Are you looking for baby knee protector or knee pads for your baby safety? Have you heard of Baby Kneez? Baby Kneez knee protector was created by Celine Caron and voted Best New Baby Product in Canada for 2009.

Baby Kneez is made from soft material instead of neoprene. It is designed for children aged between 0-4 years. Baby Kneez has taken all of the factors that parents consider in knee protection for their children. They have to look good, be comfortable, durable, protective, not too bulky, can’t interfere with crawling and toddling, inexpensive, washable, made for bare legs, concealable, safe and hard to pull off. Most of all, they have to stay in place! Baby Kneez is 100% made in Canada.

Baby Kneez knee protector is priced at SG$22.00/pair and any 3 pairs is priced at SG$60 at:

http://www.bigbellymama.com/babykneez.html

I’m not sure if it’s available at any baby stores here in Malaysia though.

For more info about Baby Kneez, you may visit:

http://www.babykneez.ca

Tags: Baby Kneez, Baby Safety, knee protector
Posted by Nelson | 1 Comment »

Parents should provide the baby the safest possible environment in which to grow and explore. One of the most important items of child safety gear is a safety gate to block stairways and other areas of the home that could pose a danger. Baby safety gates are considered by many parents to be one of the essential purchases when a new baby enters the home. It’s important to make all preparations necessary to provide a safe atmosphere for babies and toddlers.

Baby gates are more advanced than ever before, and companies design them to serve different needs. Nowadays baby safety gates are much more user friendly. Do you need a baby gate for the top of your stairway, or do you need a baby gate with a door that swings open? Would you prefer a specific brand instead of type of baby gate?

For the first few months of baby’s life, the safety gates will be irrelevant. However, they should be installed before the fourth month of age. In most cases, the time when a baby becomes mobile is sooner than we often expect and can happen quite suddenly. The baby safety gates should remain in place until the toddler can safely walk up and down the stairs or can obey instructions not to enter a kitchen or dangerous area.

What to look for when buying one:

• Can you swing it open? If you decide to go with a pressure-mounted gate, consider investing in one that swings open. They’re more expensive than traditional pressure-mounted gates, but you can pass through the gated area with the flip of a switch.
• Is the gate the right size? Consider where you’ll be placing the gate. If you’re concerned that your baby might reach over and grab something that’s off-limits, make sure you invest in a taller model. And, of course, bring measurements to make sure the gate will fit properly in the space you have in mind.

There are many brands for baby safety gates here in Malaysia, such as Lindam, Safety 1st, DreamBaby, My Dear, and Little Bean. Below are some of the baby safety gates (also check out the baby safety gates that are on sale during Year End Sale):


LINDAM Sure Shut Axis Gate

Easy to fit baby stair gate with one handed opening. This safety barrier is pressure mounted and easy to assemble for essential safety around the home for baby.

Features :

* Fits standard widths of 75cm - 82cm, and can be extended to a maximum width of 138cm
* Easy to assemble without tools
* One handed operation
* 2-Way opening
* Centre opening
* Pressure mounted

Price: RM259.90
Now: RM181.90 (During Year End Sale)

Little Bean: Swing Closed Safety Gate

Features :

* Swing Close and locked automatically
* Fits opening of size from 74cm to 87cm and can be extended to a maximum of 143cm.
* Both ways opening
* One-hand operation
* Pressure Mounted
* 90 degree stop mechanism - Door Can keep open in 90 degree if desired
* Complied with EN 1930:2000 + A1: 2005

Price: RM199.90

Dream Baby: Hallway Gate

This security gate is suitable for wide doorways, stairs and hallways of width from 97 - 108cm (38 - 42.5 inches). It can be extended up to 162cm (63.5 inches) using combination of optional extensions of 9cm (3.5 inches), 18cm (7 inches) and/or 27cm (10.5 inches).

Features :

* Fits openings from 97 - 108cm (38 - 42.5 inches)
* Extendable up to 162cm (63.5 inches)
* One-handed operation for adults
* Gate swings closed automatically

Price: RM359.90

MY DEAR Auto-Close Safety Gate 03201

This safety gate comes with 2 extension panels.

