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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 22, 2007 07:37 - Checking Food Labeling - Alternative Names For Sugar
Even if you make your own baby food, there may be times that you will choose to buy a commercially made snack for your little one - in which case, it's very important to check the labeling to make sure that it doesn't contain any added sugar. But sugar often comes disguised with many different names... so are you sure that you can truly spot it in a list of ingredients?
When checking the labels on food packaging, the ingredients that appear first, second and third in the list are contained in that food in large quantities. The problem with sugar is that it can appear on the ingredient list more than once, under its various names. This is misleading - and a food that may seem to be low in sugar is actually far higher in sugar than you realize.
Here is a list of the commonly used alternative names for sugar that you should look out for, helping you make healthy choices for your baby:
sucrose
dextrose
corn sweetener
corn syrup
fructose
levulose
fruit juice concentrate
glucose
high-fructose corn syrup
lactose
syrup
maltose
barley malt
invert sugar
grape sugar
grape sweetener
sorbitol
mannitol
sorghum
maple syrup
polydextrose
caccharin
sucralose
sucaryl
demerera
evaporated cane juice
muscovado
sucanat
turbinado
unrefined cane juice
whole cane
yellow-D
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January 22, 2007 16:43 - Baby Safety Equipment (US)
When your baby learns to crawl, walk or climb, it's time to take a good look around your home and assess just how safe it is for your little one.
There may be some hazards within your home that you haven't even considered - take a look at this list of 10 household items that can hurt or kill a child, for example, compiled by Deborah Holtzman, a child safety expert.
Ensuring baby's safety within the home is every parent's first priority - and with this in mind, One Step Ahead has launched its Baby Safety Month. Although supervision is always essential, there's no doubt that childproofing your home can play a huge role in accident prevention - and One Step Ahead helps parents meet their babies' safety needs by drawing on the experience of both safety experts and experienced parents to provide a range of suitable equipment.
A Guide To Childproofing Your Home
Check out One Step Ahead's article on How to Childproof Your Home, which contains some great advice on how to get started and the hazards to watch for.
Once you have identified any potential problem areas, then One Step Ahead have made it easy for you to find the safety solutions you need by organizing their products into categories, including
And - if you spend $75 or more - you will receive 15% off. So visit One Step Ahead today and learn how to make your baby's world a safer place.
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January 23, 2007 07:26 - New Lingerie Collection For Breastfeeding Mothers (US)
Good news for nursing Moms in the US - Condessa has announced plans to launch a new line of lingerie just for breastfeeding mothers! The new Veronica collection has been designed for the "sophisticated and modern breastfeeding mothers of today."
The lingerie will be made of a light, soft and stretchy fabric for comfort and the brassieres will feature easily opened drop down cups. The lingerie will be available in 4 metallic shades.
It's great that lingerie designers are realizing that breastfeeding doesn't mean us Moms have lost our sense of style!
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January 23, 2007 07:42 - Unhealthy Kids Snacks Named In Australia
Australia's consumer watchdog has compiled a list of 10 popular snacks, designed specifically for children, that are not as healthy as parents believe.
The snacks were named in a Choice magazine survey, because they are market leaders and are hugely advertised as being ideal for children - yet they contain the same number of kilojoules per 100g as a Big Mac. Choice say that parents are misled by labelling into thinking they are buying healthy food for their children - and that the consumption of these foods will very likely increase Australia's obesity epidemic.
The list comprised
Arnott’s Tiny Teddys
Uncle Tobys fruit roll-ups
Nestle’s Milo Cereal
Steggles Chicken nuggets
The Natural Beverage Company’s Apple Naturally Flavoured Soft Drink
As this report illustrates, it's important to carefully read and analyse the labelling on any snacks you are buying for your baby - rather than accepting the claims of advertisers as to their health benefits.
Or, of course, you can stick to making your OWN food for your baby... then you can be sure of exactly what it contains and confident in the knowledge that he is eating only the very best ingredients!
