First Time Parents Guide on Vegetables and Meat Combination

After your baby is accustomed to the many varieties of plain vegetables, plain meats and cereals, you can provide new taste experiences through serving several strained combinations. Some of these pleasantly combine vegetables, cereals and meat. Some first year acquaintances with mixed flavors is an important step in learning to accept grown-up foods later on.

Nutritionally, the vegetable and meat combinations are quite similar to the plain vegetables. Their proper use in a baby's menu is as alternatives for vegetables. In other words, they would be only part of a meal which would also contain plain meats, egg yolks, cottage cheese, or other high protein food.

Some products lets says Gerber combinations have a just right consistency for babies. Unlike concentrated canned soups for adults, they should not be diluted before serving. This would make them harder to feed and give less nutritive value per spoonful. Serve about the same size portions as vegetables - one-third to one-half jar.

Tips for New Parents on Your Baby’s First Year Diet

Your baby's first year diet should be prescribed by a doctor. But you, as parents, have the day in, day out responsibility of carrying out these directions. The job is larger than simply buying and feeding certain foods. It includes making every mealtime a happy time.

Through happy mealtimes your baby's physical and emotional hunger are both satisfied. Since food meets a basic need, it is one of the first means by which a newborn baby can be given security. The young nursing baby, cuddled in his mother's arms, also has the warmth and support which satisfy two other basic needs. These early mealtimes are indeed happy!

Early in your baby's development, mealtimes become more than just a means to physical comfort.The love, expressed through your voice, your smiles and gentle handling, becomes meaningful. Before long, these are as important to happy mealtimes as the food served.

A little later, your baby makes many other pleasant associations with eating. He learns to like the bright color, smooth texture and pleasant odor and flavor of certain strained foods. He begins to anticipate a meal, just by being placed in his feeding table, having a bib tied around his neck, seeing a baby picture on a package of cereal or watching the warming of a dish of strained food. He learns to enjoy the companionship of other family members.

Sometime soon, it becomes impossible to count all the things that make your baby enjoy his meals, although his pleasure is obvious. You will feel it worth much planning and effort to maintain this happy state.

YOU'RE IN CHARGE. From the first feeding you will want to see that you - not your baby - are in control of the situation. This does not have to be accomplished with a battle royal. Arguing with a tiny baby is childish and futile. Calm, gentle, pleasant and patient firmness are earmarks of maturity in parents. As expressions of your love and concern, they give your baby far more security than having his own way.

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES. Your baby's grandparents probably were "raised by the book." Perhaps you were too. Fortunately, the rigid feeding schedules which characterized the first forty years of this century have been abandoned.Modern parents recognize individual differences in food needs. This is true of the amount of food needed and the frequency with it should be fed.

Most babies will set up a rhythm of eating and sleeping, in keeping with their own special needs. "Big eaters" usually space their meals farther apart, while other babies will want less food, more frequently. With a little give and take, both baby and the rest of the family can settle down to a reasonably regular schedule. A recognition of individual differences and a calm, flexible attitude toward adjustments, if indicated, are all it takes.

Parenting Guide on your Babies Yardstick of Growth

Baby will follow his own pattern of growth and development, not according to a fixed set of standards. Do not be surprised or dismayed, therefore, if the activities listed are reached before this yardstick says he might or if Baby appears backwards compared with other babies of the same age.

FIRST MONTH

Hearing is fully developed, but eyes do not focus and may appear crossed. Yawns a lot, hiccups, sneezes. Hands tightly curled, head needs support. Sleeps most of the time when not feeding.

SECOND MONTH

Turns head to voices. Cries vary for food, discomfort, and excitement. May begin to sleep through the night. Settles into regular routine.

THIRD MONTH

Smiles, babbles and finds that crying gets results. Can turn from side to back, holds up head. Enjoys bright colors and can hold rattle if put in hand.

FOURTH MONTH

Holds up head without support. Coos and smiles in response. Reaches for toes. Plays with hands and can grasp toys.

FIFTH MONTH

Birth weight usually doubled by now. Reaches for objects. Carries everything to mouth. Can turn from back to side. More selective in taste. Raises hands to be lifted.

