February 11, 2008 |
Food of the Month: Quinoa
January 30, 2008 |
Going Ape for Apricot
January 21, 2008 |
Bacteria: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
December 7, 2007 |
Food to Play With
December 5, 2007 |
Hooray for Hummus!
November 9, 2007 |
The War on Germs
November 6, 2007 |
Cookin' Without Gas
November 1, 2007 |
Pumped Up
September 26, 2007 |
Perfect Pair
August 28, 2007 |
Get Back to Your Roots
With the Fall season on our
doorstep, fresh root veggies abound and make great staples for a new eater's
diet. They taste sweet, puree to a
smooth consistency, and have few allergens - all good attributes for a baby's
first food
August 6, 2007 |
Melon-head
A tasty sweet summer treat, melons have many nutritive qualities and are
a great early food to introduce to young eaters. Babies around eight months can
try melon pureed in your Cuisinart
PowerBlend
Duetâ„¢ Blender/Food Processor, or, if your baby is ready for finger
foods, you can try serving melon cut into small, ripe pieces.
July 30, 2007 |
Grub on the Go
The dog days of summer often herald a ritual of packing up
our families and toting them off to cooler climes. But what are the best ways
to bring baby food on the road? And what are the rules for bringing baby food
and drinks on the plane? Here are the latest and greatest ways to help you prepare
for feedings on the go.
July 17, 2007 |
Spice It Up?
Think a menu of bland baby cereal each and every day constitutes an
enticing culinary experience? Chances are your baby doesn’t either.
Interestingly enough, the United States is one of the only countries in the
world where parents don’t spice up their baby food a little. In many countries,
children are introduced to spices very early in their learning-to-eat process.
July 2, 2007 |
Mango-a-go-go!
Summertime brings tropical visions of palm trees and the
delicious fruity treats that grow plentifully in their presence. If your pediatrician approves, mangos are a
tasty tropical fruit that can safely be offered to your baby between seven and
ten months of age.
June 20, 2007 |
How to Freeze & Thaw Homemade Baby Food
Making your own baby food is a great way to help your family
stay healthy - fiscally and physically. But to do it safely, you've got to
master the ins-and-outs of freezing and thawing baby food in ways that prevent
the growth of harmful bacteria.
June 11, 2007 |
Sweet Relief
Can you imagine how it must
feel for teeth to literally erupt through your gums? And being a helpless
little tyke to boot? YOWCH! Many babies' are in the throes of their teething
woes come 9-12 months of age, and exhausted, frustrated parents are left
scrambling for ways to ease their pain.
June 4, 2007 |
Juice Fixation
At around six months of age, right around the time they start
solids, parents introduce their kids to one of their most important diet staples
for years to come -- fruit juice. But many parents complain about their
children rapidly becoming addicted to the sugary sweetness of a juice drink, often
at the expense of all other beverages.
May 22, 2007 |
The Mighty Avocado
It often isn't thought of, but avocado makes for a great first food. Native
to Central America, avocados have a smooth and
creamy texture when mashed, so it's an easy food for babies to gum and swallow.
And it's got a great combo of carbohydrates, healthy fats and protein to nourish
a baby's growing mind and body.
May 15, 2007 |
Picky, Picky...Nature or Nurture?
Some kids will eat anything. Others require a covert cloak
and dagger operation to get them to put new foods near their mouths. As babies all-too-quickly become toddlers, and
toddlers become preschoolers, we have to ask ourselves an important question
about the part we play in our child's eating habits: Are picky eaters just born
picky, or are they unwittingly created by their parents?
May 8, 2007 |
Baby Fat
If your baby is on the chubby
side, you might hear plenty of comments like, "Love those rolls!" and "I could
just squeeze those chubby cheeks!"
April 30, 2007 |
Veggie Baby
If you want to raise your child as a vegetarian, there are many inventive ways to create an interesting, nutritious menu.
April 24, 2007 |
You Are My Sunshine
With the advent of spring,
thoughts turn to warmer weather and basking in the sunshine. But with baby in
tow, sun exposure can be treacherous business. It takes no time at all for the sun
to singe delicate baby skin. And all it takes is one sunburn to risk
dehydration, or even skin cancer.
