Baby Food Chef

Making your own baby food can not only be fun, and less expensive, but can also be much healthier for your child than store bought food. Baby food is not only easy to make, but is fresher and more loved by babies than the stuff out of the jar. Giving your child the best chance by starting out their lives with a better diet is the duty of every parent. So to start out your career as a gourmet baby food chef, here are a few recipes to try your chops on:


Cooked Leafy Greens
For the ultimate healthy lunch or dinner, try this leafy green recipe. Everyone needs the vitamins in vegetables, but especially babies. You will need a pound of fresh greens, especially kale and collards. You can really pick whatever you want and vary it each time you make it. You need a tablespoon of water, and the tablespoons of fruit juice (again, your choice). First steam your vegetables until they are soft and well-cooked. Put everything then into a blender and puree. This makes a lot, so make sure to refrigerate the leftovers for meals in the future.

Pops for Tots 
Popsicles are the favorite of kids around the world. Here is a great, healthy recipe to get your baby hooked on fruit. You will need a cup of plain yogurt, two teaspoons of orange juice, a half cup of strawberries, a fourth cup of mashed bananas, four teaspoons of lemonade, and a popsicle mold. Mash and puree all the fruit and then add the liquid ingredients. Mix well. Then place the mixture into Popsicle molds and into the freezer they go for about thirty minutes. Put in popsicles and then let them completely freeze overnight.

Apple Nut Bake for Babies
 For this hearty meal you will need four announces of apples, two teaspoons of orange juice, an egg yolk, and a tablespoon of almonds. First you need to cook the apples in the orange juice until very soft and shapeable. Then mash this in with the egg yolk, and smashed almonds. You need to bake this in a muffin fin for about fifteen minuets.

Article by  Joseph Devine

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Posted in: Baby Care,Cooking For Kids

Toddler and New Baby Tips - 7 Ways to Beat Sibling Rivalry

Toddlerhood is a time of such intense change for any child. A new brother or sister is without a doubt the most challenging event for any toddler because children of this age are naturally self-centred.

Here are 7 ideas to help you help your tot adapt to their new role as older sibling.

You can minimise - but not eliminate - jealousy. Don't try to persuade your child (or yourself) that you can wipe out all feelings of resentment. Getting used to the new arrival is a natural part of learning to share and co-operate - in short, growing up.

Before the birth introduce the idea of the baby - subtly. There is a limit to how much - if anything - your child will understand about the changes ahead. Bring the topic up in conversation, but observe any apparent lack of interest and back off if necessary.

New baby stories can be very helpful in bringing up potential worries that may be bothering your toddler. They also suggest problems that could occur, such as the baby crying at night.

Think about how you want the first meeting between the new siblings to go. If you are having the baby in hospital, who do you want to be there? When should it happen? Be flexible - you may be too exhausted/hormonal to see your toddler on the day of the birth. There is nothing wrong with waiting until the next day if it helps you gather your emotional strength.

In the early days after the birth, inviting friends with other toddlers over can make life easier. Your child's playmates will have a limited interest in newborns. However little it might appear that the toddlers are interacting, at least it takes your eldest out of the emotional parent-toddler-newborn triangle.

When you can manage it take the kids out. Toddler and baby group, friends' houses, soft play areas, the park: getting away from your living room will lift your spirits when the children get demanding. The exercise will reduce your stress levels and seeing other people will take you out of yourself.

You are likely to lose your temper. Who wouldn't, faced with the vastly different needs of your 2 youngsters and being sleep deprived? Accept this fact, and when you shout at your toddler, do this: stop, apologise, give her a cuddle, praise and distract her. The first few months of life with your toddler and new baby can be tough, but young children are enormously adaptable and the lifelong rewards and companionship of having a sibling far outweigh these early difficulties. 

Article by Harriet Morris
If you found these tips useful, visit http://www.toddler-ideas.com/toddler-and-new-baby.html for more proven strategies for dealing with sibling rivalry. Harriet Morris edits www.toddler-ideas.com which is full of resources and inspiration for parenting young children.

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Posted in: Baby Care,Toddler Taming

What Babies Learn From Listening to Music

A lot has been learned in recent years about how our brains develop and babies have been found to have billions of brain cells. During their first years, these cells connect with others and over time the connections that are used on a regular basis become stronger. Some of these pathways influence the way we think and many who study this developmental science believe that by listening to classical music we can improve our spatial awareness.


