Baby Food Recipes, News and Information

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The run-up to dinner time must be one of the most hectic times of day! Typically, it's also the time of day when your baby seems to require the most attention. So any little tips for getting dinner cooked more quickly always come in handy!

Our tip today is useful for those of you who cook meat for your whole family, then set aside and puree or chop a portion for your baby.

Did you realize that you can decrease the cooking time of your meat by giving it a good pounding first?

As an added bonus, pounding your meat also breaks down its connective tissues and fibres, so the end result is a lot more tender for your baby!

This technique reduces the cooking time for chicken breasts, pork and beef steaks to under 6 minutes - which, depending on the cut of meat you're using, can mean you save at least 10 minutes on your total preparation time.

How to pound meat

1. Remove visible fat from the meat and place it between 2 sheets of plastic wrap or clingfilm.

2. Find an implement to flatten the meat - you can use a special meat pounder, a heavy frying pan (skillet) or - if you're stuck - a heavy rolling pin!

3. Pound the meat evenly across its whole surface until it is between 1/4 and 1/2 inch thick - if you try to get it thinner you risk making holes in it.

4. Cook according to your individual recipe!

If possible, pound meat as soon as you buy it, then freeze it. By preparing meat in advance, you'll save even more precious minutes when cooking for your family!

We'd love to hear YOUR time-saving tips, too - just leave your comment below, or send us your tip via our contact form.

Looking for some ideas on how to use cooked chicken in your baby's food? Check out our chicken baby food recipes, suitable for babies from 7 months of age...

Read more...

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September 19, 2007 13:30 - Read our Highchair Reviews

We've just updated the 'Highchairs' section of our site with mini reviews of some of our favourite products.

From traditional wooden models to sleek and stylish contemporary designs - if you're thinking about investing in a highchair, then there's bound to be something to suit YOUR tiny diner!

Why not take a look at our highchair review page now - and if you'd like to comment on any of the products shown, please send your review via our contact form and we'll add it to the page.

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September 22, 2007 10:59 - Introducing Solids at 5 Months?

Jess from Pennsylvania, USA, wrote to us yesterday about her daughter, Dylan. She told us

"Dylan is nearly 5 1/2 months old and - until now - exclusively breastfed. I had always planned to wait until the recommended age of 6 months to introduce her to solid foods, but I'm starting to wonder if I should give her something other than breastmilk now.

She shows all the signs you mention of being ready for solids - and when we sit down as a family to eat dinner, she watches us like she wants some, too. I feel bad about not feeding her when she seems hungry!

What would you suggest?"

Well, Jess, I think lots of parents will identify with your situation - and it DOES make you feel like the meanest Mum in the world to eat in front of your baby and feel as if you're denying her something she really wants!

The main reasons that most medical sources suggest waiting until 6 months to start solid foods is that a baby's digestive system will be more mature at this stage and the risk of food allergies is reduced.

Babies who are given solids before 6 months of age more frequently experience digestive upsets - particularly constipation.

It's also important to remember the valuable role that milk plays in your baby's diet at this stage. Replacing too much of the milk with solid foods in the first 6 months of life can deprive your baby of the nutrients she needs for healthy growth and development.

Tips to delay the introduction of solids

If your baby is displaying a great interest in solid foods BEFORE 6 months of age, a good first step is to simply try offering her a soft spoon to hold at the table. This can work surprisingly well, as it may not be the food itself that's capturing her interest, but rather the over-all 'mealtime experience' - including cutlery!

Another option is to try freezing your breastmilk into popsicles/lollies - these are known as 'momsicles' and can make your baby FEEL as if she's joining in with the meal - when really she is only having MORE breastmilk! If a momsicle is too difficult for her to handle at this stage, try freezing the milk into cubes and putting them into a Teething Feeder.

The tips didn't work and my baby STILL wants solids!

If this is the case, then our advice - with your doctor's consent, of course - is to let your baby be your guide and accept that it's time for 'big people' food!

Although 6 months is the recommended age for starting solids, it's worth bearing in mind that this is a guideline.

Babies, of course, do not undergo a magical transformation at 6 months of age!

It is merely the age at which MOST babies are developmentally ready for real food - for some it may be a few weeks earlier and for others it may be much later.

If you DO offer solids before 6 months of age, make sure that the foods you give your baby are easily digestible and are NOT considered a potential allergen (see our list of foods to avoid). Remember - your baby will be more vulnerable to allergenic foods at this early stage. Introduce each new food separately, at least four days apart.

For more information, please see our page about introducing solids and - if you are looking for an alternative to infant rice cereal as a first food for your baby - read more about offering avocado or sweet potato instead!

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