SIXTH MONTH

Eyes and hands work together. Sits with some propping. Definite emotions. Makes sounds like "mamma," "dadda." First teeth may appear, usually the lower ones.

SEVEN TO EIGHT MONTHS

Sits without support. may start crawling. Transfers toys from hand to hand. Associates ideas with words.

NONE TO TWELVE MONTHS

Crawls. Stands with support. May even take first steps. Can say word or two, understands many. Probably has 6 to 8 teeth. Triples birth weight.

Airings For Your Baby

Airings are good for Baby. When he weighs 8 lbs. or more, he may be taken outdoors in the morning when the sun is shining and if it is not windy. Be sure to protect his eyes from glare. If you can't go out, Baby can have an airing indoors near an open sunny windows. After he reaches 10 lbs. or more, he may be exposed to the direct rays of the morning sun during fine weather gradually from two to twenty minutes a day.

How to Give Your Baby a Tub Bath

As soon as Baby's navel and circumcision have healed, you can start giving Baby a tub bath, unless your doctor advises otherwise. It would be convenient to assemble the same equipment (List of Equipment for Sponge Bath) as for the sponge bath except that you will use a tub or bathinette in place of the basin water. Fill the tub or bathinette with about three inches of water that is comfortably warm to your elbow.

Place Baby on a large towel on top of the bathinette or table and clean his ears and nose particularly the creases around. Wash his face with water and his scalp with soap and water as you would during a sponge bath.

With your left arm supporting his head and shoulders, your left hand firmly holding the upper part of his left leg, and your right hand supporting his buttocks, gently lower Baby into the tub. Hold him firmly with one hand, supporting his head and back, then rinse him with wash cloth with other hand.

In cleansing genitals, if Baby is not circumcised ask your doctor if he wants you to clean under the foreskin, if baby is a girl, separate genital folds carefully and cleanse between them with a down ward stroke, using cotton dipped in water.

Lift Baby back on table or on top of bathinette, cover him with towel, and pat dry, paying careful attention to all creases and skin folds. Dress baby in clean clothes.

How to Give Baby a Sponge Bath

1. Cover Baby with a large bath towel in a manner that secures both his hands and legs. Hold baby's head and wash his eyelids with sterile cotton balls. Clean his nose and mouth with cotton balls dipped in sterile water. Next clean his ears with moistened swabs (never insert cotton swabs farther than you can see) and wash face with cotton or soft cloth dipped in warm water. Dry his face with the small soft towel (never soap baby's face.)
2. Support Baby's head and back carefully with one arm and hand. Shampoo his scalp gently with baby soap or shampoo, then rinse well and pat dry. (If scales form on the scalp, apply oil and leave overnight).
3. Soap and rinse the rest of Baby's body. Be sure to get all soap out of creases, or his skin may chafe. Pat him dry with soft towel - never rub. Never touch Baby's navel unless extremely necessary; simply change the binder. If the navel becomes wet, clean it with sterile cotton balls dipped in alcohol. Then cover it with sterile gauze and binder. Apply oil or lotion, powder lightly and put on Baby's clean clothes.

Tips on Bathing Your Baby

It is advisable to bathe your baby at a fairly regular time. Many mothers find it convenient to bathe baby usually before the mid morning feeding. (Don't give a bath immediately after feeding.) The room should be warm with no drafts. Water should be comfortably warm, test it with your elbow if no thermometer is available. Baby should be handled gently and securely.

Until baby's navel or circumcision is healed, baby's baths should be sponge baths. These should be his first baths and your doctor will tell you when you can start giving a full tub bath. It would be convenient to assemble the following supplies on a table before you start:

1. basin of warm water
2. soft washcloth
3. mild soap
4. cotton swabs or cotton balls (in jar with a cover)
5. baby lotion
6. baby oil
7. baby powder
8. large bath towel to cover baby
9. small soft towel with which to cover him
10. shirt
11. diaper
12. safety pins and binder

Jessica Alba's Website on Toxic-Free Baby Product "Honest.com"

Hot mommy Jessica Alba launched an e-commerce company at Honest.com (named after her three year old daughter Honor) to sell eco friendly and toxic free baby products and household items for a monthly subscription.

