Newborn Baby Checklist - Baby Care Supplies

A newborn checklist for expectant mothers and fathers. If this is your first child then this newborn checklist can be a tremendous aid to you.

Baby care planning and the purchasing of the right baby care supplies can be an overwhelming (if not daunting) concept for new parents. I have drawn up this new baby checklist from my own experience as a parent but is by no means an exhaustive list but I feel it covers the absolute essentials when preparing to bring your newborn home for the first time.

• A light antibiotic ointment (for his healing belly button, essential checklist item)
• Infant sized diapers
• Baby gloves (to prevent scratching the most important checklist item)
• Several medium size soft blankets or wraps
• Small baby hats (he gets cold easily, they made the checklist)
• Breast Pads (for leaking)
• Very mild baby wipes (all natural if possible)
• Baby oil
• Very soft towels for wiping and drying and dabbing
• Mild cream (to soothe his bum)

That's the basic newborn baby checklist for the first few days. Your little one is so small that you don't need to be overly concerned about cribs, waterproof mattress pads, strollers, car seats yet and other baby care supplies just yet. After we get him home it will be a good idea to add these items to your baby checklist of course. What you can plan for in the near future may be:

• Room thermometer
• At least 6 small one piece baby jumpers ( I recommend more like 10)
• Baby bathtub
• A baby monitor
• A bassinet (combine efforts and get crib with a bassinet built in)
• Baby nail clippers
• An infant pacifier
• Infant baby bottles (this optionally can go on the checklist above)

While not all-inclusive of every little thing that you may be wanting to consider, this list will get you through the first amazing weeks of your little one and his or her first experiences of the world.

I think this list is the essential baby care items to have on your newborn baby checklist. This list represents the purchasing options for those of us that happen to be in the middle class and does not include what you may believe to be necessary or essential. things like the live-in nanny, expensive day care or custom themes for your baby room is really different baby care than most of us can or want to afford and thus an entirely different baby checklist. Please feel free to print this checklist to use for your shopping needs or track down the author and provide feedback or additions to this important topic.

Cindi Jones is a staff writer for babycare-supplies.com [http://babycare-supplies.com]. Cindi is a parent of two children herself. Her baby care articles are both entertaining and informative. On most days you can find her researching baby care supplies or baby care supply stores online preparing her next informative report either about baby products or just general baby supplies.

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Baby Care Products - What You Should Look For in Baby Safety Products

Knowing what baby care products you should be looking for can be a troublesome and stressful experience for any new parent. Baby safety is very important, and the anticipation of the responsibility that being a new parent necessarily involves is usually coupled with being inundated with brochures, leaflets and books listing countless dozens of essential products that you will need to purchase and install.

A very important consideration for your new baby is the question of temperature. It is easy for small children to get very cold, particularly in their hands and feet, so make sure that you have plenty of baby clothes, rompers or sleepers, and items to cover the little extremities such as mittens and booties. It is important to make sure that your new baby's head is always covered, as a good deal of heat can be lost through the head, and for this reason a bonnet or hat is important. This is particularly true if your child is born during the winter months.

There has been much written about how to ensure that your baby is safe whilst sleeping in their cot or Moses basket. Make sure they sleep on their side or on their back and that you do not use pillows, duvets or loose toys, as these can easily cover the face of your baby, resulting in possible breathing difficulties. Keep in mind that cribs and cots must meet federal and ASTM standards, so if you purchase yours from one of the top manufacturers you can be sure that these are met.

It is also important to make sure that your baby is sleeping in a room which is of an appropriate temperature. There are a range of baby thermometers available which clearly indicate the optimum temperature for your baby's nursery. If the room is quite warm then it is important not to use polyester sheets, and to remove any plastic wrapping that may be around the mattress. Make sure that you have plenty of baby blankets, and warm slick suits or rompers, in case the temperature drops too low.

There are a tremendous number of baby safety devices available to help protect your baby from the various dangers that an average family home presents. From baby gates to door stoppers, from electrical output plugs to fireguards - the sheer number and variety can be overwhelming. But in thinking about baby care products it is easy to forget that many of these items might be better described as toddler care products. It will be several months before your baby stands any chance of being able to get anywhere near any of these household dangers.

For this reason it is usually advisable for new parents to focus on those products that are actually going to be needed in the first few days and weeks of your new baby arriving. Baths and bottles are of particular importance. As a mother, whether you have decided to breast-feed or bottle feed it is sound advice to have bottles and baby milk formula ready just in case.

You will also need to make sure that you have a way of sterilizing the bottles, and it may well be advisable to practice sterilizing and making up the bottles of milk. Make sure that your bottles are glass: Canada has banned the use of plastic bottles due the possible content of Bisphenol A (BPA) in polycarbonate bottles, and many environmental organizations are suggesting that other countries should do the same due to its possible adverse effect on the endocrine system, responsible for the regulation of hormones in the body.

When it comes to transport, car seats are of critical importance and you will have to purchase this before you get baby home. If there is one baby care product that must purchase new it is this. This is not the time to take a chance on second hand goods, the history of which you do not know, and any child car seat could have been previously damaged without your knowledge. Also make sure to check the expiration date - yes, they have one - and that the seat is facing to the rear until your child is over one year old and at least 20 ponds, when he or she can be switched to a forward facing seat.

It is impossible to know for certain which baby care products your own baby will take to best. As long as you have purchased a good quality crib or cot, with appropriate sheets and blankets, a huge number of nappies and changes of clothes for the first few days and are confident in using the baby milk bottles and sterilizers, then the chances are that you will thoroughly enjoy the first few days of having your new baby, although in your sleep deprived state it is unlikely that you will
remember this!

It is often difficult for new parents to understand what baby care products they should purchase for their new addition to the family. The problem is not the range available, but knowledge of all the hazards presented to babies, and how to protect them from the risks these hazards present. Baby safety is specific to new babies that cannot help themselves should they be in trouble.

Go online and check out the latest information on recent recalls of dangerous baby products that has been provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Visit Bonny Baby Mall [http://www.bonnybabymall.com/babycaresafety.php] for detailed safety advice on the care of your baby.

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Global Baby Care Market Overview by Product Cosmetics and Toiletries

Growing awareness among people for baby health and healthcare products is driving the market for baby care cosmetics and toiletries. This market comprises of baby skin care products, hair care products, bath care products, diapers, perfumes, and convenience and safety products. The overall market is broadly classified under two major segments:

• Baby Cosmetics Products
• Baby Toiletries Products

The baby cosmetics and toiletries market is the largest segment of baby care products industry which accounted for the total market share of about 92.2% in 2011. This market is forecasted to strengthen its position in upcoming years and hold the market share of 93.2% by the year 2017. The major driver of this market are the growing attention of parents towards baby health, increasing baby population in developing economies, and increase in disposable incomes of parents.

Worldwide market for baby care cosmetics and toiletries was valued at USD 41.3 billion in the year 2011 and forecasted to reach the value of USD 62.3 billion by the year 2017 at the compounded annual growth rate of 7.1% during the forecasted period.

