Foods Babies Should Avoid

Baby's first solids, its an exciting milestone for every mom.  What we aren't always aware of are the types of food that our babies cannot eat yet before their 1st birthday.  So, here's a list of things to avoid.

• Honey, Corn Syrup and Maple Syrup.   Babies should never be given any of these products because they can contain the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. When babies ingest this, it turns into a toxin that causes botulism. Infant botulism attacks the baby’s nervous system and can result in death.
  
• Whole milk should not be introduced as a replacement for breast milk or formula until after 12 months. This recommendation is due to the fact that whole cow milk cannot properly sustain a growing infant. It simply does not have all the nutritional components needed for healthy growth and development. This milk contains pathogens, micro-organisms that cause diseases such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa and other organisms. People with weakened immune systems, such as young babies, are at the most risk for developing a serious illness, possibly resulting in death, from pathogens.There is also a bit of difficulty in the digestion of whole milk proteins.
• Soft Cheeses.  The list of cheeses your baby should avoid is feta, brie, camembert, blue veined and Mexican-style cheeses. Soft cheeses, even when refrigerated, can contain the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. This bacterium causes flu-like symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and muscle aches, and can eventually hit the nervous system causing stroke-like symptoms. For young babies’ immune systems, this can be fatal.
• Citrus is very acidic and many infants under the age of 12 months old suffer rashes and tummy upsets due to the acidity. This has nothing to do with allergies.  So, hold back on the oranges, grapefruits, kiwi fruit and other citrus fruits
• Unpasteurized juice Yes, even juice needs to be pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. Un-pasteurized juice can contain the bacterium E. coli and Salmonella, among others. About 98% of all juice sold is pasteurized but read the label if you are not sure
• Strawberries and Shell Fish, and even Peanuts, can prompt severe, life threatening allergic reactions. The recommendation continues to be one of caution and delay.  This includes peanut butter. 
• Raw Eggs. Babies and young children should never eat raw eggs or foods prepared with raw eggs. Raw eggs can contain the bacterium Salmonella Enteritidis, which can result in severe vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Always cook eggs until yokes are firm and make sure foods containing eggs are cooked thoroughly.
• Egg Whites.  Pediatricians prefer you wait to serve cooked egg whites to your baby until after the first year. Allergic reactions to egg whites are very common, so it is best to wait until your child has grown older to introduce them. Cooked yokes that are either scrambled or mashed are fine to serve to your baby.

• Raw sprouts.  The bacteria Salmonella can exist in all forms of sprouts, (alfalfa, clover and radish), even ones that are grown at home. Refrain from serving sprouts, or any foods prepared with sprouts, to your baby.

  
  

• Pre-Sweetened Foods and Candy 

  Sugar-fortified cereals, candy, sweetened juices and sodas are all low in nutrients and high in sugar, an ingredient your child doesn’t need a lot of. Once children are pre-disposed to these sweat foods they will prefer them to the healthier ones. This can also lead to your child being overweight or obese later in life. Skip the sugary foods and give your child foods that are healthier for him. Make sure the juice you serve is 100% fruit juice, not the flavored varieties.
  We would also like to point to a few other examples of why it might be prudent to delay the introduction of certain foods. Broccoli for example is known to cause gas in many people. Offering broccoli to an infant who is 6 months of age is really not a good idea. You would not want offer a 6 month old baby Beans either, as these too may cause painful gas.
  *The following information was found in healthmad.com and babycenter.com.

Benefits of Naps

Naps are super important for the health and growth of our children... its also very important for our sanity.


Here are 5 benefits napping can give you:  (You're the one napping not the kids, if the kids are napping that benefits everybody :P)
1.  Makes you smarter!  Newly learned knowledge or skills are integrated in the brain during sleep, this includes 60-90minute naps.  


2.  Less Stressed.  Take a nap and your stresses will go away.


3.  Take a 20 minute nap for more alertness and productivity.  Its even better for your stamina to take a 20minute midday nap than to sleep 20 minutes longer when you wake up in the morning.


4.  Good for your heart.  Taking 40 winks in the middle of the day may reduce the risk of death from heart disease, particularly in young healthy men.


