Fruits for Baby Finger Food - be sure to take out seeds. Fruits make great baby finger foods.

 

Colorful and highly nutritious, small soft bits of fruit will have your baby's fingers pinching away for hours.

 

soft baked peaches - diced small dices of ripe banana

small bits of ripe mango

dices of ripe pears

small dices of melon

small bits of avocado

squished blueberries

kiwi - diced small (seeds should be ok for baby over 10 months old)

small dices of mixed fruits for a "finger fruit salad

Like Fruits, Veggies make tasty and nutritious baby finger foods.

 

soft baked sweet potato dices or sweet potato fries (see below for recipe) soft baked white potato dices small dices of soft cooked carrots small dices of soft cooked peas small dices of soft cooked broccoli small bits of soft cooked green beans small bits of soft baked butternut or acorn squash small dices of soft cooked veggies mixed for a "veggie finger medley" tofu cubes "dusted" with cereal dust or wheat germ and diced into tiny cubes soft cooked pasta (ditalini or cut up rotini) small bits of soft cheeses - Read about Introducing Cheese to Your Baby small dices, shreds of soft cooked chicken, fish, beef or turkey

(mix with baby's favorite puree as a "sauce") cereals such as Multi-Grain Cheerios or Oatie-Os petite toast points with a fruit puree spread or thin cream cheese scrambled egg yolks

vitamins and minerals

BABY'S FIRST VEGGIES:

CARROTS:(half cup steamed)

VITAMINS:                                     Vitamin A - 19,152 IU Vitamin C - 1.8 mg Niacin - .4 mg Folate - 11 mcg Pantothenic Acid - .2 mg Vitamin B6 - .2 mg Contains some other vitamins in small amounts

MINERALSPotassium - 177 mg Sodium - 51.5 mg Calcium - 24 mg Phosphorus - 23.4 mg Magnesium - 10 mg Iron - .48 mg Also contains small amounts of selenium, manganese, copper and zinc.

PEAS: (one cup steamed)

VITAMINS:Vitamin A - 955.2iu Vitamin C - 22.72 mg Niacin - 3.23 mg Folate - 100.8 mcg Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - .41 mg Vitamin B6 - .35 mg Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.

MINERALS:Potassium - 433.6 mg Phosphorus - 187.2 mg Magnesium - 62.4 mg Calcium - 43.2 mg Sodium - 4.8 mg Selenium - 3.0 mg Iron - 2.5 mg Zinc - 1.9 mg Manganese - .8 mg Also contains small amount of copper.

SWEET POTATO: (one medium sized - baked)

VITAMINS:Vitamin A - 24,877 mg

Vitamin C - 28.0 mg Pantothenic Acid - .74 mg Niacin - .69 mg Folate - 26.2 mcg Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.

MINERALS:Potassium - 273 mg Phosphorus - 29.5 mg Magnesium - 13.5 mg Calcium - 6.2 mg Sodium - 11.0 mg Iron - .55 mg Selenium - .5 mg Manganese - .6 mg Zinc - .3 mg Also contains small amount of copper.

WINTER SQUASH (acorn/butternut) - 1 cup, baked)

VITAMINS:Vitamin A - 877 mg Vitamin C - 22.1 mg Niacin - 1.865 mg Folate - 39 mcg Pantothenic Acid - 1.03 mg Contains some other vitamins in small amounts

MINERALS:Potassium - 896 mg Phosphorus - 92 mg Magnesium - 88 mg Calcium - 90 mg Selenium - 1.4 mg Also contains trace amounts of iron, zinc, manganese and copper.

Vitamins

Vitamin A (Antioxidant)             Helps with vision and growth.

Found in: carrots, avocados, spinach, yellow/orange fruits and vegetables, dark green leafy vegetables, kiwi, prunes, papaya, liver, eggs, milk and milk products, paprika

Vitamin B12Involved in red blood cell production and nerve function.

Found in: salt-water fish, pork, organ meats, eggs, milk and milk products

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Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)Breaks down carbohydrates and regulates nerve impulses.