Increase in age of parents is also contributing to the growth of this market as higher aged parents are considered financially more stable and hence can spend more money on baby care and convenience. Moreover, increasing number of women entering the mainstream workforce is helping this industry to grow as the average disposable income of family is growing. This market is also witnessing growing trend in specific products, particularly baby cosmetics. There is also increasing demand for organic baby care products that pose no threats to baby's health.

The baby skin care market is one of the major market segments with highest market share and positive future outlook. The baby hair care market offers small market penetration; however, it is expected to witness healthy growth in the near future due to increasing attention of parents towards baby care. The baby sun care segment is relatively small segment as parents avoid their babies taking into direct sunlight. Increasing trend of using shower gel as bath product for babies is creating new opportunities for the growth of this segment.

The baby care products market is largely categorized and dominated by toiletries manufacturers like Procter & Gamble (P&G), Kimberly-Clark, and Johnson and Johnson. Procter and Gamble leads this market with its premier diaper brand "Pampers". Kimberly-Clark is the next largest baby care products manufacturers and mainly involved in manufacture of baby toiletries brands like Pull-Ups, Huggies, GoodNites, and DryNites. Johnson and Johnson is the third largest players of this market with wide range of baby skin care, sun care, hair care, and bath care products.

Development and innovation in products is allowing retailers and manufacturers to widen the market with the help of advanced marketing approach. Changing lifestyle trends and mothers returning to work earlier is resulting in growing demand for baby care products, thus boosting the overall market growth.

Transparency Market Research is a market intelligence company providing, global business research reports and consulting services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision-makers. Reports Available on Baby Care Products Market and Nutricosmetics Market.

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Essential Baby Care Products That You Need

A new born baby is a bundle of joy which brings along a world of happiness. Babies undoubtedly require great love, care and attention. Choosing perfect baby care products are quite essential for the healthy development of your little one. Watching your loved one grow with happiness and love is a dream come true for most of the parents. Parenting can be a bit difficult but when there are so many choices of products available to take care of your little one, it is a wonderful and unforgettable experience.

Different Baby Care Products 

There are many products which are quite essential for proper care of your new born baby. It is important to choose and buy products from authentic manufacturers as it ensures quality. To start with, your baby care productsmust include the following items.

• Diapers: it is one of the most necessary items required by a new born baby. There are hoards of diapers available in different styles. Using diapers ensures that your baby remains dry and happy.


• Cribs: another important and expensive product includes the cribs. Cribs are available in different colors, styles and designs. It is also important to choose cribs with safety standards. Purchasing mattresses for the cribs are also essential. Mattresses should be comfortable and soft with good support. Cribs should be comfortable and safe so that your baby sleeps undisturbed.


• Feeding bottles: baby care products should include feeding bottles of different sizes. A number of nipples should also be included in the list. Feeding bottles should be washed and cleaned regularly, so you will require dishwasher baskets and nipple cleaners. You can find a huge variety of feeding bottles of different colors and sizes in the baby stores.


• Skin care products: different types of products such as soaps, shampoos, creams, lotions and oils are essential for personal hygiene and care. There are many branded companies that sell top quality products specially made for babies.


• Detergents: baby care products should also include detergents to wash baby clothes, cloth diapers, bed linens and so forth. These detergents should be mild and safe for babies.


• Toys: different types of toys suitable for babies are available today in all the baby stores. It is important to choose toys which are non toxic and baby safe.


• Baby car seats: these car seats can be strapped to the stroller so that you do not have to carry your baby around while strolling.


• Medicine cabinet: baby care products must include a medicine cabinet with essential medicines. It should also include a thermometer, teething rings, antibiotic creams, bandages and so forth.


• Clothes: baby care products also include clothes. Clothes must be soft and comfortable as baby skin is sensitive and very smooth.

Proper accessories can make it easier to care for your sweet little one. Many more accessories can be added to those mentioned above as your little one grows up. There are many online stores that offer many varieties of baby care products that help to care for your babies.

Author has wide knowledge of B2B Marketplace and Business industries. For information on baby care products like body massage oil, visit online manufacturers & suppliers business directory Dir.indiaMART.com

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8 General Baby Care Tips

Taking care of a newborn baby is not easy. Babies need proper care and nutrition to avoid getting sick and stay healthy at all times. First-time moms will surely need to learn the right techniques and ways on how to handle and care for their babies.

To help parents particularly moms in caring for their baby, here are some general baby care tips that you should know and follow to keep your baby healthy, safe and sound.

1.) Know the nutritional needs of your baby

Babies differ in their nutritional needs based on their age. Newborn babies should be breastfed in order to get the right nutrition and be protected from illnesses through the antibodies from the breast milk.

2.) Give your baby the proper clothing

Ask fellow moms or your pediatrician on what clothes should be worn by your baby during the day and at night. Check the skin of your baby and see if your child is allergic to any particular clothing or fabric.

3.) Learn the proper ways and right time for changing diapers

Be extremely carefully when changing your baby's diaper. Make sure not to pull his/her feet and slow move from side to side when changing the diaper. Check from time to time whether the diaper is soiled or needs to be changed.

4.) Proper bathing of your baby

During cold weather, it is best to add hot water to the tub but make sure to mix it well. For newborn babies, make sure to bathe them really quick but with tremendous care. Prepare the towel and cover your baby as soon as you're done bathing. Use doctor's recommended liquid soap that is hypoallergenic and gentle to the body.

5.) Sanitize your hands before holding your child.

Infants need to be safe always and be kept away from dirt, pollutants and germs that can possibly enter their body so make sure to sanitize your hands before carrying your baby. You should also never carry your child if your clothes are dirty or you just arrived home from work.

6.) Never shake your baby!

Shaking your baby when playing or having him/her go to sleep is not right! Shaking can cause bleeding or damage to the brain and should never be done to your child. Sing lullabies to your baby or let your child listen to music when going to sleep.

7.) Immunization is important.

Always bring your baby to the pediatrician for the scheduled immunization. Never miss any immunization schedule because vaccines are important to protect your baby from certain illnesses and keep them safe and healthy.

8.) Never leave your child unattended.

You should never leave your child unattended or turn your back on them. Accidents often happen when babies are left alone or when you are busy doing other things thinking that your baby is just sleeping. Make sure to keep an eye on your child or instruct your babysitter to always monitor your infant.

Babies are fragile and require extreme care and attention. Parents should learn the proper handling and caring for their babies because it is their responsibility to rear the child so the child will grow healthy and always safe.

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Nature Takes Care of Baby's Wholesome Nutrition

There is a well-known fact saying that "culinary habits" come from childhood. That is why parents should pay special attention to their child's nutrition. Food constraint can bring irreparable physical and psychological harm to a child. Parents' constant persuasion while their baby is eating can not only have negative effect on the process of digestion itself, but also may cause further food allergy. Is not it better to examine closely, listen to what child's organism needs, how, what and how many he wants to eat?

If baby's taste is not perverted and his metabolism is not affected yet, then you should be curious about what he wants to eat. Don't force your child to eat fast, it's better to develop a habit to chew food well. Then his alimentary canal will not have to "complete" the work his teeth and salivary glands haven't done. Speed of eating, temperature of food is his private affair, though.

