Going Beyond Breast Milk; Introducing Solids

Month-by-Month Recommendations:

Age(Month): After 6
Cereals: Iron fortified rice cereal
Proteins: Pureed meats
Fruits: When your baby is tolerating cereal and meat, add softly cooked apples, pears, mashed bananas
Veggies: When your baby is tolerating cereal and meat, add softly cooked sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, pumpkin and green leafy vegetables
Dairy*: Follow-on formula

Age(Month): 6-8
Cereals: Rice, oat, barley
Proteins: Chicken, turkey, tofu
Fruits: Add: peaches, plums, papaya, pumpkin
Veggies: Add: carrots, peas, pumpkin
Dairy*: Yogurt (not fresh milk)

Age(Month): 8-10
Cereals: Add: wheat and wheat germ, multi-grain crackers (no salt or low salt) pasta, bread
Proteins: Add: egg yolk, beans, legumes (split peas, lentils), lean beef
Fruits: Add: melon, cherries, blueberries, and kiwi
Veggies: Add: broccoli, white potatoes, cauliflower

Age(Month): 10-12
Cereals: Noodles, pastas, bagels, wheat cereals
Proteins: Add: fish (white), whole egg (at 12 months)
Fruits: Add: berries, grapes, citrus
Veggies: Add: corn, spinach
Dairy*: Add: follow-on milk (at 12 months) other cheese: gouda, provolone, muenster


*Do not introduce fresh milk until your baby has reached 12 months of

The Science of Early Learning

Your baby is born with most of the brain cells she will ever have, but during her first 12 months in the world, her brain will become increasingly complex. By the time she reaches the age of two, her brain will already be 75 percent of its adult weight. By the age of three, it will have reached 90 percent of its adult weight.

Almost 50 percent of the brain cells your baby is born with will wither and die during the first few years of life. This process, known as neural pruning, organizes the brain and makes it more efficient.

The brain learns through experience. Events in your baby’s life trigger electrical impulses to the brain, establishing neural pathways. The more a pathway is used, the more established it becomes, making it less susceptible to pruning.

Just like a muscle, the brain works on the principle of "use it or lose it."

How Your Baby's Brain Develops
Humans are the only animals whose brains triple in size during the first two years of life. If it were any larger at birth, a baby’s head would not fit through its mother’s pelvis. Any smaller, and the baby’s survival would be in jeopardy. The brain grow to 75 percent of its adult size by age two, and 90 percent by age three.

But just how does infant brain development occur? When your baby is born his brain weighs about 350 g (12oz); by his first birthday it weighs 1 kg (2.2 lb).At birth, the brain already has some 200 billion neurons (nerve cells) – about the same number as it will have in adulthood.Each neuron responds to stimulation by growing a network of dendrites (branches) and synapses (connections) between itself and its neighbors.Each neuron ends up with dendrites leading to an average of 15,000 synapses.

Dendrite formation becomes more complex over time, with third- and fourth-tier branches appearing by 6 months of age.The more stimulation the brain receives, the more sophisticated its dendritic networks become.The frontal lobe (the part of the brain that deals with emotions) becomes highly metabolically active from 6 months of age.

By 18 months the neural foundations of your baby’s emotional intelligence are laid.Between 2 and 4 months old, the number of synapses in your baby's visual cortex increases tenfold to 20,000 per neuron.By 12 months, neurons that distinguish native language have found their permanent position.

At 18 months the brain's language center experiences a massive synaptic spurt, producing an explosion in grammar.During the first eight years of life, and in particular the first three, there are a number of critical windows for acquiring specific types of intelligence. Once these windows have closed, learning is much more difficult, if not impossible. Babies are particularly open to learning during their first year, as outside of the brainstem (which controls critical life-sustaining processes), very few neural pathways have formed.

The Goodness of Pumpkin

A pumpkin is a type of squash and is a member of the gourd family (Cucurbitacae). This family also includes squash, cucumbers, gherkins, and melons. Pumpkins are actually fruits.

