Babys First Year

There’s so much to consider when you’re having a baby, especially if it’s your first. You may have already decided to breastfeed, but perhaps your partner would like to help feed the baby, too. What do you do? You may want to choose a breast pump. If so, the questions in this checklist can help you decide which one.

How often do you plan on breastfeeding?

If you’re going to be a stay-at-home-mom, you can breastfeed at any time of the day or night. You may not need a breast pump at all except to express breast milk so your husband can feed the baby. A manual breast pump may be all you need.

If you’re planning on going back to work, however, you may want something that won’t take as long when time is at a premium. Since there are electric breast pumps that can be used on both breasts at the same time, this option may be of interest to you.

What can you afford?

Not all insurance companies pay or assist in paying for breast pumps after you’ve had a baby. Higher end electric breast pumps may cost as much as $200, or even more. There are also models you can purchase from medical supply stores and some department stores. Choosing which model you get may be as simple as knowing how much you can spend or whether your insurance covers it.

How easy is it to take apart and reassemble?

This may be one of the most important factors. It is vital that the parts that touch the breast are kept clean. If the machine isn’t easy to take apart, wash, and reassemble properly you may not want to get it.

Do you want electric or manual?

Manual breast pumps work well enough, and you may want to consider one – especially if your area has frequent power outages. If you’re not concerned about that, you may want to get an electric breast pump. Most electric models have a back-up of some kind, either using single use batteries or a rechargeable battery pack. You may want to consider the rechargeable model so you don’t have to worry about not having fresh batteries when needed.

When you’re choosing a breast pump you may have a number of questions. If you know the answer to the questions above you may have a better idea of which breast pump is best for you. Don’t hesitate to contact a lactation consultant or breastfeeding advocacy group to get help if you need it.

Breastfeeding is a great experience that mothers have used for generations to feed their newborns and infants. There are times, however, when you can’t breastfeed for whatever reason. By going through the above breast pump checklist you can make the best decision on getting a breast pump to meet your needs.

Tips For Mom

You’ve seen the commercials where moms are lovingly feeding their babies with a bottle and the newest formula. However, before the commercial ends you hear the announcer make the statement that “Breast milk is best” but they claim their product is just as good. You may wonder about the benefits of breast milk and whether it really is best for your baby.

Recently there have been concerns about some formulas having been contaminated. Babies have actually died in other countries from these. Some of it even ended up on the store shelves in the United States. This is unacceptable and one benefit of breast milk is that you don’t have to worry about it being contaminated by melamine.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that breast milk can’t be contaminated, because what you consume goes directly into your breast milk. If you don’t wash fruits and vegetables before eating them, the chemicals on the produce could pass through the breast milk to your baby. For this reason, many physicians and lactation consultants recommend eating organic foods while you are breastfeeding.

Actually, choosing to breastfeed your newborn is one of the most important decisions you can make for your baby’s well-being. Not only is breast milk better for the baby than formula, there are also benefits for the mom. Let’s look at the benefits of breast milk for newborns and infants.

Breastfed babies have been consistently shown to:

• Require fewer hospitalizations
• Develop fewer respiratory, urinary tract, and ear infections among others
• Be less likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
• Suffer from fewer bouts of allergies and asthma as they age
• Have higher I.Q. scores
• Be less likely to develop obesity and cancer in later years

Breastfeeding benefits you as well, by showing:

• Less bleeding after childbirth
• Suppression of the menstrual cycle so you lose less blood during the first few months of your child’s life
• Lower chances of developing ovarian and breast cancers

There are other, more immediate and practical benefits of breast milk, as well.  Did you know that breastfeeding is considerably cheaper than buying formula? Well, think about it, your body produces what your baby needs so there’s no rushing to the store in the middle of the night because you’ve run out of formula. Breast milk is free whereas formula is expensive, even with the coupons the manufacturers send you.

In addition, breast milk doesn’t have to be heated before being given to your baby: it comes readily available at the perfect temperature. You don’t have to worry about breast milk spoiling if it’s in the diaper bag too long, you don’t have to buy bottles (unless you pump and choose to), and your baby loves it. What better benefits could there be to choosing breast milk over formula?

Baby Feeding

by Paula Heron

I’d like to start by emphasizing one very important point to remember – for babies who are six months old or less, please keep them in the shade as baby clothes are inadequate protection and you should not put sunscreen on a baby’s skin.

We all know how important it is to protect our adult skin from too much exposure to the sun and it is especially important that babies and children are adequately protected. One could say the Victorians had it right as it was unfashionable to have a tan in those days. But later, and before we knew so much about skin cancer and the aging effect of the sun, having a tan was not only considered fashionable it was also regarded as being healthy.

