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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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March 5, 2007 07:33 - Review Of Cough Medicine For Babies (US)
The US Food and Drug Administration has announced that it is looking into how safe over-the-counter cold and cough remedies for children really are. This has followed problems that have arisen from giving these medications to very young children.
Many of these medicines were approved to be used for children several decades ago, but the effectiveness, safety or dosage for children was never properly established. Instead, the guidelines for children were achieved by adjusting the guidelines for adults. A safe dose for babies under 2 years of age has never been officially determined, but the FDA is hoping to have official guidelines in place within the next few months.
When cough medicines are taken in very high doses, they can lead to irregular heartbeats and some medicines affect the blood vessels and have been connected to high blood pressure and stroke. A report from The New York Times revealed that, in rare cases, some children have been injured even after being given the recommended doses.
In January, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report noted that these medicines could be harmful for children under 2 years of age and should be used with extreme care. The Centers For Disease Control has identified three deaths of babies caused by cough and cold medication in 2005 and a further 1500 children below the age of 2 who were treated in hospital for ill effects.
In fact, there is very little evidence to show that these type of medicines actually work for children under 2 years of age anyway. Considering their lack of effectiveness and their potential danger, pediatricians are now urging the FDA to decide whether or not these medicines should be made available for the use of children under 2 at all.
The best advice is to ALWAYS contact your child's doctor before using any type of over-the-counter cold and cough medication for your child under 2 years of age. You should also note that a petition filed with the FDA last week advised that popular medicines like Toddlers Dimetapp, Infant Triaminic and Little Colds, which are usually recommended for use for children from 2 years of age, should not actually be given to children under the age of 6.
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March 5, 2007 13:41 - Recall of Ladybird Baby Touch - Busy Books (UK)
Ladybird Baby Touch - Busy Books are being recalled in the UK because they can present a choking hazard to babies. The cylinder in the middle of the play panel can break if it is dropped repeatedly and this can cause dangerously small beads to be released. This book has an ISBN of 18442 2755 3.
If your baby has one of these, please take it away from him and return it to any book retailer for a full refund (you won't need a receipt). If you need more information, please contact Ladybird customer services on 0870 607 7600. Alternatively, you can email them at customer.services@penguin.co.uk.
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March 6, 2007 07:22 - Ladybird Books Now Recalled In Australia
Ladybird Baby Touch Busy Books, which were recalled yesterday in the UK because they pose a choking hazard to young children, are now being recalled in Australia.
The interactive board books, with an ISBN of 978-18442-2755-6 and which were sold in Australia from November 27 2006, feature a cylindrical rattle. It has been found that this can come loose, releasing the small beads inside.
If you have one of these books, please return it to Ladybird Baby Touch Busy Book Recall, Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell Vic 3124. The Penguin Group (Australia) will refund both the cost of the book and the postage.
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March 6, 2007 07:32 - Sweet Potato Baby Food Ideas
Here are two simple sweet potato baby food ideas, which would both make wonderful finger foods for an older baby. Hash browns and fries are traditionally made with white potatoes - but these recipes for your baby are far more nutritious... sweet potato is often rated the number one healthiest vegetable by experts!
Hash Browns For Baby
little olive oil 1oz onion, very finely diced 1/2 garlic clove, crushed 1 medium size sweet potato pinch freshly ground black pepper
Peel the sweet potato and grate it coarsely. Saute the onion in the oil over a medium heat for a minute or two until it just starts to soften. Add the remaining ingredients and press into little "cakes". Cook for five minutes, then turn and cook for a further 5-10 minutes.
Peel the potato and cut it into strips, 3 or 4 in long and around 1/4 in thick. Place the strips in a bowl, spray lightly with the cooking spray then add the cinnamon. Toss together. Cover a baking tray with foil and arrange the sweet potato strips in a single layer. Bake at 350 deg F for 45 mins, until tender. Try serving these fries with a homemade applesauce dip - yum!
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March 7, 2007 13:13 - First Food For Baby - Does It Have To Be Baby Rice?
Infant rice cereal is an automatic first choice for many parents when it comes to introducing solids to baby - but are there alternatives?