You should not be afraid if your child refuses to eat at all. Don't panic. This means that something goes wrong in his organism and the Nature just suggests him a way of short-term hunger treatment. Show patience and tenacity. Very soon your child will come running to you asking to eat some certain food. You should not resort to any food encouragement, temptations, don't use sweets as a reward for his good behavior. While observing your child's choice of food you give to him, you can make important conclusions about his health condition and organism needs. And the main thing is that you should rely on your child's instinct. If you have succeeded not to spoil it yet, let him choose what, when, how many and in what combination and order he should eat or drink.

Quite often, food fermentation appears in alimentary canal, as a result of regular feeding with meat and bread, pap with milk and sugar, sweet pies. Frequently, this leads to child's tonsillitis, diarrhea, constipation, gastritis, un-reasoned rise in temperature and allergy.

When some parents overfeed their children, they pave the way for adiposity, which inevitably leads to a whole bouquet of sicknesses. You should not also forget about an important fact of the organism process of preparation for eating. A term "psychology of eating", meaning company, dining room atmosphere, its lighting and the music sounding in, can be included in the concept "culture of eating".

View Schedule of Including Vegetables and Fruits Into Your Baby Ration here http://www.baby-health.net/articles/137.html

Yana Mikheeva is the creator of Baby Health Directory [http://www.baby-health.net] - Pregnancy, Birth, Parenting and Baby Care resources. Are you going to get pregnant? Visit our friendly resource and read information on pregnancy and parenting, painless childbirth, growth and development of a baby, baby health, safety, signs of pregnancy.

She also has All about women [http://www.womanspassions.com] site where you can find articles on various subjects, such as: diets, receipts, health, cellulite, figure, aromatherapy, wholesome food, psychology of relationships, pregnancy, parenting, fashion and many others.

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Mums Health is the Key to a Happy Family

Mums health is important when you are carrying a little child in your womb. Becoming a mum is a dramatic event, not only in the life of your baby, but also for you. But as any mums' magazine will tell you, it can also be very draining.

There are the broken nights, when you have to get up to feed your baby, and in the first months you can sit up for hours trying to soothe a screaming newborn back to sleep. Then there is the feeling of weakness as you get through postnatal bleeding and your body settles down. Hormonal surges also have their effect as your hormones readjust after pregnancy and labour. If this is your first baby, you may also be getting used to breastfeeding, and in the beginning you may feel sore, constantly hungry, and very weak until you get used to it.

Paradoxically, even though this is the time that you need to take care of yourself the most, this is also the time when many women neglect themselves. They are so busy trying to take care of their babies, their homes, and the rest of the family that their own health issues fall by the wayside.

Healthy Mum Equals Healthy Baby

It is very important to look after yourself following birth for three very good reasons:

• Your baby needs you.
• Your family needs you.
• And most importantly, you need you.

To successfully breastfeed a baby, you need to eat well and drink enough. To help you, here are some easy habits to adopt:

• Always take a drink either during or straight after breastfeeding. Do NOT do anything else until you have done so. This is particularly important if you live in a warm climate, as you are more likely to dehydrate if you don't replenish your bodily fluids.

• At night, put a flask next to your bed, so that after you have fed the baby, you can have a drink before going back to sleep without having to go into the kitchen to make one.

• Make sure to breastfeed in a proper position, either lying down or sitting in a straight-backed chair, propping the baby with pillows. This will prevent the development of back problems, which can occur more easily when you are postnatal due to softened tissues caused by hormone changes.

Mum's Home

Another secret of good health is rest. If this is your first, it's easy. "Mummy sleeps when baby sleeps" is a famous saying. But if you have other children, that's not always possible. In this situation, you need help.

Expecting your partner to do everything might not always work. He's already overburdened, helping your other children to adapt to the new arrival, running errands, and probably trying to hold down a job at the same time.

Don't push yourself to wash the dirty floor or clean the toilet the minute you get home from hospital. For the next two or three weeks at least hire a cleaner if you can and if you can't, grit your teeth. If you can, find a reliable older teenager to watch your other kids for two hours in the afternoon, so that you can get some rest. Your kids would prefer the playtime and having a smiling, refreshed mother afterwards rather than a tired old wreck. And a healthy mum more than justifies the expense.

Most importantly, if you are worried or overwhelmed, never hesitate to ask for guidance. If you feel very depressed, speak to your local health department or therapist. Looking after yourself by eating and drinking well, resting enough, doing postnatal exercises, and taking personal time for yourself will ensure mums health and babies health are excellent.

Newborn Baby provide help and information to thousands of Australian parents every month looking for information on maternal mortality and newborn health If you would like to get your free Parent guide visit today.

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Baby Health - Perceptions Beyond Borders

Depending on the culture, people have their own beliefs and perceptions regarding childcare. Do not depend on cultural insights anymore. We had better depend on the scientific information and healthy means to raise our kids. As you know majority of the men population are circumcised. Many parents in different regions delay the circumcision. They prefer to celebrate it in festive manner.

This is totally unhealthy and bad idea. The day a baby boy is born, if he needs to be circumcised then let it happen at the same time. Even if you cannot tolerate to do it by the doctor on the same day, do it on the next day or at least before the baby and mom leaves the hospital. Now understand why you need to do it at this hurry. At the kid age, the long jumping, playing, irregular food choices frequently affect the renal system and so on. As a side effect of these, the testicles receive some water. This water deposit is very harmful as it reduces the human productivity. A small increase in the size and shape of testicle can have serious consequences and long-term effects.

Again, it is tough to figure out by ordinary people. If you get your boy circumcised as soon as possible, you secure your dynastic future and better reproductive cycle for your boy. Many people do not know this and many religions have not yet revealed this. This is unfortunate. However, for your kid's sake you should go for it immediately. There is no better option, so start following them than it is too late.

Learn more about newborn baby care and related topics like lactation without pregnancy.

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Improve Your Baby Health by Minimizing Pelvic Pain and Constraint During Pregnancy

Congratulations! The stork has arrived. If this is your first baby, you couldn't be more excited. Soon, the good news will spread like wild fire. For the next nine months, your body will undergo drastic changes to accommodate the new bundle of joy.

Besides nutrition, proper growth and healthy position of the fetus also depend on sufficient space available within your uterus, low back and pelvis. Unfortunately, there are internal and external factors that can strain the development and positioning of your unborn baby.

Prenatal positional plagiocephaly is a common deformation from intrauterine constraints. Uterine fibroids and uterine malformations are the two most common causes of intrauterine constraints.

As the fetus grows, it faces further challenges from the lumbar spine and pelvis. The lumbar spine and pelvis undergo major structural renovations during pregnancy thanks to hormonal level changes to estrogen and progesterone.

Abdominal mass and protrusion increase as pregnancy progresses. And the lumbar spine must balance this through biomechanical and structural modification. Otherwise, the pregnant woman will topple over. Unfortunately, the unborn baby may be strained and placed in an unhealthy position in the process. Furthermore, spinal joint dysfunction and low back strain may also occur.