5.  You'll sleep better at night.


So, if napping is this good for you, just imagine how much it will benefit your children.  

How Much Sleep Do Babies Need?

Newborns sleep a lot they typically need 14 to 18 hours a day during the first week and 12 to 16 hours a day by the time they're a month old. But most babies don't stay asleep for more than two to four hours at a time, day or night, during the first few weeks of life.

At 3 months, most babies sleep a total of 12 to 15 hours a day, including nighttime sleep and naps.

By 6 months of age , most babies sleep a total of 11 1/2 to 15 hours of sleep a day (between nighttime sleep and naps) and are capable of sleeping for long stretches at a time.  A long stretch means 5-6hrs at a time.  

At 9 to 12 months, babies typically sleep 11 to 14 hours a night and nap twice a day for one to two hours at a time.

Age	Nighttime sleep	Daytime sleep	Average total sleep
2 years	10.5 to 12.5 hours	1 to 3 hours (1 nap)	11.5 to 15.5 hours
3 years	10.5 to 12.5 hours	1 to 3 hours (1 nap)	11 to 14 hours
4 years	10 to 12 hours	0 to 2.5 hours (1 or no nap)	10 to 13 hours
5 years	10 to 12 hours	0 to 2.5 hours (1 or no nap)	10 to 12.5 hours
6 years	10 to 11.5 hours	none	10 to 11.5 hours
7 years	9.5 to 11.5 hours	none	9.5 to 11.5 hours
8 years	9.5 to 11.5 hours	none	9.5 to 11.5 hours
*Note: The two sets of numbers don't always add up because children who take longer naps tend to sleep fewer hours at night, and vice versa. All this is taken from www.babycenter.com

The Yaya List from Chin Bautista Joson

When we change yayas or when the yayas are sleepy or whatever excuse they can think of, they tend to forget a lot of things.  These things can range from bringing diapers when you go out or forgetting to put shoes on the child.  We as moms make lists, here's a list I saw on Facebook from a friend.  It is as detailed as it can get.  Feel free to copy and alter the details but believe me this list has got you covered.

LAMAN NG BAG NI SAM PAG-AALIS: 

3   LAMPIN

1   DRESS PAMALIT

1   SET OF PAJAMAS NA MAGANDA

1   BIB

1   PAIR OF SOCKS

1   HAT

1   JACKET

1   PANTY

1   BOTE NA WALANG LAMAN

1   MALIIT NA COWHEAD

1   BOTE NA MAY LAMAN NA GATAS

1   BOTE NG TUBIG - SPONGEBOB

1   PACK NG WET ONES

1   LALAGYAN NG COTTON NA BASA

1   LALAGYAN NA MAY SNACKS

4   NA DIAPERS

BABY BOOK 

OPTIONS FOR SNACKS:

  

SLICED FRUITS - KAHIT ANONG MERON

REBISCO COOKIES

CHEERIOS

BREAD STICKS

*GAMITIN YUNG MALILIIT NA TUPPERWARE PARA DITO

  

LAMAN NG BAG NI SAM PAG PAPASOK SA SCHOOL:

  

1   BOTE NG TUBIG

1   DIAPER

1   LAMPIN

1   PAMPALIT NA DAMIT - PWEDENG PANGITAAS LANG O DRESS

1   MILK TETRAPACK

1   LALAGYAN NG SNACKS

DAMIT NI SAM PARA SA SCHOOL:

  

PAGALIS NG BAHAY DAPAT NAKAPANTALON

KABITAN SIYA NG STICKER NA ANTI-MOSQUITO SA LIKOD

LAGYAN NG SUNBLOCK

DAMIT NI SAM PARA SA JULIA GABRIEL:

PWEDENG DRESS O PANTALON

HINDI NA KAILANGAN NG STICKER

KAILANGAN NAKA SOCKS SIYA

MGA PAGKAIN NI SAM:

FISH, CHICKEN, KARNE O BABOY

KALAHATING TASA NG KANIN

FRUITS

VEGETABLES - KAHIT ANONG GULAY

SABAW - KUNG MERON

  

OPTIONS PARA SA ALMUSAL NI SAM:

  

OATMEAL

FRUITS

ITLOG NA SCRAMBLED O HARD BOILED

KANIN

CEREALS

  

