Subscribe To This Blog Get e-mail notification when new posts are made!
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!
ADD TO YOUR SOCIAL BOOKMARKS: BlinkDel.icio.usDigg FurlGoogleSimpySpurlTechnoratiY! MyWeb
November 6, 2007 14:22 - Mealtime Woes - When To Retreat
When their babies consistently reject foods in the early days of introducing solids, some parents worry endlessly over how to encourage their little ones to eat. From distraction techniques and coercion, to reducing milk feeds in order to stimulate baby's appetite, stressed Mums and Dads will try anything!
But sometimes the simplest solution is to take a step back - by putting the whole 'solids' thing on hold for a little while.
Look at your reasons for starting your baby on solids
Are you offering food simply because your doctor/mother-in-law/parenting book TELLS you that you SHOULD be starting?
Despite new recommendations that babies don't need solid foods until at least 6 months of age, many of the 'old ways' still persist. It's not uncommon for doctors to suggest you get your baby started at 4 months - we've had e mails from parents who've been told to start even earlier.
Yet many babies are simply not ready... and this is where the problems start.
Parents feel like they're failing if they can't get their babies to eat when their doctor tells them to. This pressure creates tension at the dinner table as they desperately try to 'force' food on to their unwilling infant.
Eating should be a pleasure for your baby - not an ordeal!
Mealtime battles should be avoided at all cost.
You want your baby to have a healthy interest in food and to LOOK FORWARD to mealtimes.
So if both you and your baby are beginning to dread the sight of the highchair, try taking a break from solids altogether.
Cutting back on the amount of milk you give to your baby in order to create an appetite for solids is not a good idea in the early days. Milk remains a very important source of nutrition for much of your baby's first year.
Instead, allow him to maintain his 'liquid diet' for another week or two, giving your baby the chance to put mealtime traumas behind him. Then, try giving solids again a week or so later, when you are both in a better frame of mind.
When you DO attempt giving solids again, only offer one solid meal a day at first, at a time of day when you and your baby are both relaxed. Start with a food that your baby may have previously shown an interest in. If he eats it, lavish him with praise. If not, just take him out of his highchair with no fuss or comment - then try again the following day with a different food.
As your baby becomes less threatened by the thought of mealtimes and begins to find them an enjoyable and stress-free affair, then an interest in sampling the foods he's offered should emerge!
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
November 6, 2007 15:28 - Urgent Recall of Bindeez Beads (Australia)
Australian Toy of the Year 'Bindeez Beads' are being urgently recalled after two children were poisoned.
The popular craft beads were swallowed by two children, aged 2 and 10, and were subsequently found to contain the drug GHB (known as 'Fantasy') instead of the non-toxic glue the sets should contain. This drug can cause seizures or drowsiness if eaten and can be fatal. Investigations are underway to see if the substitution of this drug was deliberate.
All Bindeez goods are being removed from sale and parents are being asked to remove the toy from any area that can be accessed by children.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
November 7, 2007 09:08 - Recall of Swimways 'Skippy' Pool Toys (US)
'Skippy' Pool Toys are being recalled by Swimways because the fish's elastic tongue can break, causing it to forcefully come out and cut the hands of the user when the toy is launched.
There have been 24 reports of similar incidents, with five reports of injuries to children from this toy.
The rubber pool toy (pictured below) comes in various colours, including blue, purple or green. It is 5 in wide and 8 1/2 in long and has 'WARNING. Do not aim at another person. Made in China' printed on the bottom.
These toys were sold for around $10 by independent pool supply stores and mass merchandisers across the US.
If you have one, please take it away from your children and return it to Swimways for a free replacement toy. You can contact Swimways toll-free at (888) 559-4653 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit their website.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
November 7, 2007 09:09 - Recall of 'Laugh & Learn' Learning Kitchen Toys (US)
'Laugh & Learn' Learning Kitchen Toys are being recalled because parts of the faucet or the clock hands can come off, posing a choking hazard to children.
Fisher Price has already received reports of children choking and gagging on small parts from these toys.