However, anyone who is fortunate enough to live in a part of the world that enjoys lots of sunshine quickly begins to understand the risk of sunburn. Everyday life means appreciating the necessity of using the right protection (for example, clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen) particularly at peak times of the day.

Particularly at risk are young children and babies. Their skin is far more sensitive than adults and it burns more quickly. So to repeat the warning at the top of these notes, please keep your young babies in the shade and not exposed to direct sunlight. Be aware that sunshine can reflect off other surfaces and use baby clothes and a parasol or canopy to make sure there is no risk of sunburn.

The most common misconception among adults is that covering up with a polo shirt or T-shirt made out of light colored material will give the required level of protection. That may well not be correct. The latest research recommends that babies and children get the best protection from clothes made out of dark-colored closely-woven fabrics, not the usual white or light colored thin shirt.

You should also bear in mind that the head needs it’s own protection. A hat with wide brims can keep sunlight away from the neck, the face and the ears. Damage to eyes can be avoided by making sure your child uses sunglasses.

Although there are more and more suppliers of sun protective clothing for children these can be expensive and there is not a huge choice. There is a product called Sun Guard which you add to your normal laundry load along with your usual detergent and it provides up to UPF30 on everyday clothing. It provides protection for up to twenty washes.

Clothes only protect so much of the body and it is very important to adequately protect the skin that is left exposed with a high enough factor sunscreen. There are now so many sun blocks on the market even ones for sensitive skin so there is something for everyone. Dermatologists recommend using one with an SPF factor 15 or higher for babies over six months old and children to prevent burning and tanning.

Never skimp on sunscreen for your children or yourself. Sunscreen should be applied at least thirty minutes before exposure to the sun and applied generously every two hours or more often if you and child have been swimming. Don’t forget the ears, hands, feet, back of the neck and under swimsuit straps. But remember – sunscreens should not be used on babies younger than six months old, instead keep them in the shade.

It is painful to see anyone, whether a baby a child or an adult, suffering from sore red skin or even blisters because of too much time in the sun or too little protection from sunscreen or clothing. It is even more painful to experience it and it adds to the risk of skin cancer. One immediate essential after an incidence of sun burn is to keep out of the sun until the skin has recovered.

Finally, remember that even though we benefit from stronger teeth and bones that the sun gives us, due to the resultant Vitamin D that is produced in our bodies as an aid to calcium absorption, we only need just a few minutes to obtain that benefit.

About the Author: For a lot more helpful advice on baby clothing and newborn baby boy clothes and more, see this author’s web site.

Family baby skin care, baby sun protection, sun screen, sunburn

One of the more popular baby nursery designers lately, Amy Coe has beautiful designs that will fit any taste. And with the great prices on eBay, you may just be able to get the set you wanted for your little one.

Here are the most recent sets available on eBay:

AMY COE~LIMITED EDITION~MOD GARDEN~BABY CRIB~BEDDING

AMY COE~LIMITED EDITION~MOD GARDEN~BABY CRIB~BEDDING

Amy Coe Girls Pink Bedding set

AMY COE KIDSLINE PINK POP DAMASK 4PC CRIB BEDDING SET

NEW Amy Coe 4pc Crib Bedding Set Simply Swirl Brown

Kidsline Amy Coe Zoo Safari Baby Crib Bedding Set 5 Pcs

KIDSLINE AMY COE PINK POP 16PC CRIB BEDDING SET NEW HTF

KidsLine Blue ZOO BABY Boy CRIB BEDDING Set AMY COE New

KidsLine Blue 12p ZOO BABY Boy CRIB BEDDING Set AMY COE

Kidsline Amy Coe Dot 2 Dot Crib Bedding Set Blue Brown

NIP Amy Coe Zoo Baby 4pc Bedding Set

NEW AMY COE PINK POP Piece Crib Set Bedding by Kidsline

KidsLine DOT 2 BABY Boy 9p CRIB Bedding MOBILE Amy Coe

AMY COE KIDSLINE PINK POP 7 PC CRIB BEDDING SET NEW

Amy Coe Mod Peanut Green Elephant Bedding Comforter EUC

Amy Coe Mod Peanut Green Elephant Bedding Crib Skirt

Amy Coe Mod Peanut Green Elephant Bedding Crib Bumper

Amy Coe 6 Piece Alphabet Soup PINK Bedding Set VGC

Amy Coe So Sweet Blue, White & Green Baby Bedding Set

Amy Coe Safair Crib Bedding Set 4 Pc Animal Duvet

Baby Nursery

The ultrasound showed that a bouncing baby boy is on the way. Now you need to prepare a room in which he can grow and have adventures. You may want to stimulate his very active imagination along with his very active play. However, sometimes it’s wise to create a cozier, less stimulating room, so your baby boy is easier to put to sleep at night. You can adapt any of the themes below to be perfect for your baby boy.