Jessica Alba said the idea was born after she learned that toxic chemicals are in widely used in everyday products.

She decided the best solution was to make available the kinds of products she would buy. To launch the business, she partnered with author and environmentalist Christopher Gavigan, ShoeDazzle founder Brian Lee and PriceGrabber executive Sean Kane.

To make purchase, consumers sign up on Honest.com and choose from subscription packages for products including diapers, shampoo and laundry detergent. The products are then delivered monthly to he buyer's door.

"It's important that a brand that's meant for families actually listens to families, and it's not just some big corporate entity making these huge decisions," she said.

10 most common skin plagues after pregnancy

1. Melasma. The birthmark-like blotches most commonly found on the cheeks are caused by your fluctuating hormones. It is best to treat it right away. The longer it stays on your skin, the deeper the discoloration sets. Products with tretinion and hydriquinone will help whiten the dark spots, and daily sunblock use is essential.

2. Skin discoloration. Most new moms complain of dark skin on their neck, underarms, and groin area. This is caused by hormones and should lighten up within six month's time. Avoid scrubbing the area, doing so irritates the skin and aggravates the darkening. A nice solution would be to use a bleaching lotion or something with hydroquinone.

3. Stretch marks. They are familial, if your family has them, the bigger your chances of getting of getting them too. There are available products and treatments but these tears underneath the skin won't disappear completely. It is recommended to use a whitening agent for the dark marks. If the marks are light, lightening the surrounding skin first to make the marks less obvious.

4. Acne. It is best to first establish the reason for the flareup. If it's the hormones brought about by pregnancy. Some use birth control pills for their anti androgen ingredients. The downside, however, is that you might stop producing breast milk. It is best to ask your ob-gyne for an alternative that won't make you stop lactating.

5. Change in skin texture. Most new moms find their oily skin oilier or their dry skin drier, or sometimes, their usually dry skin turns oily and vice versa. It is best to use soaps and other products meant for your new skin type. You can also change your moisturizer and choose milder products.

6. Darkening and soreness of nipples. This is brought about by hormones, so it's best to wait it out. Even the linea negra, the dark line that goes vertically from the top of the tummy down disappears in time. As for soreness of the nipples due to breastfeeding, check if you're doing it right. To help ease the pain, you may use petroleum jelly or lanolin.

7. Scar and keloid. This is a problem for moms who gave birth via C-section. Run of the mill scars heal by themselves. They gradually fade. The hard part is when they turn into a keloid. A keloid must be treated immediately to prevent it from getting bigger and harder. It can be painful and itchy. An injection of cortisone can help shrink it.

8. Hair loss. An effect of hormone fluctuations. It would be advisable to take oral calcium and zinc supplements and applying menoxidyl once to twice a day.

9. Warts. Most moms do not associate warts with post pregnancy issues because they come much later, but it is. You become more susceptible to them, a common treatment for warts would be cauterized.

10 Dark under eye circles. These are caused by blood vessels getting engorged. It is recommended by doctors to use products with vitamin K to help lessen the puffiness, and to ask help from the poeple around you so you can catch up on that much needed rest.

Asthma and Exercise can Go Hand in Hand

Asthma and exercise can go hand in hand. Parents misconceptions that exercise can be risky for their asthmatic children may be partly to blame for levels of physical activity among children with the disease, according to a study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

The study, found that 20 percent of children with asthma do not get enough exercise, even though research has shown that running, swimming and other kinds of physical activity decrease the severity of asthma symptoms.

Researchers conducted a telephone survey of 137 parents of children with asthma and 106 parents of healthy children. About 20 percent of all parents indicated they believed that exercise is dangerous for children with asthma.

About 25 percent of the parents of asthmatic children said they were afraid that exercise would make their child sick, and that their child gets upset with strenuous activity. The children of parents who expressed such views were more likely than other children to be inactive.

"These results are troubling" study lead author Dr. David Lang said in a prepared statement.

"Despite medical advances and a better understanding of asthma, we found that beliefs still exist that exercise is dangerous for asthmatic children and that children with asthma should not exercise. In reality, physical activity has important benefits for all children, including those with asthma," Lang said.