In experiments an adult listening to classical music for 10 minutes put together a jigsaw faster than when not listening and preschoolers given eight months tuition on the piano / keyboards scored 46% higher than those who did not in spatial reasoning IQ test.

The music of Mozart is most especially connected with this idea. Scientists Rauscher, Shaw, and Ky published their findings in 1993 showing that experimental subjects gained an increase in spatio-temporal ability after listening to Mozart's music. This was later reported by the media as 'Listening to Mozart makes you smarter' however the study had never found any link between listening to music and intelligence.
Despite this, all Mothers know that listening to music can do so much for a baby. The effect of music on premature babies has been studied; scientists played lullabies to them for less than an hour on four consecutive days. When they were examined on the last day, the babies who had the music played to them had a stronger heartbeat, lower blood pressure and had gained more weight.

Studies in nurseries and pre-schools also show changes in behavior when the children listen to classical music.

This is hardly surprising. Stop to think how music affects you; a happy tune lifts your spirits and sends the blues away whereas soft music feeds your soul and soothes. Even the most fractious of infants will eventually succumb to a lullaby. All scientists agree that babies benefit from an environment which stimulates the senses, playing classical music is a great way to stimulate the ears.

But playing music to a baby is not quite the same, intimate activity as singing. Many studies had shown that singing, being an active process, has a more beneficial effect than simply listening to music. Signing can boost your immune system, something many new mothers need, and of course the best way to encourage your baby to sing, is to sign to your baby! Pick them up and dance with them, let them bang a drum and make their own music for as long as you can stand it. Encourage them to find the rhythm that they knew in the womb, listening to your heart beat for nine months. And perhaps change to the classics when it comes to nap time.

But what if classical music is not your thing? Does the type of music you share with your baby really matter? Apparently so; rap and head banging rock are not ideal things to play to a baby. The study of animals has shown that jarring and harsh music alters the brain structure; even plants apparently dislike this kind of music, while ivy growing on a house where classical music was frequently played absolutely flourished.

Music is all about fun and new sounds, if your baby gets excited with what you play for him/her then go with it and enjoy. Will he or she become a genius if they listen to classical music? - No, but they will remember all the fun you had together when they grow up, and that may be even more important.

Article by Valentina Kaltchev founder of TheQuiltFairy.com, an online boutique for handmade baby quilts, baby crib bedding, nursery rugs and custom accessories in wide range of colors and themes to satisfy the most discriminating tastes.

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Posted in: Baby Care

Save Money By Using Cloth Nappies

If you are already using cloth nappies, then I don't need to tell you about thousands of dollars that you are already saving. However, you might not realise that there are many other ways you can maximise your savings, and save hundreds of dollars more! If you want to save money, keep reading to learn some new ideas.



By using cloth wipes in conjunction with cloth nappies, you can increase your savings by a few extra hundred dollars - and seeing as you're already comfortable with using cloth, you won't mind using cloth wipes. You can use them dry or moisten them with water or a wipe solution, which you can make yourself or buy from baby stores. If you think that's a great way to help save money - wait - there's more! If you are handy with an overlocker, you can even make your own wipes - just buy a metre or two of flannelette, cotton velour, or bamboo fleece, and cut into wipe-sized squares before overlocking around the edges.

Another way to save some dollars is by changing your washing detergent. If you have been soaking your nappies, stop! It has been proven that soaking is unnecessary - not only can it harm your nappies, but the chemical residue can also cause skin irritations for your baby. If you hang your nappies on the line, they will be sanitised by the sun (even if they only see a few hours of sunlight), and any stains or odours will also be removed by the sun and fresh air. There are natural washing alternatives such as soapnuts which are just as effective at washing your nappies and other laundry - and work out to be a lot cheaper too!

One of the benefits of using modern cloth nappies is that many of the good brands out there can last many years of continuous use - so you could spend a few hundred dollars on reusable nappies for your first child, but if you were to buy second hand modern cloth nappies you will save money. You can even make your money back and sell them again once your child is toilet trained! You might be thinking, but who would want to buy my used nappies? There are Facebook groups dedicated to buying and selling used modern cloth nappies, and you could be surprised by how quickly someone will buy your nappies. Well-known brands and limited edition nappies are often snapped up within hours, if not minutes! You could also try selling your second hand nappies through local, second-hand product websites, or online auction sites (although some places may reject your listing for "used nappies" - you should read the terms and conditions first).

