Introduction

This blog is addressed to all those who love the innocence of a baby and the purity of their souls. Especially to the mothers who want to know how to take care of their baby and pay attention to their health; this is a world we should take care of and pay attention to in order to make our bigger world a better place and maybe throw the magic that exists in the hearts of our baby so that maybe we can wake the baby up in us and everybody else.

I hope you enjoy it.

Hanadi

Smoking Affects Your Baby!

HOW DOES SMOKING AFFECT YOUR BABY’S HEALTH?
When you smoke, you breathe in many poisons that get in your blood and keep your baby from getting the food and oxygen it needs to grow. The sooner you quit, the sooner you can stop passing on all these poisons to your baby. Think about this every time you start to light a cigarette. Smokers are more likely to:
Lose the baby (miscarriage)
Have the baby too soon
Have trouble giving birth
Have a baby that’s stillborn or too small
Have a baby that dies soon after birth
Have a baby that gets sick a lot
LEARNING HOW TO BE A NON-SMOKER
Use what you have learned about why and when you smoke to make changes in your habits that make it easier to quit. You can’t avoid all your smoking triggers, but you can resist them, especially if you know what to do when you have the urge to light up.
The Four D’s
Use the Four D’s any time you crave a cigarette. They are simple to do. And you can use them no matter where you are.
Drink waterDrinking water may distract you, and it flushes the nicotine out of your body.
DelayWait a few minutes, and the urge for a smoke may pass.
Deep breatheTake five deep breaths and relax for a few minutes. You may not want a cigarette as much anymore.
Do something else
Spend more time with people who don’t smoke.
Do something you enjoy: call a friend, see a movie, rent a video, go window shopping.
Plan ahead if you’re going somewhere with other smokers. Think about how great you’ll look without a cigarette.
Hold a straw if you need something in your hand.
Chew gum or eat a low-cal snack.
Exercise! When you’re pregnant, the best exercise is walking 15 minutes every day. Start slow, then get faster.
Punch a pillow if you’re in a bad mood.
Sew, or knit or crochet if you know how. If you don’t, get your mom or a friend to teach you. You can make baby clothes.
AVOID SMOKING SITUATIONS
Staying away from other people who smoke can be hard, especially if there are smokers in your household. If that’s the problem, tell them you’re trying to quit because of the baby and ask for their help. See if you can get them not to smoke around you. If they don’t cooperate, go somewhere else when they light up. Maybe you can go in your own room, or outside for a walk.
You probably have friends who smoke, and you may have to stay away from them for a little while. Explain why, so you don’t lose a friend. They might surprise you by telling you they think what you’re doing is good. A friend might even decide to quit with you.
Going to parties, bars and other places where people smoke is also a trap. Try doing other things for a few weeks while you’re quitting. At work, take a walk instead of a coffee break. Any place that does not allow smoking is a good place for you!
Change Your Thinking
Use positive thinking to get pumped about quitting.
Instead of thinking: I’ll never be able to quit.
Think: I can do it if I take it one day at a time. I know it’s going to get easier if I just hang in there.
Instead of thinking: I love sitting around with a cigarette and coffee at break time. I can’t give it up.
Think: I’ll get my break time friends to go for a walk with me. They’ll help me if I tell them much I need their support.

Feed Your Baby!

Making Your Own Baby Food

University of Maine Cooperative ExtensionBulletin #4309
With a little planning, and a blender, a fork, a strainer, a food mill or a baby food grinder, you can make foods for your baby at home. Homemade infant food may help cut food costs, and provide baby with food as nutritious, if not more nutritious, than store-bought baby foods. Making your own baby food will also help baby get used to foods the family eats.
Pureed fruits and vegetables:they can be prepared from fresh-cooked fruits and vegetables. Use the cooked fruits and vegetables without added salt, sugar or fat. Puree means to put food through a sieve or grinder to make the food into a liquid-like, smooth texture. Some foods, like ripe bananas, can be mashed or pureed with a fork and won’t need to be precooked. It may be necessary to add some fluid (formula, breast milk, water or cooking water) to other pureed food to make it the right consistency for your baby.
Canned or frozen fruits and vegetables:they may also be pureed and used. When using commercially processed canned or frozen fruits and vegetables, check the ingredient label. Make sure you are not adding extra sugar, salt and fat to your baby’s diet. Other unnecessary additives may also be in canned or frozen foods.
Homemade infant food may help cut food costs, and provide baby with food as nutritious, if not more nutritious, than store-bought baby foods.
Some commonly home-prepared fruits for babies are ripe mashed bananas, and pureed bananas and applesauce. Dried prunes that have been cooked and pureed are another food for baby. Fresh pears or peaches in season may also be soft-cooked and pureed. Fresh vegetables that can be home prepared and pureed include potato, winter squash, sweet potato, peas, asparagus, and green or wax beans.