The play kitchen (pictured below) consists of a toy refrigerator, range and sink. The product has an item number of L5067, which you can find stamped in several different places on the toy and also on the packaging, printed above the UPC.
The kitchens were sold at various toy stores across the US for around $70, from May 2007 through October 2007.
If you have one of these toys at home, please take it away from your children and contact Fisher-Price toll-free at (888) 812-7187 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET (Monday through Friday) and between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Saturday for a free repair kit. Alternatively, you can visit their website.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
November 7, 2007 23:12 - Children Became Unconscious after Swallowing Aqua Dots
Aqua Dots are being recalled by Spin Master after two children became unconscious after swallowing the beads.
The craft kits (pictured below) include small coloured beads, which fuse together when sprayed with water, allowing children to create multi-dimensional designs. But the coating on the beads that causes them to stick together contains a chemical that becomes poisonous when swallowed.
The two children that swallowed these beads both vomited and fell into a comatose state and both were hospitalized. The toxic chemical can also cause breathing problems and seizures.
All models of Aqua Dots are involved in this recall.
These kits were sold by mass merchandisers nationwide for between $17 and $30 from April 2007 through November 2007.
If you have one of these sets, please move it out of the reach of children immediately and contact Spin Master to return for free replacement beads or a toy of equal value.
You can contact Spin Master at (800) 622-8339 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit their website.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
November 8, 2007 08:56 - More Toys Containing Lead (US)
The CPSC has released details of seven more toys recalled due to excessive lead levels. The toys concerned are listed below - clicking on the relevant link will give you a detailed description of each toy, along with instructions and contact details for returning them if you have them...
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
November 8, 2007 14:45 - Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Kitchen Recall - Contact Details for the UK/Ireland and Australia
Yesterday we told you about the recall of Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Kitchens (see this post for details).
These toys are also being recalled in the UK and Australia.
United Kingdom
The toy has been sold in the UK since 1st July 2007 and has a product number of L5987. If you have one at home, please contact Fisher Price at 0808-234 8437 or + 44 808 234 8437 (Republic of Ireland). You can also visit Mattel's website.
Australia
The only product number involved in this recall is L5987.
If you have this model, you can either visit Mattel's website and click through to Australia, email the company at infoaust@mattel.com or call Mattel Australia on 1800 674 753 between Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm (Aust EDST).
Please do not return thsi product to retail stores.
The Asda website hasn't yet released details of contact numbers for the use of customers who have bought these toys - however, Asda's main Customer Service number is 0500 100 055, so you may wish to call that number for more information.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
November 8, 2007 15:09 - Mealtime Woes - Your Comments
On Tuesday, we wrote a short article on this blog all about babies who are reluctant to start solids (you can read the article here if you missed it).
Well, today we received this message from Melanie in the UK, who asked us to share it with you here:
"Thank you so much for saying what you did about not forcing babies to eat when they're not ready. I wish I'd read it two months ago!
I started giving my son rice cereal when he was just over 4 months of age because my Health Visitor told me that it was important that he start solids.
He still had a strong gag reflex and more food came out than went in. Although he didn't seem too bothered, I became very upset that he wouldn't eat. Day after day I tried to feed him and I'd end up in tears sometimes because he ate nothing. I began to worry that he'd be underweight and malnourished. This went on for a few weeks, then I came down with a heavy cold and just couldn't face the struggle to feed him. For a few days he went back to just having milk.
When I felt better and tried feeding him cereal again, I had a little more luck. He seemed more interested. Now I look back, I just don't think he was ready at 4 months. I should have listened to my baby, not my Health Visitor!"
Melanie, thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. We certainly agree that watching for - and responding to - your baby's signals can go a long way towards avoiding many of the feeding difficulties that many parents experience.
The ideal time of day?
We also received a very helpful suggestion from Cherie in the US. She told us...
"My mistake was trying to feed my son James at the same time as myself and the rest of the family. We'd eat at 7pm, so that's when I fed James, but he always fussed and would never eat. My Mom commented that he looked tired, so I started giving him his meal earlier, at 5pm. And guess what? He ate it!
