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
December 3, 2007 09:18 - Your Baby's Photograph as an Oil Painting (Worldwide)
Did you know that there's a way to turn your favourite photograph of your little one into a work of art that you'll treasure forever?
'Portrait Kingdom' is an Australian based company that specializes in creating beautiful oil paintings from digital images of your baby (or any other family members, of course!). Once you have approved their artwork, it is shipped to you (free of charge) anywhere in the world - and what's more, the company guarantees complete satisfaction with their work.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
December 3, 2007 09:19 - Sign up Now for our FREE Newsletter
The Christmas issue of Baby Bites, our free, monthly newsletter, is due out this week!
It's packed with tips for the holiday season - including a can't-be-missed guide to keeping your baby safe over Christmas - plus a tasty vegetarian alternative to the traditional holiday meal!
If you haven't already signed up, then be quick - just complete the simple subscription box below.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
December 4, 2007 22:26 - Recall of Special Mission Combat Force Military Play Set (Australia)
Another toy to be concerned about if you have older children - this time it's the Special Mission Combat Force Military Play Set, sold from 10 May 2007 to 24 November 2007 at 'The Warehouse-Where Everyone Gets A Bargain', 'Go Lo', 'Makro Warehouse' and 'Crazy Clarks'.
The problem with the toy is that - surprise surprise - it contains too much lead.
If you have one of these sets at home, please return it to any Australian Discount Retail (Trading) Pty Ltd store ('The Warehouse-Where Everyone Gets A Bargain', 'Go Lo', 'Makro Warehouse' and 'Crazy Clarks') for a full refund. Alternatively, contact the National Support Office on toll free 1800 254 687.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
December 5, 2007 14:49 - Bisphenol-A and Infant Formula Cans (US)
We've posted on our blog before about the serious concerns surrounding bisphenol-A.
Bisphenol-A is a potentially toxic chemical used in plastics. It has been linked to serious health conditions, including cancer, diabetes and obesity. Some experts believe that it may also contribute to learning problems, hyperactivity and impaired immune function.
In February, we wrote about a report from the watchdog group Environment California, who claimed that bisphenol-A leaches from plastic baby bottles into the liquid contained within the bottle.
Then, in March, we wrote another article about the Environmental Working Group, who revealed that bisphenol-A is migrating into foods from packaging.
Recent developments are equally frightening.
The Environmental Working Group has now released a new report to CNN, saying that liquid formula from the top baby formula companies in the US is sold in cans that are lined with bisphenol-A (BPA).
Again, the infant formula companies assert that they are aware of the presence of BPA in their products' packaging - but that is not harmful to babies. Their position is backed up by the Food and Drug Administration.
Despite assertions that BPA is harmless, an undeniable element of doubt exists. When it comes to our children, ANY element of risk is unacceptable.
The safest option in light of this report is, of course, to breastfeed your baby. But breastfeeding may not be an option in every situation - so, for now, you may wish to follow the advice given in the CNN report and stick to powdered formula, or liquid formula that is NOT packaged in cans.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
December 5, 2007 15:31 - Taking Baby Out to Dinner
When was the last time you went out for a meal in a restaurant and took baby along, too?
If this is something you're still plucking up the courage to do, then come and check out our tips for Eating Out With Baby.
Taking your little one out for a meal in a restaurant is a great learning experience for him - and by following our tips, you may even find you get to eat a little dinner yourself!
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
December 6, 2007 14:48 - Recall of Mini Racing Helmets (US)
Collectible Mini Racing Helmets are being recalled by Bell Racing because they contain excessive levels of lead.
The six inch high miniature helmets are modeled on helmets worn by several race car drivers. The recalled models are
Terry Borcheller helmet, part number 2005740
Vitor Meira helmet, part number 2001381
Kurt Busch helmet, part number 2001368
You can find the part number on the product’s packaging with the UPC.
These helmets were sold for around $40 at Bell Racing dealers and distributors across the US from February 2007 through November 2007.
If you have any of these at home, please take them away from children immediately and contact Bell Racing toll-free at (866) 892-6059 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday for a full refund. Alternatively, you can e-mail the company at minireplicasrecall@bellracing.com or visit their website.
