Baby Food Recipes, News and Information

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One of the most common worries we experience when we travel with our babies is how will we manage without the equipment we use at home? This is particularly true when we plan a trip abroad and are unsure about the facilities that may be available at our destination.

Fortunately, there are a number of great products designed specifically for parents travelling with very young children... including everything from inflatable bath tubs to portable safety gates! On our new travel accessories page we have brought together a selection of our favourites, with items available in either the US or the UK.

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April 17, 2007 14:21 - Coping With Slippery Foods

Have you ever watched your little one trying to pick up pieces of slippery food, like banana, peach or avocado? It can be pretty difficult - and doesn't your heart go out to him when he almost gets the food into his mouth... only for it to slide right back through his fingers?

But you can make things a little easier for him! (This is a tip that appears on our finger foods page - but it's a good one, so we're repeating it here for those of you who might have missed it!).

Simply take the slippery food and cut it into bite-size pieces. Then roll the pieces in a healthy "coating". You can crush cereal into a powder to make a coating - or use the "dust" left at the bottom of the cereal bag (a great way to make use of something that usually gets discarded!). Make sure you choose a cereal that isn't loaded with sugar.

Alternatively, use wheat germ - a very healthy addition to your baby's diet (check out February's edition of our newsletter, which includes a great article all about the nutritive benefits of wheat germ. Or click here for more information about introducing wheat to your baby).

Hey presto - your baby's food is now easier for him to manage... and you've sneaked in a few extra nutrients in the process!

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April 17, 2007 14:33 - Getting Started With Soy

April is National Soy Foods Month in the US - so, if your baby is at least 8 months of age, you may like to consider getting started with soy by introducing tofu into your baby's diet.

Tofu is more than just a vegetarian alternative to meat. It is a highly nutritious food - and it is very easy to incorporate into your baby's diet because it readily takes on the flavours of other foods it is cooked with. This means that you can add it to your little one's favourite meal without him noticing - yet he'll be receiving all the extra nutrients that tofu supplies.

Before you get started, please read through our soy allergy information. It is important to be aware that soy is a potential allergen, meaning that it won't be suitable for all babies during their first year.

Once you've established that the time is right to introduce soy into YOUR baby's diet, then take a look at our tofu recipes and information pages for babies from 8 months and from 10 months+.

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April 19, 2007 13:29 - Strong Warning To Parents About Magnets

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a very strong warning to parents about magnets in toys. They have received reports of hundreds of incidents where magnets have fallen out of toys and 33 reports of children needing emergency surgery after swallowing them. One child has died.

If a child swallows more than one magnet, or a magnet and another metal object, then the two may attract each other. This can lead to serious medical problems like intestinal blockage, perforation and infection.

You can read the full report, along with measures that toy companies are taking to limit these hazards - plus CPSC recommendations - here.

Although these sets are designed for older children, it's very possible that your baby may come across pieces from a sibling's toy. For this reason, it's CRUCIAL to keep these sets away from areas where your baby plays - it's also a very good idea to explain the seriousness of this to older children. From our experience, older children will do all they can to protect their little brothers or sisters from harm. If they are aware of the danger that these magnetic sets present to babies, then they will understand that they need to keep these toys in clearly defined areas - away from the reach of little fingers.

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April 20, 2007 13:16 - Nutrition For A Baby With A Cold

When your little one is suffering from a cold, it can really affect his appetite and he may refuse his food altogether. Keeping his fluid levels up is, of course, the important thing - but there is a soothing way in which you can provide him with some valuable nutrition, too.

Grandma may have been right when she told you that chicken soup is a great way to treat a cold - cooked in the right way, it contains easily absorbed nutrients that really seem to aid recovery.

We'll show you how to prepare the perfect chicken broth for your baby... and just what it is that gives chicken broth its curative powers... Read more...

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April 20, 2007 13:38 - Children Eat More Fruits & Veggies When They're Homegrown

A new study from Saint Louis University in the US has found that children of preschool age who live in rural areas eat a lot more fruit and vegetables when the produce is grown at home.

Debra Haire-Joshu, Ph.D., director of Saint Louis University's Obesity Prevention Center and a study author, said that the findings were clear and simple and that "...Garden produce creates what we call a 'positive food environment.'".

The study also found that children who are raised eating homegrown produce prefer the taste of fruits and veggies to other foods - and that children fed from the garden are more likely to see their parents eating fruits and vegetables. This is an interesting point and confirms just how much of an impact YOUR eating habits have on those of your child.

This research shows that growing your own fruits and veggies can have real health benefits for your family - and there's no doubt that homegrown produce tastes so much better than commercially grown foods. It can also be great fun for your children to take part in growing their own food - it is not only a magical experience for them, but gives them a real appreciation of where their food comes from.

www.kidsgardening.com/ is an excellent resource for parents who want to get their children more involved in the garden and has lots of great tips, information and ideas to get your little ones started!

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April 21, 2007 21:07 - Have YOU Subscribed To Baby Bites?

Baby Bites is our free, monthly newsletter and is packed with useful information for parents!

If you haven't subscribed yet, just see what you're missing...

• In-depth articles about the various aspects of feeding your little one - past subjects have included "How to Boost Baby's Nutrition With Wheat Germ", "Including Bell Peppers In Your Baby's Diet", "A Natural Way To Sweeten Your Baby's Food" and lots more!

• A summary of all that month's food and product recalls.

• "Website Of The Month" - great websites we've come across that we think you will enjoy, too!

• Featured product reviews - a closer look at some of the baby-care products in stores today.

• And - coming in this month's newsletter - DETAILS OF OUR NEW COMPETITION!

So what are you waiting for?

Sign up for Baby Bites today and make sure you don't miss another issue!

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