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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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May 28, 2007 14:23 - Baby Sign Language - Does It Work?
Baby sign language is becoming increasingly popular as a means of communicating with babies before they can speak. Some child care establishments are even signing to the infants in their care - and for many parents using sign at home, it has almost become a pre-requisite that a child care provider offers this benefit.
But does signing really work?
Many parents say yes - and a visitor to our site, Janet from the UK, is one such example. Janet had heard about baby sign language through the media, but had never thought of trying it. Then one day she happened to read our baby sign language page and decided to give it a try.
She started when her son, Kevin, was four months old and told us...
"...By the age of 6 months, Kevin could recognize lots of the signs and at 8 1/2 months, he started using some of them. It looked really cute and it made it easier for me because he could often tell me what he wanted. Kevin is now a year old and has started talking, too, but he still loves to sign."
We included Janet's comments here because they seem to confirm what many other parents have discovered - that using sign language does not seem to have a negative effect on the development of a baby's speech. This is probably because, when done properly, signing with babies involves accompanying the sign with the spoken word.
But seeing is believing... so if you've been thinking about trying sign language with YOUR little one, take a look at this You Tube video of a baby signing with her Mum! The nice thing is that she really seems to enjoy the interaction.
We'd be very interested to hear about YOUR experiences with sign language, too, so please let us know. And you can read more about the advantages of using sign language as a means of communicating with your baby here.
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May 28, 2007 14:50 - Join The CafeMom Online Community
Do you ever wonder how Moms used to manage without the internet to turn to? With just a few clicks, modern day Moms can do all sorts of things, from the weekly grocery shopping to looking up recipes to make their own baby food (well, we had to mention that!).
But for Moms in remote areas, or without a strong network of friends and family, one of the best things about the world wide web is access to online communities. Within communities like these, it's possible to let off some steam, ask questions, discuss problems... or just have a chat.
CafeMom is one such community which has been created just for Moms. In addition to be able to "chat" with fellow members, users of CafeMom get their own customizable homepage, plus the ability to start private or public groups with other Moms. The site also offers great opportunities to share your photographs, too.
Click the banner below to go to CafeMom - you'll enjoy your visit!
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May 29, 2007 08:37 - To Daddy From Baby - Ideal Gifts For Father's Day (US)
Father's Day is always a wonderful time of the year for proud Dads - but the first Father's Day is extra special !
So here are a few ideas for gifts from baby to his Daddy and Grandpa, to show them just how much he loves them!
Now Dad can look cool when he carries the diapers and supplies with this masculine diaper bag! Plus there's extra room for his sunglasses and cellphone too! US ONLY
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May 30, 2007 08:43 - Baby Food Ideas From Our Visitors
At the beginning of this month we launched our Baby Food Recipe Competition, giving you the opportunity to share your favourite recipes with our visitors and the chance to win a $20 Amazon voucher.
We have just chosen our prize-winning favourite recipe from this month's entries, along with two other excellent baby food ideas that we think you will enjoy.
To view these unique recipes, please visit our new Readers' Recipes page.
And if you'd like to see YOUR recipe on this page and have a chance at winning June's voucher, then please submit your entry here.
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May 30, 2007 08:45 - Vitamin D Supplements Recommended in Ireland
Health professionals in Ireland will soon be prescribing vitamin D supplements for all babies aged between 0 to 12 months, following new recommendations from the Irish Food Safety Authority (IFSA).
Studies have shown that much of Ireland's population is deficient in vitamin D. This deficiency can have very serious consequences for babies in particular, because they are at an increased risk of developing bone deformities associated with rickets if their stores of vitamin D are unable to support thier rapid growth during their first year.
The human body makes vitamin D in the skin following exposure to sunlight. In Ireland, however, the supply of sunshine is limited from October to March, which is proabably a major contributing factor to the widespread vitamin D deficiency that has been observed.
The new supplementation programme will not begin right away, as the only supplement available in Ireland at the moment also contains vitamin A which - together with the vitamin A in formula - would exceed safe limits. Instead, a new vitamin D-only supplement will need to be formulated. You can find more information on the IFSA's decision here.
Vitamin D supplements are, in fact, the subject of much controversy. Many experts believe that simple exposure to the sun is all that's required for babies to produce enough vitamin D, without the need for supplementation. But parents are afraid to expose their babies to the sun at all, fearing permanent skin damage.
Yet the amount of exposure required is not as great as you may think - and it may be possible to keep your baby's vitamin D levels within the healthy range by allowing SAFE sun exposure...
Read more...
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May 31, 2007 08:31 - Recall of Fisher Price Rainforest Swings
Rainforest Open Top Take-Along Swings are being recalled by Fisher Price because they pose an entrapment hazard to infants.
The swings, which were sold throughout the US from November 2006 to May 2007 for about $65 and which were also sold worldwide, are pictured below. If a baby shifts to one side of the swing, he can become trapped between the frame and the seat. There have been 60 cases of infants becoming caught, leading to bumps, bruises, cuts and red marks.
The swing involved in this recall is the Portable Rainforest Take Along Swing. It is around 23 inches high and features two hanging plush toys and a palm tree mobile. Model numbers affected are K7203, K7192 and K7195 - you can find these numbers under the swing's right handle. No other Rainforest swings or products are involved in this recall.
If you have one of these swings, please stop using it and contact Fisher Price to arrange to return it and receive a voucher for a replacement product. You can call Fisher-Price toll-free at (888) 303-5631 anytime, or visit their website.
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May 31, 2007 08:32 - Recall of Toy Drums (US)
Toy Drums are being recalled by The Boyds Collection Ltd because the red paint on the drums contains high levels of lead, which is toxic if ingested.