For images of the recalled helmets, please click here.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
December 6, 2007 14:49 - Urgent Recall of Entertainment Centers by Ameriwood Following Death of Child (US)
Entertainment Centers by Ameriwood are being recalled after a 19 month old child was killed by the unit collapsing. Three other reports of minor injuries have been received involving this entertainment center, which is liable to collapse if the back panel is not secure.
The unit, pictured below, is black, with CD storage racks, two glass doors at the top and two lower miter-framed doors. It measures around 54 inches wide, 71 inches high, and 20 inches deep and was sold under the Ridgewood/Charleswood brand name. You can find the Model number 93956 printed on the instruction manual.
The units were sold for around $200 from June 2000 through May 2005 at mass merchandisers nationwide, including K-Mart stores and were manufactured in the US.
Please stop using this unit immediately if you have one and contact Ameriwood toll-free at (877) 732-8252 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday for a free support panel repair kit. You can also visit the firm's website.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
December 6, 2007 15:19 - Calling All New Baby Food Bloggers
We've had a few submissions to our Baby Food Blogs page this week that didn't include an email address. We don't need your email address to set up a one-off page about your baby - but if you'd like to send us information more regularly, we need your e-mail address in order to let you know about how to use your baby's blog.
If you attempted to start a blog for your baby this week but did NOT supply your email address, please visit the Baby Food Blogs page now and enter your email address AND your baby's name on a blank submission form - that way we can put it together with your original submission.
Thank you - and sorry for the bother!
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
December 7, 2007 08:08 - Recall of TKS Children’s Pants (US)
TKS Children’s Pants are being recalled by Sears because the ribbon belt at the waist poses entrapment or entanglement hazards to children.
The pants were sold at Sears stores across the US for around $16 from July 2007 through August 2007. They were sold in two styles -
One style, with model numbers 62240 and 62254, is denim and has a brown ribbon belt on the waistband. There is also an embroidered butterfly and a sewn-on patch. This style was sold in infant sizes 12 months, 18 months and 24 months and toddler sizes 2T, 3T and 4T.
The second style, with model number 62226, is khaki, has a fabric belt on the waistband. There are also two cargo pockets (one with an embroidered heart) and cuffs with buttons and plaid trim on the underside. This style was sold in toddler sizes 2T, 3T and 4T.
If your children have these pants, you are advised to remove the belt for safety.
If you need more information, please call Sears at (800) 659-7026 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday, or visit their website.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
December 7, 2007 13:51 - Recall of Children's Sunglasses (US)
Children’s Sunglasses are being recalled by FGX because their surface paints contain too much lead.
15 styles of glasses are involved (you can see pictures here) and you'll find the style name inside the arm of the left temple. The name 'Foster Grant' may also appear on the temple arm of some styles.
The recalled styles are
Balloon Bond Boom Bubble Gum Bullseye Buzz Conqueror Jr. Curly Q Encompass Jr. IK Fade IK Gadget IK Iceman Lily Outer Space Pluto
These glasses were sold at various stores across the US for between $3 and $11, from January 2007 through November 2007.
Please take these sunglasses away from your children and return them to FGX International for a free replacement or refund. You will also be reimbursed shipping and handling costs.
You can contact FGX International toll-free at (877) 227-0104 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit their website.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
December 7, 2007 14:24 - Recall of Potty Seats (US)
RC2 is recalling 'The First Years 3-in-1 Flush and Sounds Potty Seats' because the decorative plaque in the back of the seat may contain orange paint with excessive lead.
The seats (pictured below) have either a yellow chair with a green removable seat and a purple lift out-pot or a blue chair with a white removable seat and green lift out-pot. The decorative plaque at the back of the seat features molded Tigger and Winnie the Pooh characters and the words "100 Acre Wood" are molded on the back of the chair.
These seats were sold for between $20 and $25 from April 2006 through August 2007 at stores across the US.
Although the unit can still be used as a potty, please keep it away from your child at all other times and contact RC2 for a clear cover that will fit over the plaque.
You can contact RC2 toll-free at (866) 725-4407 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit their website.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
December 7, 2007 14:38 - The First Years Children's Feeding Seats Recalled (US)
RC2 is recalling 'The First Years' Newborn-to-Toddler Reclining Feeding Seats because they pose a fall hazard to young children.
