Parenting & New Baby Advice Blog

Archive for the ‘Feeding’ Category

Every generation of mothers has wanted to feed their babies the very best quality for everything. Whether it's all about organic baby blankets, organic baby clothes or maybe you want to offer your baby organic food. It’s only natural, and today more than ever moms want to feed their baby food that is free of pesticides and chemicals. So what are your options for when baby starts eating baby food? Do you just grab something off your plate and mash it up? Do you run into the grocery store and grab what you can find? Relax knowing your choices are many and there are also modern conveniences designed to help you feed your baby the best foods with the least additives.

Make it Yourself

If you are concerned about your baby eating only organic produce, you’re in luck. Today it’s easy to shop at food stores that sell purely organic produce. Where before organically grown food was hard to find and extremely expensive, you can now find organic marketplaces inside just about every grocery store. There are also stores like Whole Foods or the local health food store that sell certified organic products. The best source is from local farm markets. Most neighborhoods now have them. Stock up on what’s in season and preserve for later.

You can ease your fears of what may have been sprayed on your baby’s food by grinding organic produce yourself. After you’ve brought home carrots, peas, corn and other healthy organic choices, simply wash them and put them in a food processor to mince. You can also purchase a hand-turn food mill designed for making baby food. It’s best to serve the food right away, but if you want to store it up for later, you can easily freeze it. Get a clean ice cube tray and pour individual slots full of the minced veggies. When you need to feed baby, pop one out and defrost it in the microwave. It’s cheaper and healthier than processed foods. And you know exactly what’s in it. You can also do the same with organic meats that you cook yourself and grind. They’ll freeze up too in ice cube trays. Just be sure that after they are solidified in the trays that you place them in freezer bags so they won’t discolor and pick up freezer odors and tastes.

Buy Organic

Again, today’s moms have it good. You can now purchase a line of fully organic baby food at just about any grocery store. In fact, there are many brands that specialize in 100% certified organic baby foods. It may be slightly more expensive than traditional jarred baby food, but if that’s what’s important to you, go for it. You may be pleasantly surprised at the quality and variety offered.

Do you have to go organic?

Today’s baby foods are under strict guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration. So, you can rest assured that the pre-pack baby food you see on the shelves is healthy for your baby. So, no, you do not have to go organic unless you want to. Your family’s lifestyle will dictate how you feed your baby. Do you all eat nothing but organic? Then get baby started on it early. It’s never too early to get baby interested in healthy food choices. It will make it easier for her later on to choose wisely when you’re not there to assist her.

Related Articles:

• All About Organic Food
• More on Organic Food

You have endured the nine months of excess weight, bloating, uncomfortable sleep, and over-sized clothing…oh yeah, and the “glow.”  Now it is time to care for that little angel that has captured your heart and made those months of misery worth it.  So, where do you begin?  Feeding a baby is something that brings stress to many mothers.  How do you know how much?  Do you really have to breastfeed for a whole year? Which formula should you use?  What kind of food should they eat first?  This article seeks to address many of those concerns, so you can rest easier, knowing that your little love is well nourished.

Breastfeeding Pros and Cons

There is still much controversy about this topic, but it is generally believed, even known, that breastfeeding offers a number of superior health benefits to a baby that formula can’t match.  However, though it may be recommended that you breastfeed for a year, this is not practical for all mothers.  Therefore, it may be a much more reasonable goal to shoot for six-, or even three months.  Anything that you can offer your child is better than nothing.  So, set a goal that is reasonable for you and follow your own timeline, rather than looking to others to set it for you.

Formula Options

There are many formula options available today that offer a variety of benefits and disadvantages.  Is it better to use a name brand formula?  We all know them.  They are the powerhouses of the formula industry- Similac and Enfamil.  However, does their status as industry leaders mean that they have something better to offer, or does it seemly mean that you pay more to tote the can with the familiar label?  There is some argument about this, but it is not over whether or not this formula is superior to the no-name brands.  Instead, the debate exists around the idea that consistency is best.  Ultimately, that decision is up to you.

There is also another issue when it comes to formula- soy versus milk versus lactose free versus…  There are many types of formula available, but most specialists agree that standard milk-based is the best option, unless the child has an allergy to it.  In that case, you should consult your physician to determine the next best option for the child.