An obvious way which you can save money is by buying less nappies (which is easier said than done, especially if you are a modern cloth nappy addict!) - instead of buying 3 days worth of nappies, you could consider by 1-2 days worth and just washing more frequently, or even have a go at elimination communication (which can mean letting your baby go nappy-free throughout the day, or put your baby in nappies but offer regular potty breaks, so in theory, your baby should eliminate into the potty rather than the nappy).

By using these money-saving tips, even if it's just one, I guarantee you can lower one of the main ongoing costs that come with having babies.

Article by Kyra Howearth
Kyra Howearth - work at home mum and cloth nappy expert. Contact her at kyra@bubbalooba.com and be sure to visit http://www.bubbalooba.com for more information.

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Posted in: Baby Care

Why Should You Use a Baby Neck Support

We all know that babies are not strong and they can barely support their heads, at least in the beginning. When you are driving a car, you are placing your baby under powerful forces that are a consequence of accelerating, braking and turning. This can all cause your baby to have injuries in the neck, and for that reason alone it is important to use a baby neck support at these times.



You can drive carefully, but you can't control what happens around you - someone might even crash in to your vehicle. In these cases a neck support like this would help prevent severe injuries and it would make it safer for you to travel with your child. Also it does not just provide an extra layer of safety for your child, but it can be comfortable at best, and allow your baby sleep tight during traveling.

Since many of the manufacturers are set on making comfortable baby neck supports, the child can rest its head on the support and sleep comfortable. This can allow you to focus on driving and avoid dangers.

You can find good looking and comfortable supports for your whole family, from the internet. There are large online shops like Amazon and eBay that sell all types of neck supports for people who want to be comfortable while traveling. This does not only apply for cars, but you can sleep better at public transportation like trains and airplanes where you usually have an uncomfortable seat that does not allow you to rest correctly.

We found these stylish support pillows by SnugZee







Article by Paula F JacksonSource

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Do you use a neck support pillow for bub in the car? Or maybe in the pram?
Our kiddies spend a lot of time as little ones seat belted into one type of seat or another. Naturally they will nod off there if nap time comes and goes in the course of daily travel plans. What is your experience with head supports? Like 'em or hate 'em?

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Posted in: Baby Care,Travel With Kids

Nursing Pillows - How to Make Your Breastfeeding Experience More Comfortable

As new mothers, many hours in our days (and nights) are spent feeding our precious little ones. It is all too possible for posture to fall by the wayside, stressing our joints and muscles which in turn may cause further aches and pains we could certainly live without.



With the many benefits of breastfeeding for your newborn, it is a method chosen by a large population of mothers everywhere. Not only is this a healthy approach to nutrition, it also aids in the bonding process as well. For many first time moms the whole idea of this concept is enough to have them clam up a little.

'Relax' is a word not often used in relation to the 'new mom' world. It is, however an important one. As a mother who is breastfeeding her child, you have that added advantage of getting a little more down-time. When it's time to feed, baby normally won't have much patience to offer you, so it's time to take care of that little treasure and put your feet up.

Breastfeed More Comfortably With Nursing Pillows



Using a nursing pillow has many advantages. Not only can it help baby latch on properly, but also allows them to be positioned in comfort. This alone is worth its weight in gold if it prevents nursing problems and assists in a more comfortable experience for both of you. Suffice it to say however, that traditional sofas, chairs and beds are not exactly keeping comfort for nursing moms as one of their strong points.

They make it quite difficult to hold your infant up to the breast, instead of you leaning down and curving your back in the process. They also can leave mothers feeling like they need courses to become a contortionist in order to enable their child to be positioned adequately, whether they themselves are comfortable or not.

This situation is easily remedied, so don't fret. You can give your body a break with the use of a nursing pillow. Without having to set up a whole separate feeding station, you can easily and comfortably nurse your infant with the support provided by a variety of different styles of nursing pillows or cushions.

Some of these pillows can be made of memory foam to contour baby's body as they nurse in comfort, while at the same time contouring the lap to assist in relieving positioning stress. Others are made to double as a comfortable area for baby to be coddles and played with on mommy or daddy's lap.

There are cushions that help baby learn to support their head, and others that are suitable for feeding twins at the same time, allowing not only bonding time with Mommy while nursing, but encouraging them to remain close to each other, as they were in the womb. Or you may opt for the type of pillow that can be used during pregnancy for a more comfortable night's sleep, a nursing pillow as well as a support cushion for baby while spending quality time with either parent.

Whichever style you choose for your nursing pillow, take into consideration not only its immediate benefits, but other benefits to come.