The problem with the seats (pictured below) is that the restraining straps may come out of the waist strap slots, meaning that young children would not be properly secured and would be at risk of falling. There have been 38 reports of straps pulling out and 12 incidents of children falling.
The seats were sold at various retailers across the US for around $30. They were available from November 2006 through October 2007. The seats can be adjusted from a reclined position to an upright position and include a three point safety belt, a reversible cushion and a tray. You can find a label saying "the first years by Learning Curve" on one side of the seat cushion.
All feeding seats are involved in this recall except those that have an "R" stamped inside a raised circle on the far left and right of the back of the seat - or those with waist strap slots that are nine inches apart (see pictures below).
Please stop using this seat at once if you have it - and contact RC2 for free replacement straps.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
December 7, 2007 14:58 - Recall of Night Light Bears (Australia)
Pink and Blue Night Light Bears are being recalled because they contain small parts that may pose a choking hazard to young children.
The bears measure 22cm and have a push button night light in the belly. They have the item numbers CA24531 and CA24532 and you can see photographs of the bears here.
These bears were sold at chemist shops and independent speciality stores in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
If you think you have one of these bears at home, please take it away from your child (easier said than done, of course, if this is a favourite bedtime pal) and contact CA Australia Pty Ltd to see if the product is affected. The company will arrange for the product to be returned and provide a full refund for the product value. You can contact them at thetoys@caaustralia.com.au or telephone (02) 9938 5011.
To reference this entry please copy the url in this link:
(Permalink)
December 8, 2007 13:26 - Eat Your Veggies and Baby Will Too!
Did you read this week's news about how to inspire a love of fruits and veggies in your baby?
According to a report from the Monell Center, a scientific institute that conducts research into taste and smell, eating lots of veggies and fruits while pregnant and breastfeeding passes on a preference for these healthy foods to your baby. And repeatedly offering fruits and vegetables to your baby as he moves on to solid foods is also believed to encourage a liking for them.
The report's senior author, Julia A. Mennella, PhD, said
"The best predictor of how much fruits and vegetables children eat is whether they like the tastes of these foods. If we can get babies to learn to like these tastes, we can get them off to an early start of healthy eating."
During tests, 45 infants between 4 to 8 months of age were studied. 20 of these were breastfed. All the babies were unaccustomed to eating any other solid foods than cereal. They were then divided into two random groups.
The first group was given green beans for 8 days in a row. The second group was given green beans and then peaches over the 8 days.
Results showed that the breastfed babies were more likely to readily accept these foods - but ONLY if their mothers regularly ate the foods, too. For example, the breastfed babies ate more of the peaches when first exposed to them - and for a longer period of time - than the formula-fed babies.
When questioned, the mothers of the breastfed babies revealed that they ate more fruits and vegetables than the formula-feeding mothers, which seems to confirm that exposure to fruit flavours through breastmilk made their babies more likely to accept the peaches.
But both the formula-feeding and breastfeeding Mums said that they ate green beans and green vegetables infrequently - and there was actually no difference in the amount of green beans eaten by either breastfed or formula-fed babies.
Dr Mennella noted
"Flavors from the mother's diet are transmitted through amniotic fluid and mother's milk. So, a baby learns to like a food's taste when the mother eats that food on a regular basis."
In both sets of babies, repeatedly offering the green beans over the 8 day period led to the infants accepting them more readily - in fact, by the end of the study, the babies would eat 3 times as many beans as they did at the start.
Dr Mennella also noted that the facial expressions of babies don't necessarily correspond with their willingness to eat the food offered - and that babies naturally display certain expressions when particular foods are offered.
So what can we learn from this research?
Eat a wide variety of healthy fruits and vegetables during pregnancy and when breastfeeding.
If your baby rejects a certain fruit or vegetable at first, be persistent and try again. Repeated exposure can be the key to getting your baby to accept these healthy foods.
If your baby looks disgusted when you give him a certain type of food, DON'T assume that he doesn't like it. As long as he continues to eat the food, you should continue to offer it.
Blink
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Google
Simpy
Spurl
Technorati
Y! MyWeb