Change your baby's table food:Later, when baby is between 8 months through 11 months, table food can be added to her diet. By that time, your baby will be able to move her tongue from side to side, and will have begun to spoon feed herself with your help. She’ll also start chewing with her new teeth, and feed herself with her fingers. With your help, she will also drink from a cup.
At this stage, try feeding mashed or diced fruit, soft cooked or mashed vegetables; mashed, cooked egg yolk; strained meats or poultry; mashed, cooked dry beans and peas; cottage cheese or cheese cubes; sliced bread; crackers; and juice in a cup.
Tips for Making Homemade Baby Food
Work under the most sanitary conditions possible.
Wash your hands with hot water and soap, scrub, rinse and dry with clean towel before fixing your baby’s food, before feeding your baby, and after changing your baby’s diapers.
Scrub all working surfaces with soap and hot water.
Scrub all equipment with soap and hot water, and rinse well.
Prepare fresh fruits or vegetables by scrubbing, paring or peeling, and removing seeds.
Prepare meats by removing all bones, skin, connective tissue, gristle and fat.
Cook foods, when necessary, boiling them in a small, covered saucepan with a small amount of water until tender. The amount of water is important — the less water used, the more nutrients stay in the food.
Puree food using a blender, food processor, baby food grinder, spoon or fork. Grind up tough foods. Cut food into small pieces or thin slices. Take out seeds and pits from fruit.
Test for smoothness by rubbing a small amount of food between your fingers. Add a liquid such as formula, water or fruit juice to achieve a desired consistency.
If pureed food is not being used right away, refrigerate quickly.
To freeze: pour cooled, pureed food into a paper cupcake liner or a section of a clean ice cube tray, and cover with foil. When frozen solid, store cubes in a freezer container in the freezer in a freezer bag or box.
Reheat frozen cube in a heat-resistant container in a pan of hot water.
When cooking foods for the family, remember to separate the baby’s portion before adding seasoning or spices. Babies need very little, if any, added salt or sugar.
Q: Should I avoid certain foods if I make my own baby food?
A: High-nitrate vegetables, such as beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, celery, collard greens, lettuce, spinach and turnips, should not be fed to babies in large quantities. The naturally occurring nitrates in these vegetables can change to nitrites, which bind iron in the blood and make it difficult to carry oxygen. This can make it hard to breathe and cause the skin to become blue. Limit the serving size of these vegetables to one to two tablespoons per feeding.
Thawing and Warming Baby’s Food
Here are some suggestions on thawing and warming food for your baby. Frozen food can be thawed in the refrigerator or the microwave oven on the defrost setting. But remember, food that has been thawed should never be refrozen.
Stove Method: To warm food, place it directly in a saucepan and slowly warm over low heat, stirring often. Stir and test temperature of food before feeding it to your baby.
Microwave Method: Microwave ovens heat foods unevenly and cause hot spots. There may be hot spots even if the food feels cool to you. It is important to stir food well to prevent burns to you or your baby. Here are some other tips:
Cover dish with a microwave-safe cover, not plastic wrap.
Stir food and turn the dish often during the heating process.
Allow food to sit for a few minutes; stir well and test temperature before feeding your baby.
It is not recommended to heat pureed meats in the microwave. Hot spots in the meat could seriously burn your baby.
For other foods, heat food in a microwave-safe dish or an opened baby-food jar. Equipment Needed to Make Baby Food
Sieve/strainer: It should have a small mesh. You can press foods through it with the back of a spoon. It can be used for juices, soft fruits and vegetables, but not meats.
Spoon, forks and potato masher: Use these to mash soft foods, such as most canned fruits, egg yolks, bananas and potatoes, to the right consistency.
