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Getting Baby off on a Solid (Food) Start

Getting Baby off on a Solid (Food) Start

by | Jul 16, 2018 | Blog

Congratulations, you have just reached an exciting milestone in baby’s life — feeding your baby his first solid food! Exciting step in your baby’s eating development, ‘di ba? But we have so many questions — What foods are recommended as the first solid food? How to know when your baby is ready? How to just get started?

 

Here are guidelines to help you as he moves towards solid foods.

 

Big nutrition for small tummies

After 6 months of age, babies need additional foods to support their growth and development. As their stomachs are still small, those foods need to contain a lot of nutrition.  Iron is one important nutrient babies need at this stage. Give your baby food that is rich in iron. Meat, a great source of iron, is top of the list as one of your child’s first foods.

Fortified infant cereals also provide big nutrition for small tummies. They are designed to provide essential nutrients in a small serving, perfect for a small tummy that can’t hold much food at one time. Infant cereals are easy to digest and some are fortified with iron, making them a good option for first solid food. Start with a thinner, more watery consistency, and move to a thicker, less watery texture as your baby gets used to eating from a spoon. This lets you keep pace with his developing eating skills. Giving of new textures and flavors at the right time is important to establish his lifelong healthy eating habits.

 

How do I know he’s ready?

Infants have yet to develop the skills needed to move solid foods around in their mouth and successfully swallow. By 6 months of age, however, your baby has developed his motor skills so he can sit during feeding, eat from a spoon, and turn his head away if he’s full.

 

Look for these milestones:
  • Sits with no help because he has control over his upper body
  • Turns his head to the left or right
  • Moves his tongue backward and forward in a smooth rhythm when you put a small spoon to his lips. This allows him to take the food in and swallow it. It may take a few days to get used to eating from a spoon, but he will learn quickly!

 

GOOD TO KNOW

For tips on, how to start your child on solid foods, it is always smart to ask your pediatrician on your baby’s 6-month visit.

A baby needs to focus when eating. So, start a mealtime routine where you wash her hands, soothe her and sit her down to eat. Maintain the calm by lessening distractions such as the TV or any loud music. This will help your baby become conscious of eating and learn to recognize when she’s full.

 

Spooning up good nutrition

Your baby is growing so fast and he has specific nutritional requirements. Fortified infant cereals provide a blend of B vitamins, Zinc, Calcium, Iron and Vitamin E — to help in their fast growth. The nutrition of iron-rich cereal can be an important part of baby’s diet until the age of two.

 

Setting the stage for his first taste of solids

Here are a few tips to get your baby ready for that first spoonful of solid food:

  • Take your time – Choose a time of day when you are not rushing. At the beginning, experiment to find what works best.
  • Choose the right spoon. Use a small baby-sized spoon that’s coated to protect your baby’s tender gums
  • Sit him in an upright infant seat or high chair. Make sure head is in an upright position, not tilted back.
  • Let him explore. Place a dab of puree or cereal on his high chair tray so he can “finger paint” with it and become familiar with its texture. Let him explore the feel and smell of the food. A bit messy but fun! Keep your sense of humor and have a camera handy for pictures.
  • First Bite! Sit facing your baby. Hold the spoon that is half-filled with food about 12 inches from his face. Get his attention and put the spoon up to his mouth. At start, try putting food on his lips. If he is okay with that first taste, put the next spoonful into his mouth when he opens it. Feed your baby as slowly or as fast as he wants and always look out for his fullness cues. Sanayan lang yan!
  • Try, try again. Don’t be surprised if your baby’s first taste pops right back out. It’s a natural reflex. If baby seems unhappy about this experience, give up and try again later.

 

GOOD TO KNOW

This a good time for you to introduce new flavors and textures and a perfect time for baby to explore.

Tips for introducing iron-fortified infant cereals

  • Start with infant rice or infant cereal. Wait several days, and if there are no reactions, try a different flavor of infant cereal. Offering single-grain cereals at first lets you pinpoint any possible food allergy—tulad ng rash, diarrhea or vomiting—that your baby may have to the new food.
  • Prepared cereal should never be fed from a bottle—only from a spoon—unless directed by your pediatrician.
  • When first starting with cereal, a smooth and malabnaw consistency is recommended. Move to a thicker consistency once your baby has become familiar with thin texture.
  • Prepare only as much as what you think he will eat. Don’t save cereal that’s been prepared, as it can grow bacteria very easily.

 

TOP TIP!