Found in: legumes, okra, wheat germ, brewer's yeast, whole grains, sunflower seeds, nuts, peanuts, organ meats, fish and poultry, egg yolks, blackstrap molasses

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)Essential for growth; breaks down fat and carbohydrate.

Found in: carrots, tops of beets and turnips, mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, legumes, brussels sprouts, kelp, prunes, apples, lemons, grapefruit, coconut, whole grains, wheat germ, brewer's yeast, nuts, organ meats, egg yolks, milk and milk products, blackstrap molasses

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)Breaks down carbohydrate and fat in body.

Found in: rhubarb, whole barley, wheat germ, whole bran, peanuts, almonds, fish (including lobster) and poultry, milk and milk products 

Vitamin B6Essential for normal growth, needed for healthy red blood cells.

Found in: legumes, green leafy vegetables, cabbage, prunes, whole grains, whole-grain cereals, wheat germ, brewer's yeast, organ meats, egg yolks, corn oil, blackstrap molasses, honey

 

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Vitamin C (Antioxidant)Maintains skin tissue, aids iron absorption, important in healing wounds and allergic reactions. Helps with colds and removes free radicals from body.

Found in: green and red peppers, avocados, banana, cabbage, kiwi, turnip greens, kale, collards, parsley, sprouted alfalfa seeds, broccoli, tomatoes, mango lemons, orange peel, black currants, acerola cherries, cantaloupe, strawberries, citrus fruits, rose hips.

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Vitamin DHelps strengthen bones; essential for normal growth and development.

Found in: salmon, sardines, herring, tuna, organ meats, Vitamin D-fortified milk and milk products, egg yolks, wheat germ

Vitamin E (Antioxidant)Eliminates free radicals in the body, removes toxic substances from blood, prevents bad cholesterol (LDL) from being used and maintains skin tissue.

Found in: peas, lettuce, sweet potatoes, leafy vegetables, brown rice, rye, whole-grain cereals, wheat germ, nuts, egg yolks, organ meats, molasses, corn oil, cold-pressed oils

Vitamin KHelps to clot blood.

Found in: alfalfa, turnip greens, green vegetables, chlorophyll, cauliflower, oats, wheat, rye, soybeans, egg yolks, liver, yogurt, acidophilus, safflower oil, blackstrap molasses

BiotinHelps restore tissue, breaks down carbohydrate and fat.

Found in: legumes, whole grains, lentils, liver, egg yolk, sardines, brewer's yeast

Pantothenic AcidHelps to break down carbohydrate and fat.

Found in: broccoli, legumes, whole grains, wheat bran, wheat germ, brewer's yeast, peanuts, organ meats, salmon, molasses

Folic AcidEnsures that cells develop normally; needed for healthy red blood cells

Found in: dark green, leafy vegetables, root vegetables, dates, whole grains, brewer's yeast, salmon, tuna, organ meats, milk

BABY'S FIRST FRUITS:

BANANAS: (one medium)

VITAMINS:Vitamin A - 95 IU Vitamin C - 11 mg Folate (important during pregnancy) - 22.5 mcg Vitamin B6 - .7mcg Niacin - .6 mg Pantothenic Acid - .31 mg Vitamin E - .67 IU

MINERALS:Potassium - 467 mg

Magnesium - 43 mg Phosphorus - 27 mg Calcium - 7 mg Selenium - 1.3 mg Iron - .4 mg Also contains trace amounts of zinc, manganese and copper

AVOCADO: (one medium)

VITAMINS:Vitamin A - 1230 IU Vitamin C - 15.9 mg Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - .2 mg Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - .25 mg Niacin - 3.9 mg Folate - 124.6 mg Pantothenic Acid - 1.95 mg Vitamin B6 - .56 mg Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.

MINERALS:Potassium - 1204 mg Phosphorus - 82.4 mg Magnesium - 78.4 mg Calcium - 22 mg Sodium - 20 mg Iron - 2 mg Also contains small amounts of selenium, manganese, copper and zinc.