KAILANGAN TITINGNAN KUNG MAGPAPALIT SI SAM NG PAMPERS:

  

PAGKAGISING SA UMAGA

PAGTAPOS MALIGO

PAGKAGISING FROM HER AFTERNOON NAP

BAGO PUMASOK SA SCHOOL

PAGTAPOS NG SCHOOL

PAG-UWI

BAGO KUMAIN NG HAPUNAN

PAGKATAPOS MALIGO SA HAPON

BAGO MATULOG

MADALING ARAW - SABAYAN NG MILK

  

MGA PWEDENG GAWIN NA LARO WITH SAM:

PAINT

BASA NG LIBRO

PUZZLE

LARUIN ANG COOKING SET NIYA

LARUAN ANG DOLL HOUSE NIYA

COLOR

LARUAN ANG BABY NIYA

MAKINIG SA CD NIYA AT LARUAN ANG INSTRUMENTS SA KWARTO NIYA

LARUAN SI ELMO

MEGA BLOCKS

SWING O SLIDE

LARUAN YUNG MGA LAPTOP COMPUTER NIYA

  

KAILAN PAPAINUMIN SI SAM NG MILK:

  

PAGKATAPOS MAG-ALMUSAL

PAGKATAPOS MAG-LUNCH

PAGPASOK SA SCHOOL SA KOTSE

PAGKATAPOS NIYA SA SCHOOL

PAGKATAPOS MAG-HAPUNAN

BAGO MATULOG

MADALING ARAW HABANG PINAPALITAN NG PAMPERS

  

*LAGING MERON NA DAPAT NAKAHANDA NA MILK BAGO

PA NG MGA ORAS NA ITO PARA HINDI MASYADO MALAMIG

LALO NA PAGGALING SA REF YUNG MILK NIYA.

*SIGURADUHIN NA HINDI SIYA IINUM NG MILK AT LEAST

ISANG ORAS BAGO KUMAIN PARA MAY GANA PA

SIYA

OPTIONS PARA SA MERIENDA NI SAM:

  

TINAPAY NA MAY PALAMAN

KANIN AT ULAM

BISCUIT

FRUITS

List care of Chin and Sul :)

Newborn Necessities

There are a lot of checklists out there and the number of longsleeved onesies or sleeveless onesies differ from household to household.  The same goes with bibs, Maxine didn't need alot of bibs, she only used them when she was being fed but now Kayla goes thru 5 a day.  She drools A LOT!  There's no exact formula to it but here's MY checklist of the things I used for newborns.

Clothing:

3 Long sleeved kimono with pajama

3 Short sleeved kimono with pajama

3 Sleeveless kimono with pajama

6 Long sleeved onesies

12 Short sleeved onesies

6 Sleeveless onesies

6 pairs of Mittens

6 pairs of Socks

3 Hats

Laundry detergent for infants.  I use Perla because they say its the mildest.  You can also go for cuddles since its really made for babies.

*Coming home outfit

Blankets:

3 big blankets

4 receiving blankets

3 Sleeping sacks

Mealtime:

Lots of bibs

Lampin (I got 2 packs of gauze material 1 in each size and 2 packs of the other material 1 in each size.  Now the 2 kids share in using all the 4 packs)

Milk Storage containers

Nursing Bras.  Buy 1 in a size larger than your pregnancy size.

Breast Pads.  I use disposable ones from Pigeon.

4 4oz bottles with nipples

4 8-9oz bottles with nipples

Sterilizer.  Buy the same brand as your bottles.

Bottle and nipple brush

Bottle and nipple liquid cleanser. I use Joy liquid soap.

Breastpump. Read this for more info on breast pumps.

Bath and Body Care:

Towels.  I got the ones with the built in hood to cover the baby's head.

Wash cloths.  I got a set from Mothercare.

Soap and Shampoo.  I used the one we got from the hospital, Lactacyd.  Then I went on to use Aveeno (available in SNR)

Thermometer. I use the electronic one where you stick it in the ears everytime before she takes a bath.

Nail clipper. I got mine as a gift, it was in a set that includes a nail file, comb, bruch, nasal aspirator, toothbrush, teether and etc.  All necessities for babies.  Available in most baby stores.