Wait for three days before introducing another food. This allows you to watch for any signs of any intolerance or allergy, like rash, diarrhea, runny nose or vomiting. If you suspect a reaction, stop giving that new food to baby and consult with your pediatrician.

 

Foods to wait on

Giving your baby adult foods, may seem like a treat for your little one, but nutritionally babies need highly nutritious foods that have important nutrients and the right amount of calories that suitable for their age.

 

Consult your doctor

Talk to your pediatrician about which milk option is right for your child once he reaches his 1stbirthday.

 

Hold off on the honey

Honey can contain botulinum spores and may cause certain health problems. Even in small amounts, honey can be dangerous for a baby younger than 12 months.

 

Prevent choking

Start out your baby with thinly pureed foods or malabnaw na pagkain… work up to thicker textures… then move to tender pieces of food. You might think he’s ready to handle more, but do not give him these foods that may be choking hazards until at least age four or older:

Raisins and whole grapes

  • Popcorn, nuts and seeds
  • Hot dogs, chunks of meat or poultry
  • Spoonfuls of peanut butter
  • Hard, raw or chunky fruits and vegetables such as whole peas, raw carrots, bell peppers, apples, unripe peaches, pears or plums
  • Chewing gum and chewy or hard candy

 

 

Republished with permission from Nestle Philippines

20 Phrases to Communicate Better with your Child

20 Phrases to Communicate Better with your Child

by | Jun 18, 2018 | Blog

One of the best ways to communicate better with your toddler is to talk to them the way you want to be talked to. Moms and dads sometimes sound threatening or judgmental when they talk to their kids. This is especially true when a child does something wrong.

Having a clear head, and approaching the situation with a problem-solving mindset can really do wonders to help you communicate better with your toddler.

1. “Do you remember what you need to do?”

Instead of telling your child to “Be careful” whenever they play outside, why not try using this phrase instead?

Asking them if they remember what they need to do reminds them of what behavior you expect from them. Asking a question also helps them think for themselves and makes it easier for them to remember to be careful.

 

2. “Please talk softly”

It’s normal for children to be noisy. And as your child grows older, it’s important to teach them that shouting or being noisy isn’t something that they should do all the time.

Whenever your little one makes too much noise, instead of telling them to “Keep quiet,” it’s better to ask them if they could speak softly instead. This way, you’re teaching them what behavior you expect, instead of simply telling them to stop being noisy.

 

3. “Do you need my help?”

Instead of telling your child “Do it now,” it’s better to say “Can you do it yourself?” or “Do you need my help?”

This helps you empower your child and lets them know what your expectations are. It also helps you communicate better with your toddler since you’re engaging in an active dialogue with them instead of just bossing them around.

 

4. “Did you learn anything from what you did?”

Kids make mistakes, and it’s a normal part of their growth and development. Which is why it’s much better to ask your child what they learned instead of simply telling them that they did something wrong.

Asking them if they learned anything makes them think more about their actions and it also helps motivate them to do better next time.

 

5. Learn to say “please”

How would you feel if someone kept telling you what to do, without even saying “please?” It doesn’t feel good right?

That’s why it’s important to say please whenever you’re asking your child to do something. “Please pick up your toys” or “Please finish your food” works better than saying “Pick up your toys,” or “Finish your food.”

This also teaches them to use “please” when they request something from other people.

 

6. “Let’s see how fast we can do things today!”

The best time to use this phrase would be during mornings before going to school, or if you’re going on a family trip.

This helps your toddler understand that they need to do things faster without putting them under a lot of pressure.

However, it’s also a good idea to slow down sometimes to help your kids relax and take a breather.

 

7. “Do you want to go now, or in 10 minutes?”

Kids love to be in control of what they do. That’s the reason why this phrase works better than simply telling your child “We have to go now.”

That’s because it offers them a choice and makes them feel like they’re the ones calling the shots.

 

8. “Can you add that to your birthday list?”

There will come a point in your little one’s life where they’ll start asking you to buy toys for them. Instead of saying “no” outright, why not ask them if they could add it to their birthday list, or maybe add it to a “reward list” of toys that you give them when they do good deeds or earn money for themselves.

This prevents them from always getting what they want and emphasizes the importance of being patient and “earning” the gifts and toys that they receive.

 

9. “Calm down, what do you want to do?”

Tantrums aren’t exactly the most exciting things in the world. If your child wants something but is finding it hard to express themselves or is having a tantrum over it, the best way to handle things would be to ask them if they could calm down and then ask for what they want.