Food mills or grinders: You may already have a food mill in your canning supplies, but if you don’t, they are available in stores that sell kitchen supplies. The smaller size baby food mill is similar to the larger version. They can be purchased in the baby section of department stores. It can be used at home or when traveling. The larger mills and grinders are useful when preparing soft meats and both can be used for cooked fruits, vegetables and soft fresh fruits.
Blenders: Your blender can come in handy to prepare food for the baby. Food items cooked for the family can be blended smooth for baby or to freeze for later. Hand-held blenders are useful pieces of equipment that you may want to consider.
Plastic ice cube trays: Use trays for freezing extra food that you prepare. After the food is frozen, remove the cubes and store in a container designed for freezing.
Pureed Baby Food Recipes
Pureed Fruit Delight
1/2 cup freshly cooked or home-canned fruits, or cooked dried prunes (without sugar) (Use apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, apricots or prunes)2-4 teaspoons liquid (water, unsweetened fruit juice—not citrus—or formula)
Remove skin and seeds. Press through a sieve, or put ingredients in food mill or blender and puree until smooth. Serve or freeze. Freeze no longer than 1 month.
Applesauce Deluxe
1 medium apple4 tablespoons pineapple juice
Peel, quarter and core apple. Cook with pineapple juice until soft. Blend until smooth in texture.
Bananas Plain and Simple
Ripe bananas may be pureed or mashed and fed to your baby directly.
Yummy Fresh Fruit
3/4 cup ripe fruit (uncooked peaches, nectarines, pears or apricots) without sugar1 tablespoon unsweetened fruit juice (not citrus)
Remove skin and seeds. Puree ingredients in baby food mill or blender until smooth. Serve or freeze. Freeze no longer than 1 month.
Vegetable Medley
1/2 cup cooked fresh, frozen or canned vegetables (potato, sweet potato, green beans, peas, carrots, yellow squash), without salt added2-4 tablespoons cooking liquid, formula or water
Cook fresh vegetables or use frozen or canned vegetables without salt or seasoning. (Read labels for ingredients.) Press vegetable chunks through a sieve or baby food mill. Thin with cooking liquid or formula to eating consistency. Or put cooked vegetables and liquid in a blender and puree until smooth. Serve or freeze. Freeze no longer than 1 month.
Note: After the individual vegetables have been fed several times, some good combinations are: potatoes and carrots, potatoes and green beans, carrots and peas.
Simple Strained Meat or Poultry (for babies over 8 months)
1/2 cup cooked meat (small pieces of lean chicken, beef, turkey or pork)2-4 tablespoons meat broth or formula
Cook lean meat (fat, skin and connective tissue removed) over low heat in a small amount of water. Puree meat and liquid until smooth. Serve or freeze. Freeze no longer than one month.
Egg Yolk Puree (for babies over 8 months)
Cook one egg in simmering water 15 to 20 minutes. Remove shell. Remove yolk and mash with 1 tablespoon of formula or water until smooth. Serve or freeze. Freeze no longer than 1 month.
Note: Use only the yolk. Avoid feeding egg whites until 1 year to avoid problems with allergies. Use the extra egg white in the family’s casseroles, salads or sandwiches.
Your Choice Combo Dish(for babies over 8 months)
1 cup cooked, cubed or diced meat (cut off fat) 1/2 cup cooked rice, potato, noodles or macaroni 2/3 cup cooked, diced vegetables3/4 to 1 cup liquid (formula, broth or water)
Combine and blend until smooth. Serve or freeze in serving-size containers. If frozen, use within 1 month.
Note: If you prepare combination dishes, use them only after you have fed the individual food several times.Creamy Custard(for babies over 1 year)
3 egg yolks 2 tablespoons sugar2 cups milk, warmed
Mix egg yolks and sugar. Stir in milk and mix well. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture coats the spoon. Refrigerate. Use within 2 to 3 days
By Nellie Hedstrom, Extension nutrition specialist.Peer reviewers: Kathleen Savoie, Extension educator, and Jane Conroy, Extension educator
For more information, contact your University of Maine Cooperative Extension

