Eat, play, sleep ... that is all your little one and YOU need do for at least the first 6 weeks!
When they are very young eat, play, sleep happens often. Sleeping takes up most of the time, next to eating and play is only for very short periods during the day.
As babies get older, anytime from 6 weeks on (or in my son's case at 3 and a half months of age) babies can and do stretch out their feeds during the night and sleep up to 6 hours quite easily.
Remember an older waking baby may not always be hungry (he may need a little soother, stroking for reassurance). Try and not pick them up or talk to them when they have woken during the night as this will send them a confusing message. They may think they are getting up to eat and play again. A hungry baby will not take a soother for too long before he is crying again.
eat
Milk feeds can be every 2 to 3 hours and last up to 40 minutes. As your newborns gets older you may notice they feed more quickly. By 6 weeks of age my son was done with one side of the breast in 10 minutes, sometimes less.
play
To encourage a burp, gently stroke the back of your baby, in an upwards motion on the left side. Ensure you are stroking their back well above the kidney area. Chat or sing to your little one. My son enjoyed being held with his arms up and over the top of my shoulder (while waiting for him to burp).
This is all part of play.
Sing a song, say a nursery rhyme or read a book. It is never to early to start reading to your child.
sleep
Then get ready to change their diaper (make it a short time of play), sing a little more, give them a cuddle and talk about getting ready to go to sleep.
At 8.5 months of age I still sing this little song to my son (while signing to him) to the tune of 'Frére Jacques' after changing his diaper ready for bed...
"Are you sleepy? Are you sleepy?
Baby mine, Baby mine,
Now it's time for bed, Now it's time for bed,
Time to sleep, Time to sleep
Try putting your baby down to sleep within 20 to 30 minutes of a feed. Watch for the signs that your little one is ready to sleep. Are they rubbing their eyes, pulling their ears, or giving a small yawn. The sooner you can put them to bed after catching that first sign of sleepiness the easier it will be for you, and baby will go off to sleep well.
Awake time = 1 to 1.5 hours (up to 3 to 4 months of age)
Sleep time = 2 to 3 hours (up to 3 to 4 months of age)
For extra help and ideas go to http://www.thesleepstore.co.nz for articles on baby sleep.
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Friday, 31 July 2009
Homemade Baby Purees (for a 6 to 7 month old)
As a first time older mum I recently attended a Baby Puree making workshop and learned about nutrition, and how easy it is to make my own baby food. If you need a little motivation, here are some homemade baby puree recipes for you to try ...
Sweet Potato Puree, Pumpkin or Squash Puree
Peel and cut 2 or 3 medium to large size sweet potato into cubes. Steam for 15 to 20 minutes, until soft. Reserve the cooking liquid. Puree the cooked cubes of sweet potato with a stick blender or a kitchen blender until very soft and fine. As you are blending add some of the reserved cooking liquid to make a nice soft consistency for baby to swallow.
Remember that sweet potato, and, if you are cooking pumpkin or squash will absorb quite a bit of water when blending into a puree, so add at least a 1/2 to 1 cup of cooking liquid.
The same recipe can be made with carrots, BUT you must ensure that when you puree the carrots use freshly boiled, slightly cooled water and NOT the cooking liquid.
Carrots contain nitrates that leak into the cooking liquid and are too strong for a young baby.
Green or Yellow Bean Puree
Another good source of vegetable containing fibre to start introducing to your 6 month old. Steam the beans until soft and puree together with some of the cooking liquid.
Zuchinni Puree
Quick and easy to steam lightly.
My six month old seemed to really enjoy it unpeeled, cooked and pureed finely.
There is no need to add water to this mixture when blending Zuchinni as it contains alot of liquid.
Apple Puree
Peel and slice your favourite eating apples. Simmer until soft in freshly boiled water, use approximately 1/2 cup of water to 3 to 4 large apples. Puree when slightly cool. Freezes well in ice cube trays.
Prune Puree
Soak approximately 2 cups of pitted prunes in 2 - 3 cups of boiling water for 20 minutes (in a pot). Then simmer gently in a pot on the stove for 15 to 20 minutes. Once slightly cooled blend with blender stick. Note: Prunes can be frozen in small containers, but will remain slightly sticky (which makes them more difficult to freeze into ice cube trays).