This way helps them calm themselves down and ask for things in a much nicer way. Make sure to also remain calm since your child also knows if you’re agitated or frustrated, and it can cause them to stress out even more.

 

10. “Be respectful towards others, and respect yourself”

This phrase is a good way of making sure that your child behaves properly at all times.

When using this phrase, it’s important to be specific, such as saying “Be respectful of others when you’re at the playground, and make sure to respect yourself.”

That way, they can better absorb the lessons that you’re teaching and it’s easier for them to internalize good habits and behavior.

 

11. “Do your best to work as a team”

If your child has a habit of being bossy or telling other kids what to do when they’re playing, then you could use this phrase to encourage proper behaviour.

Using this phrase helps you communicate better with your toddler and encourages them to play well with others.

 

12. “Can you please ________?”

If your child is hard to discipline or is constantly not listening to what you’re saying, then you can use the phrase “Can you please ________?” instead of telling them to “Stop!” or saying “It’s not okay.”

This works since it’s not accusatory and you’re requesting something from your child instead of forcing them to do as you please.

 

13. “Don’t be afraid to cry”

If your child feels sad, don’t tell them to “stop crying” or tell them that “It’s bad to cry.”

Communicate better with your toddler by encouraging them to express themselves and reassure them that crying is normal and a healthy way of expressing any negative emotions that they might be feeling.

 

14. “How would you take care of it?”

Even if you’re the parent, it’s not always your job to fix each and every one of your child’s problems.

Sometimes it’s much better to ask your child about what they can do in order to resolve a problem they have instead of doing it for themselves.

This helps promote critical thinking as well as problem-solving skills, and also encourages your child to take charge and handle their own problems and concerns.

 

15. “Okay, I’ll stop and wait for you to finish”

Parents can be a little too controlling in some situations. Some parents can get very impatient when their child insists on doing something by themselves, and then does it wrong, or doesn’t do a good job.

In these situations, parents need to just calm down and let their kids make mistakes. Mistakes are an opportunity for your child to learn, and don’t deprive them of that opportunity by trying to do everything for your child.

 

16. “I love you, and that will never change”

If a child does something bad, or disobeys their parents, some parents tell their kids “I don’t love you anymore” or “No one wants to be with you if you’re bad.” Those don’t do anything except make your child feel unwanted and unloved.

A better way to go about things would be to reassure your child that you love them no matter what, but make sure to tell your child what they did wrong afterwards, and what behaviour you expect from them.

 

17. “I’m not okay with you doing that yet”

A lot of kids are in a hurry to grow up, and want to do things that older kids do. However, some of these things might not be safe for them to do, or can even put them at risk.

Instead of telling your child that they can’t do something, or that they’re not old enough, it’s better to tell them that you’re not okay with them doing it yet.

That way, you’re not telling them “no” outright, but instead you’re telling them to wait for the right time.

 

18. “Why don’t you decide for yourself?”

Using this phrase helps you empower your child and gives them control over their lives. It helps them feel that they’re the one calling the shots instead of constantly being told what to do.

That why this is a good way to communicate better with your toddler, since you’re putting them in control.

 

19. “I trust you, and I support you 100%”

Instead of telling your child that “I’ll take care of this” or any similar rescuing behaviour, it’s best to tell your child that you trust their decisions.

One important trait of successful people is that they’re independent and are confident in the decisions they make. Telling your child that you trust them and support their decisions helps reaffirm their independence and boosts their self-esteem.

 

20. “How do you feel?”

Instead of telling your child “Don’t be upset” it’s better to ask them how they feel since it helps them open up and understand their feelings better.

Validating your child’s emotions and feelings can help you communicate better with your toddler. It also helps your child become more comfortable and open when it comes to sharing things with you.

 

Originally published by theAsianparent Philippines

10 Cool Father’s Day Gift Ideas

10 Cool Father’s Day Gift Ideas

by | Jun 11, 2018 | Blog

Looking for a Father’s Day gift for your dad or your spouse? Here’s a few suggestions:

 

Cool Glasses

O L L I E ➖ a straightforward black frame.

A post shared by SUNNIES SPECS OPTICAL (@sunniesspecs) on

Make them feel cool by changing their glasses into a new one.

 

Jacket

Perfect for the rainy weather, you can spoil him a warm, stylish jacket.