Pumpkins contain some of the best nutritional compounds ever. They are highly loaded with Vitamin A and beta carotene. Beta Carotene is one of the plant carotenoids that when eaten and digested, turns into Vitamin A in the human body. Beta Carotene may reduce the risk of cancer as well as heart disease. It also may be responsible for combating or putting off the degenerative effects of ageing. Beta Carotene is also responsible for "Orange Babies".

Pumpkins are also good sources of potassium, protein, and iron. Pumpkin seeds also contain a good amount of protein and iron so eating the seeds does provide some nutritive value. We don't recommend that you offer your baby or toddler pumpkin seeds however. Pumpkins are wonderfully low in fat, low in calories but high in fiber.

PUMPKIN: (one cup - cooked)
VITAMINS: Vitamin A - 12230 IU Vitamin C - 11.5 mg Vitamin K - 2.0 Folate (important during pregnancy) - 22 mcg Niacin - 1.01 mg	MINERALS: Potassium - 364 mg Phosphorus - 74 mg Magnesium - 22 mg Calcium - 37 mg Sodium - 2 mg Iron - 1.40 mg Also contains trace amounts of zinc, manganese and copper.

When can my Baby eat Baby Food Recipes with Pumpkin?

Babies may begin to eat Pumpkins from 6 months old. You may feed your baby plain pumpkin in pureed form or mixed into homemade cereals, yogurts, and even in meats such as chicken. Adding a dash of cinnamon to pumpkin gives baby a first exposure to the wonder of spices.

You may also bake pumpkin as you would a butternut or acorn squash and serve the baked pumpkin in small dices as Baby Finger Foods. Rub a wee bit of butter and a bit of cinnamon on the inside of the pumpkin prior to baking for a tasty nutritious treat.

Read more on this article @ http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/pumpkin-babyfood-recipes.htm

Baby J has tried avocado, carrots, sweet potatoes, rice cereals... she loves it most when she is eating real food, finishing half a bowl of food in less than 15 minutes (wow!)... going to try pumpkin next, and after that, I will introduce potatoes to her before moving on to apples, pears and bananas. What a good start thus far.

A Recipe for Success

If you thought teaching your child meant simply giving lessons - think again!
In fact, there are several special ingredients that you will need even more than teaching materials, programs or a lesson plan.

Method
Mix all the ingredients together. The great thing about this recipe is that it doesn’t matter what order you add the ingredients. You can even be a bit loose with the quantities – just so long as you make sure everything’s included!

Before you know it, you and your children will be having the time of your lives playing the wonderful game of learning.

Making the Right Choices on Toys

Undoubtedly, children enjoy playing with toys. Through exploring, manipulating, and eventually sharing, children learn valuable skills as they play with their toys. However, we should never overwhelm our children with too many toys. Nonetheless, on occasions when you need to purchase toys, you may find these tips on how to select the appropriate toys for your child handy.

#1 Your child’s age
If toys are too advanced for your child’s age, they might get frustrated easily or may even result in injuries. E.g. Small parts in toys are not suitable for children below the age of 3. On the contrary, purchasing a toy made for children of younger age group may cause them to get bored of the toys too quickly.

#2 The toys’ materials
It is always important to check the material before purchasing. Do check if the smell of paint is too strong as it may affect children’s respiratory system. Toys should also be sturdy enough to withstand multiple times of playing, throwing and hitting.

#3 Playing methods
Some toys such as blocks and Lego can be played by children from 3 – 7 years old and are therefore more worth buying. It is important to consider if the toys will be able to be played by the child after they grow older. A toy with endless possibilities of playing will also be more appealing to children as compared to toys that can only be played in one particular way.
List of toys for different age groups

From birth to 1 year old
Rattles, large interlocking plastic rings or keys, cloth toys, musical and chime toys, push and pull toys, shape sorters and stacking blocks, pop-up toys, toys with reactions when squeezed.