It's essential that pediatrician educate asthmatic children adn their parents about the benefits of exercise, he said.

Simple Tips To Keep in Touch With Your Child While You Work

Here are tips on how to stay connected with your little one while you work:

• GIVE HIM A CALL. Set aside a regular time to get in touch with your child throughout the day so he has something to look forward to. Your coffee break and lunch break can be opportunities for you to make that call. You might want to synchronize your clock with your child when he is most alert, his caregiver can let your child know when you are about to call. Even if your toddler may not be able to speak to you yet, just hearing your voice will reassure him.

• LEAVE YOUR PHOTO. Let your child keep a small picture of you which he can hold on to when he suddenly feels your absence. Seeing your face can be a source of comfort for him.

• RECORD YOUR VOICE. Sing his favorite song, rhyme, or say a few encouraging words for your child like, "Mommy will be home soon!" "Mommy misses you!" and digitally record it for your child to listen to whenever he misses you. Ask his caregiver to play the recording at certain hours of the day like before he takes a nap (a lullaby); when he takes a bath (a bath song); when he's playing; or just because!

• MAKE LOVE NOTES. Surprise your preschooler by sticking a short note inside his lunchbox to remind him how much you love him and wish him a fun filled day at school.

Simple Ways To Stimulate and Bond With Your Unborn Baby

Though most moms to be just read to their babies all day or set their classical playlist on repeat, there are more fun and creative ways you can stimulate and bond with your unborn baby. Here are some ideas.

1. Stage a concert. Instead of playing a CD or cranking up the volume for your tiny iPod earphones, why not invite your friends and family members who play musical instruments to jam and perform for your baby bump? If you could play an instrument, that would be even better! Don't forget to record the performance so you can play it over and over again when everyone has gone home.

2. Curtain call. Invite Daddy to join in the fun and act out a play for your baby. Do different voices, too! If more friends and family members want to join in, why not? You can try simple one act plays or be ambitious and bring out the Shakespearean comedies (the tragedies might be too gory for your delicate prenatal sensibilities).

3. We are family. Record your family members giving different messages to your baby. You can even play it for him after he's born. See if he remembers and recognizes their voices! This works best for relatives who live far away.

4. Paint a picture with words. when you're alone, start describing what you see to your little one. Include colors, smells and textures. This is great practice for when he's born and you'll want to work on his language acquisition skills. By then, a one sided conversation will be second nature to you!

5. Play drummer. But a gentle one. Play music and start tapping away on your belly. Ask daddy to try it, too. Try this when your baby is awake and movie around. You'll be amazed at how he can already respond to you! Bring out the video camera, and film the ripples and waves your belly will make as your baby reacts to your drumbeats.

It's never too early to start letting your baby know how much you love him. Even if you can't hold him in your arms, communicating with him while he's still inside you is a great way to begin.

Simple Tips on How To Reduce Computer Eyestrain on Your Child

Computer eyestrain is a common complaint among office workers, regardless of job, age or gender. With the growing popularity of computer use at home and in school, even children are now at risk.

The underlying cause of the problem is the eyes inability to focus accurately at the distance of the computer screen, eye experts say. This is because of the soft edged characteristics of the pixels that make up the words and images on the screen.

If your child suffers from computer eyestrain, follow these tips:

Don't ignore the problem; see an eye doctor. Those who suffer from symptoms of eyestrain. Frequent headache, tired, dry or burning eyes, blurred or double vision should see an eye care professional who can evaluate their eyes and prescribe eyeglasses to alleviate the stress.

Use proper lighting. Glare on walls and finished surfaces, reflections on the computer screen, outside light and bright interior lights can all add to computer eyestrain. Close drapes or blinds. Reduce lighting by using fewer light bulbs or fluorescent tubes (or by lowering their intensity). Use an anti-glare computer screen.

Modify your child's study area. Adjust the chair so your child views the computer screen from a 10 to 20 degree angle. Place written pages on a copy stand adjacent to the monitor and light them with desk lamp if necessary, keeping that light off the screen.

Remind him to take frequent brakes. Experts recommend taking a 15 minute break for every 2 hours of work.