The Eli’s Small Drums and Liberty’s Large Drums (pictured below) were sold at gift and collectible stores throughout the US for around $15, from June 2005 through April 2007.
The drums are made of wood and come with two wooden drum sticks. The drums have blue sides with white stars and the top and bottoms feature an antique U.S. flag decoration. The dimensions of the small drum are 4 3/4 inches in diameter and 3 1/2 inches tall. The item number of the small drum is 654933, which is printed on the hangtag and packaging. The large drum measures 6 3/4 inches in diameter and 4 inches tall. Its item number, also printed on its hangtag and packaging, is 654934. These drums are sold and packaged separately.
If you have either of these drums, please take them away from your children and return them to the store you purchased them from for a full refund.
If you have any questions, please call The Boyds Collection Ltd. toll-free at (877) 772-3277 ext.2179 anytime, visit their website or e-mail safety@boydsstuff.com.
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May 31, 2007 08:33 - Discovery Health's Baby Week (US)
Do you love everything baby-related, including television programs focused on infants, their families and touching stories of survival against all odds? Then you'll be interested to read more about Discovery Health's Baby Week, which begins on June 10.
Click here to see the full list of shows planned for the week, including the amazing story of one couple who are "parenting a baker's dozen!"!
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June 1, 2007 08:10 - Recall of Sleigh Round Cribs (US)
Sleigh Round Cribs with a model number of 2005 are being recalled because the assembly instructions provided tell consumers to assemble the crib with the mattress support in the highest position. The instructions do not explain that the mattress support can be moved to a lower position, meaning that children who are able to stand or sit in the crib are at a risk of falling.
The cribs (pictured below) are around 42 inches in diameter and made of solid wood with a mahogany finish. Part of one side of the crib can be raised and lowered and there are four 31 inch high posts.
These cribs were sold across the US from January 2005 through March 2007 for around $600.
If you have one of these cribs, please lower the mattress support to the lower setting if your child can sit or stand. You can contact Song Lin Industrial Inc. toll-free at (888) 589-0088 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, or visit their website, to obtain an amended version of the instructions, including directions on how the mattress support should be lowered.
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June 1, 2007 08:40 - Recall of Children's Jewelry (US)
Children’s Metal Jewelry sold at Limited Too and Justice Stores, the Limited Too catazine (catalog) and the Limited Too website is being recalled because it contains high levels of toxic lead.
The jewelry, which is pictured below, includes necklaces, earrings, bracelets and charms. Some are metallic or multi-coloured and have "High School Musical" or pictures of "High School Musical" actors printed on them. Others have stars, frogs, hearts, monkeys, dogs and flowers hanging from black, brown or silver cords or chains.
These items were sold across the US from September 2005 through May 2007 for between $2 and $10.
If you have this jewelry, please take it away from your children and return it to any Limited Too or Justice stores, where you will be given a full refund and a coupon for a 15 percent discount off a future purchase.
For more information, you can contact Tween Brands at (800) 934-4497 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit their websites at www.limitedtoo.com and www.justicejustforgirls.com.
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June 1, 2007 15:34 - Fisher Price Rain Forest Swings Recalled in Australia
Fisher-Price Rainforest Open top Take-Along Swings, which were recalled in the United States, are also being recalled in Australia.
If babies shift to one side of the swing, they can become trapped between the seat and swing frame.
The swing is 23 inches tall and has two carry handles on the left and right side. The product numbers concerned are K7203, K7192 and K7195. You can find these numbers under the right handle. The product was sold throughout Australia from January 2007 at Toys R Us Stores and independent nursery retailers.
If you have one of these swings, please stop using it and contact Mattel Pty Ltd on toll free 1800 674 753 between Monday to Friday 8am to 4.30pm (Australian EST). You can then arrange to return the product in exchange for a replacement toy of equivalent value. Please do not return the swing to the store you bought it from.
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June 1, 2007 15:46 - Recall of Kathmandu Baby Carriers (Australia)
Baby Carriers sold at Kathmandu stores are being recalled in Australia because the shoulder strap harness may snap when under tension, posing a serious fall hazard to babies.
The carriers, which are blue and come with a detachable storage compartment, have been sold since 15 April 2007 throughout Australia and New Zealand.
If you have one of these carriers, please return it to your nearest Kathmandu store for a full refund.
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June 2, 2007 16:01 - Do You Have A Cute Kid?
Of course you do! And if everyone keeps telling you your gorgeous little one should be a model, then you might be interested in submitting a photograph to our sponsors for their 2007 CuteKid of the Year contest - and be in for a chance of winning a great prize and gaining exposure for your child to talent and casting agents.
To enter the competition, you first need to join Cutekid, which is FREE of charge. Upon joining you are able to upload photographs to the CuteKid website and enjoy a free trial to MyCuteKidSite on its launch. MyCuteKidSite will enable you to share photos and videos of your child with friends and family around the world... plus keep everyone up-to-date with your news via the family blog.
Joining the CuteKid also gives you access to casting calls for children, articles, tips, resources, discounts and special offers.
Once you've uploaded your photos you can, if you wish, enter any of them into the CuteKid photo contest. It costs $19.95 to enter - for this you also receive a FREE canvas portrait ($59 value) and a full year Subscription to Parenting Magazine.
The competition is separated into age categories, which are judged monthly. Various awards are awarded to the monthly winners, who are then automatically entered into the CuteKid of the Year competition, which offers excellent prizes, industry exposure and a cash investment for a college fund.
Click the banner below to visit the CuteKid website and find out more...
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