Top Tips for Weaning Your Baby

Weaning can be one of the most exciting times for a Mum, and of course for baby too! New tastes, new sensations and new expressions... you will begin to appreciate the saying, "Variety is the spice of life!"
However it can be a little stressful, and there is no doubt that if you want your baby to have the best possible and most nutritious start in life - you DO have to be organised. SO...

My Top Tips

1 - Think a day ahead!

2 - Keep a diary - this is vital to monitor food reactions, baby's mood which may be linked to upsets in blood sugar levels, and of course it will be something to refer to years down the line or for when number 2 comes along!

3 - Introduce ONE food at a time. This is important to note down any unusual reactions (especially if there are signs of allergy or a history of allergy in the family).

4 - When you are introducing any new food to your baby, leave 3 days before starting any new foods. Signs of an allergic reaction include sneezing, runny nose, diarrhoea, vomiting, a rash, or ear infection.

5 - Rotate foods from day to day as much as possible.

6 - Be patient - mealtimes shouldn't be rushed. Your baby will decide when he-she is full.

7 - Persevere with a food, if at first your baby doesn't seem to like it. Try it again the next day, or in a few days or weeks.

8 - Try not to worry too much during the weaning process!

9 - When you are "out and about" the best foods to carry with you are bananas and ripe avocados. Both can be mashed together easily and will be tasty, nutritious and satisfying for your baby!

10 - If your baby gets a little constipated when you first introduce solids... don't panic. It may take a while for the bowels to "wake-up" to solid food. Try giving kiwi fruit!

When a baby reaches the age of 6 months (usually having doubled his or her birth weight), the energy (calorie) requirements as well as the requirements for nutrients such as protein, iron (see below), selenium, zinc, vitamin A and D, & essential fatty acids, exceeds that which can be supplied by mother's breast milk. Breast or quality follow-on milk should ideally be carried on until the age of one at least. DO NOT give cow's milk to a baby until they are AT LEAST one year old. Some believe it should be nearer to 2 years old - I would say definitely 2 if there is any history of allergy in the family.

Build up foods over the next 4 months "loosely" in the following order...

Vegetables and fruits - see note below but generally enjoy introducing a whole variety! Fruits are easy to introduce as babies love the sweetness, and of course they learn what NATURAL sweetness is. Avoid fruit juices. Fruits also mix well with veggies, but try not to rely too heavily on fruit, just because you think your baby is more likely to want something sweet! Just watch some fruits with large pips such as raspberries - kiwis should be fine. Frozen fruits and veg such as peas are fine for your baby and can be very handy to use!

Pulses and beans - well cooked and well blended - try chickpeas, white beans, and puy lentils. These mash well and combine with savoury or sweet ingredients and add bulk to satisfy.

Cooked brown rice, quinoa, millet and tapioca - homemade porridges or purees using these grains are superior to shop-bought baby rice. If you need to use baby rice, make sure you buy organic and one that is FREE of fillers, e.g. Organix.

Lamb, poultry, and fish (especially oily fish such as wild trout and sea bass which have the lowest PCB and mercury levels) - introduce in small quantities at first, concentrating on organic meats if possible. You may find after introducing meat such as lamb or chicken, your baby's mood and energy levels will soar!

At 6-9 months, iron requirements are thought to be 7-8mg/day.
To give you an idea of how to reach this, mix and match the following foods that are good sources of iron...

4 dried apricots (best soaked and mashed) - 5mg
100g cooked red lentils - 2.4mg (combine with something sweet for an interesting dish)
100g cooked peas - 2mg
* 100g cooked spinach - 1.6mg (not to give until 1 year)
100g cooked chickpeas - 1.5mg
1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses - 1.5mg
4 prunes - 1mg
100g cooked sweet potato - 1mg
150g cooked butternut squash - 1mg
½ avocado - 0.4mg
100g cooked cabbage - 0.4mg
1 tablespoon raisins - 0.4mg
100g cooked carrot - 0.4

More thoughts...