 

Reusable Water Bottle

Feeling monochromatic? 😉 #MinisoPh

A post shared by Miniso Philippines (@miniso_ph) on

On a budget? Well this reusable water bottle is not a bad idea. Especially that he can bring it to his work everyday.

 

Belt

Do him a favor, and help him replace that old belt.

 

Skin Care

Let’s admit it. They also need to take care of their skin.

 

Hot Sauce

@garapalhotsauce Philippine's Best Hot Sauce and 2017 World Champion (Golden Chile/Zestfest.com) Support your Local Pride ⚡️🇵🇭⚡️ GARAPAL HOT SAUCE uses Native Labuyo that is sourced out from local independent farmers. We are hoping to encourage many people to plant Native Labuyo and help them earn from it. GARAPAL HOT SAUCE uses a special process that balances heat and flavor thus creating it's unique experience of inoffensive spiciness. Our heat level can be compared to a SUMMER LOVE, before you know it, it's done. It's gone. Like a one night stand. No commitment. No strings attached. #garapalhotsauce #hotsauce #spicy #filipinofood #filipinocuisine #hypefeast #firstweeat #phharvest ᜄᜇᜉᜎ᜔ #garapal #labuyo @anthonybourdain @jpey0523 @badboytikboy #chillifest #chillifestph #hotones #localloveph #lovelocalph #supportlocalph #buylocalph #garapal @philippinehotsauceclub ⚡️📸⚡️

A post shared by Garapal Hot Sauce (@garapalhotsauce) on

If he’s always into adding hot sauce to everything he eats, then give him a well packaged set of hot sauce.

 

Watch

Believe me, they will always love watches.

 

Perfume

The best perfume for daddy can be a great gift! Know his favorite scent and invest on a good one. Something that will last the whole day.

 

Father-related Statement Shirt

Make them smile or maybe laugh with cute statement shirts.

 

Foldable Stroller

Because dada carries your baby’s big stroller when you go out and travel, a foldable stroller will be one of the nicest gift for them (‘coz you can use it too! 😜) .

 

*Photos belong to its rightful owners

 

 

How to Plan a Baby Shower

How to Plan a Baby Shower

by | Jun 4, 2018 | Blog

Learn what it takes to pull off the ideal party for the mom-to-be and her new bundle of joy.

The role of baby shower hostess has evolved and can include pretty much anyone in the expectant mom’s life, including friends, relatives, and even spouses. But there are party-planning basics to ensure that the celebration is a success. We checked with event planners for a step-by-step guide to hosting a fun and festive party.

 

Select a date and time

Consult with the guest of honor to come up with a date and time for her party. Most baby showers are held when the expectant mom is about seven months pregnant — she’s safely into her pregnancy by then but she’s probably still pretty comfortable. This time frame will also give her and her partner plenty of time to organize their gifts after the shower and decide what they still need to purchase before their little one arrives.

 

Determine the guest list and budget

Once the guest of honor has given you the complete guest list (be sure she gives you their facebook names or urls too!), come up with your budget so that you can plan choose a venue and start thinking about the food you’d like to serve.

 

Choose a venue

Consider the time of year, number of guests, and budget. Hosting a shower in your backyard or living room is intimate, and you won’t have to pay a fee to reserve the space. If the guest list is large, or you have a bigger budget, consider a nearby hotel or restaurant.

 

Send the invitations

Guests should receive their invites about few weeks before the shower. They should have plenty of time to reserve the date and shop for gifts. Modern showers usually do it via Facebook messaging. You can prepare for a virtual invitation that you can send to your guests.

 

Plan the menu and decor

Nail down these details about three weeks before the shower. Purchase decorations that aren’t perishable (wait until the day before to buy flowers, for example), and make or purchase place cards. Finalize the menu, making sure that it meshes with the guest of honor’s tastes. If she’s craving comfort food, try mini sliders, mini fried chicken, small bowls of potato salad, and mini cupcakes. Expectant moms who are into Mexican might like tacos, guacamole, a salsa bar, and nonalcoholic margaritas. And so on. Consider serving miniature portions to make it easier for guests to manage the food and take part in the event.

 

Come up with an agenda

Most showers include games, gift opening, eating, and drinking. The key is organizing these activities to create a fun flow that keeps guests entertained and engaged. Give guests 15 to 20 minutes to arrive and offer drinks to people as they come through the door. Once everyone is there, start an activity. You might want to set up a bodysuit-designing station, for example, or have guests add photos and thoughts to a scrapbook for the guest of honor. Serve food while gifts are being opened, followed by dessert and coffee.