Like the lumbar spine, the pelvis also undergoes some structural and biomechanical modification during pregnancy. Additional pelvic space is needed to prepare for birth through the vaginal canal. And this pelvic space must be big enough for proper migration and position of the fetus. Otherwise, there may be malpositional risk and birth trauma to the fetus.

Have you ever wondered why breeching occurs and why some women require caesarean section? Breeching and caesarean section may occur when the fetus is extra-ordinarily large and the mother is petite in comparison. Otherwise, breeching babies are mostly due to inadequate structural changes to the lumbar spine and pelvis.

To ensure sufficient space for the fetus, various joints in the pelvis begin to separate and the pelvis expands. If there is no dysfunction to the sacroiliac and symphysis pubis joints, then unobstructed pelvic space can be created for vaginal birth. And labour and delivery are smooth and efficient.

Unfortunately, the sacroiliac and symphysis pubis joints can become dysfunctional during pelvic expansion. Sacroiliac and pubis symphysis pubis joint dysfunctions are very common in the late second and third trimesters of pregnancy. In addition to low back and pelvic pains, joint dysfunctions can prevent full expansion of the pelvis.

Depending on which area is affected, the pelvis may not be able to expand fully either front to back or from side to side. This kind of pelvic constraint may cause fetal malpresentation such as breeching and higher incidents of birth trauma. Caesarean section may be needed if fetal malpresentation is too risky for vaginal birth.

Pelvic constraints from sacroiliac and symphysis pubis joint dysfunctions are biomechanical problems. For uncompromised pelvic space and volume, these joints must align and articulate properly during the expansion process. Do you know any kind of medication that can correct sacroiliac and symphysis pubis joint dysfunctions so the pelvis can expand and accommodate vaginal birth without hesitation?

Concerns for the sensitivity of their unborn children and harmful side effects from taking pain medications during pregnancy, many contemporary women are turning toward chiropractic care. There's no risk to the fetus with chiropractic care. Pregnant patients are positioned on side-lying postures during chiropractic treatments. And treatments are modified to accommodate for pregnant mothers and their unborn children.

Whether it's for low back or pelvic pain, chiropractic care can reduce the risk of pelvic constraint and breeching associated with pregnancy. Healthy moms have healthy babies!

Dr. Danny Tong is a Port Moody chiropractor specializes in soft tissue treatments for pregnancy care. For more information: http://www.chirogolf.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6855405

Baby Health - Breast Feeding Basics

Breast feeding an art in itself and requires lots of patience and practice; also it can be quite a challenge for the new mom. Babies are born with a sucking reflex which makes them suck and gulp down milk. An important thing is that, for breast milk to be produced your breasts have to be stimulated by feeding your baby regularly; else their ability to produce milk dwindles. In such a case, switch from formula to mother's milk cannot always be facilitated.

To get rid of the jitters of breast feeding you can join breastfeeding classes or breast feeding support groups. Another option is to schedule an appointment with a lactation consultant a couple of days after birth. Some expert guidance can make you much more assured and relaxed while nursing.

The nutritional advantages of breast milk are manifold. It is abundant in sugars, fats, enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and most importantly disease fighting antibodies. Formula milk can emulate most properties of the breast milk but does not contain any antibodies or certain complex constituents which are too difficult to manufacture.

Your newborn's infantile digestive system can easily assimilate breast milk. Hence babies thriving solely on mother's milk have fewer instances of diarrhea and constipation. Another important advantage is that breast milk doesn't cost a penny and is readily available.

As a nursing mother you should pay extra attention your own nutrition. Consistently take vitamin and mineral supplements recommended by your physician and maintain a balanced dietary regime. Certain food items need to be avoided or regulated, as they provoke fussiness in the baby, mainly chocolate, caffeine, spices, citrus foods and gas causing vegetables.

Breast feeding benefits the mother too. It helps the her bond with the baby during the crucial feeding time and makes her more reassured of her ability to take care of the little one. Breast feeding aids weight loss by burning calories, so a nursing mom can shed the extra pounds quicker. Extra intimacy that mothers experience due to breast feeding is both emotional and hormonal.

Learn more about newborn baby care.

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Making Baby Food - 10 Important Dos and Donts

If you've ever considered making baby food, there are a few things you should be aware of. Some are health related considerations, other are general tips and ideas, but all of them should help you make the best and healthiest food you can for your little baby.

Do:

1. The easiest way to start making baby food is pureeing vegetables or fruits. Simply cook them, pop into a food processor and puree. Remember that younger babies should start with thinners purees. 

You can get different levels of consistency by adding breast milk or formula to the food processor.

2. The best choice for is always fresh produce. Canned or preserved food may include sodium and other unnecessary ingredients. That's the advantage making your own baby food has over commercial one. If you can't find proper fresh produce, use frozen.

3. The best way to cook baby food is by steaming it. Steaming or baking saves all the vitamins, minerals and other "goodies" inside the vegetables. Boiling them on the other hand would move them into the cooking water. In that case you can use some of this water when making the puree, so at least a part of those vitamins would go back into what the baby eats.

4. Making your own baby food can actually save you money. That's because you can make it in bulk. Storing it in the fridge is allowed for only 2-3 days, but freezing it is safe for weeks and even months. Here's a tip: scoop your puree into ice cube trays. Once it is frozen, transfer them into freezer bags and label them with the content and date. You can make baby food for the entire month!

5. Starting solid baby food should be done slowly and gradually. The baby would still be drinking breast milk or formula. There's no point in making baby food in big amounts without freezing it. That's why the ice cubes are so helpful. The baby's first meal is no more than one tablespoon of food - simply defrost a single cube. As days and weeks go by, mix and match more cubes.

Don't:

1. Babies under 6 months old should eat either breast milk or formula. It's the AAP recommendation that relies on the fact that it takes time for the baby's digestive system to develop. It's only after 4-6 months babies looses the reflex to push anything but liquid out of their mouth and can hold up their heads.

2. Homemade baby food for babies up to 12 months old should not include: cow's milk, egg white and honey. Each has a risk of either an allergic reaction, or digestive problems. Around 9 months you can start using yogurt or cooked egg yolks.

3. Don't introduce more than a single new food to your baby at a time. Instead, wait 4 days after each one and pay attention. This way you can keep track of what might cause allergies or other discomfort.

4. When defrosting food you had frozen, it is best to avoid using a microwave. Microwaves might heat up the food unevenly, leaving some of it colder and some of it so hot it can burn your baby's mouth. Either let the food defrost in room temperature or heat it up over boiling water.

5. Don't limit the baby's fat intake until he or she are 2 years old. Babies need fat as an energy source to achieve a healthy development. On the other hand, don't add sugar to when making baby food. Try to expose your baby to a variety of tastes and flavors by making other kinds of baby food besides sweet.

Tom Beni likes to cook and to spend time with his kids. He enjoys combing the two by cooking for them ever since they were babies. He is a co-founder of the baby food recipes [http://www.my-baby-food.com/recipes/] blog.

This article should be used as a general guideline. It is not a professional medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your baby, please consult your doctor.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3063798

Healthy Meals For Your Baby Using a Baby Food Processor

When it is time for your baby to start eating solid food, those foods must be pureed at first in order to avoid choking hazards. At the age when babies start eating foods other than milk they may have few teeth and lack the chewing coordination, so the baby food processor makes the food safe for the baby to eat.