APPLES: (one medium)

VITAMINS:Vitamin A - 73 IU Vitamin C - 9 mg Folate (important during pregnancy) - 4 mcg Vitamin E - .66 IU

MINERALS:Potassium - 158 mg Calcium - 9.5 mg Phosphorus - 9.5 mg Magnesium - 7 mg Selenium - .4 mg Also contains small amounts of iron, manganese, copper and zinc.

PEACHES: (one medium w/skin)

VITAMINS:Vitamin A - 524 IU Vitamin C - 19 mg Folate (important during pregnancy) - 5.5 mcg Niacin - .97 mg

MINERALS:Potassium - 193 mg Phosphorus - 12 mg Magnesium - 6.9 mg Calcium - 5 mg Selenium - .4 mg Also contains trace amounts of iron, zinc, manganese and copper.

 

 

 

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Minerals

CalciumImportant for growth of bones, teeth and clotting of blood.

Found in: green leafy vegetables, avocados, celery, seaweed, carrots, figs, dates, papaya, apricots, almonds, raisins, garlic, brown rice, beans, pecans, sesame seeds, Brazil nuts, cashews, shellfish, milk and milk products, molasses

PhosphorusNeeded for strong bones and teeth.

Found in: squash, carrots, mushrooms, legumes, whole grain cereals, oats, nuts, fish, meats, poultry, eggs, milk and milk products, beans

IodineNeeded for proper development of thyroid hormone.

Found in: Irish moss, kelp, beets, celery, lettuce, mushrooms, grapes, oranges, seafood, iodized salt

PotassiumHelps with maintenance of muscles and nerves and distributes and balances water in the body.

Found in: spinach, okra, celery, mushrooms, pecans, avocado, brussels sprouts, potatoes, legumes, bananas, tomatoes, strawberries, lemons, figs, oranges, papaya, cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, dried fruits, whole grains, sunflower seeds

IronNeeded for healthy red blood cells and immune function.

Found in: green leafy vegetables, kelp, beets, asparagus, carrots, cucumbers, watercress, parsley, grapes, bananas, figs, raisins, dried fruits, cherry juice, soybeans, sunflower seeds, meats, organ meats, fish and poultry, blackstrap molasses

Selenium (Antioxidant)Works with Vitamin E. Helps eliminate free radicals in the body.

Found in: whole grains, wheat germ, wheat bran, brewer's yeast, puffed wheat, Cheerios, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, swordfish, tuna, herring

MagnesiumImportant for muscle contraction, especially the heart and nerves.

Found in: dark green vegetables, kelp, pineapple, whole grains, nuts, almonds, pecans, seafood, molasses, honey

SodiumMaintains nerves and balances and distributes water in the body.

Found in: celery, turnips, cucumbers, beets, string beans, okra, pumpkins, lima beans, wheat germ, seafood, milk and milk products, table salt, baking powder, baking soda, processed foods

ZincImportant for growth, functioning of immune system, sexual development and reproduction.

Found in: mushrooms, wheat germ, brewer's yeast, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, seafood, meats, organ meats, oysters, herring, eggs

Other

CholineMaintains nerves, needed during growth and development.

Found in: legumes, whole grains, brewer's yeast, soybeans, meats, organ meats, egg yolks, fish 

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GlutathioneHelps eliminate free radicals and maintains the immune system.

Found in: avocado, asparagus, white potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, okra, watermelon, fresh grapefruits and

oranges, strawberries, peaches, raw tomatoes, lean meats

Co-Enzyme Q-10 Protects Vitamin E; maintains a healthy heart and strong immune system.

Found in: soybeans, sardines, mackerel, peanuts, walnuts, sesame seeds, some organ meats

Childproofing Your Home

To make sure that your home is a safe haven for your children - and you - learn to spot and eliminate hazards throughout the house. This checklist will show you how. Register with ClubMom to customize this checklist by assigning due dates, adding new tasks, scheduling email reminders, and more.