It can fitted opening of size from 890mm to 970mm. With extension panels, it can be extended up to 1130mm.

Features :

* Non-climbing design
* Double locking
* One-hand operation
* Auto-close mechanisim
* Can be swinged in both directions

Suitable for children up to 24 months.

Price: RM229.90

MY DEAR Auto-Close Safety Gate 03204

This safety gate comes with 2 extension panels.

It can fitted opening of size from 890mm to 970mm. With extension panels, it can be extended up to 1130mm.

Features :

* Double locking
* One-hand operation
* Auto-close mechanisim
* Can be swinged in both directions

Suitable for children up to 24 months.

Price: RM229.90

Lindam: Soft Sided Playpen

The new Lindam Soft Sided Play Pen has five panels and an integral safety gate that features an easy to use squeeze handle for one-handed opening and closing. The panels can be arranged to form a playpen, with a fully washable padded base cushion provided, or alternatively the panels can be used in a wide range of combinations to restrict access and provide a safe play area, protecting children from a range of home hazards. Wall mountable fittings can be supplied for use as a hearth guard, room divider or multi panel gate. The Soft Sided Play Pen folds flat concertina style, allowing easy storage and freeing up your living space for adult time.

Price: RM859.00
Now: RM515.40 (During Year End Sale) - Available at Littlewhiz.com

Lindam: Safe & Secure Playpen

The Lindam safe and secure play pen is designed to be used in multiple combinations ideal for restricting access to hazardous areas around the home. Easily converting from a play pen to a room divider, multi panel gate or hearth guard. This integral gate has been features an easy to use squeeze handle for one handed opening and closing. The padded and completely washable base gives you peace of mind that your child can play in complete safety. For added convenience the Lindam Play Safe concertinas, folding flat suitable for storage when not in use

* Easily converts from a play pen , to a room divider, multi panel gate or hearth guard
* Squeeze and push to shut one handed gate opening
* Washable, padded base area
* Fold down for easy storage
* To be used in openings 1 panel 85cm - to 5 panels - 327cm
* No drilling required for assembly
* Folds flat for easy storage

Price: RM859.90

Some of these baby safety gates are available at baby stores such as Babyjaya, Kiddyplace, Little Whiz. Buy baby safety gates when they are now on sale during Year End Sale!

Tags: Baby Safety, baby safety gates, Year End Sale
Posted by Nelson | 1 Comment »

Do you use natural mosquito repellent for your baby? With the increases in the number of dengue cases being reported, mothers better have some kind of protection on their baby from mosquitoes. If you want to know more about dengue fever symptoms and how to protect your baby from dengue fever, you can read my article:

Dengue Fever Symptoms & Protect Your Baby!

I’ve mentioned about this natural insect repellent - BugsLock on that article. Today I am going to talk more about this product that is from Korea. It is perfect for the whole family. It’s natural insect repellent, so it’s safe for your baby!

“Bugslock” is a mosquito controlling product to repel the mosquitos with a 100% natural aroma. It is a creative and band shaped product, which prevents mosquitos from approaching by wearing it on the wrist or ankle, where the item emits an aroma that the insect can’t stand. As it is small in design and easy to carry, it is usable at anytime, thus it is considered a very convenient product. Plus, it is a safe product, which can be used even by infants, in other words, all age groups can use it because it is made of non-toxic substances. It is an elegant product with its various colors and refined designs, hence, it can be used as a form of accessory for women and also a fun children’s wear item.

Ingredients:
1. 100% natural essential oil including lavender, etc.(30%)
2. Inert(70%)
3. Net Weight(3g)

Lifespan:

Bugslock can be used for accumulated up to 240 hours, not 10 days. Example if you use it for 10 hour, after 1 month, it still have balance of 230 hours. Put it back to the original bag and sealed it after you consume.

**Long-term storage can be secured if only user closes zipper after inserting product into package for storing again for next time use.

** For mothers that do not like to apply mosquito repellent spray or lotion on their baby, this is a perfect item as baby can wear it on the wrist, ankle, or attached to belt buckle.