According to pediatricians and health organizations babies should stick with mother's milk until they reach the age of six months. It is best to wait until this time for the babies health.

Baby foods that have been pre-processed are available readily and have been for many years. Many parents are concerned about preservatives used in the food and the fact that it is being cooked and stored in plastic containers, where chemicals can leach out. If you are concerned about these issues, you will find that you can prepare your own baby food fresh in only a few minutes.

A baby food processor allows you to cook your babies own meals. You know exactly what your baby is getting to eat and can control any added salt or sugar that is added into the food.

Some parents find that the use of a baby food mill is all that they need. Food mills are hand powered and can be taken almost anywhere. You are able to fee your baby whatever you are eating (within reason, citrus and nut warnings still apply). Babies benefit if parents are eating healthy foods. Food mills are cheap and portable. It is no problem to put one into most diaper bags. Most of the mills are also effective at removing any bones or seeds that could cause problems for the baby. Prices for food mills begin at ten dollars.

An actual baby food processor looks like a small blender or food processor. It prepares foods in smaller quantities than your larger food processor does. This means you can prepare single servings for the baby without having a lot of leftovers. The food processor must be plugged in, so it is less portable than a food mill, but does not require as much effort for use. Some of the processors have a cup that can double as a serving dish to cut down on all the dirty dishes. You can buy one with prices beginning at twenty five dollars.

The nicest model also cooks the food. In one cup, the food can be cooked, processed and served. The processor will even warm foods that have been previously cooked and frozen. You will find that there are many recipes for baby food that can be found on the internet, many designed especially for this machine. This machine is a bit more costly, and prices start at one hundred fifty dollars.

Baby food that is prepared at home is not only healthier for your baby, it is also less of a drain on your budget than feeding the child food that has been commercially prepared.

Jeremy Scott is a freelance writer who enjoys writing on family, home and lifestyle topics. To find out more information about baby food processor [http://hubspaces.com/hub/baby-food-processor/how-to-choose-a-baby-food-processor], be sure to stop by his website: Baby Food Processor [http://hubspaces.com/hub/baby-food-processor].

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Making Your Own Baby Food to Wean Baby is Easy

Making your own baby food at home is simple. There are a few rules you should bear in mind when making weaning baby food which we will discuss in a moment. other than that all the extra items you need are some food portioners and a blender to blend and divide the food into portions!

The main benefit of making weaning baby food in your own kitchen is that you can shop for the freshest ingredients and have total control over what foods your baby consumes. many Baby weaning recipes are based around plenty of fruit and vegetables but will also include protein from chicken, fish or lentils.

The first thing you may want to try is baby rice mixed with your baby's usual baby milk or breast milk. It is easily digestible and provides a good dose of nutrients and vitamins. if this is the first time, try making the mixture a little thinner to make it easy for your baby to digest.

Once your baby is comfortable with baby rice, start to introduce different flavours to the rice by adding a pureed fruit or vegetable. You may find your baby developing likes and dislikes for certain flavours. This is an enjoyable part of weaning as your baby is using their tastebuds for the first time and may be pleasantly surprised but what you're giving him!

To ensure the best start for your baby, try and make you source organic food. It may cost a little more but it's worth it to give your little ones a healthy and nutritious start to life!

We would recommend limiting your baby's intake of sugar by only feeding them one or less sweet foods per day.

If there is a history of allergies, asthma or eczema in your or your partner's family, try to avoid milk products (cow's milk, cheeses and yogurts), any fish including shellfish, citrus fruit and their juices or eggs, until your baby is around eight months old. We would also recommend avoiding peanuts or sesame seeds if your family suffers from such allergies, until up to the age of three years.

You may also want to consider avoiding foods containing gluten such as wheat, oats and rye in order to reduce the risk of coeliac disease. This includes any bredas, pastas or cereals made from these ingredients until eight months old.

Note: Please do NOT add salt or sugar to your babies food or to any of the baby weaning recipes found on this site. Your baby's kidneys cannot process it effectively and may cause damage. There is plenty of natural salt in the food for now.

Now let's go through some simple recipes to get your started on the road to Homemade Baby Food!

Cream of Strawberry & Banana

This is just a simple and classic combination of strawberries and bananas which are both full of vitamins, goodness and flavour.

This is a good source of:

• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin C
• Potassium
• Manganese

Main Ingredients:

• 2 x Ripe Bananas
• 1 x punnet of Fresh Strawberries
• Breastmilk or formula

You will need:

• 1 x Food processor or hand-held blender or a baby Food Mill
• 1 x Ice Cube Tray or Food Portioners
• 1 x Peeler

Method

1) Prepare your Bananas by peeling and chopping the flesh. Prepare your strawberries by removing their stalks and chopping roughly.

2) Place everything into your blender of choice and blitz until they are a smooth paste.

3) Add enough breastmilk or baby milk formula to bring it to a consistency you are happy with. You may need to do this in batches.

5) Fill up you ice cube tray or portioner evenly with the puree and, when cooled completely, place in the freezer.

6) Once frozen you can empty you portions into a freezer bag so you can use the portioners again.

Pea and Mint Blitz

This is so easy and delicious! This is basically a pea and mint soup without using a base stock that would otherwise be full of salt. Peas are naturally sweet and a good source of Vitamin K. You may use any frozen peas or petis pois but, please do not be tempted to use tinned peas or mushy peas as they will be accompanied by extra salt, sugar and colouring!

A good source of

• Vitamin K
• Manganese
• Vitamin B1
• Vitamin C

Ingredients

• 3 x cups of peas
• 20g x Unsalted Butter
• fresh mint or dried mint
• Breastmilk or formula

You will need

• 1 x Large Saucean
• 1 x Food processor or hand-held blender or a baby food mill
• 1 x Ice Cube Tray or baby food portioners
• 1 x Peeler

Method

1) Empty the peas into the saucepan and just cover with boiling water from a kettle.

2) Bring the peas to the boil and allow to simmer for 10 minutes.

3) Drain the peas and add to you blender of choice along with the butter and mint.

4) Blend thoroughly while adding enough breastmilk or formula to bring it to a consistency you are happy with.

5) Fill up you ice cube tray or portioner evenly with the puree and, when cooled completely, place in the freezer.

6) Once frozen you can empty you portions into a freezer bag so you can use the portioners again!

To reheat just warm a portion in a saucepan over a gentle heat or in the microwave. Test the temperature on your top lip.

These are just two of my favourite recipes. You can find more baby food recipes at weaningbabyfood.com. Give them a try and I would love to hear about how you get on!

The author of this article is the webmaster of weaningbabyfood.com which is host to plenty of baby weaning purees, baby finger foods and baby weaning techniques for you to try.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4136148

It's All About Baby Food

One of the most important components in the growth and development of your baby is baby food. In the beginning, the question of what to feed your baby is very simple - either breast milk or formula. 

 As any professional will tell you, the best form of baby milk is mother's milk, but if for any reason this is not possible, baby formula is available for nourishing your baby.