Click below to visit our baby finger foods page, for some healthy alternatives to commercial snacks...
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January 24, 2007 09:09 - Infant Diarrhea - Simple Tummy Upset or Something More Serious?
Many babies suffer from a mild bout of diarrhea from time to time. Quite often, the reason is simple - perhaps a new food that didn't agree with baby - and the problem clears up very quickly (although diarrhea in a infant should always be taken seriously, as babies can de-hydrate very quickly).
However, a dangerous intestinal infection - called rotavirus gastroenteritis - can be particularly severe and it is a good idea to be aware of the symptoms.
Rotavirus gastroenteritis is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in babies and children in the U.S. and can affect children and adults of any age. It is passed on through contact with contaminated surfaces, soiled nappies/diapers, skin etc. There are no drugs available to treat the infection, so so the most important factor in caring for a child with rotavirus is ensuring they remain hydrated.
Signs of a rotavirus infection may include
moderate to severe diarrhea, often watery
a high, persistent fever
vomiting
blood in the stool
cough
runny nose
Your baby's doctor can diagnose rotavirus by testing a sample of his/her stool. He can then advise you on the best way to care for your child and the best fluids to give him/her to maintain hydration. Doctors do NOT recommend the use of over-the-counter medication for infants with diarrhea, because these medications may contain aspirin, which can be dangerous for your baby.
Always wash your hands THOROUGHLY after changing the nappy/diaper of a baby with rotavirus, to avoid spreading the infection to other family members.
Visit Kidshealth.org for more information about rotavirus gastroenteritis or click below to visit our baby food allergies page, which helps you identify if your baby may be reacting to a certain type of food.
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January 24, 2007 13:31 - Free Prints and Valentine's Day Gifts From Sony ImageStation (US)
Sony ImageStation has some excellent deals available at the moment... just in time for Valentine's Day.
Sony ImageStation has just been named the "Best Online Photo-Printing Service" by PC Magazine, thanks to their low shipping costs, excellent image quality, ease of use and low price per print. They now want more customers to experience their award-winning prints and are offering
20 free prints for new customers (no coupon code needed)
15 extra prints free with coupon code 15FREEJAN07 (Good thru 02/28/07)
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January 24, 2007 22:26 - Iron and Zinc Deficiency Risk In Breastfed Infants?
New reports have suggested that young children may be at risk of iron and zinc deficiencies as they are weaned from breast milk or formula.
Nancy Krebs, MD, professor of paediatrics at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and former chair of the American Academy of Paediatriacs Committee on Nutrition, believes that meat and liver are the best sources of iron and zinc for older breast-fed infants, stating that breast milk alone does not meet these needs at this stage. She recommends considering meats as early complementary food for breast-fed infants and says that plant based diets, or ones without food fortification or nutrient supplements, do not provide these same nutrients. (Source: http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com).
Iron certainly plays a crucial role in a baby's development and the long-term effects of iron deficiency can be severe. This report will likely cause controversy in some groups, though, who dispute the fact that the iron in breast milk is too low for a baby's needs past 6 months of age (you can read more about this on our Iron Supplements For Infants page, which also discusses the iron needs of vegetarian babies.)
Remember - if you are breastfeeding, you CANNOT increase your baby's iron levels by increasing your OWN iron intake. The safest course of action is to discuss your baby's iron needs with your child's doctor, who is able to test for iron deficiency with a simple blood test.
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January 25, 2007 07:32 - Cot Death Risk Warning
A UK report is warning parents to take the same precautions against cot death during the day as they do at night.
This means that babies should be put on their backs to sleep when they take their day-time naps - and researchers also recommend that babies take their naps in the room that their parents are in. Around 75% of babies who died during the day were asleep in a room where no adult was present.
Joyce Epstein, of the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths, advises "For day-time naps, we suggest keeping your baby nearby in a carrycot or in a playpen while you go about your daily chores or, if possible, having a nap whenever your baby naps."
