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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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August 20, 2007 08:40 - Codeine Warning to Breastfeeding Mothers
The FDA in the US has issued a warning that it may be unsafe for certain women to take codeine when breastfeeding their babies.
Codeine, which has been used by nursing mothers for years, is often prescribed as a pain reliever and is also contained in some over-the-counter cough syrups. But the body changes codeine to morphine and this was responsible for the death last year of a 13 day old breastfed baby whose mother was taking codeine to relieve the pain of her episiotomy.
According to the FDA, this tragic result is rare, but their report says that different people metabolize codeine in different ways. This explains why more children have not been affected in this way and that the risk is higher when a mother is an 'ultra-rapid metabolizer of codeine'.
If you are breastfeeding your baby, please read the full advisory from the FDA here, which includes important information and guidelines.
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August 21, 2007 08:56 - Toys R Us Recalls Vinyl Bibs
Toys R Us is removing all vinyl bibs from its stores due to concerns about unsafe lead levels.
Tests have shown that two bibs made in China for one particular supplier had lead levels that were higher than their safety standards allow. To avoid confusion for customers, Toys R Us decided to remove ALL vinyl bibs from their shelves and say that customers who have bought ANY vinyl bibs from a Toys R Us or Babies R Us store can return them for a full refund.
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August 21, 2007 09:06 - Blueberry Popsicles
This recipe for Baby's Blueberry Popsicles is full of natural anti-oxidants, tastes wonderful and makes a lovely cooling treat on a hot day.
Blueberry juice is now available in many supermarkets, particularly in the US, but if you can't find it, then you can substitute any berry juice that your baby enjoys.
Please note, though, that - although blueberries are not commonly allergenic - some berries do provoke allergic reactions during the first year. So you may wish to wait until the end of your baby's first year to make these popsicles for him if you use any other berry than blueberries in the recipe.
You will need
4 fl oz blueberry juice 1 envelope gelatin (unflavoured) 8 fl oz vanilla yogurt (or use natural yogurt and add a little vanilla essence) 8oz fresh blueberries (or alternative berry of your choice, noting the warning above)
Warm the blueberry juice in a small saucepan and stir in the gelatin. Continue to stir until the gelatin has completely dissolved, then pour the mixture into a food processor and add the yogurt and blueberries. Blend until completely smooth. Pour the mixture into popsicle (lolly) moulds and freeze. Alternatively, you can use small, disposable cups and insert popsicle (lolly) sticks just as the mixture begins to freeze.
We have lots more ideas for yummy fruity treats for your little one on our Fruit Baby Food Recipes page...
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August 22, 2007 08:57 - The Importance of Vitamin D
Vitamin D supplements are routinely given to babies in some parts of the world - but is supplementation really essential for every child?
Unlike other vitamins, the best source of vitamin D is not food - it's the sun. Your baby's body actually creates vitamin D in his skin following exposure to the sun - and the exposure does not have to be for a prolonged period of time.
Yet vitamin D deficiency, which is responsible for the bone condition rickets, is a problem in many areas of the world. This is particularly true where there is reduced natural sunlight or in cultures where babies' skin is often covered and does not receive enough exposure to sunlight.
Yet vitamin D deficiency also occurs in regions of the world where there IS enough natural sunlight - but parents are fearful of exposing their babies to it because of other risks associated with the sun.
Read our "Your Baby and Vitamin D" page to find out more about the controversy that surrounds routine vitamin D supplementation - and discover what experts consider to be 'safe' levels of sunlight exposure for our little ones.
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August 23, 2007 08:48 - Various Toys Recalled Due to Lead Hazards
Lately, it feels as if we are posting warnings about toys containing lead on a frighteningly regular basis!
Today we have four more toys to tell you about - all of which use surface paints that contain unsafe lead levels. Please check the list below and - if you have the item at home - click on the link. This will take you to the CPSC website, which will give you full details of that particular recall, with instructions for receiving either a refund or a replacement toy.
There is some useful information and advice about lead poisoning in children here - lead is, of course, very toxic and many pediatricians are suggesting that parents take their little ones for tests if they are concerned that they may have had access to toys containing lead.
The irony here is that - by making our own baby food - we parents are trying to ensure that what goes into the mouths of our little ones is safe.
We should not have to worry that it's actually their toys that are putting them at risk!
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August 24, 2007 08:19 - Recall of Bagged Baby Carrots (US and Canada)
Fresh, bagged baby carrots that were distributed to Trader Joe’s stores and Kroger/Ralphs by the Los Angeles Salad Company are being recalled because they may be contaminated with a bacteria called Shigella.
Shigella can cause severe illness in babies, sometimes leading to hospitalization, but food contaminated by the bacteria does not smell or appear spoiled.
The bags of carrots have sell by dates of August 16, 2007, and earlier. They were imported from Mexico and then distributed to Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Washington, California, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, and Canada.
The California Department of Public Health is advising anyone who has eaten these carrots and is experiencing fever, diarrhea and stomach cramps to contact their health care provider straight away.
If you have any of these carrots at home, you should throw them away or return them to the store you purchased them from.
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August 24, 2007 08:34 - Recall of Priddy "Trucks" Shaker Teether Books (US)
Priddy "Trucks" Shaker Teether Books are being recalled because it is possible for children to bite pieces of the teether off, which obviously poses the risk of choking.
The books, pictured below, were sold at Barnes & Noble and other retailers and bookstores across the US for around $7, from January 2006 to June 2007.
The cloth teether book has a yellow dump truck on a blue background on the front cover. A yellow rattle is attached to the top of the book, which has a green teether on one side and an orange teether on the other.
If you have one of these books at home, please take it away from your child and contact St. Martin's Press for a free replacement product on (800) 347-9411 between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Alternatively, you can visit their website.
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August 24, 2007 08:43 - Recall of Sleepi Crib Foam Mattresses (US)
Stokke Sleepi Crib Foam Mattresses are being recalled because they are not correctly sized. This means that a gap can be created between the crib and the mattress, posing an entrapment hazard to young children.
The only items involved in this recall are oval shaped Sleepi Cribs with foam mattresses, which were sold under the following model numbers:
You can find the model number underneath the crib and on the packaging (if you still have it).
The cribs were sold in a range of colours that included whitewash, cherry, natural, walnut and white for between $750 and $850. They were sold from September 2006 through March 2007 via the internet and at juvenile product retailers across the US.
If you have one of these cribs, please stop using it and contact Stokke toll-free at (877) 978-6553 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday for a free replacement mattress. You can also visit their website.
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August 26, 2007 15:40 - Taking Care of Tiny Teeth
Did you know that dental care for your baby can begin even BEFORE his little teeth emerge? In fact, it's a good idea to get your baby used to a dental-care routine as early as possible, because it may prevent him fighting against having his teeth brushed later on!
Early dental care doesn't have to be elaborate - simply wiping your baby's gums with a piece of dampened gauze is enough to remove milk residue in the first few months and get him accustomed to having his mouth cleaned.
Once his teeth begin to emerge from the gums, then it's important to clean them carefully, at least twice a day.
Many parents have the misconception that baby teeth are not as important as permanent ones - sadly, dentists are seeing more and more cases of dental decay in very young children as a result of this belief.
Yet the baby teeth play a key role in how the permanent teeth develop - and our page all about caring for your infant's teeth explains just HOW they affect future dental development, with lots of tips for keeping them healthy!
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