Indeed there are - and an increasing number of parents are choosing to start their babies off on foods such as pureed veggies or fruits. So is there any advantage to giving your baby rice cereal as his first food?
Why rice cereal is recommended as a first food
Pediatricians and some medical authorities recommend commercially prepared infant rice cereal as a first food because it is gluten free, easy to digest, relatively non-allergenic and fortified with iron.
However, baby cereal is pretty bland and really just takes on the taste of the formula or breast milk it is mixed with. While this blandness may appeal to some babies, it may be the reason that others refuse it.
It's also worth noting that infant cereal is made of refined rice. This refining process strips almost all the nutrients from the grains, which are then "enriched" by having some - but not all - of the nutrients added back in. The nutritional value of the end product is, therefore, questionable.
Recommendations for the timing of the introduction of solid foods have changed in recent years - although many pediatricians and baby "manuals" are still advising parents to start solids once their babies reach 4 months of age, guidelines from many leading health organisations (including the World Health Organisation and the American Academy of Pediatrics) state that solid foods are unnecessary before 6 months of age. Babies derive all the nutrition they need from breast milk or formula up to that point.
Infant rice cereal may be preferable for babies starting solids before the recommended age of 6 months, when their digestive systems are still very immature and the risk of food allergy is far higher. But a baby starting solid foods at 6 months will be far better equipped to cope with foods OTHER THAN rice cereal - foods which are actually far more nutritious.
Constipation
Many parents find that their babies become constipated after starting solid foods - and infant rice cereal may well be the culprit. This problem is far less common in babies whose first taste of solids is of vegetables or fruits.
Iron
The iron stores of formula fed babies tend to deplete from 6 months of age - iron-fortified infant cereal may be necessary for these babies to prevent iron-deficiency anemia. Breast fed babies, however, receive a more easily absorbed form of iron through breast milk and research is showing that they do not ROUTINELY require extra iron from 6 months of age (you can read more about this on our iron supplementation page). This means that iron fortified cereal is not always necessary for breast fed babies and that eating naturally iron-rich foods may be sufficient.
Please note, however, that it is important to ensure that your baby's iron levels are adequate - this can be easily ascertained by your child's doctor with a simple blood test.
First food for baby - some alternatives to rice cereal
Oatmeal - please note that oats may contain small amounts of gluten, so they are not suitable if your baby is gluten intolerant and should not be given as a first food if there is a family history of Celiac disease. Oatmeal does not tend to cause the constipation associated with rice cereal.
Try pre-toasting alternative grains, grinding them and then cooking them with water to create your own tasty and nutritous cereals with naturally high iron contents.
Avocado - a very popular first food for babies and a rich source of essential fatty acids, important for the development of your baby's brain. Avocado is also very simple to prepare - just peel, remove the stone and mash until very smooth (you can mix in a little breast milk or formula to create a runnier texture for baby's first few meals). Avocado is also a very high calorie food and is often recommended for babies with reflux who have difficulty in eating large quantities of food.
Bananas - another perfect first food with a sweet taste that appeals to tiny palates! Use breast milk or formula to thin mashed banana to an appropriate texture.
Sweet potato - most babies adore this highly nutritious vegetable as a first food. The easiest way to prepare it for your baby is to bake it whole, in its skin. Once cooked, the texture is very soft and "mushy" and can easily be pureed or merely mashed with a fork.
Remember - you should always discuss the introduction of new foods to your baby with your child's doctor.
Did YOU choose an alternative to infant cereal for your baby's first meal? Did your baby suffer from constipation as a result of eating rice cereal? Please click on "comments" below and share your experiences.
Our "first foods" page contains lots more information about getting your baby started on solids, including how to tell when he's ready, tips for getting comfortable and what you should do if your baby refuses his first meal... Read more...
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March 7, 2007 22:56 - A Message To Our Newsletter Subscribers
Whoops - due to a technical problem, all our newsletter subscribers were mistakenly sent a test copy of our newsletter this evening. Please accept our apologies for this problem - unfortunately, the problem only came to light AFTER all the messages were sent! Our "proper" newsletter will be sent out as usual at the beginning of April! Thank you for your understanding!