Tags: BugsLock, dengue fever, mosquito repellent
Posted by Nelson | 3 Comments »

Making homemade baby food is probably one of the best ways for overcoming concerns about commercial baby foods. Nowadays one of the things that many parents find most challenging about raising their baby is knowing how to prepare their own healthy food.

If you are concerned about the quality of the baby food offered these days, then learning how to make your own baby food at home is a great cure for this concern.

Homemade baby food gives baby a preview of what table food will be like. You are preparing the fruits and vegetables the same way that you do for yourself. By making homemade baby food, you might just avoid the picky eater hurdle many parents face as their babies become toddlers.

Do you know how to make baby food at home? Actually, making baby food at home is easy

Here are 7 easy steps for making homemade baby food:

1. Crushing & pulping equipment
   We all have pots and pans for cooking the baby foods, but you will need something to puree them. A blender won’t provide as fine a puree as a food processor. A food mill is another option that may be a better deal than the food processor. Choose the one that’s right for your family’s budget.
2. Create a list of what you want to introduce first
   You can still buy the baby cereals from the store or grind up your own grains. A word of advice - cooking the grains first, makes it easier to puree them before feeding to baby.
3. Clean properly
   Foods have to be thoroughly scrubbed and washed to remove dirt from the skin. Keep everything you use to prepare baby’s food as clean as possible. By paying careful attention to these steps you can keep bacteria from invading baby’s food.
4. Cook first
   To avoid any type of illness from the foods you prepare, cook everything first. Apples, peaches, pears, and other fruits need to be soft so that they blend better when pureed.  Also, don’t forget to remove all skin and seeds before cooking to avoid a choking hazard for baby.
5. Choose right
   There are so many foods to choose from. Even if you don’t like a particular food, give baby a chance to try it.  Your pediatrician can give you a list of foods to avoid when baby is new to solid foods to help you avoid any possible allergies or other health concerns. Babies are little people. Foods that give you gas or heartburn will probably do the same to them. You may want to stay away from broccoli, greens, and cauliflower until later. Your nose will thank you.
6. Cook with little liquid
   Add as little liquid as possible during the cooking. In the beginning you will be adding baby milk to the food when you puree it so that the consistency is not too thick. The whole process is trial and error so if the pureed baby food come out runny, add more vegetables or fruits. Try not to use any seasonings or sugar in baby’s food. The natural taste is better on their taste buds and their bodies.
7. Collect cleverly
   Freezing baby foods after they are prepared prevents spoiling. Storing the baby food in the refrigerator can lead to food poisoning if left too long.  Protect your baby by only refrigerating what you will need right away and freezing the rest in freezer safe containers.

I always marvel at people who are willing to pay so much for jars of commercial foods while ignoring the benefits of making homemade baby food.

With a little bit of effort you can be making homemade baby food knowing you have total control over your baby’s diet and knowledge of what exactly goes into it. Maybe it’s time to leave the unwanted ingredients and additives to the baby food manufacturers.

Tags: baby food
Posted by hoho | 1 Comment »

What is colic?

Colic is common in infants. If your baby is healthy and well fed, but is crying over three hours a day and at least three days a week, then your baby may have colic.

What are signs and symptoms of colic in infants?

There are many different symptoms of colic and it differs from baby to baby. Below are some of the most common symptoms of colic in babies:

• loud & continuous crying for over three hours a day and at least three days a week
• the baby’s face often gets flushed or red
• the feet are often cold
• legs are pulled up to the stomach and then may be fully stretched
• hands may be clenched
• the crying can occur at any time of the day or night, but it usually gets worse in the late afternoon or early evening
• baby may lift their head or legs and pass gas
• baby may seem generally uncomfortable and appear to be in pain
• the baby may have difficulty in falling asleep

Check out the following video on how to soothe a crying baby with infant colic:



Summary: Ways to stop a crying baby; learn how to soothe a crying baby with infant colic in this free child care video with parenting tips for newborns and infants.

Tags: colic, crying baby
Posted by Nelson | No Comments »

Running out of baby recipe ideas? If you’re fed up of the usual vegetable, tomato or chicken soup, try this. The carrot and orange flavours blend together beautifully.