Freezing homemade baby purees
Vegetable and Fruit Purees can be made at home quite easily, cooled and frozen into ice cube trays. Once frozen store them in labelled containers or ziplock bags. Remember to rotate and use up older frozen purees first. Frozen fruits and vegetables have a relatively short shelf life (no longer than up to 6 months in a large deep freezer, or 2 to 3 months in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator). Pureed frozen meats, frozen purees containing milk and frozen legumes (lentils and tofus) should be used within 2 to 3 months.
Remember it will be only a few short months and your child will be enjoying table food (around 11 or 12 months of age you will be able to make them dinners almost the same as you are serving the rest of the family, simply mashed lightly with a fork, without a lot of spices or added sugar or salt.)
Sweet Potato Puree, Pumpkin or Squash Puree
Peel and cut 2 or 3 medium to large size sweet potato into cubes. Steam for 15 to 20 minutes, until soft. Reserve the cooking liquid. Puree the cooked cubes of sweet potato with a stick blender or a kitchen blender until very soft and fine. As you are blending add some of the reserved cooking liquid to make a nice soft consistency for baby to swallow.
Remember that sweet potato, and, if you are cooking pumpkin or squash will absorb quite a bit of water when blending into a puree, so add at least a 1/2 to 1 cup of cooking liquid.
The same recipe can be made with carrots, BUT you must ensure that when you puree the carrots use freshly boiled, slightly cooled water and NOT the cooking liquid.
Carrots contain nitrates that leak into the cooking liquid and are too strong for a young baby.
Green or Yellow Bean Puree
Another good source of vegetable containing fibre to start introducing to your 6 month old. Steam the beans until soft and puree together with some of the cooking liquid.
Zuchinni Puree
Quick and easy to steam lightly.
My six month old seemed to really enjoy it unpeeled, cooked and pureed finely.
There is no need to add water to this mixture when blending Zuchinni as it contains alot of liquid.
Apple Puree
Peel and slice your favourite eating apples. Simmer until soft in freshly boiled water, use approximately 1/2 cup of water to 3 to 4 large apples. Puree when slightly cool. Freezes well in ice cube trays.
Prune Puree
Soak approximately 2 cups of pitted prunes in 2 - 3 cups of boiling water for 20 minutes (in a pot). Then simmer gently in a pot on the stove for 15 to 20 minutes. Once slightly cooled blend with blender stick. Note: Prunes can be frozen in small containers, but will remain slightly sticky (which makes them more difficult to freeze into ice cube trays).
Freezing homemade baby purees
Vegetable and Fruit Purees can be made at home quite easily, cooled and frozen into ice cube trays. Once frozen store them in labelled containers or ziplock bags. Remember to rotate and use up older frozen purees first. Frozen fruits and vegetables have a relatively short shelf life (no longer than up to 6 months in a large deep freezer, or 2 to 3 months in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator). Pureed frozen meats, frozen purees containing milk and frozen legumes (lentils and tofus) should be used within 2 to 3 months.
Remember it will be only a few short months and your child will be enjoying table food (around 11 or 12 months of age you will be able to make them dinners almost the same as you are serving the rest of the family, simply mashed lightly with a fork, without a lot of spices or added sugar or salt.)
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Getting Baby started on solids 6 months+
As a family, we always enjoy eating breakfast together. Our son seemed ready to sit at the table, in his highchair, with my husband and I, at around 5 months of age.
When he was much younger we lay him in his stroller next to us, so he could see what was happening, and be able to interact with us.
At 5 1/2 months of age I noticed our son moving his mouth up and down, while sitting in his highchair (as if he was mimicking my husband and I eating), and he began to reach out to grab a banana, when he saw it, so I began making baby purees for him to try.
Here are some tips and ideas for getting your little one started on solid foods.
Firstly, it is wise to remember that 'breastmilk or formula is the best source of food' for your young baby.
Your baby needs a good source of daily milk supply, with all its vitamins and minerals, up until, at least, the age of 2 years and beyond. Cow's milk (3.25%) can be introduced to an older infant from the age of 9 months+, but it may be better to wait a little longer until they are aound 12 months of age.
When introducing solids, start around 6 months+ of age. We started a little earlier as our son was almost 10 pounds at birth and he seemed ready. Continue to offer the breastmilk or formula first, before offering any solid food. I usually wait 15 to 20 minutes after giving our son milk before I offer him cereal, fruits or vegetables.
Be sure your baby can sit well, and hold their head up on their own before introducing solid foods. This is to avoid any type of choking hazard. Look for signs that your baby might be interested in beginning solids eg reaching or grabbing for food while you are eating.
