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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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February 12, 2007 09:38 - Baked Apples - A Healthy Dessert For Baby
Baking apples for your baby is very quick and easy and the texture of the end result is just perfect for your tiny diner!
When choosing apples to bake for your baby, look for naturally sweet varieties - this eliminates the need for sugar or other sweeteners. I recommend trying any of the following
Golden Delicious
Red Delicious
Fuji
Pink Lady
Gala
Red Rome
You can give your baby baked apples from 6 months of age - if you choose to use any of the extra ingredients in this recipe, be sure that you are not introducing two new foods at the same time (in other words, if your baby has not had apples OR cinnamon before, introduce the apples alone at first. After a few days have passed with no signs of allergic reaction or digestive upset, you can then introduce the cinnamon, too).
How to bake apples for your baby
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, 180 deg C. Wash the apples and core them (I recommend using a melon baller for this). Sprinkle a little cinnamon or nutmeg on the apple. For older babies, try filling the apple with raisins (you may like to add a little maple syrup if raisins are used). Wrap each apple tightly in aluminum foil and seal. Place in the oven and bake for around 45 minutes until the apples are tender. Remove from the oven and allow to cool a little. Remove the skin and mash well - if you have used raisins, ensure these are mashed well also, unless your baby is comfortably chewing foods.
Yummy... why not throw in a few extra apples and make this a healthy dessert for the whole family!
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February 13, 2007 09:24 - Toys For Travelling
When you're faced with a long journey with your baby, your biggest concern is usually how you're going to keep him occupied! Some good toys for the trip are essential - toys that your baby has never seen before are even better!
Sometimes, the most simple things will keep your baby happy for hours! Scrunchy crisp (or chip) packets - particularly the shiny ones - have always been a big hit with my children when they were very little! You can also make your own toys for travelling - try cutting a hole in the lid of an empty ice cream container and encouraging your little one to "post" things through it... simple and effective! A small photo album, with little plastic sleeves containing your family photos, can provide a great diversion, too. Babies love looking through a "book" of images they recognize!
Another fun idea for older babies is to make holes in the centres of jar lids, and give your baby a thin piece of rope to thread them on to!
If YOU'VE invented any great travel toys for your baby, please add your idea in the "comments" box below to share with other parents!
There are some great toys on the market today that are ideal for travelling - so if you don't have the time to make your own, why not take a look at some of these infant travel toy ideas, designed specifically to keep your little one (and you!) happy when you're on the go... Read more...
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February 14, 2007 07:24 - Recall Of Pound the Ball Toy (Australia)
Pound the Ball Toys are being recalled in Australia because they do not meet the safety standards required for toys for children 36 months and under.
This product is a wooden pounding toy. It features a hammer and coloured balls and was sold for around $49.95. A depiction of the toy is shown on the front of the packaging, which also bears the words "POUND THE BALL', "FOR AGES 2-UP", "MADE IN TAIWAN", the trade mark "CHILD FRIEND" and barcode 4 716841201150. The toys were sold across Australia from 4 January 2006 until 30 November 2006 at shops trading under the name "Socrates for Curious Minds".
If you have one of these toys, please take it away from your child and return it to the shop you bought it from, or send it by mail to Socrates Enterprises Pty Ltd, Distribution Centre, 14 Suakin Street, Pymble NSW 2073. For more information, please contact Carolyn Manners, Socrates Enterprises Pty Ltd, 321 Mona Vale Road, Terrey Hills NSW 2084, telephone 02 9473 6756, fax 02 9473 6791 or visit www.socrates.com.au
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February 14, 2007 07:25 - Cool Treat for Teething Tots
Here's a simple recipe for a frozen dessert for your little one, which is nutritious and tasty and offers the added benefit of cooling and numbing his sore gums!
This recipe is ideal for babies from 6 months of age, although you should make sure that you have introduced all ingredients separately beforehand.
You will need
1/2 ripe banana 1/2 peach, peeled and stoned 4 fl oz natural, plain yogurt 2tsp pure maple syrup (optional)
Place all the ingredients in a food processor and puree well. Pour into popsicle (lolly) moulds - or, if you don't have any - freeze the mixture in a large ice cube tray or in small disposable cups. Just remember to insert the popsicle/lolly sticks when the mixture starts to freeze.
If your baby is too young to enjoy this frozen treat from the stick, then simply crush the frozen mixture in a bowl and serve it to him straight from the spoon.