Concentrate on vegetables as much as fruits in the first few weeks if you can. Try the "sweeter" veggies such as carrot, parsnip, peas, and sweet potato, butternut squash, asparagus, cauliflower and broccoli

Shop seasonally and locally whenever you can. Don't avoid introducing a food that you don't like or didn't like as a child! Remember, with a baby - you are starting with clean palate, and NO understanding or experience of likes and dislikes. SO go ahead with Brussels sprouts, broccoli, pumpkin, leeks, swede or mushrooms - they may well surprise you! ALL these veggies are fantastically healthy in their own right!

N.B.

It is generally advisable to avoid the "deadly nightshade family" of vegetables as they contain substances that a baby may be sensitive to. These include aubergines, tomatoes, potatoes and peppers. Wait until the first year is up!

After introducing these as single foods, try these "mashed" or "pureed" combinations...

Ripe avocado and banana
Ripe avocado and mango
Sweet potato and peas
Quinoa porridge and paw paw
Quinoa and kiwi
Beetroot and peas
Broccoli and peas
Orchard fruit puree - apple, ripe pear and peach
Apple, parsnip and butternut squash
Apricot and swede - don't be afraid of combining fruit and veg - be imaginative!


Meat, fish and bean combos..
Chicken, rice or sweet potato and broccoli
Lamb, peas, sweet potato
Tuna salad - mashed and blended yellowfin tuna, avocado, natural yogurt, chopped chives and lemon juice!
Bean and root veg mash - swede, celeriac, sweet potato and organic baked beans (sweetened with apple juice)

Other foods that will form your baby's "diet"...
Suitably fortified foods - e.g Nanny Goat's milk, organic baby rice, cooked brown rice, tapioca, millet and quinoa porridge. These cereals have very low allergenic potential, as well as being excellent sources of protein and carbohydrate - see above.

* Spinach is a good source of iron (as well as calcium and vitamin A), but is best left until the baby is 1 year old.

Blue-green algae and spirulina are green "superfoods" widely available in supplement form, and are useful additions for vegan/vegetarian babies, "atopic" babies, especially those not being introduced to cereals of any sorts until the ages of 1-2 years.

(N.B 10g of dried spirulina provides nearly 3mg of iron).
For these babies, the best cereals to begin introducing are millet and quinoa, highly nutritious, gluten-free and excellent sources of protein and iron. Both can be cooked and served as porridge, with interesting additions, such as banana or papaya.

How much food should I give?

The following is a guide to the first 3 months of weaning - e.g. from 6-9 months of age.

Weeks 1 and 2 - Try 1-2 teaspoons during the lunchtime feed, halfway through the breast or bottle-feed.

Weeks 3 and 4 - As above + 1-2 teaspoons at breakfast halfway through bottle or breast feed. Increase lunchtime feed to 3-4 teaspoons.

Weeks 5 and 6 - 1-2 tsp at breakfast. Introduce 2 courses at lunchtime with 5-6 tsp, and introduce a teatime feed of 2-3 tsp.

Weeks 7 and 8 - As above + offer solids FIRST at lunchtime feed and then top-up with milk.

Weeks 9 and 10 - As above + solids only for lunch + water from a beaker - offer solids FIRST at teatime.

Weeks 11 and 12 - Solids only for lunch and tea. Give a beaker of water after lunch and tea.

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"All-in-One" Or "Pocket" Babies Diapers

Arguably the greatest advance in diaper technology since disposables burst onto the market in 1951, "all-in-one" babies diapers provide disposables' convenience with the comfort and durability of cloth. Best of all, they pose no risk to the environment.

