Nutrition
Many Babies Are Fed Solid Foods Too Soon, CDC Study Finds
A study published in late March, 2013 in the American Academy of Pediatrics journal Pediatrics found that a majority of babies in the United States may be getting introduced to solid foods much too early, often leading to a variety of chronic illnesses.
Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveyed 1,334 new moms nationwide; they found that almost 93 percent had introduced solid foods to their infants before the babies were six months old, 40 percent had introduced solids before four months, and 9 percent had done so before four weeks of age.
Continue readingPreparing to Wean Your Baby
You may have decided that it is now time to begin feeding your baby solids. If so, here is some handy advice about preparing foods and feeding your little one.
You want to preserve as many of the vitamins in your baby’s food as you can so prepare her food just before she eats it. Once you have cooked and puréed her food vitamins B and C will begin to deplete. If you want to Continue reading
How Can I Encourage My Infant To Develop Healthy Eating Habits?
When your baby is six months old and you first introduce her to solid food do not try and overload her spoon. Trying to give her too much food could put her off trying other food types. Variety of foods is important so make sure you are feeding her the four main food groups which are: Continue reading
Establishing Good Eating Habits in the First Year of Baby’s Life
There is no question that kids enjoy sweets, and if left to their own devices, many would indulge in junk food far more often than they should. But it would be a mistake to assume that children naturally prefer unhealthy food over healthy food. If good habits are instilled early, kids can actually grow up enjoying vegetable, fruits, and other healthy foods. It’s a matter of Continue reading
Do I Have Infectious or Non-Infectious Mastitis?
If your breast tissue is red, swollen and painful it could be Mastitis. It most commonly occurs in breastfeeding women and is also known as puerperal mastitis or lactation mastitis. You can have the condition and not be breastfeeding but it is rarer and mastitis typically affects just one breast. If you are suffering from this condition you may be experiencing flu-like symptoms like a high temperature, chills and aches.
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What to Do When Your Baby Rejects the Bottle
After several months of breastfeeding, many babies are understandably reluctant to change. Breastfeeding is warm and comforting, it brings mother and baby close together, and it comes easily and naturally. So when it comes time to introduce the bottle and your baby does not take to it right away, do not be frustrated. The plastic nipple takes some getting used to, and the temperature of the milk in the bottle can be difficult to regulate. Plus, if you are introducing formula at the same time, this adds another element of difficulty.
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The Bare Necessities for Newborns & Parents
Preparing for your newborn baby arriving can be overwhelming so here is a guide to getting the essential gear required for those first few weeks. The list can seem endless once you think about what you might need; pushchairs, cots, nappies, blankets. Here I will try and cut through the confusion and give you a guide to the top ten necessities as chosen by mothers and in a budget friendly way.
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The Perils of Meconium
Meconium is your baby’s first poo! It has the consistency of treacle, it is odourless and unlike later offerings it is sterile. It is very dark and almost impossible to wipe clean. Meconium consists of water, mucus, amniotic fluid, lanugo which is downy baby hair and also intestinal epithelial cells. For most babies it is just their first poo (one of many!) and means a very gooey first nappy but in some cases it can be a cause for concern.
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Have You Heard of Nipple Confusion?!
Nipple confusion, hmm . . . this term can be somewhat misleading. It does not mean that your baby is perplexed as to what your nipple is for. It is a term to explain when babies are hesitant to feed from the breast and seems to prefer or find it easier to bottle feed milk which has been expressed.
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Advice for Successful Breastfeeding
Once you have established breastfeeding there is no other easier or better way of feeding your baby. During breastfeeding an intense bonding and closeness is felt which enhances your baby’s feelings of security.
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