Feeding, Weaning Zone

All The Vitamin C Your Baby Needs

01 Oct

One of the first lessons every new parent learns is how to make sure their infant is well fed and adequately nourished throughout the early stages of their life.
Vitamin C plays an important role and is essential for optimal health across the life cycle.

What is vitamin C?

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient that plays a critical role in a variety of your baby’s most vital physical functions.
It is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system, enhancing iron absorption, and producing collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body.
Vitamin C is unique to many other nutrients because it also functions as an
antioxidant. Antioxidants help protect cells from free radical damage. Vitamin C is considered an essential nutrient, which means your baby’s body can’t produce it by itself. Therefore, it must be obtained from the foods they consume each day.
This nutrient can be found in breast milk, infant formula, and a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin C requirements for infants

Though essential throughout every stage of life, infants need less vitamin C than adults.
The dietary guidelines recommends that babies receive the following amount of vitamin C each day:

  • 0–6 months of age: 40 milligrams (mg)
  • 6–12 months: 50 mg

Women who are breastfeeding have increased vitamin C requirements because they’re supplying the baby with vitamin C through their breastmilk. When you’re breastfeeding, try to consume 120 mg of vitamin C per day. This is about 60% more than the amount required for women who aren’t breastfeeding.
Infant formulas also contain vitamin C. Thus, if your baby is formula fed, they’ll be able to meet their vitamin C needs.

Most babies shouldn’t take vitamin C supplements

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), infant formula, breast milk, and food should be the only sources of vitamin C your baby consumes.
Supplementing with vitamin C is unnecessary for most healthy babies and could increase their risk of developing symptoms associated with vitamin C toxicity.

Possible side effects associated with overconsumption of vitamin C include kidney stones, nausea, and diarrhea.
The U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) only advises that vitamins and mineral supplements be given to infants 6 months of age or older.
Supplementing at 6 months is recommended for infants who aren’t breastfeeding and consume less than 16 ounces (500 mL) of formula per day.
If taking a supplement is deemed necessary, the dosage should be determined by your baby’s healthcare provider.

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TIME TO START WEANING
10 Jul
4-6 months (Stage 1), Weaning Zone

HOW YOU KNOW IT’S TIME TO START WEANING.

Starting too early or late have their side effect; therefore, It is very important to know the right time to start weaning. If your baby can coordinate their hands and eyes to guide objects to their mouth, they may be ready for solids.

As babies learns new skills like rolling over, sitting up and picking things, they’ll be using a lot more energy than usual; therefore, their appetite would start to grow. When they are ready to start weaning, your baby will show definite signs that they’re ready for more than milk. Babies grow differently, but knowing what to look out for makes it easier to provide the extra nourishment they need at the right time.

The Signs To Look Out For

  • Is your baby six (6) months old?
  • Coordinating hands, eyes and mouth – Can your baby grasp objects and put them in his/her mouth?
  • Is your baby able to swallow food? Babies who aren’t ready will push their food back out.
  • Can your baby sit up independently?
  • Does your baby actively watch you eat or try to take food from your plate?
  • Can your baby hold his/her head upright and move it from side to side?
  • Is your baby still hungry after breastfeeding?

If your baby is exhibits most or all of these signs, he/she is possibly ready to wean! wean!! wean!!!

Please note

  • Some signs may be mistaken for signs of weaning, like waking during the night or sucking fists, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are.
  • Increased appetite could either be a sign of weaning or a growth spurt. If your baby is experiencing growth spurts, extra breast milk or formula should meet their increased hunger as it will only be temporary and his/her appetite should return to normal quickly.
  • It is important not to confuse growth spurt with signs of weaning; as your baby’s digestive system might still not be ready to take in solids… If you feel your baby is ready to wean before six months, you should ask your doctor for some advice.

Moobi Tales ~ Episode 2
26 Jun
4-6 months (Stage 1), Moobi Tales, Weaning Zone

Moobi Tales ~ Episode 2

As a mother, there’s that thing that “naturally” makes you want to stress when your baby is crying continuously… but sometimes, you get too exhausted to stress; just like Karin was. “Amira”!! she yelled to her nanny who responded immediately, as usual. “Why is Tutu crying again?” Madam, I think she’s hungry… Amira responded precisely. Oh no! Karin squealed. What’s the matter? Tega was curious, You don’t want to feed her? “Not so my love, my breasts hurt so much from feeding her and I just need a little break”. So she’ll wait for your break to be over before she eats or? Karin was about to respond when the doorbell interrupted.

I’ll get it, Tega said, picking up his suit case. “Just make sure my baby doesn’t die of hunger before I’m back” he gave her a kiss and left for work. She managed to drag herself out of bed and into the bathroom. She was about to start brushing her teeth when she heard voices from the living room. She quickly dropped her toothbrush and headed out, wondering who it could be. She felt relieved when she saw her sister… “Remi!!” she ran into her embrace and started ranting out her frustration before she even knew it. Wait! wait! wait! Remi had to cut her short, “I’m sorry you’re going through this, it’s a phase and it’ll pass before you even realize it. But I need your help please, I’m late to work and I need the kids to stay here for the day”.

Karin’s face turned sour… “Remi please I have enough on my plate with Tutu, I can’t add two whole toddlers to it”. It’s just for the day, Amira can take care of them. You know I wouldn’t be asking if my nanny hadn’t quit, Remi pleaded. Amira can’t even stop Tutu from crying if I don’t breastfeed her, Karin retorted, my breasts hurt so badly but I still have to breastfeed her again, I’m really just tired Remi. Why do you have to breastfeed her? Remi asked, curious. What else would she eat if I don’t breastfeed her? Karin returned. Have you ever heard of puree? Remi laughed. She’s barely seven(7) months old Karin, I want to breastfeed her enough so she doesn’t lack any necessary nutrient. Now Remi laughed even harder, Karin, at six(6) months, your baby is old enough to start weaning… in fact, it is necessary, if you don’t want her to lack any nutrient. Really? I don’t even know how to go about it, Karin looked confused.