Article by Kate Marie Wilber
Source

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Posted in: Baby Care

Breathable Cot Bumpers

Cot bumpers are all the rage and come in a stunning array of printed designs. Bumper are typically made from a piece of sewn fabric, usually padded, which is fastened to the railing of bub's cot using string ties, ribbons, cording or buttons. The idea, apart from looking highly decorative, is that the padded cloth protects baby from the often hard, wooden cot railings, prevents baby's little limbs from getting stuck and acts as a buffer to prevent baby from bruising him or herself when rolling over during sleep. Sounds good, but is it?



While most cot bumpers are quite safe when installed properly, it is still possible for baby to suffocate if they happen to become wedged against the padded bumper. Baby's limbs could also become tangled in the attachment strings or the bumper itself if the ties become loose over time. As bub grows and gains increased mobility, particularly the ability to stand or climb, some padded bumpers can aide a climbing toddler in clambering out of their cot or falling out. Scary thought if you have timber floors.

So how do you protect bub without the above risks? Easy. Invest in a breathable cot wrap.

There are many breathable wraps on the market today that reduce the risk of suffocation, entanglement and climbing. Most are made from a soft, mesh-like fabric that allows excellent air-flow while at the same time preventing little limbs from becoming trapped between cot railings. Your littlie won't get very far if they try to use this type of bumper for leverage to climb out of their cot, the light-weight fabric simply collapses under foot and springs back in place.

In Queensland's warm climate, a breathable cot wrap is ideal, allowing air to flow around bub even if they should roll up and snuggle their face against. You'll never have to worry about baby overheating against a thick padded bumper again.

We've used one for our son since he was just a tiny winy; it attaches by Velcro and is fully adjustable, surrounding his entire cot and stopping his never-still, rambunctious legs from getting trapped between bars. Its been a godsend and something we highly recommend every parent consider.

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Have you used breathable or padded cot bumpers? 
What are your thoughts on which is better? Share below...e welcome your comments and opinions.

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Posted in: Baby Care

BPA In Feeding Bottles

BPA or Bisphenol A is a toxic chemical which can be found in some feeding bottles, water bottles, food containers, baby teethers and cups. Scientific reports prove that BPA can leak into food and liquids once the plastics are exposed to heat which our bodies then absorb. Experts say that these chemicals contribute to illnesses and disease such as cancer, asthma and infertility among us.

Concerned about your child's exposure to BPA?

• Always check containers for the triangle recycle with no.7 symbol before microwaving. Avoid!
• BPA is also found in the lining of metal-based food and drink cans.Choose glass instead.
• Reheat foods or formula using glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers.

What's your experience with BPA? Did you know about the risks of contamination through baby bottles and other plastic containers?

We'd love for you to share your experiences and thoughts on the subject. Please comment below.

 October 23, 2010 | Article author : iammarie

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Posted in: Baby Care

Hot One In Brisbane Today...

Alright fellow parents, Summer is almost here! Carefree days and hot weather with the sun is shining bright. Naturally the kids will be begging to play at the beach or pool all day. But as I am sure you are aware, spending prolonged amounts of time in direct sunlight, and being exposed to harmful UV rays can damage a child's delicate skin. This article will provide some easy and very effective sun safety tips to keep you and your children safe in the sun this Summer.



Summer Sun Safety - 5 Easy Tips

1) Avoid Sun Exposure between 10am-2pm - The sun is at its highest and strongest point during these hours of the day. If you must be outdoors (we understand), caking on the sunscreen and wearing sun protection clothing is extremely important in order to avoid sun burn. There are many types of sun protection clothing available to protect your child including:

• Kids Rashguards
• Long Sleeve Rashguards
• Toddler Rashguards
• Swim Shirts

2) Use a sunscreen that is water-resistant and has an SPF of at least 15. - There is no sunscreen that provides complete sun protection. The higher the SPF rating, the greater protection from the sun. Sunscreen should be applied liberally approximately 30 minutes before going into the sun. Be sure to reapply it after after swimming, toweling off, or any activity where you have heavy perspiration. Toweling off will remove all sunscreens, even the water-resistant ones.

3) Keep children under six months away from direct sunlight. - Sunblock and sunscreens can irritate a baby's skin. Also, the developing eyes of newborns are quite vulnerable to the sun. When outdoors with your newborn, make sure the child is in some sort of shade at all times.