This research was conducted at Bristol University, Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary and the Nuffield Institute for Health. Studies took place over a three year period and included 325 UK infants who died and 1,300 of a similar age who did not.
83% of the deaths occurred during the night. But for those deaths that occurred during the day, 75% were when babies were placed in rooms alone to sleep. It was found that one in four of the babies left unattended had bedclothes over their head as opposed to one in 10 where a parent was in the room.
Peter Fleming, co-author of the report, said "In the past and in other cultures it is unheard of to leave babies on their own, it is something people in western countries should get back to."
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January 25, 2007 14:44 - Family Literacy Day (Canada)
ABC Canada Family Literacy Day is on January 27th, the aim of which is to promote the importance of reading and learning together as a family.
In connection with this, the CNW group has just released an article about reading with your baby, which contains lots of good tips, plus links to useful resources. The article, which is well worth a read, can be found here.
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January 25, 2007 15:00 - Have You Heard About Sittercity, the Online Babysitter Network (US)?
Sittercity is America's leading babysitter website and its first and largest online babysitter network. It makes finding the perfect babysitter easy, by matching your needs with one of the many thousands of carers registered with them throughout the US. And now, in addition to babysitters, users can find nannies, tutors, elder care providers, housesitters and petsitters.
Sittercity first launched online childcare in 2001. Their service has grown rapidly since then and Sittercity now has hundreds of thousands of users nationwide. Their website features a handy zip code locator, which makes it easy to find a sitter near you. The site also offers other useful tools, including online background checks, four-step easy screening, specific search, interactive babysitting tools... and even discussion boards.
Sittercity has won a range of awards and has been featured in hundreds of press features, including appearances on the Today Show, the Wall Street Journal, NY Times, ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX.
Click the banner below to visit Sittercity to find out more.
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January 25, 2007 16:02 - Recall Of Storage Trunks (US)
If your baby is mobile, or if you have older children, then this important recall may apply to you.
Home Decorators Collection is recalling its Leather Suitcase Trunks, because they pose a risk of entrapment and suffocation to children.
The trunk has an exterior clasp and it has been found that this can lock unexpectedly as the trunk lid closes. If a child climbs into the trunk, he may not be able to open it from the inside.
The trunks (pictured below) are leather bound, have a handle on either side and a clasp at the front. They are either burgungy or brown and come in 3 sizes - small (catalog number 3755900150), medium (catalog number 3755905150),and large (catalog number 3755910150).
The trunks were sold at Home Decorators Collection stores, catalogs and online from January 2006 through November 2006 for between $60 and $190.
If you have one of these trunks, please put it out of your childrens' reach immediately and contact Home Decorators Collection at 800 464-0164 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. CT Monday through Friday and between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Saturday and Sunday, to arrange for a full refund or replacement product.
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January 26, 2007 07:28 - Sippy Cup Recall (US)
Around 43,500 sippy/tumbler cups are being recalled by Mead Johnson Nutritionals because they pose a laceration hazard to children.
The cups involved bear the "Next Step" logo. The 7 oz cup has an aqua blue cap and a yellow material, similar to rubber, covering the bottom of the cup and the handles.
It has been found that the cup can break into pieces when banged or dropped and the resulting sharp and jagged edges could cut a child.
The cups were distributed as promotional giveaways by Mead Johnson Nutritionals to physicians and consumers via direct mail from September to October.
If you have one of these cups, please take it away from your child and contact Mead Johnson Nutritionals for information on how to receive a $10 coupon toward the purchase of Next Step LIPIL baby formula.
Mead Johnson Nutritionals can be contacted toll-free at 1-800-222-9123 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT Saturday. Alternatively, you can e-mail them at EnfamilResourceCenter@Enfamil.com.