Start with a Cereal
I started my little one on 1 Tblspn of rice cereal for breakfast and dinner. His milk feeds remained at 3 to 4 hourly during the day, with his first feed at 5.00am and his last feed around 5.00pm (half an hour or so before bed).
Then Introduce a Vegetable
After 3 days of cereal only, I then introduced 1 Tblspn of vegetable puree (squash) in place of the rice cereal at dinner time.
Gradually he began eating more cereal and vegetable puree at mealtimes. It wasn't long before I added a fruit puree to the breakfast and dinner menu.
Offer Water at mealtimes
Remember to always offer cooled, boiled water to your baby at mealtimes, along with cereal and purees.
I began offering water to my son in the little cup off the lid of his baby bottle. He is gradually learning to hold that cup in both hands, and drink himself. He drinks when he his thirsty, and I don't worry too much if he turns his head away or pushes the cup away.
At 6 months of age my son was enjoying cereal for breakfast, and squash, carrots, beans or zuchinni for dinner. He had also started to enjoy finely mashed banana, apple puree and prune puree.
Remember to introduce your little one to only one new item of cereal, fruit or vegetable at a time for a period of up to three days. This is to help identify any potential allergies or reactions to the food. It wasn't long before my son was eating one serve of fruit, vegetable and cereal all in the same day!
My son quickly gained an appetite and I gradually increased the quantity of serves to 3 Tblspns of cereal, fruit and vegetable over the course of 3 to 4 weeks.
When he was much younger we lay him in his stroller next to us, so he could see what was happening, and be able to interact with us.
At 5 1/2 months of age I noticed our son moving his mouth up and down, while sitting in his highchair (as if he was mimicking my husband and I eating), and he began to reach out to grab a banana, when he saw it, so I began making baby purees for him to try.
Here are some tips and ideas for getting your little one started on solid foods.
Firstly, it is wise to remember that 'breastmilk or formula is the best source of food' for your young baby.
Your baby needs a good source of daily milk supply, with all its vitamins and minerals, up until, at least, the age of 2 years and beyond. Cow's milk (3.25%) can be introduced to an older infant from the age of 9 months+, but it may be better to wait a little longer until they are aound 12 months of age.
When introducing solids, start around 6 months+ of age. We started a little earlier as our son was almost 10 pounds at birth and he seemed ready. Continue to offer the breastmilk or formula first, before offering any solid food. I usually wait 15 to 20 minutes after giving our son milk before I offer him cereal, fruits or vegetables.
Be sure your baby can sit well, and hold their head up on their own before introducing solid foods. This is to avoid any type of choking hazard. Look for signs that your baby might be interested in beginning solids eg reaching or grabbing for food while you are eating.
Start with a Cereal
I started my little one on 1 Tblspn of rice cereal for breakfast and dinner. His milk feeds remained at 3 to 4 hourly during the day, with his first feed at 5.00am and his last feed around 5.00pm (half an hour or so before bed).
Then Introduce a Vegetable
After 3 days of cereal only, I then introduced 1 Tblspn of vegetable puree (squash) in place of the rice cereal at dinner time.
Gradually he began eating more cereal and vegetable puree at mealtimes. It wasn't long before I added a fruit puree to the breakfast and dinner menu.
Offer Water at mealtimes
Remember to always offer cooled, boiled water to your baby at mealtimes, along with cereal and purees.
I began offering water to my son in the little cup off the lid of his baby bottle. He is gradually learning to hold that cup in both hands, and drink himself. He drinks when he his thirsty, and I don't worry too much if he turns his head away or pushes the cup away.
At 6 months of age my son was enjoying cereal for breakfast, and squash, carrots, beans or zuchinni for dinner. He had also started to enjoy finely mashed banana, apple puree and prune puree.
Remember to introduce your little one to only one new item of cereal, fruit or vegetable at a time for a period of up to three days. This is to help identify any potential allergies or reactions to the food. It wasn't long before my son was eating one serve of fruit, vegetable and cereal all in the same day!
My son quickly gained an appetite and I gradually increased the quantity of serves to 3 Tblspns of cereal, fruit and vegetable over the course of 3 to 4 weeks.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Hope for the future
'Hope' and 'change' seem to be the latest buzzwords. Many people pin their hopes and dreams on other people, and are often left disappointed and let down. The harsh reality is that not one of us is perfect.
Where is there hope for the future? Who can we put our trust in today?
