Congrats to Cara Kent who won last week's featured product–a Chic Tots Bib.
Top stories this week
Sore nipples while breastfeeding
Nipple pain is the most common complaint among lactating women. Here’s a look at what could be causing your discomfort and how to get relief.
by: Nancy Ripton
Sore Nipples
- It's important to seek help as soon as you begin experiencing sore nipples in order to prevent the situation from getting worse.
- Nipple pain caused by a poor latch is usually immediate and often subsides during feeding.
- If the pain is burning or stabbing and does not decrease as feeding progresses, you may have a yeast infection known as Candida or thrush.
- Vasospasm of the nipple occurs when the nipple turns white and there is a burning or throbbing pain immediately after feeding.
- Chronic nipple pain can be a sign of a new pregnancy.
espite your best intentions, the stabbing pain in your nipples may make you want to give up on breastfeeding. Nipple pain is the most common complaint among lactating women, but nursing should not be a painful process. "Prolonged stabbing or irritating nipple pain is not normal," says Dr. Christina Valentine, medical advisor for Neonatal Nutrition and Lactation at Columbus Children's Hospital. The earlier you catch a problem, the easier it is to fix. To view the full story click here.
How to make healthy, allergy-free birthday cakes
Who says dessert can’t be healthy? Try these tasty recipes to add a little nutrition to your child’s birthday celebration.
by: Cheryl Tallman and Joan Ahlers
Healthy Birthday Cake
- Cakes that contain fruit usually have less added sugar.
- Healthier frosting toppings include: organic yogurt thickened with cream cheese, traditional cream cheese frosting and whipped cream.
- If you're tight on time, buy a frozen yogurt cake for a tasty, healthy treat.
- If your one-year-old has not tried eggs yet, opt for a vegan cake.
- Be aware that many egg substitutes actually contain eggs.
ust because it's a celebration doesn't mean you can't sneak in some nutritional value. Here's how to make your child's next birthday cake both nutritious and delicious: To view the full story click here.
Does your child need to take vitamins?
Find out what you need to know about filling in the gaps in your child’s diet.
by: Dr. Alan Greene
Vitamins
- Breastfed babies should supplement with 200 IU of vitamin D daily.
- Only 2 percent of children eat the recommended number of daily servings from each of the four food groups.
- Seven out of 10 boys and 9 out of 10 girls don't get sufficient calcium during key times of growth.
- A daily multivitamin is a great way to fill in the nutritional holes in your child's diet.
- Read vitamin labels to avoid additives such as chemical dyes, aspartame and butylated hydroxytoluene.
o matter how hard we try to ensure our kids eat a healthy, balanced diet, the reality is many children aren't getting all the nutrients they need to thrive. Here's how the right vitamin supplements can boost your child's health. To view the full story click here.
Introducing Finger Foods
Try these tips and recipes as you teach your baby to feed himself
by: Cheryl Tallman and Joan Ahlers
Finger Foods
- Introduce finger foods at 8 or 9 months and do it one at a time, slowly adding new ones for your baby to try.
- Start with finger foods your baby likes in puréed form before introducing new tastes.
- Finger foods should be soft enough for your child to gum.
- A few raw finger foods to try include banana, avocado and grated cheese.
- Finger foods such as apple slices or asparagus spears should be cooked first so your child can manage them.
elf-feeding is an exciting developmental milestone for both mom and baby, but serving the wrong size or texture of food can put your little one at risk of choking. A few simple tips can help you take the fear out of introducing finger foods. To view the full story click here.
How to introduce solids and textures
From when to start to what to serve, here's your guide to giving your infant solid food.
by: Sydney Loney
Starting solids
- Wait until your baby hits the six-month mark before introducing solid food.
- Your infant may be ready to try solids if she can sit up and shows an interest in what you're eating.
- Wait three days after introducing each new food before trying another.
- Talk to your doctor before starting foods that could trigger a reaction, such as milk and eggs.
- When introducing textures, experiment with ripe fruit and soft, cooked vegetables, pasta and meats–all sliced into pieces no larger than 1/4- to 1/2-inch.
hether you're perusing jars of purée in the grocery store or planning to mash up some freshly cooked sweet potato, here's what you should know before giving your baby her first spoonful of solid food. To view the full story click here.