Bath tub.  They usually bathe in the plain tub, buy a bathing seat from Summer, its super useful because you dont have to worry about the baby slipping form your hands.

Diapers.  Buy a small quantity because you don't know the size of your baby yet.

Cotton balls.  Buy the cotton tube and make them into balls, its much cheaper.

Changing pad.

Cotton buds.

Nursery:

Crib

Mattress

4 Fitted crib Sheets

Pillows

Clothes hamper

Night light

Trashcan.  I leave mine just outside the door so the dirty diapers don't stink up the whole room.

*Sleep positioner

*Pacifiers (if you think you'll be needing it)

On The Go:

Stroller.  If you're going to put the baby in it make sure its age appropriate.  If it doesn't fully recline don't put a new born baby in it.

Diaper Bag.  Get a neutral color, something both you and your husband can carry.

Baby Sling.  If you think there's a chance you're going to wear your baby, get a sling.  Its really handy.

Car Seat.

Playtime:

Activity mat.  Its entertainment for the babies.

Rocker.  Use only when a month old already.  Useful because your baby can sit in it and watch you while you do other things.

Soft toys.  There's no real need for toys when your baby is born they don't usually play with anything until they are a few months old.  But I don't know anyone who can resist buying a toy or two or ten. hehe.

Books.  I slowly filled up Maxine's shelves with books.  I wanted to instill in her my love for reading.  Read to your babies as early as possible, show them pictures and let them hear the sound of your voice.  As new parents we rarely know what to say to a baby, this is your solution. 

Music.  My dad read that if you play classical music to a baby it will increase their IQ, yes it doesn't just apply when they are in the womb.  So, play your Motzarts and Beethovens during the day.

*extras, not really a necessity but nice to have :)

Tips On Yaya Hunting.

There are a few among us who don't get yayas for their kids.  I think these few should be given medals or even just an award for being supermoms.  There are also a select few who get 2 yayas for 1 child and those who still have yayas and are already in their 20's.  To these groups of people, shame on you for hiring someone to push the stroller and another to carry your child or bag, if the child is already running around.  Maybe i'm just envious because I know that they don't get stressed out about dayoffs like I do.

One of the hardest things about having a child is having a yaya.  They are stressful, psychotic and plain old annoying. The saying "can't live with them, can't live without them" refers to yayas.  Not unless you're lucky enough to still have the yaya who took care of you as a child, then you are truly one of the lucky few.  The vast majority have no idea where to get one so we turn to the agencies to give us options to choose from.  When I was a new mom I had a hard time interviewing because I was new at this and they were not.  Even the 20 somethings were veterans at the interview game.  Here are a few tips when interviewing one from an agency.

1.  Have your top 3 requirements/non negotiables.  For example mine were.  a. Younger than 50.  b.  Only 1 dayoff a month and c. Salary is 6thousand max.  I told the person at the agency these 3 things so that they wouldn't waste my time letting me interview people who don't want to agree to my requirements (they still did, they would do anything to make money).

2.  Ask her how old she is.  Then ask for the year she was born.  Why? Because they lie, if they're very old they subtract a few years and if they're young, they'll add some.  Why you don't want someone young, how much experience could a 21yr old have taking care of a baby?  Why you don't want someone old, lets face it the older you are the harder it is for you to see, hear and the slower you are.  I once tried a yaya who said she was 50 (She was at least 60) who couldn't see anymore.  She was changing Maxine's diaper and Maxine started to pee, she didn't even see that pee was coming out as she was cleaning.  "ay kaya pala parang may mainit"  was what she said.

3.  I have this theory that yayas with short hair do a better job.  I don't know why but I prefer them with short hair.  I hate seeing falling hair on the floor.  I really don't want to see my child holding or chewing on her yaya's hair.  I find short hair neater, I even give my help headbands to keep their hair out of their faces.

4.  Make sure you're yaya knows how to sing a lullabye or just plain old put a baby to sleep.  I once saw a yaya talk to the baby "bakit ayaw mo matulog? bakit ka umiiyak?"  and another yaya who sang London Bridge Is Falling Down as she shook the baby to sleep.