1 year old – 3 year old
Ride-on vehicle, push and pull toys, small climbers, blocks, Lego, stacking toys, sandbox tools, puzzles, dolls, play household items, pop-up books, bath toys.

3 year old – 6 year old
Construction toys, dolls and stuffed animals, puppets, puzzles, books, plastic figures (animal, dolls), dollhouses, arts and crafts materials

6 year old – 10 year old

Sports games, building kits, art and craft materials, puzzles, books, musical instrument, plastic figures (animal, dolls), electronic games, construction toys, science sets

Kite Festival Singapore 2010

link: http://www.act3international.com.sg/kitefest-flying_programme.htm

Awareness of Toes

This activity develops

• more awareness of the toes and other body parts
• listening
• enhancing of the sense of touch

Touch the baby's bare right foot. Use good voice inflection to maintain the baby's attention. Even though you will be using the right foot, the progression will be from left to right. Begin with the big toe and move to the little toe and say the following rhyme.

This little piggy went to the market. (Touch the big toe)

This little piggy stayed at home. (Touch the second toe)

This little piggy had roast beef. (Touch the third toe)

And this little piggy had none. (Touch the fourth toe)

This little piggy cried, "Wee, wee, wee," all the way home. (Touch the little toe)

Say the rhyme several times and repeat it many times in the future. The baby will soon begin to play with her hands, feet, fingers and toes. The tactile sensation of touching each of the body parts will assist the baby in associating the body movement with the body parts. The baby will delight in watching the different body parts move, and will soon realize that she can initiate and control the movement of her body parts.

Awareness of Fingers

This activity develops

• listening skills
• observational skills
• an awareness of associating finger movement with the words of the finger play song
• a further awareness of fingers
• more awareness of left and right

Hold the baby's left hand and touch her thumb. Say, "This is Thumbkin". Touch the forefinger and say, "This is Pointer." Touch the middle finger and say, "This is Middleman." Touch the ring finger and say, "This is Ringman." Touch the little finger and say, "This Pinky."

Use both hands to carry on the conversation with the left and right fingers as you sing the song below. Start the finger play song with the left and right hands in the fist position. Each finger should appear and disappear to correspond to the words. (L) represents the left hand fingers. (R) represents the right hand fingers. The words are:

Where is Thumbkin? Where is Thumbkin?

(L) Here I am. (R) Here I am.

(L) How are you today, sir?

(R) Very well I thank you.

(L) Run away.

(R) Run away.

Repeat the song for each finger and substitute the correct finger for the word... "Pointer", "Middleman", "Ringman" & "Pinky". Repeat this several times. Then place your hands behind you and sing the words as you move the correct fingers forward to correspond to the song. This activity will serve to interest the baby and at the same time enrich her learning.

More Awareness of Hands

This activity develops

• more awareness of hands
• listening skills
• an awareness of rhythm and rhyme
• observational skills

Hold the baby in your lap and encourage him to watch as you place your hands together. Move your hands apart and then together again. Repeat this several times so that baby is aware of what you are doing. Continue to do this as you say...

"Pat-a-cak, pat-a-cake, baker's man.

Bake me a cake as fast as you can.

Roll it and put it and mark it with B,

and out it in the oven for Baby and me."

Repeat this several times and observe the baby. Does he appear to be interested? Does he attempt to clap his hands to play Pat-a-cake? If not, encourage the baby to copy the pat-a-cake hand movement. If you substitute the initial letter of the baby's name and use the baby's name in the rhyme, he may listen more attentively.

You may need to gently hold the baby's wrists and assist him. With practice the baby will play Pat-a-cake spontaneously.

Remember that babies enjoy and need much repetition.

Nursery Rhymes

This activity develops

• language enrichment
• listening skills
• an interest in repetition
• an interest in rhythm

Buy or borrow a nursery rhyme book from the library. Choose some of your favourite rhymes and read, recite or sing these rhymes for your baby to hear. Repeat each one several times. The nonsensical words of these 'catchy' rhymes will entertain the baby as he listens.