But as your baby gets older, they will start to need solid food. And that is when the fun starts. The questions that you are most likely to ask are:

• When do we start giving a baby solids?

• Which baby foods do we start with?

• What is better - baby food jars or homemade baby food?

Let's look at each of these issues and see how to give your baby a healthy start to real food.

When Do We Start With Solid Baby Foods?

As a baby is born with an open gut, it is vitally important to only provide a baby with solid foods when they are old enough to digest them. Forcing a baby to eat solids too early can affect their digestion, cause stomach problems, and even lead to allergies.

As we know, each baby has their own personal rate of development, and some may become ready earlier than others. These days, most medical authorities believe that the very earliest that an infant should receive solid baby food is four months. However, many health professionals will advise you to wait until six months. As this is all very individual, when you want to start giving your baby solids you should ask your healthcare professional first if they think that your baby is ready. At any rate, you don't start the process of complete baby weaning until the infant is on a full diet of solids.

Signs that your baby may be ready for solids include: never being satisfied anymore with formula or breast milk but always wanting more, starting to wake up in the night again for extra feeds after having gotten used to sleeping through the night, showing an interest in the food on your plate, opening their mouth when offered a spoon, and the ability to sit upright when supported.

Which Baby Foods to Start With

Now that you think your baby is ready for solids, you still won't be giving them their first Big Mac for quite a while!

You must start off simple, introducing each food one by one. First foods are usually "finger foods." Baby food should never become an issue. Let your baby enjoy their first experiences of solids. 

Although you will be spooning the food into their mouth at first, let the baby paddle their fingers into what's on the plate. Eventually the baby will become brave enough to take the spoon from you and try to eat independently. Don't be afraid of the mess. This is all part of the process of learning to eat like a grownup as opposed to a dependent baby. Just have plenty of bibs lying around and change the baby's clothes after a meal!

First foods include:

• mashed bananas

•  pureed boiled carrots

•  mashed avocado

•  apple puree

Once your baby is enjoying these, you can move on to:

• Pieces of chicken. Chicken soup, made with carrots and a little bit of mashed potato is especially good.

•  Small pieces of beef - but cut up well, soft, and easy to digest.

•  As your baby gets older, try mashed legumes, couscous, mashed and deseeded citrus fruits.

Remember not to introduce the following to a baby until over the age of a year, as these are either dangerous to a baby or possible allergens if introduced too young:

• Honey

•  Strawberries

•  Cows milk products

•  Peanuts

For some mothers, this may not work too well. For example, if you have a full-time job and other children, you may not have time to cook individual food and keep washing up the baby food processor all the time. Or maybe you have to fly abroad somewhere, and you don't have the time or the resources to make your own baby food.

In these situations, you can always buy baby food. There is a whole range on the market, and you are sure to find something that suits you.

As a responsible parent, you will definitely do whatever you can to provide the best possible baby diet, so that they will grow into a healthy child. Good baby nutrition is the foundation of a healthy life.

For more information on baby food visit Newborn Baby. We provide information on a range of baby topics including baby feeding. Visit now to download you free Parenting book.

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Using a Baby Food Processor to Make Baby Food For Your Baby

Up until now, you have not had a lot of options as to what to feed your baby....basically just breast milk or formula. You probably made these choice based on what was convenient for you and most healthy (and agreed with) your baby. Now that your baby is approaching the six month mark, you should start to introduce solids. It may sound daunting but it is highly recommended to make your own baby food using a baby food processor so we could ensure the food our baby was getting was 100% natural and wholesome. This helps ease their entry into the world of solids.

We decided to purchase a baby food processor and did not regret our decision. I made baby food out of squash from my parent's garden, from frozen peas, from store-bought apples, pretty much anything we could get our hands on that would be healthy for the baby.

One of our favorite foods that we introduced to our baby was avocados because they are one of those foods you can basically live on (if you were stranded on a desert island) so we figured they were providing a lot of great nutrients to our baby (and because our doctor recommended them.)

To prepare the baby food in the baby food processor there are a few steps depending on the food. Avocados are the easiest foods to prepare as long as they are ripe. Simply peal the avocado with a spoon, place the meat of the avocado into the body of the processor, add a little bit of formula or breast milk and blend. It is ready to be spoon fed to your child. Pretty easy!

Fruits like apples or mangoes or vegetables like potatoes will need to be pealed before placing them in the processor. A simple hand peeler should do the trick and prepare you for the next step of steaming or blending.

Harder fruits and vegetables like squash and apples may need to be cooked for a duration and that is why we purchased the Baeba Babycook so you can cook the fruit or vegetable and then use the same container and device to blend it. It actually makes it very easy and makes it possible to turn an entire banana squash (huge) into dozens of pods of frozen baby food.

Another favorite once our daughter was a little older was chili. Using an old family recipe for some wonderful chili and then blending it for our daughter created a meal that both parents and babies can enjoy, although the baby version is blended. After awhile you can really start to take the food that you are eating and blend it down to a consistency that the babies can tolerate with chunks of food no larger than the size of the tip of their thumb to avoid choking. This greatly simplifies making dinner and also gets your baby used to eating the foods that adults do!

When making an excess of baby food, we liked to freeze the excess into ice cube trays (we also like the kind from Beaba) and then place the baby food-slices into freezer bags to be used for months to come. This allowed us to have baby food on hand at all times which was very convenient and it also gave us food to take to babysitters and daycare which we felt very comfortable was safe and healthy for our baby. Once it is time to feed the baby the frozen food, take care to put the food-sicle into a glass dish before placing it into the microwave. Glass dishes are better than plastic dishes in the microwave simply because plastic can be melted at a certain temperature so to avoid having any plastic particles melting into your baby food and causing harm to the baby, definitely reheat with glass. Another recommendation is to purchase spoons that turn white if the reheated food is too hot so that you always know if the temperature is going to be cool enough not to harm your baby's delicate mouth.

It really is amazing how easy a baby food processor makes it to make your own homemade baby food. I recommend giving it a try for your little bouncy bundle of almost-solid-food-eating joy!

Good luck!

Alecia Hoobing is an Internet Marketer, Mom and Adventurer. She loves to run, cycle, travel, read and go on adventures with her husband and four-month old daughter. Her latest project, besides her daughter is to educate parents on how easy it can be to make their own baby food using a baby food processor [http://www.babyfoodprocessor.org]. Check out her blog and story [http://www.babyfoodprocessor.org/tools-and-utensils/the-baby-food-processor-journey].

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Baby Health - Dealing With Diaper Rashes

Diaper rash is a very common skin condition and the spate of its occurrence in babies shows that bottom care in quite essential. The part of the baby's body which is covered with diaper is most susceptible to it, that is, the lower abdomen, area around the anus and genitals, the folds of the skin in the groin. Major irritants are digestive enzymes and bacteria present in the stool and the ammonia created by the bacterial action on urine. When the diapers are not changed frequently enough, the prolonged contact with these irritants makes the skin red with small bumpy pimples and leaves the baby extremely uncomfortable and irked.

The skin which is already affected by diaper rash allows yeast called Candida to thrive. The heightened numbers of this yeast in the stool add to the baby's woes by aggravating the skin infection. Candida rashes are mainly solid red, enveloped by bright red bumps.