As a new mum, I find myself 'hoping and praying' that my baby will settle quickly. There are just so many things to catch up on during a one and a half hour nap time... washing, cooking, cleaning, answering messages, making appointments and so on - not to mention getting a little rest too!
When we are out and about my young son is often complemented on being happy and calm. He seems to be able to take most things in his stride, and with a cry lets me know when he is not right. Is he hungry? Does he need to sleep or a nappy change? Has a toy escaped his reach, or, would he simply like a cuddle? I can hear my baby now as he wakes from his morning nap, babbling away to himself. At eight months, he is experiencing change everyday. This week he is now able to hold and feed himself from a bottle (which gives me confidence that he could be weaned at any time). He has eaten home made chicken liver puree (for the very first time), as babies around 9 months need a good source of iron rich foods. And he has learned to make the consonant 'ba ba ba ba.' His future is going to be filled with many new experiences!
Babies need to know there is security around them, and there is a sense of rhythm in their life. Too many changes, too quickly and they easily become unsettled.
Are you struggling with how much your life has changed since your newborn arrived? Have you lost hope that you'll be able to do the things that you loved doing before this little bundle came along?
Stay focussed on the task at hand for now and allow yourself to catch a glimpse of the future when you can.
Life is different now and the rewards are immeasurable. As parents we have the priveleged task of teaching our children to become kind, compassionate, well educated neighbours and friends.
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Someone who cares
Have you ever that it is 'all up to me' to get things done? Perhaps, as a new Mum, you are wondering 'Where am I going to get the energy from to do all the cooking, cleaning, feeding, nappy changing, bathing of baby?' Are you facing these things alone?
Be encouraged - there is someone who cares for you, more than you could ever imagine.
Be encouraged - there is someone who cares for you, more than you could ever imagine.
Friday, 2 January 2009
Treasures of the heart
It is said "For where your treasure is there your heart will be also."
Have you ever thought about the use of your earthly treasures?
How many people do you know who are giving generously, not coveting wealth or possessions? Or, are you observing more and more people living for themselves - desiring greater wealth, often spending more than they earn, and living life on credit in the pursuit of personal happiness.
Here is a story of a rich man whose land yielded more crops than he had room for in his barns. The rich man thought to himself, "What shall I do? I have no more room to store my crops - I know, I will tear down ALL my barns and build bigger. Then I will say to my soul - EAT, DRINK and BE MERRY - for you have stored up well for many years."
Isn't this like the people in life who are always building BIGGER, BETTER, GREATER material wealth and possessions, careers, homes, land, income and even debt.
Life is a gift - and there is not one of us who knows how long we will walk on this earth. Who will inherit the treasures of your heart, and all the things for which you have provided?
Can a person who lays up treasure only for themselves be rich toward God?
Life's Application: Decide to act this week and give generously to others from what you have earned. View money differently than you ever have before - there are many who have lost their entire life savings due to the mismanagement or misappropriation of funds by financial institutions all over the world - choose to act and remember it is a wise person who builds for themselves riches in heaven (that will not be able to be destroyed). Read and meditate on the Word of God, The Bible.
Life is more than food and the body is more than clothing. The Bible teaches us that if we seek after a relationship with our Heavenly Father then ALL these things will be added to us - we need not be anxious about clothes, food and material things that can so easily be destroyed.
Who have you given the treasure of your heart to?
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
A new baby!
There are three things we know of for certain in life - there is birth, death and salvation - a time in our lives when we choose to put our faith, hope and trust in a loving God who promises the gift of eternal life!
"Faith" is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen. We may not fully understand who God is, and we may never hear His voice or see His face, but all around us there is evidence of a Creator God.
My husband and I recently celebrated the birth of our very first child - when a new baby is born there comes a time for celebrating the miracle of life as we gaze in amazement at how our little bundle of joy (and sleepless nights) made it into the world! Our new baby is so totally dependent on our love and nuture - to feed him all through the night, clothe him, keep him warm in winter, and love him unconditionally.
Have you heard the story of Christmas - of how Jesus came into the world, as a new born baby, more than 2000 years ago. His conception was miraculous and the announcement of His birth fulfilled in all the prophecies of the Old Testament. God chose for His Son, Jesus, to enter the world so that you and I could be certain of knowing our Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally.
Are you certain of your own salvation? Who are you putting your faith and hope in and can you be sure the gift you will receive will be the gift of eternal life?
Life's Application: Read the story of the birth of Jesus (which can be found in the New Testament of The Bible, in the book of Luke, Chapter 2). Go to http://www.biblegateway.com
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