If you have any more tips to soothe a teething baby, we'd love to hear about them - just click "comments" below!
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February 14, 2007 07:25 - Happy Valentine's Day!
A very happy Valentine's Day to all our visitors - and, of course - to your babies!
Just a reminder to visit our Valentine's Day Baby Food Recipes page if you haven't already done so, for a few ideas to make your baby's day extra special!
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February 15, 2007 22:29 - Recall Of Fisher Price Laugh And Learn Bunny Toys (US)
Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Bunny Toys are being recalled because they present a choking hazard to young children.
The toys, which were sold at discount department stores and toy stores across the nation from May 2006 through December 2006 for about $15, feature a pink pompom nose. It has been found that this nose can detach, posing a choking hazard.
The Laugh and Learn Learning Bunny toys (pictured below) measure about 10-inches tall. The yellow bunny, which has one green and one orange ear, includes musical and counting sound effects. The words "Laugh and Learn" are printed on the bunny’s shirt.
The product numbers involved in the recall are: K0468, K2960, K2961, K2962, K2963, K2964, K2965, K3440, K6898, K7884, L0327, and K5862. You can find the product number on the fabric tag sewn to the body of the bunny. This recall only includes bunnies with three dimensional pompom noses - bunnies with flat or embroidered noses are not involved in this recall.
If your baby has one of these toys, you should take it away at once and contact Fisher Price at (866) 447-5003 anytime, or visit thir web site at www.service.mattel.com. to arrange the return of the bunny. You will then be given a voucher for a replacement toy of your choice.
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February 15, 2007 22:30 - Recall of Link-N-Lite Magnetic Puzzles (US)
Link-N-Lite Magnetic Light-Up Puzzles are being recalled because they present aspiration and intestinal hazards.
The puzzles (pictured below) contain small magnets, which are used to connect the puzzle pieces. There is a danger that these magnets can fall out - this is extremely hazardous to a crawling baby, as magnets can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and this can cause perforation or blockages to the intestines, which can be fatal.
This puzzle, intended for children aged 3 and older, is a double-sided plastic magnetic puzzle and comes in two designs. The Disney-brand puzzle features the Disney Princesses on the front and Ariel, from The Little Mermaid, on the back. The Marvel-brand puzzle features Spider-Man & Friends on each side. Each puzzle measures 8 inches by 10.5 inches, comprises nine pieces with four or six magnets per piece, and lights up when all pieces are positioned correctly. A 9-volt battery is inside the center bottom piece that contains a battery case.
The puzzles were sold at Kohl’s and Target stores nationwide and on Amazon.com from June 2006 until January 2007 for around $15.
If you have one of these toys at home, please take it away from your children and contact Jazwares at (800) 370-1827 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit their web site at www.jazwares.com. You will be given a free replacement toy that does not contain magnets.
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February 16, 2007 08:52 - Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Learning Bunnies Recalled In Australia
Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Learning Bunny toys are being recalled in Australia because they feature a pink pompom nose that can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
You can see pictures of this toy from yesterday's post about a similar recall in the US.
The model number involved in this recall is K2961 and can be found on the fabric tag sewn to the bunny's body.
If you have one of these toys, please contact Mattel® Pty Ltd on toll free 1800-674-753 from Monday to Friday 8am until 4.30pm (Australian EST) to arrange to return it. You will then receive a replacement toy to the value of the returned product. Please do not return this product to retail stores.
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February 16, 2007 08:55 - Haba Bambini Beads And Haba Boa Bella Board Games Recalled in Australia
Haba Bambini Beads and Haba Boa Bella Board Games are being recalled in Australia because they both contain "Small Balls" that don't meet toy safety standards for children under 36 months.
The product code for the Beads is 1970 and for the board games is 4254.
If you have either of these toys, please remove the balls from the set. Alternatively, return the complete product to the shop you purchased it from. You may request a full refund, asking the retailer to return the product to the supplier - Little People Imports Pty Ltd, Level 13, 410 Queen Street, Brisbane, telephone 07 3216 0099.
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February 16, 2007 08:57 - Recall of Flower Inflatable Flotation Devices (Australia)
Deep Blue The Flower Inflatable Flotation Devices are being recalled in Australia because there is a risk that a small child could become trapped in the decorative holes around the centre of the product.
