Ingrediants:
1 small, sweet apple, peeled, cored and diced
1/2 ripe pear, peeled, cored and diced
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
Method:
Remove any stems from the blueberries, then place all the ingredients in a small saucepan. Just cover with water and simmer gently for approximately 5 mins, until the fruits are tender. Drain (reserving the cooking water), then transfer the ingredients to a blender and puree until smooth. Use the reserved cooking liquid to thin the puree, if necessary.
Showing posts with label Baby care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baby care. Show all posts
Friday, August 8, 2008
Why Blueberries Are So Good for Baby!
Unrelated to strawberries and raspberries - and related instead to the less allergenic cranberries and bilberries - blueberries are not subject to the usual 'berry baby food' rules!
Whilst medical professionals usually recommend waiting until at least 12 months before introducing other berries (strawberries in particular), blueberries are not as likely to cause allergic reactions and many pediatricians will suggest offering them to your baby at some point between 6 and 9 months of age.
Please remember, though, that a risk of allergy to blueberries DOES still exist - and you should watch your baby carefully once you have introduced them. Signs of an allergy to blueberries include
->congestion
->wheezing
->coughing
->fatigue
->itchy/swollen eyes
->swollen lips
->itchy rash
->hives
Blueberry facts
Blueberries are native to North America, where they are in season from May to October. They are also grown in a few other parts of the world, including Australia, South America and - more recently - the UK and Ireland!
Whilst truly fresh blueberries are unbeatable for taste and texture, they are also available individually quick frozen - possibly the only form available in some parts of the world. Frozen blueberries are acceptable for use in baby food as long as you can feel them moving freely in the bag - if they are all stuck together, then they have probably thawed and refrozen at some point. This will affect both their taste and nutritional quality.
Blueberries are also available canned, although sugar is often added, making them less desirable for use in your baby food recipes.
Blueberries are a 'superfruit'
In research carried out by the USDA/Tufts University, blueberries were named as the number one source of antioxidants of all fruits and vegetables!
The role of antioxidants in the human body is varied - helping prevent conditions such as peptic ulcers, cataracts, glaucoma, hemorrhoids, varicose veins - and serious diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
The anthocyanins in blueberries (which give them their distinctive colour) are believed to protect the brain and - in later life - limit the effects of conditions such as Alzheimer's Disease.
And that's not all - blueberries are also packed with manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K and fibre.
Fresh blueberries have a very mild laxative effect on the body, meaning that they can be very useful in preventing and relieving constipation. Dried blueberries, on the other hand, seem to have the opposite effect and are often recommended for firming up the stools after a bout of diarrhea.
Another interesting characteristic of blueberries is their ability to prevent urinary tract infections, in much the same way as cranberries do. If your child experiences frequent urinary tract infections, then including blueberries in his diet or offering blueberry juice will be a far more palatable and popular solution for him than offering cranberries!
PLEASE NOTE: Eating lots of blueberries can make your baby's poop look almost black in colour - so beware!
Whilst medical professionals usually recommend waiting until at least 12 months before introducing other berries (strawberries in particular), blueberries are not as likely to cause allergic reactions and many pediatricians will suggest offering them to your baby at some point between 6 and 9 months of age.
Please remember, though, that a risk of allergy to blueberries DOES still exist - and you should watch your baby carefully once you have introduced them. Signs of an allergy to blueberries include
->congestion
->wheezing
->coughing
->fatigue
->itchy/swollen eyes
->swollen lips
->itchy rash
->hives
Blueberry facts
Blueberries are native to North America, where they are in season from May to October. They are also grown in a few other parts of the world, including Australia, South America and - more recently - the UK and Ireland!
Whilst truly fresh blueberries are unbeatable for taste and texture, they are also available individually quick frozen - possibly the only form available in some parts of the world. Frozen blueberries are acceptable for use in baby food as long as you can feel them moving freely in the bag - if they are all stuck together, then they have probably thawed and refrozen at some point. This will affect both their taste and nutritional quality.
Blueberries are also available canned, although sugar is often added, making them less desirable for use in your baby food recipes.
Blueberries are a 'superfruit'
In research carried out by the USDA/Tufts University, blueberries were named as the number one source of antioxidants of all fruits and vegetables!
The role of antioxidants in the human body is varied - helping prevent conditions such as peptic ulcers, cataracts, glaucoma, hemorrhoids, varicose veins - and serious diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
The anthocyanins in blueberries (which give them their distinctive colour) are believed to protect the brain and - in later life - limit the effects of conditions such as Alzheimer's Disease.
And that's not all - blueberries are also packed with manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K and fibre.
Fresh blueberries have a very mild laxative effect on the body, meaning that they can be very useful in preventing and relieving constipation. Dried blueberries, on the other hand, seem to have the opposite effect and are often recommended for firming up the stools after a bout of diarrhea.
Another interesting characteristic of blueberries is their ability to prevent urinary tract infections, in much the same way as cranberries do. If your child experiences frequent urinary tract infections, then including blueberries in his diet or offering blueberry juice will be a far more palatable and popular solution for him than offering cranberries!
