Baby - Quinoa And Roasted Vegetables
You will need...
4oz uncooked quinoa 6fl oz homemade chicken stock 2tsp olive oil 1/2 small red bell pepper, de-seeded and roughly chopped 1/2 small green bell pepper, de-seeded and roughly chopped 6 cherry tomatoes, halved 1 small courgette/zucchini, sliced 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped pinch freshly ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 425 deg F (220 deg C). Mix the vegetables with the garlic in a small roasting pan and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with the black pepper. Roast in the oven until the vegetables start to brown (around 20-30 mins). Meanwhile, place the quinoa in a bowl and cover with water. Allow to sit for a few minutes, then rinse and drain. Pour the chicken stock into a pan and bring to the boil. Stir in the quinoa and reduce the heat. Simmer for 15 mins, covered, until the quinoa has absorbed the liquid. When cooked, fluff with a fork. Combine the cooked quinoa with the roasted vegetables, chopping the vegetables for your baby if necessary. Sprinkle with fresh basil.
Does you baby enjoy quinoa - or do you have a great quinoa baby food recipe to share? If so, please leave your comments below!
For more information about gluten in baby food, please click here. Read more...
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January 19, 2007 07:21 - More Children’s Butterfly Necklaces Recalled (US)
The U.S. Toy Co. is recalling more Children’s Butterfly Necklaces because they pose a risk of lead poisoning.
If any older children in your household have one of these necklaces, you should take it away from them straight away, as the pendant on the necklace is high in lead. If this is ingested by a child or young baby, it can cause serious health problems. Fortunately, no incidents have yet been reported.
The necklaces (pictured below) have butterfly shaped pendants, painted in various colours, hanging from a black cord. The packaging is blue cardboard with pictures of flowers and butterflies and the words "Butterfly Necklace" printed on the front and "Item#JA298" on the back.
The necklaces were sold at U.S. Toy Company retail stores as well as children’s and small discount stores nationwide. They were also sold online at www.ustoy.com, from August 2006 through December 2006 for around $5 per dozen.
If you have one of these necklaces, you can return it to the store you bought it from for a free replacement product. Alternatively, contact U.S. Toy Company at (800) 832-0224 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT, Monday to Friday, or visit their website at www.ustoy.com.
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January 19, 2007 07:22 - Recall of Baby Rattles and Ornaments (US)
Target is recalling around 460,000 baby rattles and ornaments because they present a choking hazard.
Their Plush Baby Rattles and Photo Frame are unsafe because small parts can detach or break from either item - also, the rattles' plastic ring can break, exposing sharp points.
Target has received 11 reports of parts coming loose, but no children have been injured.
The rattles and frame ornaments (pictured below) were sold in the "See. Spot. Save." department of Target stores. The two styles inlude a green moose and pink bear. The animals have either a plastic ring attached to them, or a rattle inside. The frame ornaments are a pink bear or green moose holding a square or heart-shaped frame.
These items were sold exclusively at Target stores nationwide, from November 2006 through December 2006 for $1.
If you have either of these items, please return it to your local Target store, where you will be issued with a Target GiftCard worth the value of the returned item, plus applicable sales tax.
For further information, please contact Target on (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit their website at www.Target.com.
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January 19, 2007 07:23 - Recall Of Graco Contempo Highchairs - US and Australia
Graco Children’s Products Inc. have announced a recall to repair their Contempo highchairs due to a risk of collapse.
It has been discovered that the highchair can collapse if it is not fully opened and locked into place from the storage position before it is used. Graco has received 18 reports of the highchair collapsing in the US and 2 reports from outside the US.
The highchair, pictured below, has an A frame design. It features six height adjustment positions and three recline positions. Highchairs involved in the recall have model numbers that begin with 3800, 3803, 3804, 3805, 3810 and 3811 followed by a three letter fashion code. Highchair model numbers included in the recall include: 3800COU, 3800DRB, 3800FMT, 3800GGG, 3800GRM, 3800HEM, 3800JEN, 3800LEG, 3800MNS, 3800OWD, 3800SND, 3800TFE, 3800RIT, 3803HRL, 3804CNR, 3805BDA, 3810PEW, 3810PST and 3811PST.
The highchairs were manufactured from 27th October 2005 until 22 November 2006. You can find the model number and manufacturing date underneath the chair's snack tray.
IN THE US:
The highchairs were sold by Toys R Us, Babies R Us, Target, Target.com, Burlington Coat Factory, Wal-Mart, Wal-Mart.com, Shopko, AAFES, USA Baby and specialty retailers nationwide from December 2005 until December 2006 for between $100 and $130.