5.  Ask the yaya when she does her laundry.  The answer is supposed to be when her job is done or when the baby is asleep.  There are yayas who ask the maid to look after the baby during the daytime whlle they slowly wash their clothes or wash their clothes while the baby is crying, waiting for someone else to do their job.

6. Ask her what time she goes to sleep and what time she wakes up.  You don't want someone who watches telenovelas until 11pm because your baby will wake up whenever she feels like it (and most likely it will be  early).  If you sleep late and wake up early, what do you get?  A sleepy yaya, and a sleepy yaya is a clumsy yaya.  Tell them to sleep when the baby is sleeping so they get enough rest.

7.  Clarify your house rules early on.  Ask her if she thinks she can abide by them.  I don't let the yaya use her cellphone when the baby is awake.  Because i've seen yayas texting while feeding the baby, texting while carrying the baby, texting all the time.  I hate it.  If you don't want your yaya kissing your baby, make sure to make that clear early on.  Some moms don't understand this pet peeve of mine saying there's nothing wrong with the yaya kissing their child.  I always ask, so if you had a daughter its okay with you if your driver kisses her too?  I'm sure some will answer yes.  I remember a time in HS when my school actually held a seminar on yayas and drivers because one of the teachers saw a driver changing the clothes of the student.  It's okay, i'm sure there was no malice (but are we really really sure??).  The student was in grade 5 (I don't know why she didn't know how to change her own clothes) and it wasn't a pretty sight to see.

8.  Most yayas ask for 2 days off nowadays, if not they'll say that they'll get 1 day off but overnight.  Overnight means 24hours.  If they leave at 7am they have to be back by 7 the next day.  Make the time clear.  But no matter how clear you are with them, be assured that they will never come home on time.  And their excuse will always be because it's traffic.  Some who don't go out ask for compensation.

9.  Find out how much experience they've had.  Make clear that if they say they took care of so and so they mean they worked for someone.  Because taking care of their nieces and nephews don't count.  If they can give the number of their former employer that would be great for you, but that happens rarely and when you do get a number its usually a fake one.

10.  If you plan to breastfeed, find out if they've worked for someone who has breastfed.  So you know that they know how to handle breast milk.  If they haven't then that means you have to make clear how important the milk is and how careful they have to be with it.  I've had a yaya who threw away 10oz of my milk because she thought it tasted bad.  But she's never tasted breast milk before so she has nothing to compare it with and to this day it disturbs me why she drank the milk in the first place!

11.  You're the boss.  Make clear that you didn't hire her to be her friend or to be treated like her child (this is one of the cons when you get someone much older than you).  I don't like the superstitious beliefs that yayas have with their alaga, like putting a strand of thread on their foreheads when they hiccup.  I had a yaya who ruined the bed sheet just so she could do that.  This is another question you could ask before you even hire the person.  Because if you don't want you baby's feet smelling like ginger then find out.  You can't really cover all the bases so when the time comes that you and your yaya disagree on something, you should put your foot down your rules should be followed.  She is your child after all.

11.  If you were lucky enough to find someone you think is okay on the phone, go to the agency and interview her one more time personally.  Take a look at the person who will be taking care of your child when you can't.  Judge the book by its cover.

Remember that half of what they say has been rehearsed and you really won't know the truth about them until they're in your house for a few months.  You won't find out how capable they are until you see them working already.  If you see something you don't like look for a replacement, you have 3 chances to find someone that you really like.  Don't settle for less because in the end whatever small thing you didn't like in the beginning, will seem bigger as she stays longer.  Read the contract before you sign it.  Their contracts usually last for 6 months, after that you have to pay the agency fee again if you want to get someone new.  Be warned that they usually show their true colors at the 6th month, I don't know if its a coincidence (I dont think it is) or its them trying to annoy you enough so you'll fire them (if you fire them, you will have to pay a compensation).  Lastly, be kind and encouraging.  They take care of your child when you aren't around so you want them to be happy with their jobs.  Check up on them only from time to time especially if you see they know what they're doing.  Let them do their jobs, just make sure your child is well fed, clean, healthy and happy.

Don't take it personally when they decide to leave, because they will leave for whatever reason they have.  Good luck in this tiresome endeavor and remember, you've only just begun!