4) Don't let cloudy skies fool you - Just because it is a cloudy day does not mean you can not get a sun burn. Harmful UV rays go right through the clouds. Regardless of whether it is a sunny or cloudy day you are still being exposed to the same amount of sun. Be sure to apply sunscreen to the areas of skin your family's rashguards, do not cover.

5) Dress the kids for maximum protection - We can't stress this enough. Wearing sun protection clothing in conjunction with sunscreen is your best defense against the sun. Make sure the rash guard shirts have an SPF rating and strongly recommend hats and sunglasses, even for the little ones.

Article by Justin Laubscher
Justin Laubscher is co-owner of The Beach Depot, an excellent website specializing in high quality rashguards and sun protection, and My Cloth Diaper Baby rash guards.

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Posted in: Baby Care

Interpreting Your Baby's First Signs

As a parent, your baby’s “first sign” is greeted with as much excitement as your baby’s “first word”. For some parents though, the excitement is short lived as parents wonder what their baby is trying to communicate to them through baby sign language.

There are three steps to interpreting your baby’s signs and these can be broken down as follows:

Sign Introduction
When parents introduce baby sign language into their home they generally start with a small number of signs that are a combination of both practical and motivational signs. To understand what your baby is trying to communicate, the first step is to recall what are the baby signs you have introduced into your home. By a process of elimination, see if you can match your baby’s attempt at signing with one of the baby signs that you are using consistently in your home. It is important to remember that the sign language that your baby has created may not 100% resemble the baby signs that you have been using. The reasons for this are highlighted in step 2 and 3.

Your Baby’s Physical Capabilities
Your baby’s physical capabilities and motor skills will depend on the age of your baby. When children begin to sign sometimes the sign will be created in reverse. The reason for this is that each time you sign to your baby, your baby actually sees the sign backwards. An example of this was with my neighbour’s child who I taught the baby sign for cat. When he finally signed back to me instead of rubbing his right hand in an upward motion on his left hand (toward his body), Luke was rubbing his right hand on the back of his left away from his body. If you were to look at me demonstrating the sign in a mirror it would look exactly like the way Luke had recreated it. This is something to consider when interpreting your baby’s signs, are they signing it backwards due to their perception of the way the sign was created.

It is also important to note that younger babies may have difficulty in crossing their arms (for signs such as koala bear) or may use all fingers for signs that only involve one finger (for signs such as Dad). For this reason it is important to notice the location of your baby’s hand when illustrating the sign and be aware of what is within your baby’s field of vision, these should provide some clue into what your baby is trying to communicate. This combined with a process of elimination should help identify what your baby’s attempt means.

Sign Generalisation
As with spoken language, baby’s who are exposed to baby sign language sometimes use one sign to symbolise many different objects or may use the sign in reference to just one item. An example of this was when Luke who knew the sign for cat, saw a dog in the park one day. His response to this was to sign the word for cat. Luke had identified the dog as a four-legged animal and had assumed that it belonged to the same group as a cat. When a baby begins to speak they may often use one word to represent many different objects. In the case of Luke, it was important to encourage his attempts but to also introduce the sign for dog and later to clarify the differentiation between a dog and cat through stories, friend’s pets and stuffed toys.
In summary, when the moment arrives and your baby begins to sign, please remember to greet your baby’s attempt with enthusiasm and encouragement. Through a process of elimination, you should be able to clarify what your baby is trying to communicate and help reduce frustration for you and your baby. And remember, have fun!

Happy Signing!

Article by Jackie Durnin: Jackie has helped thousands of families reduce frustration with their pre-verbal babies around Australia using simple baby sign language. For more information on bay sign language visit http://www.australianbabyhands.com

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Posted in: Baby Care,Baby Sign Language

Have You Heard Of It? The Baltic Amber Necklace

Baltic Amber has been used in Europe as a natural and traditional remedy and curative for many ailments for centuries. Long ago it was considered one of the leading medicines of its time. Baltic Amber is the most esteemed amber in the world. The healing qualities of Baltic Amber make it unlike any other type of amber found in the world. When Baltic amber is worn on the skin, the skin's warmth releases trace amounts of healing oils from the amber These oils contain succinic acid and are absorbed into the skin


How can Baltic Amber help us?

• Pain Relief
• Strengthens the body's immune system
• Restoring Energy
• Maintaining Wellness
• To help break a cycle of (chronic) inflammation

Please be advice that parent supervision is highly recommended.

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Have you used it? Did it make a difference for yourself or your child? We love hearing your comments and receiving your personal experiences. Please feel welcome to share below:

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Posted in: Baby Care,Hot Trends,Product Reviews