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March 8, 2007 13:32 - When NOT To Try New Foods
We received a message today from Louise in the UK who'd just experienced the car journey from hell!
Her little boy, Rhys, is 8 months old and has been enjoying a wide variety of foods since he started solid foods at 6 months. He's never experienced any problems with digesting his food, so Louise thought nothing of including a new element into his dinner earlier this week... green beans!
Unfortunately, green beans didn't agree with poor little Rhys at all and - according to Mum - they gave him horrible gas (wind) pains the next day, leading to lots of tears and distress. The biggest problem, though, was that Rhys and Louise had to make a 7 hour car journey that day... Louise was driving and had no one along to help her out. As you can imagine, the journey was fraught, with lots of stops to try to ease the poor little man's discomfort! Thankfully, he's feeling a lot better now.
The moral of this story?
If you're facing a long journey with your baby, whether by car or otherwise, then stick to foods that your baby is comfortable with for the few days leading up to your trip. Travelling with a little one is not always easy at the best of times - travelling with a baby suffering from an upset tummy is even harder. The same applies if your baby hasn't started solids yet and you're considering introducing them - if possible, make sure that you have a few quiet days to deal with any potential problems. If you're planning a long trip, then delaying solids until your return won't do any harm - plus, it will save you having to bring along the extra equipment that you'd need!
Thanks, Louise, for sharing your story.
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March 9, 2007 07:33 - Teething Feeders
A mesh teething feeder can be a pretty useful accessory during your baby's first year - it allows your baby to safely soothe his sore gums, enjoy a variety of foods that otherwise may be a choking hazard and also comes in VERY handy when you're out and about!
If you haven't used one before, a teething feeder is basically a soft mesh bag which securely attaches to a plastic handle, making it easy for baby to hold it for himself. The idea is that he then chews on the bag, mashing whatever you have placed inside - fruit, veggies, or even plain ice cubes! The mesh releases the "pureed" version of the the bag's contents, ready for him to safely suck up! As you can imagine, there are several real advantages to using one of these little gadgets...
Your baby can happily chew and suck away at the teething feeder far earlier than he would be able to feed himself.
It can be VERY effective for dealing with teething and many parents have found that using a feeder has got them through some difficult days! You can place ice in the bag, or even pieces of frozen fruit for relief from sore gums. Our favourite tip is to fill the bag with frozen homemade applesauce - delicious AND soothing!
A teething feeder enables your baby to enjoy foods that you may worry about giving him, such as raw apple. Once he has a tooth or two, then there is a risk that he may bite off a small piece, posing a choking hazard. But if you put a slice of apple into a teething feeder, the skin stays in the bag and all your baby gets is the safe, "mooshy" flesh of the fruit.
Take a teething feeder with you when you go out for a family meal and your baby can happily feed himself whilst you enjoy your meal! It is also less messy than allowing a very young baby to feed himself, which makes it good for the car, too. (Please note, though, that we do not recommend that you use the teething feeder exclusively - it is important for your baby to experience the textures of lots of different foods... even if he does make a mess!)
The feeder from BabyWise (pictured below) has a chill feature, which means that you are able to keep your baby's food cool when travelling.
The bag can, of course, get quite messy and some foods get stuck in the mesh more than others. BabyWise's version is dishwasher safe (top rack), or it can just be washed with hot soapy water (using a toothbrush helps dislodge stubborn particles).
Our finger foods pages give you ideas for safe and healthy foods as your baby learns to feed himself...
Read more...
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March 10, 2007 14:16 - Nestle Good Start Warning (Canada)
Canadian authorities are asking parents who give their babies Nestle's Good Start Iron Fortified formula to check the containers, following an incident of tampering.
A Wal-Mart store in Kingston contacted the police after it was discovered that someone had opened a tin of formula and poured what appeared to be flour inside. The person responsible managed to hide what they had done by making sure that the cut in the can was hidden by the label.