"Pockets" for Babies Diapers
Better known as "AIO's" (all in ones) or "pocket" diapers, these all-natural miracle devices combine a washable, breathable, organic outer "wrapper"-the pocket, with an all-natural liner. When baby soils her diaper, you quickly, adroitly remove the pocket, change the liner, snap or Velcro the pocket back in place and continue with your daily routine. No more fumbling with pins or juggling ingenious-but- useless diaper-pin alternatives. Because they "breathe"-like your hockey jersey and your favorite running singlet-pockets keep your baby drier, protecting her from skin irritation and rashes. Pockets quickly clean-up with regular soap and water, air-drying completely in about ten minutes. Completely machine washable and practically indestructible, pockets easily will endure many more children than you plan to deliver, becoming hand-me-downs for your children's children and six generations after them. Moms delight in pockets' fashions: Clever, style-wise manufacturers make pockets in each season's trendy colors and fabrics, and they frequently add little touches to make runway-savvy moms just melt. Most manufacturers also offer swimsuit pockets-another great breakthrough in diaper technology.

Organic Liners for Two-Layer Babies Diapers
The pockets combine fashion's allure with hard-minded, down-to-earth practicality. The liners preserve mom's peace of mind, reduce her workload, and help her control the family's budget. Liners come in many different materials, all of them equally safe, earth-friendly, and economical. You may choose organic disposables-yes you read that correctly, and, no, it is not an oxymoron; or you may choose hemp/cotton cloth diapers, by far the softest and friendliest among Mother Earth's best friends. "Disposable" liners, made of cellulose and natural fibers, contain no chlorine or volatile organic chemicals, and they break down after just 150 days in a landfill. Better still, many are flushable, breaking-up quickly and easily in the toilet and sailing effortlessly down the tubes. Many also are compostable, so that you may mix them with your yard waste and use them to nourish next spring's tender rosebuds. Cotton/hemp cloth diapers wash quickly and easily in cold water, growing softer and more absorbent with each run through the cycles; and they dry quickly on your clothesline. Hemp, the strongest natural fiber known to humankind, outperforms and outlasts more than 90% of high-test synthetic fibers. Hemp simply will not break or wear out, and it grows abundantly, gently, doing more to replenish than to exhaust fertile soil.

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Zoey, Brutis & Pears - Oh My!

Zoey tried blended up organic pears for the first time today and didn't really like them too much. I even tried adding some baby cereal to them and she still didn't like them, as you'll see. So, instead of throwing them away, I gave the leftovers to our living food disposal unit: our dog Brutis.

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Your Baby, Month 2

As the baby enters the second month of development, he or she may begin to express feelings through cooing, gurgling, squealing, laughing, grunting, or humming. The baby might even flash his or her first smile by the time he or she reaches five weeks old.

The baby will begin to spend more time awake during the day. This is the perfect time to start stimulating sensory development. Music is a great way to engage the infant. Any type of music will do, although many parents prefer classical tunes or lullabies. When the baby is quiet and alert, parents can interact by talking to their infant about the things around them, such as pictures on the wall.

For some parents, the second month of the baby's development can mean mixed emotions. Some new parents might feel disappointed that life with their newborn is not how they had imagined it to be. These feelings are perfectly normal and nothing to be ashamed of. Many new mothers also have a lack of desire for sex due to hormone fluctuations; this too is normal. Other mothers who choose not to breastfeed may feel guilt and shame over their decision.

During the second month, mothers will also return to their doctors for a postpartum checkup. This visit will include a pelvic exam as well as a breast exam. Some women will also receive a Pap smear at this time. It is important to make sure that the mother's body is healing properly so that she can continue her job as a new mother.

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Tea Collection Purity Organic Legging, Magenta, 12-18 Months

Tea Collection Purity Organic Legging, Magenta, 12-18 Months Review

Tea Collection Purity Organic Legging, Magenta, 12-18 Months Feature

• Soft knit leggings in magenta are a great basic
• Versatile: layer under tea collection's wide assortment of tops and dresses
• Extraordinary quality: carefully crafted and made of exceptional fabrics, 100% organic cotton
• Easy care: machine washable and very durable
• Each garment is designed for active little citizens with tea's unwavering commitment to quality

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Tea Collection Solid Cargo Pant, Indigo, 6-12 Months

