March 01, 2007
Issue #007
1 Mar 2007
What's in this issue...
- Visit our baby of the month
- Feeding a baby with a cold
- Top travel snacks for babies
- New and updated pages
- Why brown rice is better for baby
- Baby care "tip of the month" - Check your indoor plants for safety
- Safety recalls
- Our featured product review - The Munchkin White Hot Safety Duck Tub
- Visit our "website of the month"
- This month's subscribers-only recipe - Carrot Dip and Veggies
Visit our baby of the month
We had a wonderful response to our new "Baby of The Month" page and have really enjoyed looking at all the photographs of your gorgeous babes and their sunny smiles!Choosing this month's winner was not an easy task, but there was one picture that really had us all saying "Aaah!"... so who is this month's Baby of The Month? Find out here...
If you'd like to send in YOUR baby's photograph, please visit the Baby of The Month page above and complete the simple form.
Feeding a baby with a cold
When your baby has a cold, he may be less willing to eat - and although fluids are extra important when he's unwell, it would be great if there was a way to give him some valuable nutrients, too. After all, a good boost to his immune system is just what he needs!Well, there is a way - and this month's blog entry tells you about a nutritious broth you can make for your baby - and exactly how that broth can help him feel better sooner!
Top Travel Snacks For Babies
This article has been moved...
New and updated pages
We've updated our travelling accessories pages this month - so if you're in the US or the UK and looking for a travel cot, travel high chair, or feeding accessories for travelling, then click the links and visit these product pages to browse the best models currently available.You may also like to visit our brand new Homemade Baby Food Accessories page, which contains our favourite baby food storage solutions, plus other items designed to make it easier to create your own baby food dishes.
We've had lots of e-mails recently asking whether or not it's safe to add spices or herbs to baby food. Our latest page - Can Babies Eat Spicy Food? aims to answer your questions and also suggests a few ways to make your baby's meals a little more interesting.
We are now accepting low-cost advertisements on our site from WAHMs and small businesses...
So if you have a website or product aimed at the parents of young children, please visit our new advertising information page for more details about how YOU can put your business in front of our large and growing audience.
Why brown rice is better for baby
Not only does brown rice have a better flavour than white, it is far more nutritious and offers your baby a dazzling array of health benefits.
This month's article about brown rice explains the differences between brown rice and white rice in more detail... and suggests ways in which you can make brown rice a regular part of your child's diet.
Baby care tip of the month - Check your indoor plants for safety
As soon as your baby is able to hold objects in his hand, you will notice that he uses his mouth to explore them - the highly developed senses in his mouth make it perfect for the job! But as soon as your baby is mobile - whether crawling or toddling - your baby's need to "mouth" items becomes a cause for concern. This is because your baby does not discriminate - anything and everything will end up in his mouth!Most of us move dangerous or delicate items out of our babies' reach at this point - but items that often get overlooked are house plants and flowers.
Although most house plants are non-toxic, there are some that could upset your baby's stomach or cause severe illness if he were to put them in his mouth.
It's impossible to provide a complete list of all toxic plants here, but the following list contains examples of common household and garden plants that would be poisonous to a young baby. If you are not sure of the names of all the plants you have at home, then it's a good idea to take a cutting to a local garden centre or nursery for identification.
List of poisonous plants and flowers
- delphinium
- lily of the valley
- caladium
- dieffenbachia
- rhododendron
- oleander
- wisteria
- yew
- laurel
- poinsettia
- holly
- mistletoe
- deadly nightshade
- hyacinth (and bulb)
- narcissus bulb
- daffodil bulb
- ivy
- hydrangea
As soon as your baby is crawling, begin teaching him that it's wrong to pull leaves straight from a plant and put them into his mouth - even if you know that YOUR plants are safe, he may one day be in an environment with plants that could be harmful.
If you are concerned that your baby may have ingested part of a toxic plant, seek medical advice immediately. If you are taking your child to hospital, take a cutting from the plant with you.
Remember, though, that toxicity isn't the only hazard to your baby from plants. Even "safe" plants can be dangerous - leaves still pose a choking risk and some babies may try to eat the soil or small pebbles from the pot. If you have a plant that overhangs the surface it's sitting on, then keep it in a room your baby doesn't have access to - otherwise your baby may pull the plant down on to his head.
Safety recalls
Another large list of recalled items for you to check. Please remember to mention these recalls to anyone else you know who may be affected...Wooden Name Trains are recalled in Australia as they do not meet safety standards.