Portion Control

A concern of many new parents is that their baby is not receiving enough calories, or on the opposite end, that the child is consuming too many.  In most cases, the child is the best judge of this.  Rest assured that a baby will tell you when he or she is hungry.  If the concern lies with ensuring that enough breast milk is produced to fill the tummy of your little love, then you might want to speak to your doctor or supplement with formula if you are certain the child is still hungry after a feeding.

Introducing Solid Foods

The next step is to introduce solid foods.  The recommended age to do so is four months.  Some parents choose to start this process a bit early, but pediatricians warn that starting to introduce foods too early can increase digestion problems and may be linked to the development of more food allergies.  If you would like to start solid foods before four months consult your pediatrician.  The typical order of introduction is single grain baby cereals- ie. rice or oat- then multi-grain cereals, then fruits and vegetables.  It is wise to introduce foods one at a time, so you are sure to avoid foods that cause undesirable physical reactions.

For more tips on taking care of a new baby, try:

• Ways To Get Baby To Sleep
• Choosing the Right Babysitter
• Baby Teething Timetable

It is so exciting when your baby reaches the stage where he’s interested in finger foods. By the time most babies are six to nine months old, they’ll be reaching for the food off your plate or otherwise showing you that they are interested in what other folks are eating. But all babies are different. If yours shows little interest in finger foods, give him time. Eventually, at his own pace, he will show you he wants a taste of something more than rice cereal, formula, and liquefied baby foods.

Many parents wonder how baby will eat finger foods if she has no teeth. Contrary to what parents might think, baby does not need teeth to eat her first softer foods. Those gums are powerhouses when they clamp down. Once your baby starts to develop the motion of pinching, she’ll have enough power to try the finger foods you put in front of her.

Start with one food at a time. Allergies are common and each child is different. Use four days as your test lab. Feed one food at a time for four days and see if baby develops any rash or adverse symptoms. If he does, tell your doctor. And keep a running record book so you don’t forget which day you started which food. Once you are sure there’s no allergy, go ahead and introduce a second food. Repeat the process for each food.

A good food to start with is banana. Soft banana slices are the perfect finger food. They are pliable enough that baby can easily mash them in her mouth. Avoid unripe bananas as not only do they not taste as good, but they can be hard for baby to eat. Cut a few slices and place them on baby’s feeding tray on her high chair. They also make baby cookies or breads that are specific for toddlers and teething you might want to try. Make a big deal of how excited you are. Show him how you eat one. And he will do the same. Watch for any choking. As with all foods, you will want to be there to monitor your child as he eats. Never leave a young baby or child who is eating alone even if he is secured in a high chair.

Next, try cooked carrots. Cut up carrots into small sticks. Cut them again into squares. Boil the carrots in water in the microwave or on the stove-top until they are tender. Let them cool completely and drain off the water. Using a slotted spoon, place a portion of the carrot squares on baby’s tray. Most babies will not keep food in a little plastic dish, so it’s okay at this age to let them eat off the high chair feeding tray. You never need to add salt or butter to baby’s first foods. Even though they may seem bland to adults, they are actually quite tasty and healthy for baby as close to their natural state as possible.

When you’re ready to start baby on pasta, you can have lots of fun. Boil up pasta wheels or other smaller shapes and when they’ve cooled, let baby enjoy the sensation of picking them up with her own two fingers and getting them into her mouth. Take pictures as these are some of the most special and adorable times in a young baby’s life.

More Baby Tips:

• Ways To Get Baby To Sleep
• Choosing the Right Babysitter
• Baby Teething Timetable

Baby bibs are a necessity in any mom’s life. If you want to surprise a mom you know, or if you are a mom yourself, you can make bibs that are lovely and personal in just a few quick steps. They’ll save money over store bought bibs and they’ll be personal and long-lasting. Even if you do not have extensive sewing skills, you can still create bibs like a pro. You can do it with or without a sewing machine. These also make for great 1st birthday gifts. Babies need bibs all the time!

First, choose two kinds of fabric. One fabric should be absorbent, like a terrycloth. Think washcloth fabric. The softer the better. The second fabric should be a cotton in a fun baby print for the back. This can be as silly and outrageous or colorful as you like. As long as it’s cotton and washable, it’s perfectly fine.