If you have one of these highchairs, please contact Graco for instructions on how to obtain a free repair kit. Graco advises that you can continue to use the highchair until you receive the repair kit, but you must make sure that it is fully opened first. You should open the highchair until you hear a click, which will tell you that the hub is properly locked into place.
To contact Graco, call toll-free on (877) 445-1312 anytime or visit their web site at http://www.gracobaby.com.
IN AUSTRALIA:The highchairs were sold nationwide, also from December 2005 to December 2006. To arrange to receive your repair kit, please contact Newell Australia Pty Ltd on 03 8787 3838.
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January 19, 2007 07:23 - Recall Of MagneBlocks Toys, US
Geometix International LLC is recalling all types of MagneBlocks construction sets, due to the dangers posed by ingesting or aspirating loose magnets.
It has been found that tiny magnets inside the building pieces can fall out - these pose a particular risk if you have a young baby in the house who might swallow or aspirate them. If a child swallows more than one magnet, the magnets can attract each other and this can cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal. One incident of a magnet coming loose has been reported so far, but there have been no injuries.
MagneBlocks construction sets contain at least 6 plastic building pieces and at least 6 1/2-inch diameter steel balls. Some sets also contain steel rods. The variously coloured building pieces are shaped in 1 1/2-inch cubes and three-, four-, and five-sided pyramids. They have MagneBlocks imprinted on them.
The sets were sold nationwide at toy stores, discount department stores, toy stores, arts and crafts stores and websites from January 2004 through November 2006 for between $20 and $120, depending on the size of the set. Sets currently on the shelves have improved warning labels.
The CPSC recommends that children under 6 years of age do not play with toys containing magnets. If you have one of these sets and a magnet becomes loose, remove the block from the set and send it to Geometrix International for a free replacement block. For more information, please contact Geometix International on (866) 775-0265 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit their website at http://www.magneblocks.com.
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January 19, 2007 14:58 - Keeping Baby's Food Safe During A Power Outage
At this time of year, the weather is unpredictable for many of us and this can result in power outages. Sometimes, these outages can be prolonged and it's important to make sure that any foods we have stored for our babies remains safe for them to eat.
Plan ahead. If you know a storm is coming, buy plenty of ice or freeze containers of water to help keep your freezer or refrigerator cool when the power is out. Freeze any fresh, refrigerated items that you don't need to use straight away.
Buy gel packs or ice packs to use in coolers.
Keep a close eye on the temperatures of your freezer and refrigerator. The freezer should always be at or below 0 deg C and the refrigerator at or below 40 deg C. It's a good idea to buy a thermometer specifically for this purpose.
An unopened refrigerator will keep food adequately cooled for about 4 hours with no power, so avoid constantly opening the doors. Keep items that you need frequent access to in the cooler. An unopened freezer will maintain its temperature for 48 hours without power if it is full and for 24 hours if it is half full.
If you are storing frozen breastmilk and the power outage is prolonged, you could try asking the local Fire Department if they would consider storing it in their freezers. THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HELP WITH THIS - but some parents HAVE been assisted in this way in very extreme weather conditions.
For more advice about food safety during floods and hurricanes, click below to visit the FDA website. Read more...
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January 21, 2007 20:39 - Save 10% On Developmental Toys (US)
Why not let eBeanstalk take the uncertainty out of selecting the ideal developmental toys for your baby - and save 10% on your purchases at the same time!
The eBeanstalk team is made up of 4 child development specialists and a 'MotherBoard' of 250 US moms. To make life easier for you, the team identifies the best developmental toys around, gathers them together into developmentally appropriate groups and offers them to you as a "gift series". This means that a new, appropriate gift is sent to your child every 3 months (ie 4 gifts per year). And that's not all... when you purchase a gift series from eBeanstalk, you also receive:
an eBeanstalk Instruction Card, which describes why the toy was chosen, the skills that it helps develop and how a parent and child can play with it together
free shipping and handling
a 1 year subscription to Parenting Magazine
an attractive eBeanstalk box. This is a white box with beanstalk wrapping tape that many children love to play with - meaning that no gift wrapping is needed!
eBeanstalk also offers the option of creating your own gift series - and, of course, their superb range of quality toys are available for individual purchase.
If you're looking for a range of excellent educational toys for your baby, or a unique gift for another special little one in your life, then why not click below and visit eBeanstalk today.
To claim the 10% reduction on your purchase, please use coupon code winter10off.
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January 21, 2007 20:41 - Valentine's Day Baby Food Recipes
Are you looking for the perfect Valentine's Day menu for that special little someone in your life?
Then look no further - our Valentine's Day Baby Food page helps you prepare a full day of tasty treats for your little one, with recipes for an extra special breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert!
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