April 16, 2007 |
Surviving April Showers
Depending on where you live, volatile April weather can literally put a damper on outdoor baby fun. If you are one of those folks stuck inside for what feels like the umpteenth time, here are some indoor play suggestions that will stimulate your baby’s mind and keep you entertained.
April 9, 2007 |
The Welcome Wagon
Bringing a new baby home is one of the most exciting -- and frightening -- times of your life. It’s also a time when friends and family will likely express an eager interest in stopping by to meet the newest addition to your family.
April 3, 2007 |
Make It Stop (Or Try!)
Babies cry when they are wet, hungry, gassy, in need of a cuddle…you name it. It’s the only way they have to communicate.
March 26, 2007 |
It's All Relative
When you're pregnant, friends and relatives galore will likely offer up their babysitting services at some point and time. But when the kid shows up, many of those offers conveniently (well-not for you!) evaporate into thin air.
March 19, 2007 |
Shape Shifting
Unless you are an actress, model or gym rat, physical fitness is rarely a priority in the first few months after having a baby. But exercise • even in small doses • releases feel-good bursts of energy called endorphins throughout your body. And those endorphins beat that third cup of caffeine hands down as a way to help a new mom keep her energy up.
March 12, 2007 |
Beyond the Stamps of Yore--Deciphering today's meaty options
March 5, 2007 |
Cutting Corners
Babies are expensive little creatures. With all the wonderful things they bring, they don’t come with user manuals or an accessories kit. And they develop so rapidly that, as soon as you gather all the tools to bring them through a certain phase, it’s time to head back to the store again for more stuff.
February 26, 2007 |
Does Baby Need Vitamins?
Wondering whether or not your baby needs vitamin supplements?
It depends!
February 12, 2007 |
Comfort Food
We’re in the throes of winter and for those of us in colder climates, nothing warms the soul like some good, old-fashioned comfort food.
February 5, 2007 |
Baby Talk
As early as five months of age, babies start flexing their language muscles. Their adorable jibber jabber is almost incomprehensible, but will develop into fevered debates over curfews and car keys in what feels like no time!
January 29, 2007 |
C-C-C-Cold
It’s the heart of cold and flu season, and your baby's tender immune system is learning the hard way to do battle.
January 9, 2007 |
A Napping Baby is a Happy Baby
Naptime is sacred to new parents. When else are we supposed to eat/shower/make phone calls? That said, preserving the sanctity of naptime is serious business. But like all routines pertaining to babies, it is a variable that is constantly subject to change, and we have to do our best to go with the flow.
January 2, 2007 |
Baby New Year
A brand new addition to your family is in and of itself the best kind of celebration.
But even new parents need to let their hair down once in a while.
December 11, 2006 |
Surviving the Holidaze
Alas, another holiday season is upon us! By now, you’ve likely received many invitations to trot out your tot to meet family members, or party with friends at holiday shindigs.
December 4, 2006 |
Hairy Issues
Some babies are born with a full mop of hair; others come into the world with a shiny chrome dome. Either way, you will probably notice significant changes in your baby's hair from the time they are born until they are at least a year old.
November 27, 2006 |
Is soy good or bad for my child?
In
November 21, 2006 |
Smile Baby!
There’s nothing like the first time your baby smiles at you. Just staring at that sweet toothless grin makes everything else in the world melt into the background.
November 13, 2006 |
Gag Me With A Spoon (or cereal... or milk... or...)
No baby learns to eat solids without scaring their parents to half to
death at least once by choking or gagging.
November 8, 2006 |
Working from home + Parental duties = A wild juggling act
October 30, 2006 |
Flu Shots
Are they necessary?
Autumn is here and when it descends, thoughts turn to necessary evils, such as winter coats, heating costs and flu shots. The latest word on the playground is that some parents are wondering how necessary flu shots are to their child’s health.
October 23, 2006 |
Spud-licious
When babies begin to enjoy solids, one of the most popular favorites is the almighty spud. Whether you serve them sweet, mashed or baked, most lil’ eaters just love the taste --" all by itself of blended with other flavors.
October 9, 2006 |
Iron Clad
How to make sure your baby is getting enough iron
Making your own baby food is one of the most rewarding ways to introduce the wonder of grub to your baby. However, some parents are concerned that their babies won’t be getting as much iron as they might with jarred foods or cereal.