Now, you’ll need to create your own pattern or download one from online. You can type “baby bib pattern” into any search engine and you’ll find a pattern or two that you can print out. If you prefer to create your own pattern, you can simply draw a bib shape on an 8.5” x 11” piece of paper. Or you can trace a bib you already have.

Next, pin your pattern to a layer of terrycloth on top of a layer of cotton. Cut around the pattern edges. You’re going to sew the two layers together next. If you have a sewing machine, sew a basic stitch around the edges with the wrong sides of the fabric together. Leave an unsewn part so you can turn the bib right side out and hand stitch the gap. Or, for a more rustic, handmade look, just go ahead and sew with right sides out. Your finished bib will have nice stitches along the edges. If your sewing machine does fancy dog stitches or other designs, use one of those.

If you have never sewn a day in your life, you can still do this project. Simply use fusible webbing which you can find in any craft or sewing store. This miracle product allows you to use an iron to secure two pieces of fabric together. With the wrong sides of the fabric facing out, place a layer of the fusible webbing along the edges. Iron on leaving a small space so you can turn it right side out. When finished turn the bib so right sides of the fabric are out.

Next, you’re ready to add trim. If you’d like, use a binding in a cute baby print or check. Or, leave plain. As a closure you will need to add a snap or ties. If you are choosing the snap, hand-stitch each side of the snap to the bib. If you are using ties, sew on soft cording or string. Any washable string will work. Or choose a thick ribbon like grosgrain that will wear well.

Baby will have a whole new wardrobe of bibs when you realize how easy it is to make them. Personalize with baby’s name in iron on letters or fabric paint. Or use decals. Don’t, however, use sequins or beads as they can come loose if baby chews on the bib, or in the washing machine. Stick to soft, simple decals or embellishments.

Get Crafty! Here are some more fun craft ideas for a little one:

• Handmade Baby Gift Ideas
• Baby Shower Crafts - Create Onesies For The New Baby

Dads are helping out more and more with their children. The days of mom doing all of the work while dad sits on the couch in his smoking jacket enjoying a pipe are long gone. Today’s families are seriously busy and require the help of both parents. If you know a new dad, help him out by stocking a kit with everything he’ll need when it’s his turn to take care of the new baby.

Most new fathers don’t know what they would need to pack for an outing with their infant or toddler. That’s where you come in. If he’s got his first bag stocked, he’ll know how to restock it when the time comes. Here are some things you should include:

• A sturdy baby bag that won’t embarrass dad if he runs into his boss or coworker at the park. This can be as simple as a black messenger bag. Many companies now sell a type of “man purse” designed for exactly this use. These bags are fashionable and won’t scream baby bag from a mile away. They are often grey or black and are worn cross body so dad has his hands free.
• Essentials for the infant age include diapers (at least 8), changing pad (in case dad has to change baby on a yucky diaper changing station in a public restroom), and lots of wipes. Ensure the wipe container closes properly so they stay moist. Depending on the infant, you’ll need formula or breast milk. If the infant is eating only breast milk, mom will have to pump it ahead of time and leave it for dad in the freezer. He can put it in a bottle when the time comes. Give him an ice pack or two so that the milk stays cool in the diaper bag. If the infant drinks formula, make sure dad packs the powdered formula (they now come in single-serve packs) and bottled water to mix it with. He’ll also have to have at least two bottles—one extra for when baby throws his bottle down on a dirty surface or dad leaves one at a restaurant.
• Lots of other items are a good idea as well, this is usually where all those new baby gifts come in handy. A bib for feeding baby in public is a must. If baby is off formula, dad’s going to have to pack baby food (at least three jars including meat, veggies and fruit) as well as a baby spoon. A sippy cup or two are also necessary or a two bottles if the baby can’t drink from a cup yet. Diaper cream to take care of diaper rash, a teething ring to stop a crying baby, a squishy toy that will distract baby if she’s crying, and a pacifier are also sound choices.
• Anything else you want to add can be for dad. Include some granola bars or trail mix for when his energy lags as well as an extra bottle of water or juice for him, hand sanitizing spray or gel, a list of emergency contact numbers written out including mom’s number at work (in case he loses that cell phone), and gum or candies.
• Don’t assume that dad will know what to do in every situation, especially if he’s a new dad. Write out feeding times and how often baby’s diaper should be changed and any other info that you think he might need.