Teach him to refocus his eyes. Train him to look away from the computer screen every 10 or 15 minutes and focus for several seconds on a distant object. This allows him to blink, which wets his eyes. Dry eyes can lead to further discomfort.

Remind him to blink more often. Because computer users blink about five times less frequently than normal, tell your child to make a conscious effort to blink while working at the computer.

List of Natural Treatments for Constipation

1. Foods that promote bowel movements: figs, prunes, pears, papaya, bran, flax seed, barley malt extract, and oats.

2. Virgin coconut oil

3. Probiotics

4. Digestive enzymes made of papaya and pineapple (you may find these in health shops)

5. Water

6. Fruit juices high in sorbitol like prune juice, apple juice and peer juice.

7. Corn syrup

When Should Your Little Girl Ear's Be Pierced?

For me I think any age is okay. If you want it done early, the baby should have at least received her first anti-tetanus vaccine, which is usually part of DTap-IPV combination vaccine, and the size of her earlobe is big enough so that the earring will be positioned centrally.

Some parents choose to have their baby's ears pierced at birth or during the first year of life while others prefer to wait it out until the child is four or five years old.

If you want to have your kids ears pierced when they are bigger, it is recommended to best wait until the child is emotionally ready to go through the brief pain and understand the process. Parents must be aware that after ear piercing, a great amount of care is required to prevent infection. Alcohol must be dabbed on the earlobe three times a day for at least two weeks. Do not attempts to remove the earring until after two months or so. If there's irritation or some discharge, have you daughter's earlobes checked immediately by your pediatrician.

Why Does Your Baby Suck Their Toes or Toe Sucking

Your little one learns about the objects around her by putting them in her mouth. Nerve fibers in the mouth are more sensitive than those in the fingers, so babies can experience many wonderful touch sensations when they suck on their body parts. While babies love to suck anything they can get their lips on - toys, the remote - many four and five moth olds find it easy to put their feet in their mouth simply because they're so flexible.

Do All Newborn Startle?

All healthy newborn are born with an evolutionarily programmed involuntary impulse called Moro reflex. So if your baby is startled by the sound of a pot clanking or a siren, for instance, he'll fling his arms wide, spread hid fingers, then grab instinctively - for Mom, of course. Then he'll bring his arms back to his body and relax. Newborn's haven't learned to differentiate between common and uncommon noises. As you little one matures, his brain learns to distinguish sounds and movements and suppresses this primitive reflex.

Why Do Baby Nails Grow So Fast?

Have you noticed that your cute little one's finger nails grow faster then your's? Your baby nails are growing twice as fast as your own, it is because the children's metabolic rate is higher than that of adults so their skin cells (which make up nails) turn over more quickly.

Childhood Nail Biting Habits

Nail biting is one of the most common childhood habits. Other common habits include hair twirling, thumb sucking, and nose picking. Most children go through this phase and come out of it spontaneously. The habit itself is not considered an illness, but it may cause some medical complications: nail infections or ingrown nails for the nail biter, nosebleeds for the nose picker, or dental problems for the thumb sucker. Punishment or harsh words have not been found effective in stopping these habits and may even prolong them. In the meantime, if your child bites her nail, why not make a game of it and let her show you that her hands are clean, at least. Hopefully, that alone may distract your child from the habit.

Planning to make a Buy and Sell website.

Kadayawan is just weeks from now, and there are plenty of exhibits that is being shown on some establishments. Last year I went to Central Bank to watch some exhibit, and there were plenty of products that was really great. Although last year I went there just to take picture for my site, but this year aside from taking photos I'll also gonna do some research and inquiries on products that I would like to buy and sell. Before if you go buying and selling you have to pay much for advertising, promoting the product through newspapers or maybe giving handouts of the products on the streets, but with the Internet nowadays you have another resource to advertise that product of your's.

Although it would require much work, a budget for the domain, for the hosting, a web programmer. Yup it's a risk, but every business there is always risk. But first things first, I still have to choose what product to buy and sell. Of course there is always the option to buy online and sell it online, a friend of mine even suggest to look into buy or sell websites. He said if you can buy a website and if that site would earn big try holding it for a while, but if you can sell it more than the price when you bought it, it would also be good. Wow, I think that would be a great, and it would also be another alternative of mine.