No one has been harmed by the incident and only one store was involved. There is also no suggestion that any other cans are involved - but, to be on the safe side, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency wants parents to check any cans they might have. If YOU have a container of Nestle Good Start, please examine the can under the label. If you see anything at all that seems suspicious, stop using the formula immediately.
If you have any questions please call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday. Nestle Canada's telephone number is 1-800-387-5536 and they can be reached during the same hours.
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March 10, 2007 14:35 - Dangerous Chemical Found In Foods
At the end of February we wrote an article on our blog about bisphenol A and how the watchdog group Environment Canada raised concerns that this chemical, which has been linked to cancer, diabetes and birth defects, was leaching into babies' drinks from plastic baby bottles.
A new report this week, from the Environmental Working Group, has revealed that bisphenol A is also migrating into foods from the packaging. 97 samples of baby formula, canned fruit and soda were taken from supermarket shelves and tested for the toxic chemical.
According to the Environmental Working Group, 55 of these samples were found to contain bisphenol A.
The highest amounts were found in canned soup and pasta - but infant formula also contained very high levels.
Bisphenol A is used widely in plastics and in the resin lining of cans - given the increasing number of reports about the dangers of this chemical and the fact that more people are becoming aware of the risks it poses, we can only hope that public reaction forces manufacturers to look for safe alternatives. You can read the full report on the Environmental Working Group's findings here.
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March 10, 2007 15:02 - International Travel With Baby
If you are taking a trip with your baby and you will cross international borders, then it's important to take proper documentation along with you to avoid potential problems. Officials are extremely vigilant about the documentation for children crossing borders and it pays to be prepared - otherwise you could end up dealing with a very disappointing or traumatic situation.
Please note that the following conditions apply in most situations, although individual exceptions may be allowed.
Your baby should have a valid passport and it is also a good idea to carry another supporting document, like a birth certificate or citizenship card.
If you will be travelling without your partner, then bring a notarized letter from your partner confirming that he/she is aware of and in agreement with your trip.
If you are separated or divorced, taking a letter from your ex-partner is still recommended, even if you have sole custody. It's also worth bringing along copies of your separation, divorce and custody documentation.
If there are any ongoing custody battles concerning your child, then you should seek legal advice before leaving the country.
As strict as this may seem, it is advisable to bring along a certified copy of the death certificate if you are travelling alone because your partner is deceased.
These requirements certainly seem like a lot of red tape - but the anxieties of taking an international trip with your little one can be eased by making sure you're prepared for ALL eventualities beforehand!
Looking for more tips and hints for taking a break overseas with your baby?Read more...
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March 10, 2007 15:22 - Turn Your Baby Photos Into Works Of Art (US)
An irreplaceable keepsake or a truly special gift - a pencil sketch, watercolor or even oil painting made from a photograph of your baby would be a unique and wonderful item to treasure.
If you live in the US, then learn how our sponsors - myDaVinci - can create a beautiful work of art from your favourite photograph of your beautiful baby! Read more...
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A report in the UK says that many baby medicines, including Calpol, contain harmful additives that are banned from children's foods. Authors of the report found preservatives, sweeteners and synthetic dyes in various medicinal products aimed at the under threes - yet some of these substances are believed to cause asthma, allergies, skin reactions or mild diarrhea.
41 medicines designed for babies and toddlers were tested and only one of them - Superdrug Children’s Dry Cough Syrup - was free from additives that are already banned from children's food. Worryingly, one product designed to relieve pain and fever contained EIGHT E-numbers.
The report calls for manufactureres to use natural colourings and sweeteners in their products, but the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency are unlikely to insist on this, in effect saying that the inclusion of substances banned from food is legitimate for medicines, because - unlike food - they are used only when necessary.
The reason that many of us choose to make our own baby food is to avoid giving our babies the undesirable additives found in many commercial varieties. But, as report author Ian Tokelove of the Food Commission quite rightly points out, we have little choice when we need to relieve our babies' pain or discomfort and are forced to use these medicines.
Personally, I'm pretty certain that most parents, given the choice, would choose a medicine containing natural additives over the cocktails of chemical additives currently on offer!
Please click here to read more about this UK report, including details of some of the medicines tested.
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