He's 8 months now, so I've managed to get him to wait an extra hour - and the family mealtime is now at 6pm!"
Thanks, Cherie - as you discovered, tiredness is often the cause of tantrums at the dinner table. If you are having similar problems, adjusting the timing of meals is certainly worth considering!
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
November 9, 2007 14:48 - Recall of Children's Sunglasses (US)
Around 51,000 Children’s Fashion Sunglasses are being recalled because their yellow surface paints are too high in lead.
The glasses (pictured below) were sold for $1 at Dollar General Stores from March 2005 through October 2007. Only yellow coloured glasses are being recalled - no other colours are affected. You can find the word "CHINA" printed on the left side of the frame. On the product's red hangtag (if you still have it) are the words "Fashion Sunglasses" and "Time to Play Every Day", along with UPC #400007860896.
Please return these glasses, if you have them, to your local Dollar General store for a full refund.
If you need any more information, please contact Dollar General at (800) 678-9258 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit their website.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
November 9, 2007 14:57 - Recall of Curious George Toys (US)
Curious George Plush Dolls are being recalled because paints used on the face and construction hat of the toys are too high in lead.
For descriptions and images of the products involved, along with details of what you should do if you have them, please visit the CPSC website.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
November 9, 2007 15:08 - Recall of Bassettbaby Cribs (US)
Wendy Bellissimo Collection Convertible Cribs, sold at Babies R Us stores from July 2005 through October 2007, are being recalled because they pose entrapment and strangulation hazards to children.
The cribs (pictured below) were sold for around $500. The problem with them is that the bolts connecting the top corners can loosen, which creates a dangerous gap. There have been 85 reports of the bolts coming loose and one baby, aged 13 months, had his hand trapped between the railings.
This recall applies to Wendy Bellissimo Collection convertible cribs with model numbers 5945-0521 and 5545-0521, which are sold in honey and cherry finishes.
The cribs are full size with a sleigh design, with one of the following purchase order numbers at the bottom rail of the headboard:
No other Wendy Bellissimo Collection cribs are included in this recall.
If you have one of these cribs, please stop using it immediately and contact Bassettbaby at (888) 897-4689 between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET daily for a free repair kit. Alternatively, you can visit their website
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
November 9, 2007 15:29 - FREE Shipping - Get an Early Start on your Holiday Shopping
Good news for parents - for a limited time, One Step Ahead is offering FREE SHIPPING on all purchases over $85!
With Christmas just around the corner, there couldn't be a better time to stock up on goodies for your baby - and One Step Ahead have it all, from clothing and baby equipment to fantastic toys and gifts!
To qualify for free shipping, just enter the promotional code 'VIXEN' in the "promotion code" field during the checkout process.
Be quick, though - this offer ends Nov 30...
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
November 10, 2007 13:32 - Tuna Products Recalled by Sainsbury's (UK)
Tuna products are being recalled by Sainsbury's because they may contain excess histamine, which can cause mild illness if eaten.
Although the 'Use by' dates for this products are all 04 Nov 07 and 05 Nov 07, some customers may have frozen them - so please check your freezer to be sure.
The products involved are
Pre-packed tuna
Sainsbury's Taste the difference fresh tuna steak x1
Sainsbury's Taste the difference fresh tuna steaks x2
Sainsbury's fresh tuna steaks x2
Sainsbury's fresh diced tuna 200g
Tuna products from the fish counter
Sainsbury's Taste the difference fresh tuna
If you do have any of these products, please return them to your nearest Sainsbury's store for a full refund.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
November 11, 2007 07:38 - Top Travel Accessories for Feeding
One of the biggest concerns when travelling with your baby is how to deal with tasks like preparing and heating food for your little one and how to sterilize bottles and accessories.
Fortunately, though, a product has been invented for just about every conceivable situation!
On our newly updated "Baby Feeding Travel Accessories" page, we give you a round-up of our favourite items to make feeding a breeze when you're on the go...
Blink
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Google
Simpy
Spurl
Technorati
Y! MyWeb