Santa's Toys Balls Stairs are recalled in Australia because they contain small parts.
George snow boots are recalled in the UK because they may pose a choking hazard.
Gerber Graduates for Toddlers Entrees are recalled in the US due to mis-labelling.
Intelligence Baby Toys are recalled in Australia because they present a choking hazard.
Rachael Rose Kidz Rings are recalled in the US because they contain high levels of lead.
Children's Ultra-Gear Bracelets are recalled in the US because of high lead levels.
Toddler Pants Sets are recalled in the US because the zipper can present a choking hazard.
Pound The Ball toy is recalled in Australia because it does not meet safety standards.
Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Bunny toys are recalled in the US, Australia and the UK, due to a choking risk from the bunny's nose.
Haba Bambini Beads and Haba Boa Bella Board Games are recalled in Australia because they contain small parts.
Inflatable flotation devices are recalled in Australia due to a safety issue.
In two separate recalls, Cantaloupe melons are recalled in Quebec and the US, then later in the western US.
A huge recall of Earth's Best baby food in the US was triggered by fears over botulism poisoning.
Kraft Dairybite Snackabouts are recalled in Australia due to mis-labelling.
Houmous is recalled in the UK because of fears of Salmonella contamination.
The "Lovely Tortoise", the "Lovely Dragonfly", the "Wooden Train Alphabet" and the "Bobojoy Infant Gift Set" are recvalled in Australia because they do not meet safety standards.
"Claudia Jublot" Children’s Rings and Children’s "Kidsite" Necklace and Earring Sets are recalled in the US because they contain high lead levels.
Our featured product review - The Munchkin White Hot Safety Duck Tub (US)
Our featured product this month is this cute but practical inflatable tub from the BabyCenter store. An inflatable tub can be a very useful accessory during your baby's first year...
- if you're short of space at home, then a deflated tub is far easier to store than a regular baby bath tub
- if you're planning to travel with your baby, then you can simply take your baby's bath tub along with you! This is ideal if you unsure about the bathing facilities that may be available at your destination.
As with all items available from the BabyCenter, you can see how other parents feel about this product by reading through the customer reviews (simply click on the link to visit the relevant page on the BabyCenter's site). The majority of the reviews were very positive - we agree with one parent who pointed out that some kind of pump to inflate the duck is essential, otherwise it will take a VERY long time to inflate!
The
Munchkin White Hot Safety Duck Tub
is priced at $13.95.
Website Of The Month - Healthy Parenting
Healthy Parenting is a superb resource for parents who are (to quote the website itself) "a little bit natural, extremely crunchy, or just looking!".As this description suggests, Healthy Parenting looks at different ways in which you and your children can live healthier lives using natural resources. Unlike some natural parenting sites, which can come across as a bit "preachy"... or even "militant"... Healthy Parenting acknowledges that it isn't always practical for every family to follow all the "rules" of natural parenting.
Instead, it explains the various concepts of natural living, with links to masses of useful resources and articles - gently suggesting that there is an alternative path to the "mainstream" if you would like to follow it!
Subjects covered by this site include
- attachment parenting
- positive discipline
- organic foods
- vegetarianism
- how to deal with gluten intolerance in your child (the editor's son is gluten intolerant and she provides lots of fantastic advice)
- tips for green living
- inspirational articles
This month's subscribers-only recipe - Carrot Dip and Veggies
This month's recipe is for a simple and delicious carrot dip for your baby - pair it up with some nutritious veggie sticks for a healthy snack or lunch time treat.Note: This recipe is ideal if your baby is already enjoying finger foods. For younger babies, serve cooked veggies with the dip - they will be softer and easy for him to "gum" if he doesn't have any teeth. For older babies, already accomplished at biting and chewing, you can offer strips of uncooked vegetables. Alternatively, serve this dip with lightly toasted bread, pita bread, cheese strips or tofu fingers.
You will need
6oz carrots, peeled and sliced
small piece (1/4 clove) fresh garlic*
5oz natural yogurt
tiny pinch ground coriander
*Garlic is optional and you can omit it altogether if you are concerned that it may upset your baby's tummy. But most babies love garlic and will enjoy the wonderful flavour it adds to this dip.
Steam the carrots or simmer in a little boiling water until tender.
Drain, rinse with cold water, then drain once more.
Place the carrots in a blender with the remaining ingredients and puree until nice and smooth.
This dip tastes better after it has been set aside (refrigerated) for around an hour.
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