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January 26, 2007 07:41 - Don't Be Fooled By Misleading Packaging
A report released at the 2007 California Childhood Obesity Conference in Anaheim revealed that almost half of children's food with names or pictures of fruit on the packaging actually contained NO fruit at all. The main culprits were certain types of cereals and yogurts - although the packaging gave the appearance of a product filled with fruit, closer inspection of the ingredients revealed that many of these products simply contain red and blue dye.
And did you know, for example, that Yoplait Go-Gurt Strawberry Splash yogurt actually contains NO strawberries?
Another area of confusion for many parents is the difference between fruit juice and fruit drinks. Did you know that a "fruit flavoured drink" probably contains less than 10% real fruit juice - despite the packaging showing pictures of lots of healthy fruit? In fact, these drinks invariably contain more sugar than nutrients. Even juices marked "100% juice" contain a great deal of fructose (sugar) and lack the dietary fibre and nutrients of whole fruit.
So what is the solution?
Firstly, always keep in your mind the fact that advertisers in general do NOT have your child's best interests at heart. They are merely trying to sell their product. Until the rules for marketing children's products are tightened, you simply cannot trust their claims as to the "health benefits" of their products. Make a point of carefully checking the labeling on all products that you purchase for your baby.
The simplest solution, however, is to avoid buying these products at all and stick to making your baby's food yourself. By doing so, you are actually spending LESS in order to give your baby HEALTHIER foods and - most importantly - you KNOW what these foods contain.
If you want a fruity breakfast for your baby, then why not stir a little pureed fresh fruit into your baby's rice or oatmeal - far more appetising than red or blue dye! For a tasty and healthy fruity yogurt, then stir pureed fresh fruit into plain, natural yogurt. As for juice - give your baby water instead and serve whole fresh fruit to your baby. Create simple, healthy snacks for your baby instead of buying pre-packaged products - our finger food page offers lots of nutritious
suggestions.
If you raise your baby on good, wholesome ingredients from the start, then he'll very likely find commercially made children's snacks unappealing anyway - after all, nothing tastes like the real thing!
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January 26, 2007 22:01 - Hummus For Baby
Many babies love the strong flavour of hummus - but many hummus recipes contain tahini, which is made from ground sesame seeds. Sesame can be highly allergenic and many parents prefer to avoid it altogether for the first year at least - so here's a tahini-free recipe to help you create hummus for baby!
This recipe is suitable for babies happily feeding themselves, as it makes an ideal dip for vegetables or pitta bread. Chickpeas (or Garbanzo beans) are legumes, with the potential to cause gas/wind in babies, so you may wish to wait until your baby is a little older before giving him hummus if he has a delicate tummy.
Cover the chickpeas in cold water and soak overnight. Drain, then place in a saucepan and cover with fresh water. Cook until tender (1- 1 1/2 hours) Drain, reserving the cooking water. Place the chickpeas in a food processor along with the other ingredients and puree well. Slowly add a little of the reserved cooking water and continue to puree until you reach the desired consistency.
Click below to discover a delicious swede/rutabaga dip recipe for your baby.
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January 28, 2007 14:02 - Giving Your Baby Foods Containing Sesame Seeds
Did you know that sesame seeds are now ranked 9th in the list of most allergenic foods worldwide?
An allergic reaction to sesame seeds can be very severe and studies are showing that the rate of sesame allergy across the world is growing. Recommendations about the timing of introducing sesame seeds to babies vary from country to country, so it's not always easy to know when it's safe to offer ground sesame seeds to YOUR baby, in foods such as hummus and halva, for example.
Our new "Giving Baby Sesame" page looks at the growing problem of sesame allergies in infants. It tells you how sesame allergy is diagnosed, includes a list of alternative names for sesame and how to identify if YOUR little one is particularly at risk of an allergic reaction to sesame.
If your baby has already been diagnosed with a sesame allergy, you will also find a list of foods to avoid and a list of other foods to which a baby allergic to sesame may react... Read more...
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