county office

.
Published and distributed in furtherance of Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Land Grant University of the state of Maine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Cooperative Extension and other agencies of the U.S.D.A. provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.

What To Do When Your Baby Cries?

All babies cry — but the tears can take a toll. Here's how to stay calm when the tears won't stop.
All babies cry — but the tears can take a toll. When nothing you do soothes your crying baby, you may feel anxious. What if there's something wrong and you miss it completely? What if you lose control?
Take heart in your ability to care for your baby — and to recognize when you're reaching the end of your rope.
When the tears won't stop
It's tough to listen to your baby cry. First, cover the basics. Try feeding, burping and changing your baby. Maybe it's time for a nap, a change in position or a session in the rocking chair. Perhaps your baby needs a little more — or a little less — attention. Also look for signs of illness, such as fever, vomiting, or changes in eating or sleeping patterns.
If your baby seems otherwise OK but the crying continues, do your best to stay calm. Here's help.
Keep your perspective. You're not failing your baby or being lazy if you can't stop a crying spell. Sometimes babies simply need to cry.
Slow down. Take a deep breath and count to 10. Repeat a calm word or phrase, such as, "Take it easy."
Use your imagination. Take your mind off the crying by picturing yourself in a calm, relaxing place.
Take a break. If you're alone, put your baby in a safe place, such as the crib or bassinet. Close the door and let your baby cry while you take a few minutes to regroup.
Ask for help. Let your spouse or another loved one take over for a while. Take advantage of baby-sitting offers from friends or neighbors.
Express your emotions. When you're getting frustrated, speak up. Saying the words out loud — whether to yourself or to an understanding friend or loved one — can help ease the tension.
Take a walk. Put your baby in the stroller and take a brisk walk. The exertion may take your mind off the tears. If it's too cold for an outdoor stroll, walk laps in a local shopping mall or other indoor spot.
Rest when your baby naps. Sleep deprivation only makes it harder to cope with a crying baby.
Recognize your limits. If you're worried about your ability to cope, contact your doctor, a local crisis intervention service or a mental health help line for support.
MORE ON THIS TOPIC
What to do when your newborn cries
Treating your baby gently
When your crying baby can't be calmed, you may be tempted to try just about anything to get the tears to stop. It's OK to be creative, but remember the importance of treating your baby gently.
Babies have weak neck muscles and often struggle to support their heads. Shaking your baby out of sheer frustration may have devastating consequences — including blindness, seizures, paralysis and developmental delays. Severe shaking may be life-threatening or even fatal.
In case of emergency
If you or another caregiver shakes your baby — or you suspect that your baby has been shaken — don't let fear or embarrassment take over. Seek emergency care right away. Prompt treatment may save your baby's life.
Be honest with the emergency staff. Knowing exactly what happened will help them take the best care of your baby.
If you're having trouble managing your emotions or dealing with parenthood, seek help. Your baby's doctor may offer a referral to a counselor or other mental health care professional. Remember, taking care of yourself is the best way to take care of your baby.

Take Care Of Your Baby's Teeth!

How To Baby: Taking Care of Your Baby's Teeth
Taking care of your child's teeth, even their first baby teeth, is key in preventing tooth decay. Parents are often amazed when asked if they are flossing and brushing their baby's teeth, often responding with, "I didn't know I was supposed too!" Brushing can begin with the gums or the first tooth and flossing should begin as soon as there are two adjacent teeth.
BrushingThere are products on the market that can make brushing your baby's teeth and gums easier. These include baby tooth pastes, finger brushes, and little bitty tooth brushes. Chances are your baby will like the feel of the finger brush on their sensitive gums while they are teething. The finger brush is made of rubber and will have soft bristles on the end that will feel great in your baby's mouth.
Starting early will help set precedence for your baby of brushing daily. If it is what they have been taught, and all they know, they will be more likely to do it on their own as they get older. Don't hesitate to brush your baby's teeth a couple of times a day.
To brush, either with a finger brush or a baby tooth brush you will use just a small amount of tooth paste and rub it up and down on your baby's tooth. The same rules apply as when you brush your teeth.

Flossing:

Flossing at an early age will establish a basis for good oral hygiene. It should be started when your baby has two teeth next to each other. Flossing can help prevent cavities which can become rampant. In very small children, this is often referred to as "bottle decay."
When plaque is present it causes swelling, redness, and bleeding of the gum tissue known as gingivitis. As much as seventy percent of children have gingivitis. Consistent removal of plaque can cure gingivitis; however, chronic gingivitis can cause a breakdown of the structures supporting the teeth and become periodontal disease.
Remember, it is never too early to start teaching your baby about good dental health. Your baby will only have two set of teeth in his life. If you start early teaching him how to take care of his baby teeth, then he will have solid precedent to go by when his adult teeth start coming in and he is taking care of them on his own.
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