Tea Collection Solid Cargo Pant, Indigo, 6-12 Months Review

Tea Collection Solid Cargo Pant, Indigo, 6-12 Months Feature

• Sueded jersey cargo pants have oversized cargo pockets and graphite (grey) trim
• Extraordinary Quality - 100% cotton knit is extremely soft and comfortable
• Easy Care ¿ machine washable and very durable
• Versatile ¿ looks and feels just as great at parties as it does on the playground
• Practical ¿ mix and match coordination gives unlimited outfitting options

Tea Collection Solid Cargo Pant, Indigo, 6-12 Months Overview

Tea Collection favorite cargo pants in sueded jersey are brushed for extra softness. Oversized cargo pocket with graphite contrast stitching. Imported. Indigo.

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Oral Thrush in Newborns - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Oral thrush is an infection caused by the yeast fungus known as Candida albicans and is a common illness in newborn babies. The fungus is also referred to as candidosis and moniliasis, but generally these terms describe the appearance of candida albicans in adults. This article will focus on the causes and symptoms of oral thrush in newborns as well as methods of treatment.

It may be helpful to first understand some background information on exactly what oral thrush is. Microorganisms exist everywhere in our environment and usually bacteria, viruses and fungi form a symbiotic relationship with the human body. These microorganisms are beneficial to the health of babies and adults alike and the body allows them to remain present. The fungus that causes oral thrush does not have a symbiotic relationship with the human body. Candida albicans usually works its way into the body when the immune system is in a diseased or weakened state. In their first few days of life, newborn babies are especially at risk from infections such as oral thrush.

Two specific causes of oral thrush are a reaction to antibiotics and transmission from a mother with a yeast infection. The mouth of a postnatal baby undergoes certain changes following a dose of antibiotic medication that create a breeding ground for a fungus to develop. It is also possible for a mother to pass on a yeast infection to her child in the form of candidosis. The transmission occurs from exposure in the birth canal and oftentimes results in infection when the baby is from two to ten weeks old.

Diagnosing babies is usually done using the clinical picture. This means that doctors are generally able to diagnose the infection on sight alone. Oral thrush manifests itself in the form of painful white lesions on the inside of the baby's mouth. These patches appear on the gums, insides of cheeks, palates and tongue. It is also possible for thrush lesions to work their way into the esophagus. Doctors use throat cultures, endoscopic examination and barium swallow to help diagnose an oral thrush infection that has progressed to this degree.

Nipple damage due to breastfeeding can lead to an elevated risk of Candida infection. Although the nipples and areola may not show signs of an infection certain symptoms can help indicate that one is occurring. One or both nipples may be experience stinging pain or itching. Visible signs that a mother has a Candida infection include nipples with white dots, a skin rash with small fluid filled blisters, swelling and cracking of the skin.

If a doctor has reason to believe that an infant has oral thrush, he or she may send a cell sample from the baby's tongue to a lab for analysis and confirmation. The use of a lab sample can help ensure that there are no other illnesses causing complicating a thrush infection.

When oral thrush or a yeast infection has been diagnosed, both the mother and her baby should be treated simultaneously. Coordinating care for both the mother and child helps avoid the risk of the infection being passed back and forth.

Medications for yeast can be systemic (internal) or topical (external). Often physicians will begin curing a yeast infection with a topical drug, followed by a more powerful systemic if necessary. Fluconazole is antifungal cream used to treat a mother's breasts that have come into contact with a baby experiencing oral thrush. Some examples of commercially available anti-fungal drugs include Nystatin, Lotrimin and Itraconazola. Oral thrush is often treated with Nystatin by application to the inside of the infant's mouth several times daily. For complete treatment information speak with your pediatrician.

By paying close attention to the warning signs and symptoms of an oral thrush infection, mothers can reduce the complications caused by this illness. As with all concerns related to the health of your newborn, always rely on the suggestions and information provided by your pediatrician. With treatment time and concern you and your child can overcome the challenge of an oral thrush infection.

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