This product, an inflatable flotation novelty pool toy resembling a flower, was sold at K-Mart in Australia and New Zealand between 4 August 2006 and 22 January 2007. The toys feature Playcorp item code 1001966 and K-Mart key code 39637277.
If you have one of these toys, please stop using it and return it to the shop you bought it from for a full refund. Alternatively, return it to Playcorp for a full refund plus the cost of postage.
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February 16, 2007 10:52 - Giving Your Baby Foods That Contain Honey
Many parents are aware that it is dangerous to give honey to a baby under one year of age because of the risk of botulism poisoning. But what about the honey contained in foods like Honey Wheat Bread and cereals cooked with honey?
Although the risk is small, there is still the possibility of these foods being contaminated by botulism spores. This is because the honey used in these foods may have not been pasteurized in the production process.
So, unless the manufacturer of these products can guarantee that the honey used in their production has been pasteurized, it's best to avoid them altogether until your baby is at least a year old.
Why is there a risk of botulism poisoning associated with honey?
Honey may contain spores of the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. If a baby ingests these spores, they can release a toxin that leads to botulism. Botulism is a serious condition and most babies affected by it need to be hospitalized, although it is rarely fatal.
It is unclear how honey originally becomes contaminated with these bacteria, but Clostridium botulinum exists in the environment - in soil, flowers etc - and may be brought to the hives by bees. A Canadian survey showed that contamination of honey by these spores is relatively rare and less than 5% of the honey tested was contaminated.
Signs of infant botulism poisoning include
constipation
weakness
reduced sucking ability
weak cry
general irritability
poor head control
Most pediatricians agree that you can safely introduce your baby to honey once he is at least 12 months old.
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February 16, 2007 16:19 - Recall of Salmonella Infected Melons (US and Quebec)
The Dole Fresh Fruit Co is recalling cartons of imported cantaloupes because the fruit has tested positive for salmonella.
The recall affects the eastern United States and Quebec, Canada. It concerns around 6,104 cartons of cantaloupes that were distributed to eastern United States and Quebec wholesalers between Feb. 5 and Feb. 8.
The cantaloupes have orange flesh and pale green skin and were packed in cardboard cartons, with nine, 12 or 15 melons in each carton. The cartons are dark brown with "Dole Cantaloupes" in red lettering. A white tag is pasted to the carton and bears a thirteen digit number. The tenth digit of this number is a "2".
If you are concerned that you may have one of these melons, you can call the store where you bought it, or call Dole at (800) 232-8888.
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February 16, 2007 21:44 - Recall of Earth's Best Baby Food (US)
Earth's Best has voluntarily recalled certain jars of Organic Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast in 4.5 oz jars.
Tests have shown that some jars were not at the correct ph - this has led to lids popping and the product becoming discoloured. Fortunately, no illnesses have been reported and no contamination has been identified.
The UPC number on the affected 4.5 oz jars of Earth's Best Organic Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast is 23923-20223. The lid is marked with PF6J14 NP and the expiration date EXP 14 SEP 08 A.
The 12 pack of Earth's Best Wholesome Breakfast Variety Packs affected by this recall have a UPC number 23923-20295 on the bottom of the pack and an expiration date 13 SEP 08. This pack contains 4.5 ounce glass jars of Apple Peach Barley with a UPC number 23923-20223. The lids are marked with PF6J14 NP and expiration EXP 14 SEP 08 A.
If you have any of these products, please do not use them, even if they look fine. There is the potential for these jars to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, which can cause symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, swallowing difficulties, constipation, difficulty in breathing and abdominal distension.
If you have any of these products, or need more information, please call the company at 1-800-442-4221.
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February 17, 2007 08:35 - Kraft Dairybite Snackabouts Recalled (Australia)
Kraft Dairybite Snackabouts are being recalled in Australia because they have beedn mis-labelled and actually contain individual portion packs of Kraft Peanut Butter Snackabouts.
The products involved are in flow wrap plastic packs of 4 weighing 104g and with a "Best before" date of 16 May 07. If you have any of these packs, please return them to the store they were purchased from, for a full refund.
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February 17, 2007 08:36 - Contaminated Houmous Withdrawn (UK)
If you live in the UK and give your baby commercially prepared houmous, then this important recall may apply to you.
Many stores across the UK are withdrawing houmous products because they fear they may be contaminated by salmonella. Houmous is made from chick peas and tahini (ground sesame seeds). Initially, traces of salmonella were discovered in two Marks and Spencer varieties made by Bakkavor. Now, all flavoured houmous products made by the same company are being withdrawn from Tesco, Sainsbury's, Co-op, Somerfield and Waitrose as a precaution.