Other skin bacteria like staphylococcus also cause a very menacing type of rash referred to as scalded skin syndrome which results in red skin, with more prominent blister like eruptions

The first and foremost step in safeguarding your baby from this rash is to change diapers frequently. Every time the baby needs a change allow him some naked bottom time after cleaning him thoroughly. For cleaning use plain lukewarm water and a soft washcloth, if soap is used it should be the baby soap which is hypo allergic, devoid of any detergents. Dry the area properly after cleansing and apply petroleum jelly or any other ointment containing zinc oxide. Not all brands might work for your baby so if needed, switch brands to find the right one. Lastly avoid disposable diapers or plastic pants over diapers; these trap moisture not allowing the baby's skin to breathe.

Generally ointments available over the counter should suffice for curing the rash, however if it persists or exacerbates with pus filled blisters or sores, the baby's sleep pattern he is disturbed and is feverish, consult your doctor immediately.

Learn more about newborn baby care.

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Breast Feeding For Baby Health

Breast feeding is an essential element for proper and smooth growth of baby. Breast milk should be given to newly born baby as soon as possible after birth. The colostrum of breast milk is highly nutritious for new born baby. It contains all types and necessary nutritive elements like protein, carbohydrate, fate, vitamins, minerals and water for development baby.

Colostrum is available in breast milk for only seven days after delivery of new baby. The colostrum is of yellowish color and semi-solid liquid form. The colostrum helps to develop anti body against various types of diseases. It also helps in increasing IQ of the baby. The exclusive breast feeding is another form of breast feeding in which newly borne baby will take only mother's milk up to 6 months. S/he can not take any thing without breast milk up to 6 months. The quantity of mother's milk is adequate and quite sufficient for normal growth of the baby. The breast feed babies are intelligence and strong. As they acquire anti body through breast milk, there is very less chance of suffering from any disease.

There are many advantages of mother's milk such as no economical implication, it is available in normal temperature, it is easily digestible, and it does not require extra time or hazards. It also helps in developing internal bondage between mother and child. On the other hand, there is no disadvantage of mother's milk. So if you come across any family who are not breast feeding their babies, please inspire them, aware them to breast feed their babies. Help the humankind on this beautiful planet.

Learn more about newborn baby care and related topics like lactation without pregnancy.

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Baby Health Talk

If you are about to have a baby or perhaps have recently had a baby then you realize there is a lot to learn about babies. Don't be stressed all new parents experience this learning curve. To help you with that learning curve here are a few some helpful tips to help with your newborn.

What type of thermometer is best for you? Who can forget mercury thermometers. They were terrible tasting, that is actually if you were fortunate enough to have it in your mouth. Most houses had two mercury thermometers one for the older kids and the other for smaller ones who needed there temperature taken rectally. The other one was for the younger kids and that one went in your rear. It was terrible, you were already not necessarily feeling well and then you're getting your temperature taken like a turkey. I was thrilled when the new digital thermometer arrived.

Today there are several varieties of thermometers available on the market which you can use for the family. Digital thermometers are fantastic and they take about 30 seconds to get a reading. To get an accurate reading in infants and toddlers you will need to take a rectal reading and digital thermometers do this well.

Many parents use the ear thermometer. You place the device in the ear to take the temperature. Keep in mind that this product doesn't work on baby three months and under because their ear canals are so small. This thermometer shouldn't be used when baby has an ear infection because the reading register higher. The temple thermometer is the latest and greatest temperature taking technology. It reads the warmth produced by blood vessels. This kind of thermometer can be useful for the whole family because it is non-invasive.

It takes a while to understand all of your baby's cries. A brand new mom will need some time to understand what each cry means. Figuring out what each cry means can take some time. Babies need to suck one something and will let you know by crying Because sucking is a natural reflex baby's do this to soothe and comfort themselves. So offer baby a pacifier when he's crying to see if this helps.Babies cry, and it will take some time for you to determine exactly what each and every cry means. You have to be patient and know that it takes time for new parents to comprehend each and every cry. Sucking is a natural reflex in babies that can help soothe and comfort them, so you shouldn't be afraid to use a pacifier.

A babies cry can be that he needs some new scenery and would like moved. You get tired of looking at the same thing all day, and so does he. So pick baby up and move him to a new place to look around and explore. Alternatively a baby can cry as a result of over stimulation. A party or mall might be too much for baby and you may need to remove him from all of the stimulation. The womb was a fairly quiet place for 9 months His new world is big, bright and loud and sometimes may be overwhelming. There will instances when he just can't handle anymore and he will cry.. Keep this in mind whenever you take baby someplace new where there will be a lot of people like a social gathering, a restaurant or shopping. You should find a way to let baby decompress in these situations.

Now lets discuss the colicky baby. There's no known cause for colic, so there is no treatment. There are a number of home remedies at work. Rocking helps. Rocking helps pass the gas which is thought to be reason a baby becomes colicky. Infant swings sometimes work for babies that are older than three weeks and don't forget a rocking chair. The standing sway and rocking also works..Crying comes to a whole new level for those who have a colicky baby. The bad news is that there is no known cause for colic, so no medical treatment exist. The good news is that some home remedies have been know to work. Rocking your baby may help with gas which is thought to be what colic is. I have seen the standing rocking and swaying work on a colicky baby. A traditional rocking chair sometimes works and babies that are older then three weeks sometimes get colic relief from in infant swing.

You might find relief with sounds like white noise. They offer white noise Compact discs and devices. You may also find the household appliances work as well. Many moms have discovered the the washing machine or vacuum create a noise to help soothe baby. Many parents of colicky infants have found relief with the car ride, it seems to put baby asleep. And last but not least a warm towel placed on baby's belly can help with gas movement.

Looking for ideal personalized baby gifts? Then take a look at weeonebabygifts.com for a large selection of handpicked baby gifts. They have just the right gift for every baby occasion.

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Your Babies Health Requires Nutrients

It is not that difficult.

It does not matter whether the baby is breast fed or fed through bottles, it is very important that the baby gets the right amount of nutrients required for the body. All those women who use breast feeding for their baby must eat very healthy food to pass on the nutrients to their child. Breast feeding should be done only when there is a need and not forced upon the baby. Some doctors also suggest breast feeding moms to give vitamin D supplements to their babies. There also other doctors who say that taking the baby outdoors for at least 60 minutes a week will give it the required vitamins. Ensure that you consult the doctor before.

For the first four months, babies get all the nutrients they require through their mother's milk. There is also a supplement that is used in America that gives the baby all the nutrients it requires. After four months, mothers start giving solid foods like cereals to their child, even though all the necessary nutrient requirements are satisfied by the breast milk. Parents give cereal to their child, which is rich in iron as that would prevent any kind of allergies for the baby. After the cereal part is over, some fruits and vegetables are also added to the baby's diet to satisfy all the other nutrient requirements. Whenever new food is added, ensure that it is done in a gradual and slow pace.

Between the sixth and ninth month, the child should be given different foods but the basic nutrient requirement of the child should always be satisfied. Milk should be the prime food for the child.