Complexity: Easy
Number of servings: 4
Diet types: Egg Free, Gluten free, Soya free, Wheat free

Ingredients
15g butter
1tbsp olive oil
1 onion, roughly chopped
650g carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
1 potato, peeled and roughly chopped
1.2 litres water
1 orange (for grated zest and juice)

1. Heat the butter and oil in a pan, add the onion, carrots and potato. Cover and sweat for 10 mins, stirring occasionally.
2. Add the water, cover and cook for 20 mins or until the vegetables are tender.
3. Whizz using a hand-held blender until smooth.
4. Add the orange juice and zest and heat through.
5. This soup should be served thicker than usual so it’s easy for your little one to manage. Serve with soft rolls.

- Information from Tesco baby club

Tags: baby food, baby recipes
Posted by hoho | 1 Comment »

Hi mommies, what bottles do you use for your baby? Are they BPA free (Free of Bisphenol-A)? BPA free bottles become very common & popular lately. Mommies are looking for BPA free milk bottles or water bottles for their babies. You can also see many mothers discuss about BPA free bottles on forums like which BPA free bottles is good, where to find BPA free bottles list, and looking for BPA free bottles review.

So, what is Bisphenol-A?

Bisphenol-A is a hormone-disrupting chemical considered to be potentially harmful to human health and the environment. It has been known that scratched and worn polycarbonate feeding bottles will leach this chemical into liquids.

BPA Free Baby Bottles

For the safety of the babies and children, mothers would choose to purchase BPA free bottles. I would like to introduce you to the Safety Plus™ milk bottles. Safety Plus™ milk bottles are made of hospital grade Polysulfone (PES) honey coloured Swiss certified material and do not contain Bisphenol-A , Phthalates, PVC and Lead.

Unique Anti Colic System

Safety Plus™ milk bottles are equipped with a patented venting system to reduce colic symptoms such as spit up, burping and gas. How does the system work? The venting system allows air to flow back into the bottle reducing vacuum build up while the valve move away air bubbles into the bottle. The positive pressure created by the unique system helps to develop a healthy feeding pattern and reduce the risk of middle ear infection. The user friendly venting system comes in one piece for easy cleaning. No more keeping track and cleaning of extra parts.

The Safety Plus™ milk bottles are available in 2 sizes: 150ml & 300 ml.

For more info on Safety Plus™ milk bottles, you can visit their website at:

http://www.safetyplusbottles.com

Tags: anti colic, BPA Free bottles, Safety Plus
Posted by Nelson | 3 Comments »

Previous post I’ve talked about how to handle choking baby. But do you know if you still do not dislodge the blockage, you must be ready to perform CPR (Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) on the infant? CPR is a life-saving measure which could be vital if your baby stopped breathing, but how many of us would have the confidence to carry it out? Below shows step by step on how to perform CPR on a baby:

1. Ensure the airway is open.
2. Seal your lips around the baby’s mouth and nose.
3. Blow gently into the lungs, looking along the chest as you breathe. Fill your cheeks with air and use this amount each time.
4. As the chest rises, stop blowing and allow it to fall.
5. Repeat this 5 times.
6. Place the baby on a firm surface.
7. Locate a position in centre of the chest.
8. Using 2 fingers, press down sharply to a third of the depth of the chest.
9. Press 30 times, at a rate of 100 compressions per minute.
10. After 30 compressions, give 2 Rescue Breath.
11. Continue resuscitation (30 compressions to 2 rescue breath) without stopping until help arrives

Note:

1. If you have someone with you, send them to dial ‘999′ for an ambulance immediately.
2. If you are alone, carry out rescue breaths and chest compressions for 1 minute before taking the  infant with you to call an ambulance.

Even if your baby seems to be fully recovered from the choking episode, take her to your doctor that day. You can have a look at the following video showing how to perform CPR on a baby that is less than 1 year old. CPR on toddler is a bit different from baby, the 2nd video below shows how to perform CPR on children.

How to perform CPR on a infant

How to perform CPR on a child

Tags: baby choking, CPR
Posted by hoho | 1 Comment »