The products involved are
M&S own brand, flavoured and topped. All dates
Co-op own brand and flavoured. Date codes up to 28 February 2007
Tesco own brand, flavoured and topped. Date codes up to 28 February 2007
Waitrose own brand, flavoured and topped. Date codes up to 28 February 2007
Sainsbury's own brand, flavoured and topped. Date codes up to 28 February 2007
Somerfield own brand and flavoured. Date codes up to 28 February 2007
If you have any of these products, you should return them to the store you purchased them from for a full refund. You can also call the Bakkavor care line on 0800 023 2960 for more information.
You can make houmous for your baby yourself using our baby friendly houmous recipe which is tahini-free!
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February 17, 2007 14:59 - Cut-Price Parenting Magazines (US)
If you live in the US and enjoy parenting magazines - (or a range of magazines on other subjects!) - then we've found a company that offer subscriptions to some of the best magazines around... at the lowest prices.
MagsForLess sell an unrivalled amount of magazine subscriptions - which enables them to offer their packages at incredibly low prices.
In addition to the excellent value Parenting Package (advertised below), MagsForLess offer titles under a wide variety of categories ranging from Health and Fitness and Fashion, to Men's Interests and Hobbies and Crafts.
And if you have older children, you may like to check out their children's package, which includes subscriptions to Disney&Me, Jack&Jill and Nick Jr.
Magazine subscriptions also make fantastic gifts for friends and family members - and with MagsForLess, you'll find a title to suit everyone's tastes and interests!
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February 17, 2007 15:16 - Keeping Baby Company at Mealtimes
A new study has discovered that children eat about a third more when they snack together in large groups than they do with just a couple of friends.
This research focused on children from 2 and a half years of age to 6 and a half years of age, not babies, but it may still teach us some interesting lessons.
Babies certainly eat more and "play up" less if seated at the dinner table at mealtimes, along with the rest of the family. This study confirms just HOW important it is to provide company for your baby as he eats - particularly if you are concerned that he's not eating enough. The suggestion that overweight children should not eat in fast food restaurants, where they may be stimulated into over-eating by the hectic surroundings - is also an idea that bears some thinking about.
It may also be a good idea to make sure that you pack particularly nutritious foods for your baby if he attends daycare - if he, too, tends to eat more in a "group" environment, then it may be the ideal time to attempt to meet his vitamin and mineral requirements for the day!
What do YOU think about this study? Do you feel your baby's food intake is affected by eating alone vs. with the rest of the family? Please comment below!
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February 18, 2007 14:50 - The Dangers of Refined Carbohydrates
Refined sugars in the diets of young children are the number one cause of behavioural problems, including mood swings, attention deficit disorders and hyperactivity. But did you know that refined carbohydrates are, from a biological point of view, very similar to sugar and have a similar effect upon the body?
So what are refined carbohydrates?
Refined carbohydrates are foods that have been processed to remove the bran and the germ from the grain. This also removes the majority of the fibre, vitamins and minerals from these foods.
Unrefined carbohydrates contain the whole grain, which means they are far healthier for your baby, as they retain all their nutrients.
The following are all examples of refined carbohdrates, which you should avoid including in your baby's diet wherever possible
white flour
white bread
white rice
sugary cereals
pasta made with white flour
Instead, try to incorporate more of the following foods into your baby's diet
whole wheat (or wholemeal) bread
whole grain (brown) rice
whole wheat pasta
porridge oats
Learning to read labels
When buying commercially baked foods and items such as pasta for your baby, read the label carefully to be sure of whether or not these products contain refined carbohydrates. Here are some tips to help you...
Ingredients are listed by weight - so the ingredients with the greatest quantities within the product will be higher in the list.
The term "enriched" may sound healthy, but it isn't. Instead, it indicates that a food has been refined and then certain nutrients removed by refining have been added back. A product containing the whole (unrefined) carbohydrates will be far more nutritious.
Wheat flour is not the same as whole wheat flour. Wheat flour is a refined carbohydrate.
Wherever grains are listed as an ingredient, look for the word "whole" in front of them, confirming that the goodness of these grains is intact.
Are you interested in finding out more about other healthy, whole grains and flours to include in your baby's diet?
Read more...
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