Show the baby the picture that corresponds to the rhyme. The brief glance at the pictures will serve to develop beginning associations of pictures and words. Rhymes and rhythms are useful in developing early listening skills.

Repeat the recitations of the nursery rhymes whenever possible. The baby will learn to listen. As he begins to talk later, he will recite parts of his favourite rhymes spontaneously.

INTRODUCING SOLIDS TO BABIES

SUGGESTED FOODS TO TRY FIRST:

• rice cereal • potato/sweet potato • carrot • pumpkin • avocado

THEN INTRODUCE:

• apple • pear • banana • peaches • yoghurt


AND THEN MEATS:

• meat • chicken • fish

I've started introducing avocado to baby J. I must say I am happy to see that baby J shows keen interest in it. She's also able to use her tongue to bring the mashed avocado into her mouth, followed by smooth swallowing reflexes. Well done baby J. No constipation, no allergy. Yey! Next food to be introduced would be carrots, after giving her avocado for 4-5 days.

YourSingapore.com - Mid-Autumn Festival By The River 2010

YourSingapore.com - Mid-Autumn Festival By The River 2010

Mass Lantern Walk

What is the event about

Walk This Way

If you want to stretch your legs and soak into some culture at the same time, this event is perfect for you.

Lanterns which are an ever-present feature of the glittering Mid-Autumn Festival will also play a role in the conclusion of this Festival with a Mass Lantern Walk.

As part of this walk, participants will carry colourful lanterns in a procession under the moonlit sky. Everyone is welcome to dress up and bring your own lanterns to join in the walk. Just look out for the flickering of candlelight in the open field beside Outram Park MRT Station on 18 Sep at 7.30pm.

The route runs will take you from the heart of Chinatown, down Eu Tong Sen Street, to the banks of the Singapore River, near The Central at Clarke Quay. You’ll pass through festive lights and heritage shophouses, catching a glimpse of a side of Singapore not often seen by visitors.

DATE & TIME

18 Sep 2010, Sat

DURATION/OPENING HOURS

7.30pm, 2 hours 30 minutes

TICKETING DETAILS

Free

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Open field next to Outram Park MRT Station, from Exit E

VENUE

Outram MRT Station

Adapted from

http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/browse/apps/eventdetails.631.html

Starting Solids With Your Infant

Signs of Developmental Readiness to Start Solids as per La Leche League:

• Usually middle of first year
• Your baby has at least doubled his/her birth weight or weighs at least 14 pounds
• Your baby can sit up with support
• Your baby has control of his/her head and neck
• Your baby has the ability to transfer food from the front of the mouth to the back of the mouth (tongue-thrust reflex has disappeared)
• Your baby may have a tooth or two
• Your baby is capable of refusing food
• Your baby likes to imitate people and showing distinct interest in food, not just the silverware
• Your baby can reach and handle food, toys, objects
• Your baby has increased saliva production necessary for digestion
• Your baby is not ill and has no rashes

WHAT FIRST FOODS SHOULD I FEED MY INFANT?

• Different cultures start with different first foods – you may want to think specifically about foods that provide decent mineral quality for supplemental foods.
• La Leche League typically says to start with banana, pears, applesauce (make your own), cooked carrots, sweet potatoes and winter squash, avocados. Some cultures start with meat as a first food!
• Use your own clean finger as the first spoon
• Offer new foods in the morning in case of allergic reaction

One book you may consider on this topic is the classic “Feeding the Whole Family: Recipes for Babies, Young Children, and Their Parents” by Cynthia Lair. It takes recipes the whole family can eat, and suggests how to take all or parts of the recipe to make food your infant can eat as well. All recipes are centered on fresh, whole foods ingredients.

Food Allergies per La Leche League:

Top foods to cause allergic reactions: beans, berries, cabbage, chocolate, cinnamon, citrus fruits and juices, coconut, corn, cow’s milk, eggs, nuts (especially peanuts – and peanut allergy is a type of allergy that children do NOT outgrow as they age), onions, pork, shellfish, tomatoes, wheat.