October 2, 2006 |
The Meat of the Matter
When your baby gets to be about 7 to 9 months of age, they develop a dietary need for protein. That said, it’s an ideal time to begin the process of introducing your child to the wonderful world of meats, poultry and fish.
September 21, 2006 |
To Pacify, Or Not to Pacify?
Is a pacifier right for your baby?
September 5, 2006 |
What's In A Name?
Next to wearing a towel on our heads and saying pretend, “I do,†coming up with baby names, for most girls, is a favorite childhood pastime. And now that we are all grown up and the babies are real (not plastic), choosing your child’s name is one of the first of a million decisions we’ll have to make for them.
August 23, 2006 |
Keep It Moving
The evil C • constipation • is never a fun issue to discuss, but with babies who can’t yet articulate when they are feeling pain in their tummies, you almost wish you could. Every baby moves to his own rhythm and thus it’s hard to gage the level of constipation during each bout -- a frustrating problem for baby and you.
August 14, 2006 |
Bubble Trouble
Does your baby suffer from cramping, diarrhea and gas every time they eat yogurt, cheese or cow’s milk?
August 6, 2006 |
All in the Family
Life is busy and with varying daily routines, mealtime can be especially hectic. The prospect of scarfing down your own grub while teaching your young ‘un to eat might seem like too much work, but more and more studies are showing that it’s worth the trouble.
July 25, 2006 |
Should You Go Organic?
When it comes to feeding your baby, the reasons to go organic are numerous and multiplying with each passing day.
July 12, 2006 |
Take A Dip
Summer time usually conjures images of sprinklers, swim arms and endless rounds of playdates. It also marks the beginning of a parent’s three-month quest to find ways for their kids to keep cool.
One great way to cool off is to take a dip -- for lunch or dinner that is!
Even the pickiest toddlers love to dip their food and eat all by themselves.
July 10, 2006 |
Healthy Choices: Nature or Nurture?
Ask a room full of toddlers what their favorite vegetable is and it’s highly likely they will have a clear favorite -- french fries.
Unfortunately, this fatty, over-processed choice isn’t the healthiest option. No wonder why, according to a recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 26% of 2-to-5-year-olds are at risk of becoming overweight, and 14% are already overweight.
June 29, 2006 |
Picky, Picky
Babies and toddlers are notoriously picky eaters, and sometimes getting them to try new foods can feel like an endless exercise in futility.
June 23, 2006 |
Eating All By Themselves
Once your baby gets close to a year old, they are likely to have sprouted a few teeth and can start putting them to use by eating slightly chunkier baby food. And once they grow accustomed to the art of chewing, they'll be ready to begin the process of learning to eat autonomously.
June 12, 2006 |
Know About Nitrates
Babies just beginning solids are encouraged to adhere to a diet of certain colorful foods, such as fruits and peas, but are discouraged from eating leafy greens and certain root veggies. Why? A good number of leafy green vegetables contain nitrates -- nitrogen/oxygen compounds found in vegetables and soil. And while adults have fully developed digestive systems that are able to process nitrates, babies aren't quite there yet, and consuming foods with nitrates can cause them to develop "Blue Baby Syndrome" -- with potentially dangerous consequences.
May 19, 2006 |
Food Allergies
Often genetically inherited, food allergies can be serious business. Babies have delicate immune systems that aren't yet equipped to handle potential allergens. As a preventative measure, pediatricians advise against exposing babies to certain foods before the age of two or three.
May 12, 2006 |
Creating Baby Cuisine
With the right equipment, making your own baby food is an easy -- and an economical -- way to introduce your baby to solids. By making food yourself, you can be sure your baby is eating the best and purest possible ingredients, while avoiding all the preservatives found in most jarred foods.
April 28, 2006 |
Baby Meets Food
Congratulations! Your baby is ready for solids and can start to discover how fun it is to experience a wide variety of new flavors.
November 30, 1999 |
Tiny Socialites: The Art of the Playdate
Who says social circles are just for grownups? Babies need engagement with others to broaden their horizons. Even if they can’t converse with their little friends, they learn a lot by observing and mimicking their peer's behavior, as well as the concepts of sharing and turn taking.