By the end of the ninth month, non vegetarian items can be introduced in the diet and after one year, parents can even include food that they normally eat but they must ensure that they do not go overboard and give junk food to the child. By now children would enjoy eating the food and would get used to it. Give food to the baby which the baby does not find it difficult to chew. At this stage the nutrients requirement of the child would be satisfied by both the food and the milk.

After the first birthday of the baby, it is advisable to switch over to whole milk from formula milk. The fat in the whole milk is very vital for the health of the baby and it should be continued till the second year is finished. The practice of breast feeding should not be stopped after a particular period. It should be stopped only when the mother thinks that it is no more required for the baby.

Between 12-24 months, milk should become a regular part of the baby's diet and it should receive at least 1000 - 4000 calories a day. As per the directions of the USDA, a kid would require whole grains, fruits, vegetables, protein and dairy as a regulation in their diet.

Rhonda Reyes is a writer for My Baby Bedding Shop and is the loving parent of two. One boy and one girl. Her children are all grown up now but she loves writing about children and giving tips on certain scenarios that parents are faced with along the way. Rhonda sure hopes that you have found this article helpful. Rhonda would like for you to check out her Glenna Jean Crib Bedding [http://www.mybabybeddingshop.com/shopbybrand/glennajean]. She would also like for you to take a look at the Glenna Jean McKenzie [http://www.mybabybeddingshop.com/shopbybrand/glennajean/cribbedding-glennajeanmckenzie] Collection.

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Mother and Baby Health - Importance of Exercise During Pregnancy

Have you ever tried your way to understand the importance of exercise during pregnancy? Did you know that exercise plays a vital role in improving the overall health of the mother and baby in every way possible? There are many who think that they were not into exercising before carrying, so why should they adopt this new task after being conceived. This concept is absolutely wrong and according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, it is important to educate the mothers about the significance of light exercises when they are carrying even if it is something that they were not concerned of before this stage.

Exercise proves to be the best option left onto you for improving the pregnancy related issues like backache, muscle cramps, stomach pain and many others. It is also known to play an important role in improving the health of both mother and baby thus promoting the immune system development.

 Working out can be adopted in any form into your life including aerobics, swimming, resistance training, impact and nonimpact activities, yoga or anything that you find interesting. You can find plenty of information through baby websites about how you can make yourself happy and active during pregnancy.

Take a look through some of the greatest advantages of bringing this awesome practise into your lives:

· Great relief from musculoskeletal and back pain.

· Decreases any kind of swelling common during pregnancy.

· Reduced maternal blood pressure.

· Gives pleasantness and wipes away any kind of irritation or stress giving a good feel overall.

· Works on part-partum mood swings like sadness, depression, irritation etc.

Take up exercise during pregnancy thinking about the positive effects to the mother and baby. The same phenomenon can be continued even after your delivery and thus making it a part of your life without skipping any. During lactation you can continue the same but in lower frequency so that you are not over stressed or tired as you need to feed your newborn. Baby websites can give you pretty good direction on the light exercises that can be adopted slowly into your routine.

Doctors recommend moderate work outs even for those under treatment for infertility. This should be taken only upon the supervision of the doctor as he can help you get the best forms to help in the treatment to show great results. Exercise must be highly advised for obese mothers as it aids in better labour.

Never consider pregnancy as a disease, it is just a temporary condition and is normal to find different changes happen within the body and outside. It is important to come out of it through various activities like exercises and by making yourself busy with something that you are interested in.

When it comes to the health of mother and baby it is always good to switch on to the exercise mode during the entire nine months time so that you give birth to a healthy baby! There are several baby websites giving you ample information about the different types of exercises for each month and even after delivery.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6619478

Healthy Baby Food Straight From Your Kitchen

Preparing homemade baby food puree is a great idea for the health of your baby, and it is very simple to do. It is not time-consuming and is very gratifying. Hopefully after reading this article you will be inspired and even excited to pull out your blender or food processor and puree healthy, organic food for your baby.

The reasons to make your own baby foods are simple. You want your baby to have the freshest, most nutritious food available, and you want to be aware of the ingredients it contains. You know that it is best to feed your baby pure, whole foods.

One important rule is that salt and sugar are never needed when making baby food. These extra flavorings are not good for babies, so making food for baby yourself is also a great way to limit his intake of unnecessary ingredients.

One of the easiest ways to make baby food is to take a ripe banana or soft avocado (preferably organic, but if that is not possible, the next best thing is to buy your fruits and vegetables at a local farmer's market). Mash the banana or avocado with a fork. You can add a little water, formula or breast milk if it's too thick.

Another simple homemade baby food is pureed vegetables. Cube and steam a sweet potato, (sweet potatoes are a great favorite with babies!) and then blend it up with a little water and olive oil (to smooth out the consistency). Mashed potatoes and butternut squash are great to use, as are fresh pears, apples, peas, and carrots.

For the older baby a little organic chicken and rice pureed together with chicken stock and a little extra virgin olive oil will work well. Pureeing vegetables and fruits for baby is very simple.

Cooking and Pureeing:

Start by chopping the vegetable or fruit and cooking it either by steaming, baking, or boiling. Steaming holds most of the nutrients in the food. Steaming, baking or boiling will also allow for a greater quantity of food to be made at one time.

Set aside the liquid that the vegetables or fruits were cooked in. This can be added to thin the puree. Adding this liquid also helps to preserve any nutrients that may have boiled into the water during cooking. Again, a little breast milk or formula can be used as thinning liquid if needed.

Take the cooked vegetable or fruit and place it in the blender or food processor.

Set your machine to puree and begin to mash the vegetables or fruits.

As you are pureeing or blending, add the saved liquids or a little water. Pureeing without adding any liquids is also an option, but the food may be thicker than desired. Many parents prefer to thin the foods before they serve them to their babies. This makes it easier for baby to eat.

Microwaving is not recommended, although sometimes considered a short cut. Microwaving food robs it of many of the very nutrients we are trying to preserve by making our own baby food.

Freezing:

Once you have a nice liquid baby food puree you will then transfer the puree into ice-cube trays for freezing/storage. Fill each cube with the puree, as though you were filling the tray with water to make ice cubes.

Cover the tray with plastic wrap or, if you have covered ice trays those can be used as well. Place the trays in the freezer. Each cube makes approximately 1 ounce of food.

After the cubes of pureed food have set and are frozen, take the trays out of the freezer and transfer the cubes into freezer bags. Be sure to label the bag with the date of preparation as well as the type of food. The baby food cubes should be used within a month of freezing.

When it is time to feed baby, take out the number of food cubes needed and thaw and then reheat.

It is recommended that fresh pureed homemade baby food be stored no longer than 48 - 72 hours in the refrigerator, thus limiting the growth of bacteria. This rule applies for all types of baby food, whether it be vegetable, fruit or meat.

Remember, always consult with your pediatrician regarding introducing solid foods to your baby. It is also recommended that you discuss any foods that may pose allergy risks for your baby.

Offering our babies and children healthy food to eat, a clean environment and organic options is very important. You can find healthful information and highly rated baby products at http://www.carouselbabyshop.com.

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