PLEASE NOTE: Eating lots of blueberries can make your baby's poop look almost black in colour - so beware!
Friday, July 4, 2008
A Better Juice For Your Sick Baby
A sick tummy got your baby down? It may be time for a change of juice. Researches have found that children recover more quickly from diarrhoea when they drink white grape juice than when they stick to those high chair standards, apple and pear. They're also less likely to experience a recurrence on the white grape. Apparently, the sugar and carbohydrate composition of white grape juice is better for digestive system (and a lot less challenging in the laundry department than its purple cousin) . Apple and pear juices naturally contain sorbitol (an indigestible carbohydrate that can cause gas, bloating and discomfort) and a higher amount of fructose than glucose, while grape juice is sorbitol free and has an even balance of glucose to fructose.
Before switching to white grape juice though, discuss it with the doctor who might recommend water or rehydration liquids instead. In some cases, too much of any type of juice can create tummy troubles.
Before switching to white grape juice though, discuss it with the doctor who might recommend water or rehydration liquids instead. In some cases, too much of any type of juice can create tummy troubles.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Newborn's Reflexes
Mother nature pulls out all the stops when it comes to newborn babies, providing them with a set of inborn reflexes designed to protect these especially vulnerable creatures and ensure their care. Some of these primitive behaviours are spontaneous, while others are responses to certain actions.
Startle, or Moro, reflex.
When startled by a sudden or loud noise, or a feeling of falling, the Moro reflex will cause the baby to extend the legs, arms and fingers, arch the back, draw the head back, then draw the arms back, fists clenched, into the chest.
Duration: Four to six months.
Babinski's, or plantar, reflex.
When the sole of a baby's foot is gently stroked from the heel to toe, the baby's toes flare upwards and the foot turns in.
Duration: Between six months and two years, after which toes curl downwards.
Rooting reflex.
A Newborn whose cheek is gently stroked will turn in the direction of the stimulus, mouth open and ready to suckle. This reflex helps the baby locate the breast or bottle and secure a meal.
Duration: About three to four months, though it may persist when baby is sleeping.
Walking, or stepping, reflex.
Held upright on a table or other flat surface, supported under the arms, a newborn may lift one leg and then the other, taking what seem to be 'steps'. This 'practice walking' reflex works best after the fourth day of life.
Duration: Variable, but typically about two months.
Sucking reflex.
A newborn will reflexively suck when the roof of his or her mouth is touched, such as when a nipple is placed in the mouth.
Duration: Present at birth and lasts until two to four months, when voluntary sucking takes over.
Palmar grasping reflex.
Touch the palm of your baby's hand and his or her fingers will curl around and cling to your finger. An interesting bit of baby trivia: newborns grasp may be powerful enough to support full body weight - but don't try this at home or anywhere. Some more trivia: This reflex curls babies' feet and toes, too, when they're touched.
Duration: Three to six months.
Tonic neck, or fencing, reflex.
Placed on the back, a young baby will assume a 'fencing position' , head one side, with arms and legs on that side extended and the opposite limbs flexed. En grade!
Duration: Varies a lot. it may be present at birth or may not appear for at least two months, and disappear at about four to six months - or sooner, or later.
Startle, or Moro, reflex.
When startled by a sudden or loud noise, or a feeling of falling, the Moro reflex will cause the baby to extend the legs, arms and fingers, arch the back, draw the head back, then draw the arms back, fists clenched, into the chest.
Duration: Four to six months.
Babinski's, or plantar, reflex.
When the sole of a baby's foot is gently stroked from the heel to toe, the baby's toes flare upwards and the foot turns in.
Duration: Between six months and two years, after which toes curl downwards.
Rooting reflex.
A Newborn whose cheek is gently stroked will turn in the direction of the stimulus, mouth open and ready to suckle. This reflex helps the baby locate the breast or bottle and secure a meal.
Duration: About three to four months, though it may persist when baby is sleeping.
Walking, or stepping, reflex.
Held upright on a table or other flat surface, supported under the arms, a newborn may lift one leg and then the other, taking what seem to be 'steps'. This 'practice walking' reflex works best after the fourth day of life.
Duration: Variable, but typically about two months.
Sucking reflex.
A newborn will reflexively suck when the roof of his or her mouth is touched, such as when a nipple is placed in the mouth.
Duration: Present at birth and lasts until two to four months, when voluntary sucking takes over.
Palmar grasping reflex.
Touch the palm of your baby's hand and his or her fingers will curl around and cling to your finger. An interesting bit of baby trivia: newborns grasp may be powerful enough to support full body weight - but don't try this at home or anywhere. Some more trivia: This reflex curls babies' feet and toes, too, when they're touched.
Duration: Three to six months.
Tonic neck, or fencing, reflex.
Placed on the back, a young baby will assume a 'fencing position' , head one side, with arms and legs on that side extended and the opposite limbs flexed. En grade!
Duration: Varies a lot. it may be present at birth or may not appear for at least two months, and disappear at about four to six months - or sooner, or later.
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