Don’t worry, it’s not that hard, Remi reassured her. I would love to give you all the details now, but I’m late for work… but you can visit Moobi’s website. I found out about them on my way here. Their blog has enough information to put you through. They’ll tell you how to know when your baby is ready for solids and all the products that you need to start. They also have simple puree recipes that you can start with. You can even find relatable stories to read when you’re bored. See, I just helped you, now you have to help me”. They both laughed as Remi said goodbye to the kids and stormed out, while Karin went on to do her research.

Sweet Potato Puree Recipe.
26 Jun
4-6 months (Stage 1), Feeding, Recipes, Weaning Zone

Sweet Potato Puree Recipe.

The nutritional value and delicious taste of sweet potatoes make them another wonderful choice for a first food for babies. Sweet potatoes are high in Vitamin A and Beta-carotene, as well as potassium. sweet potatoes also contain a good amount of Vitamin E, calcium and folate. The fiber and antioxidants in sweet potatoes help to promote gut health. They also; have Cancer-Fighting Properties, support healthy vision, enhance brain function and support the immune system. Sweet potato is a good first food, because it’s a single ingredient puree, which is a building block for all other ingredients; which means that you can do sweet potato and a more bitter ingredient that your babies might not like on their own- like spinach.

The best way to cook Sweet potatoes.

Baking sweet potatoes is the best way to cook them, especially for baby food. It brings out their natural sweetness and good flavor while retaining the most nutrients. You may also peel, dice and then steam or boil sweet potatoes if you prefer.

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 Sweet potato.
Baking Sweet Potatoes for Baby Food:
  • Wash and poke holes in sweet potato with fork.
  • Wrap sweet potatoes in tin foil (do not peel for baking/microwaving).
  • Place in a 400 degree oven and bake for 30-60 minutes or until soft
  • Remove the skin by slitting the sweet potato lengthwise.
  • When cooled, scoop out the “meat”.
  • Puree potatoes with a blender or mash, (we recommend using our Baby Food Masher).
  • Add baby’s milk, formula or water, for desired consistency.
Boiling/Steaming Sweet Potatoes for Baby Food:
  • Peel sweet potatoes and cut into small pieces.
  • Place the diced pieces into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover the potatoes.
  • “Steam” boil until tender, making sure to check on the water level.
  • Puree potatoes with a blender or mash, (we recommend using our Baby Food Masher).
  • Add baby’s milk, formula or left over water from steaming, for desired consistency.
Microwaving Sweet Potatoes: (we prefer to not use a microwave for cooking)
  • Wet Sweet Potatoes; (You can wrap sweet potatoes with microwave safe plastic wrap).
  • Poke holes in the wrap with a fork and microwave for 10 minutes or until done.
  • Remove skins by slitting the sweet potato lengthwise.
  • When cooled, scoop out the “meat”.
  • Puree potatoes with a blender or mash, (we recommend using our Baby Food Masher).
  • Add baby’s milk, formula or reserved water from steaming,as necessary, for desired consistency.

Sweet Potato Apple Mash 4-6 months +

  • Steam or bake apples and sweet potatoes together until tender.
  • Puree as needed, adding water, baby’s preferred milk or formula to thin if required.
  • You may also chop or dice for a finger food salad.
STORING
  • Put the potato puree in an air tight bowl (we suggest storing in our Moobi food pot or Moobi Freezer Tray) and into the freezer, to be frozen.
  • Sweet potato puree can be stored by freezing, for as long as two (2) months.
PLEASE NOTE:

Sweet potatoes are high in vitamin A and Beta-carotene , which the body stores; therefore, excess consumption of sweet potatoes can make your skin and nails to appear a little orange.

Moobi Tales ~ Episode 1
21 May
Moobi Tales

Moobi Tales ~ Episode 1

Being a parent is the most beautiful job, whether you’re doing it alone or with a partner. It goes from daily challenges to beautiful memories… oh! and YELLING. Especially when you’re trying to get your “ready for school” toddlers to have breakfast without messing themselves up before the school bus arrives.

This was Remi’s dilemma on this crazy morning. Her nanny had resigned earlier that week and as usual, she was being very careful about finding another one. David wasn’t in town and the night before, she had stayed up a bit too late, preparing for her presentation; you know what they say, early to bed… Mira and Eddy had already started yelling at each other. Remi scurried through her make up as she had 10 minutes before the bus arrived.

“Okay Kids, mummy’s coming!” She yelled, zooming down the stairs with her bag, keys and files in one hand. She had no idea how out of control things had gotten until she reached the table. Everything she had in her hand dropped, she was stiff for a moment. She was going to yell at them but what good would that do? Even though they were strapped to their chairs, they had managed to throw their plates off the table without stress. There was food all over the place, especially on their clothes… and ah! they had turned their spoons to swords.

Pom Pom! That was the school bus and they were suddenly nothing close to ready. She was down to two options: quickly iron and change their uniforms and take them to school herself, or just drop them off at her sister’s place and let them miss school. Either ways, she was already late for work… and today wasn’t even the day. 

Okay! don’t be like Remi.

You can ensure that you never have to worry about your babies throwing their plates off the table, spilling food on their clothes, or even hurting each other with their spoon.

You can prepare for work and return to a happy baby.