Typically tolerated foods include:

Fruit – apples, apricots, bananas, peaches, pears, plums

Vegetable – asparagus, beets, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes

Rice and grains such as oats, barley, millet

Common Signs of Food Allergies: (Dr. Sears)

Skin – Hives, Red Sandpaper-Like Facial Rash, Dry/Itchy/Scaly Skin on face, Swelling in Hands and Feet, Puffy Eyelids, Dark Circles Under Eyes, Lip Swelling, Tongue Soreness and Cracks

Respiratory – Sneezing, Runny Nose, Stuffy Nose, Wheezing, Watery Eyes, Rattling Chest, Persistent Cough, Congestion, Bronchitis, Recurring Ear Infections

Intestines- Burnlike Rash Around Anus, Abdominal Discomfort, Mucusy Diarrhea, Constipation, Intestinal Bleeding, Poor Weight Gain, Bloating/Gassiness, Excessive Spitting Up, Vomiting

Behavior – Fatigue, Migraine Headaches, Hyperactivity, Crying, Irritability, Night Waking, Anxiety, Crankiness, Sore Muscles and Joints

The scoop on juice: (La Leche League)

For ages six to twelve months, no more than four ounces of juice a day (That’s half a cup!)

Snipets taken from http://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/03/11/starting-solids-with-your-infant-and-picky-toddler-eating/

The Goodness of Avocado

Avocado makes a great first food for baby due to its texture and creaminess as well as its high nutrient content.

Avocados are often called one of nature's perfect foods because they are said to contain everything a person needs to survive.

A wonderful "good fat" food for baby's brain and physical development, try an avocado as baby's first food instead of refined cereals.

"Sodium- and cholesterol- free, avocados contain valuable nutrients including 8% of the recommended Daily Value (DV) for folate; 4% DV for fiber and potassium, 4% DV for vitamin E; and 2% DV for iron. A serving of avocado also contains 81 micrograms of the carotenoid lutein and 19 micrograms of beta-carotene. Per serving, avocados have 3.5 grams of unsaturated fats, which are known to be important for normal growth and development of the central nervous system and brain."http://www.avocado.org/healthy_living/nutrition.php

To find out more, visit http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/avocadobabyfoodrecipes.html

SSO Babies Proms

SINGAPORE –The sensational SSO Babies' Proms returns on November 17 and 18 at the Esplanade Concert Hall, with two performances playing daily. Tickets for all four performances will go on public sale from September 1.

Let the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and conductor Peter Moore take your babies and toddlers on a thrilling musical adventure like no other, where they will explore and discover the fun and fantastic world of classical music. The one and only concert in Singapore specially tailored for babies, the SSO Babies' Proms has won pride of place in the diaries of many doting parents.

The London-born Peter Moore, who is hosting the SSO Babies' Proms for the eighth consecutive year, has also conducted various SSO Young People's Concerts and Concerts for Children.

Peter Moore is the Principal Bassoon of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and is currently the Director of Wind Studies and orchestral conductor at The University of Western Australia School of Music. He is also Musical Director and Conductor for the West Australian Youth Orchestra Association, where the training of young players and the presentation of education concerts and the Babies' Proms series is an important part of his life. His work in music was honoured in 2000 when the Australian Government bestowed upon him the medal of The Order of Australia (OAM).

The SSO Babies' Proms are suitable for children aged 6 and below. Each concerts lasts one hour, and pre-concert activities will be held at 9.45am and 11.30am for the respective shows. Tickets are required for children aged 2 and above.

DATE & TIME
17 & 18 November 2010 (Wednesday & Thursday), 10.30am & 12.15pm

VENUE
Esplanade Concert Hall

TICKET PRICES (before booking fees: $1 for tickets $20 and below, and $3 for tickets above $20) $20, $25

Tickets are available from SISTIC hotline: 6348 5555, website: http://www.sistic.com/, SISTIC counters islandwide and Esplanade Box Office.