Safety measures for every room:

Install child-resistant covers on all electrical outlets.Keep dangerous chemicals out of children's reach.For strings and ribbons, follow the six-inch rule.Always use a safety belt on your baby when she is sitting in a bouncy seat or a swing.Shorten curtain and blind cords.Place furniture well away from windows.Use corner bumpers on furniture and fireplace-hearth edges.Place houseplants out of children's reach.Know the names of all plants in case a child eats one of them.Keep cigarettes, matches, and lighters out of children's reach.Safeguard heating and gas systems against accidents.Be sure that furnaces, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, space heaters, and gas appliances are vented properly.Place screened barriers around fireplaces, radiators, and portable space heaters.Install carbon-monoxide (CO) alarms outside bedrooms to help prevent CO poisoning.Install smoke alarms outside each bedroom and on every level of your home.Remove the plastic end caps on doorstops or replace the stops with a one-piece design to prevent choking.Consider placing plastic guards along the hinge side of frequently used interior doors to prevent the doors from pinching fingers.Safety-proof windows and fire exits.Make a fire evacuation plan and practice fire escape routes at least twice a year.Keep firearms and ammunition safely locked away.Secure unsteady furnishings.

Avoid household water hazards.Test homes built before 1978 for lead paint.Learn first aid and CPR.

 

Hallways and staircases:

Avoid dark hallways and rugs that slip.Safety-proof stairs.If possible, install carpeting on stairways to protect from falls.

 

Kids' rooms:

Position your child's crib away from all drapery, electrical cords, and windows.Make sure the crib meets national safety standards.Make sure the mattress fits snugly.Be sure the crib sheet fits snugly.If you use a crib bumper, make sure it's firm (not fluffy) and secured tightly with at least six ties.Remove mobiles and other hanging toys from the crib as soon as your child can reach up and touch them.Place infants under one year on their backs to sleep.Never use an electric blanket in the bed or crib of a small child or infant.Place night-lights at least three feet away from the crib, bedding, and draperies to prevent fires.Always use a safety belt on your infant when you have her on a changing table, and never leave her unattended.Provide padding for falls.Check age labels for appropriate toys.

Be vigilant about choking hazards.

Use side railings for children just getting used to "big kid" beds.If bedrooms are on second or third stories, be sure to have a fire-escape ladder in each room.

 

Bathroom:

Put a lock on the medicine cabinet.To prevent poisoning, lock away all vitamins and medicines.Install toilet-lid locks to prevent drowning.Lower the household water temperature.Always test the water first before bathing a child.Make sure bathtubs and showers aren't slippery.Use electrical appliances carefully.Install ground-fault circuit interrupters on outlets near sinks and bathtubs.

Never leave a young child alone in the bathroom.

 

Kitchen:

Keep knives, cleaning supplies, and plastic bags out of children's reach.To avoid fires and burns, never leave cooking food unattended.If stove knobs are easily accessible to children, use protective covers to prevent kids from turning them.Teach your kids how to respond to fire.When they're not in use, unplug electrical appliances.Replace any frayed cords and wires.Keep chairs and step stools away from counters and the stove.Keep activated charcoal (helps absorb some poisons) and syrup of ipecac (used to induce vomiting) on hand.

Beware of foods that children can choke on.

 

Yard:

Store tools, garden, and lawn-care equipment and supplies in a locked closet or shed.

Don't use a power mower to cut the lawn when young children are around.Don't allow children to play on a treated lawn for at least 48 hours following an application of a fertilizer or a pesticide.Know the types of trees on the property in the event children ingest berries, leaves, or other plant life.

If you have a swimming pool, install a fence (with an automatic childproof gate) that separates the house from the pool.When you barbecue outdoors, never leave kids unattended around the grill.Store propane grills where children cannot reach the knobs.

 

Other resources for childproofing your home:

To find outlet covers, cord shorteners, cabinet latches, and toilet-lid locks, check with your local hardware store.For consumer-product and home-safety information, contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.For details about child and home safety, contact the National Safe Kids Campaign.For information about child lead poisoning, read the "Lead Hazard Information" pamphlet from the department of Housing and Urban Development.