Cars: Cars are a tried and true theme for a boy’s room. You can find pages of wallpaper borders with cars in every color scheme. There are car shaped beds and other accessories that will fit into the theme as they grow older. An area rug with streets printed on it is a perfect addition. It is sure to become a favorite as your son gets older.

Trains: Little boys seem to love trains. Decorating the room with toy trains is a perfect fit. Some people have even built a suspended track around the room for a decorative and fun accent. Thomas the Tank is a very popular and natural way to add to your train themed room.

Boats: Boats are another good theme for a boy’s room. You can find inspiration for your room by examining the simple designs of signal flags to life preservers. Pirates would also be a great addition to a boat themed room as pirates are very popular with little boys.

Sports: A sports-themed room is very easy to set up for a baby’s nursery. Combine items from football, baseball, basketball, soccer and hockey – which are all easy to find. From preprinted wallpaper and borders to stencils and even actual balls and other equipment, decorating the room is a snap. If mom or dad has some trophies from their glory days, these would make wonderful accents. Of course, you can always find banners and posters from your favorite teams to add even more visual appeal to your baby’s room.

Characters: Popular shows such as Bob the Builder, Blue’s Clues and Sesame Street offer bedding sets and accessories that will make decorating very easy for the baby’s room.

Baby Furniture for Frugal Families – Ideas to get you thinking frugally before rushing out to purchase furniture for your baby’s room.
Popular Nursery Theme Ideas for Baby Girls – You’ve found out that your precious bundle of joy will be a girl. Pictures of pink and frills suddenly fill your head. But, decorating for a little girl doesn’t have to be limited to pink.

Baby Nursery baby boy nursery theme

If you want to  stay informed about baby formula recalls, make sure you bookmark this page: we will be updating it as soon as a new baby formula recall comes along.

Israeli Baby Formula Recalled After 3 Die – Remedia Ltd issued this recall after 3 babies dies, and 10 more were hospitalized.

February 5, 2003

PRODUCT
Powdered Infant Formula packaged under the following labels: Recall # F-171-3. Albertson’s *Baby Basics by Albertson’s Soy Infant Formula with Iron 2 LB (908g) *Baby Basics by Albertson’s Soy Infant Formula with Iron 1 LB (454g)

Amway
*Kozy Kids Infant Formula with Iron 16 oz (454g)
*Kozy Kids Soy Infant Formula with Iron 16 oz (454g)

HEB
*Hill Country Fare Infant Formula with Iron 32 oz (2 LB) 908g
*Hill Country Fare Infant Formula with Iron 16 oz (1 LB) 454g
*Hill Country Fare Soy Infant Formula with Iron 32 oz (2 LB) 908g
*Hill Country Fare Soy Infant Formula with Iron 16 oz (1 LB) 454g

K-Mart
*American Fare Little Ones Infant Formula with Iron 2 LB (908g)
*American Fare Little Ones Soy Infant Formula with Iron 2 LB (908g)

Preferred Products Inc. (SuperValue)
*HomeBest Soy Infant Formula with Iron 2 LB. (908 g)

Safeway
*Safeway Select Infant Formula with Iron 2 LB (908g)

*Walgreens Infant Formula with Iron 16 oz (454g)

Wal-Mart
*Parent’s Choice Infant Formula with Iron 2 LB (908g)
*Parent’s Choice Infant Formula with Iron 16 oz (454g)
*Parent’s Choice Soy Infant Formula with Iron 2 LB (908g)
*Parent’s Choice Soy Infant Formula with Iron 35oz (1 kg)

Product sold in Wyeth Company Store in PA only: Perfect Choice Infant Formula (454g) with Use by 08 28 05 can codes: L10NTJ, L11NTJ.

Sold in Mexico:
NURSOY: Day Codes: K16NVF, K17NVL, K17NVE, K18NVE, K18NVF, K19NVF, L09NVF

CODE
The products are coded with expiration/use by dates of 07 28 05, 08 28 05, and 09 28 05. They are also coded with six-digit lot numbers embossed on the bottom of the cans. The first four characters of the six-digit lot numbers are K12N through K19N; L07N through L30N; and N03N through N25N.

RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER

Recalling Firm: WYETH Nutrition St., Davids, PA, by withdrawal notification on October 25, 2002, press release on November 1, 2002, email and registered letter on November 5, 2002 and notification via the intranet on November 8, 2002.
Manufacturer: WYETH, Georgia, VT. Firm Initiated recall is complete.
REASON
Products may be contaminated with Enterobacter sakazakii.
VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE
1,470,132 cans.
DISTRIBUTION
Nationwide.

Source: www.fda.gov

Baby Feeding