 

Pick up favors

A parting gift is a simple way to thank your guests for attending, and it doesn’t have to be extravagant. You should also consider your guests. Moms might appreciate magnet picture frames; pencil cups and paperweights are a good option if your party is packed with coworkers. Scented soaps, candles, or bubble bath are also common crowd-pleasers.

 

Originally published by Parents

Carsoncrest International School

Carsoncrest International School

by | Apr 20, 2018 | Blog

Carsoncrest International School is located at 9707 Kamagong St., Barangay San Antonio, Makati City, Philippines. Situated on the ground floor of a modest but modern building, it boasts of a space filled with fun and adventurous learning for your preschool kids. As a franchisee of the International Preschool Curriculum© headquartered in the United States, it delivers a world-class preschool program that is developmentally appropriate rather than age appropriate. It understands that children develop at varying paces and it knows that children learn better in an environment of fun. Thus, it has created a venue where children can “seriously play” and never think that studying is burdensome work. Your child will develop excellently in the areas of language arts, numeracy, creative arts, socio-emotional, sciences, and motor skills.

At the moment, Carsoncrest International School runs toddler (2 years old), nursery (3 years old), and pre-kinder (4 years old) programs. In 2019, it will start running the kinder (5 years old) program. Eventually, it will grow into an integrated
school with levels all the way to senior high school.

Carsoncrest International School’s vision is to become a nationally recognized institution that delivers international curricula embodying the best in education research. It would like to host fun environments that encourage students to become curious,
inquisitive, investigative, and active while seeking answers to their questions. It would like students be playful in serious learning.

Casoncrest International School’s mission is to educate children of any nationality, race, or culture. It believes that children learn best when multidisciplinary, play-based, investigative, experiential, and practical approaches are used and supported with appropriate technologies that enhance the fun of learning and gaining knowledge. It also partners with parents to nurture their children into highly motivated, globally competent, academically excellent, and values driven lifelong learners. Thus, it positions itself as a progressive institution that supports a multi-faceted philosophy in educating the young. For its stockholders, it seeks aggressive growth and maximum returns at any location it decides to be. While for its employees, it promises meaningful human development and adequate compensation.

Moms Choice Jellymom Premium Wise Chair

Moms Choice Jellymom Premium Wise Chair

by | Apr 13, 2018 | Blog

There’s nothing that makes a parent’s heart glow with love than to see his child’s milestones in life. From the time he first rolled over to the first time he gave out his sweet laugh, these moments remain in your memory forever.

Jellymom Wise Chair is Korea’s No. 1 Babyseat brand. What makes our product so well-loved is how we ensure that one single chair adapts to the changes and development of your child. Built with interchangeable seat cushions and removable tray or headrest, this may be used by your child from infanthood (3 months old) all the way to his toddler stage and beyond (5 years old).

 

Need a little bit more convincing?

Here are 6 reasons why you and your child will love Jellymom Wise Chair:

 

#1 Posture-friendly

The chair has an ergonomic design which promotes good sitting posture starting at a very young age. With a cushioned seat supporting the crotch area, there’s also a back support for younger children too.

 

#2 Safe

There’s a built-in seatbelt to avoid sudden falls. Our Y-safety belt keeps baby buckled in the chair and it’s easily adjustable to be attached to any chair.

 

#3 Portable:

Take your Jellymom Wise Chair with you anytime, anywhere. It’s light and easy to carry with built-in handles and optional carrying bag.

 

#4 Clean

The material can easily be wiped with a damp cloth and the cushions are made with antibacterial properties too.

 

#5 Functional

Aside from the interchangeable seat cushions and convertible headrest to tray table. The Jellymom Wise Chair can be the attached to the Premium Cart and it transforms it into a push/pull around toy to play with siblings and adults. What’s more, your child can use it as a walking assistant!

 

#6 Grows with your child

There are 4 different ways to set the chair up to perfectly suit your child’s sitting capabilities. From being a Jumbo Chair for infants to a Weaning Chair to a Booster Chair and a High Chair for younger children. One chair, suits all!

 

There are 6 attractive colors to choose from: Bluish Green, Lala Blossom, Scarlet Pink, Turkey Blue, Muted Gray and Safe Teal . Each child can have his own Jellymom Wise Chair in his chosen color.

 

Still got some questions needed to be answered? Leave us a comment below or you may check out this video to know more about our product: (Click here to watch YouTube Video)