For information about safe drinking water, contact the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water

The Most Common Causes of Infant Constipation are:

 

Introduction of solid food(s) - breastfed babies may be more prone to constipation when solid foods are introduced. This is because their tiny tummies are used to processing the easily and highly digestible mother's milk

Diets low in fiber

Diets of excessive dairy products (yogurt, cheeses, milk)

Foods such as Bananas,  Applesauce, Cereals, Breads, Pasta and White Potatoes may contribute or cause constipation

A change in diet usually relieves a baby with constipation. The following tips may also help the constipated baby get things "moving".

Remedies and How to Treat Constipation in Babies

There are many things you can do to help relieve baby's constipation. You can change baby's feeding pattern and/or engage in some physical exercises.

 

Exercises to Help Relieve Infant Constipation include:

 

Tummy Massage - Gently massage and rub baby's tummy in a clockwise direction.  Place your hands at baby's navel and massage in a circular motion, moving your hand(s) out and away from the center of baby's belly.

Warm Bath - Some medical professionals suggest giving your constipated baby a warm bath.  The thought is that this may help relax baby and "get things moving" again.  Give a tummy massage as you are drying baby.

Bicycle Legs - Place your baby on her back and lightly hold her legs in a half-bent position.  Gently begin to move your baby's legs as if she is riding a bicycle.  Alternate "Bicycle Legs" with Tummy Massage.  *"Bicycle Legs" also may help to relieve a baby who is gassy.

 

Relieving Constipation in Babies Younger than 4 Months:

Try giving one to two ounces of diluted fruit juice such as grape, prune or apple-prune twice daily and

practice some of the above exercises.  (Always consult your pediatrician about the appropriateness of new foods/liquids to help alleviate constipation) Learn about Fruit Juice in your baby's diet.

 

Relieving Constipation in Babies 4 Months to 12 months + by Changing the Food Diet

Try strained foods that contain high fiber such as:

apricots

prunes

peaches

plums

pears

peas

spinach

In older infants who are just beginning solid foods, you may want to avoid baby foods such as rice cereal, applesauce and bananas as these may aggravate constipation.  

Barley or oatmeal cereals, prunes, peaches, plums, apricots and most vegetables are preferred when baby has constipation.

 

Juices are helpful, especially apple or prune, but use in moderation, as they are not as nutritious for babies as formula or breast milk.

 

If Your Baby is Constipated, Remember the BRAT diet.

 

The BRAT diet is used for the treatment of diarrhea in infants - BRAT stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. An easy and natural way to remember how to alleviate baby's constipation is to cut

out the foods that contribute to it - rice cereals, bananas, and applesauce. If you ever forget which foods to cut out, remember BRAT.

Why can I give Apple Juice but NOT Applesauce when baby is constipated?

There is a difference in the amount of sugars and pectin in apple juice and applesauce:

Apple juice contains more sugars and liquids so it helps relieve constipation.

Applesauce is the whole of the fruit. It contains a higher level of pectin - which firms up stools and may thus lead to constipation.

 

"Apple juice also has a mild laxative effect that may help provide relief from constipation commonly experienced by little ones. Apple juice fortified with vitamin C may help children absorb more iron, an important nutrient for growth and development." About Apple Juices

Apples contain pectin, which will add bulk to your stools, and their cleansing action will encourage bowel movements. They have a laxative effect yet are also used for to help people get back on a regular diet after suffering bouts of diarrhea.

The pectin in the apple fiber apparently is why whole apples will firm up bowel movements. Think of Kaopectate - a popular over-the-counter diarrhea remedy. Kaopectate , actually contains an oxidized form of pectin. Also, that same fiber pectin is what dietitians have been telling us for decades is necessary to keep us regular and to prevent constipation. While it will help prevent constipation by helping to keep the bowels regular, it will not help alleviate constipation.

 

When it comes to bowel regularity, apples contain two types of fiber; insoluble and soluble. The insoluble fiber works like roughage, while the soluble fiber (pectin), which is found primarily in the skin, acts as a stool softener by drawing water into the stool and increasing stool bulk. Because pectin firms up an excessively loose stool, it’s also used to treat diarrhea