01 Oct
Feeding, Weaning Zone

All The Vitamin C Your Baby Needs

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.

08 Aug
4-6 months (Stage 1), Feeding, Recipes, Weaning Zone

Butternut Squash and Pear Puree

Butternut squash offers a good supply of vitamin A, potassium and fiber; making it a wonderful and nutritious food to include in baby’s new diet. Pears are rich in essential antioxidants, plant compounds, and dietary fiber. They are fat free and cholesterol free. Pears could help weight loss and reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Butternut Squash and Pear are a good and healthy combination for your baby’s first foods.

Ingredients

1 medium butternut squash (about 450g)
1 ripe, juicy pear

Instructions:
  • Peel the butternut squash, cut into two halves, remove the seeds and chop into pieces.
  • Steam for about 10-12 minutes.
  • Peel, core and chop the pear
  • Add it to the steaming butternut squash and continue to cook until the butternut squash is tender.
  • Puree in a blender.
  • Add water or baby milk for desired consistency.
Please Note
  • Store your pureed butternut squash and peer in an airtight plastic and freeze. We recommend using Moobi Food Pot or Moobi Freezer Tray, for best results.
  • Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
  • In the absence of a blender, Moobi Food Masher can be used to mash the steamed Butternut squash and pear.
AVOCADO AND CARROT PURÉE RECIPE
10 Jul
4-6 months (Stage 1), Feeding, Recipes, Weaning Zone

AVOCADO AND CARROT PURÉE RECIPE

Avocado and carrot together make a lovely, creamy and sweet purée that babies love. This also makes a yummy sandwich spread for older babies and toddlers. This recipe is an excellent source of the essential fatty acids that your baby needs for healthy brain development and Vitamin C and A.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped.
  • 1/2 ripe avocado, scooped out of skin.

Instructions

  • Steam the carrot for about 20 minutes, until carrots are easily pierced with a fork.
  • Place the carrots and avocado in a food processor or blender and purée until smooth. You can also mash purée in Moobi Baby Food Masher.
  • Add breast milk, formula or a little of the cooking water, if necessary, to achieve desired consistency.
  • Store left over Purée in an air tight container and store in the freezer… we recommend storing in Moobi Food Pot or Moobi Freezer Tray for best storing results.
  • Thaw in the refrigerator over night.
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.

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

Wean! Wean!! Wean!!!

At different stages of life, humans require different things to grow. A baby starts off, relying solely on milk; but as time goes on, milk alone becomes insufficient and ineffective for the baby’s proper growth. At this point, the human body starts to require other types of food and relies less on breast milk; this is where weaning becomes necessary. Basically, Weaning is the process of gradually introducing an infant human or another mammal to what will be it’s adults diet- solids, while withdrawing the supply of it’s mothers milk.

Although, breast milk or formula milk provides nutrients needed for the first year, protects the digestive system and reduces the chances of infection, introducing well selected number of solid food helps your baby learn to eat and form healthy eating habits, develops the teeth and jaw; its also helps babies learn to identify colors, shapes, tastes and textures. The World Health Organization now recommends that weaning a baby should begin after they are six (6) months old. This is to enable the baby’s digestive system to get ready for solids, and to produce the necessary enzymes for digesting protein in foods.

Introducing solids before your baby’s system is ready, is the most common cause of infant food allergies and intolerance. Introducing solids later than necessary could result in your baby lacking sufficient provision of energy and essential nutrients required for growth; therefore, it is important to start weaning at the right time for your baby.

Not all babies will be ready to start weaning at the same time, it is your job as a parents to determine whether the time is right. This depends on the sign your baby exhibits, as babies are unique and different. If you’re not sure when it’s time, it is important to consult your baby’s GP or nutritional therapist to help in making the decision, because babies may also differ based on time and type of birth.

Contrary to belief, when weaning, the quantity of solid your baby eats should not be important. As babies gets used to eating and developing physically, the quantity that they eat would also increase. What is more important is getting your baby used to the idea of eating and exploring the senses of taste, smell as well as developing motor skills from spoon feeding or finger feeding. Therefore, it is important to involve a variety of texture and flavors. It is also important to enjoy the experience’don’t get cranky when your baby isn’t responding to this nutritional exercise… take time to understand your baby.

Everything You Need To Start Weaning.

MOOBI ALL IN ULTIMATE WEANING PACKAGE

Yes!!! We have everything you need to prepare and feed your baby in our store. click on the bundle to shop now. There are also more affordable bundles available for everyone. This bundle includes:

1x bib
2x moobi spoons
1x snack pot
1x suction bowl
1x suction plate
1x sippy cup
1x Freezer tray
1x Baby Food Masher
1x Measuring Set
1x storage pots
1x cooking utensils
1x food storage
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES:

When introducing your baby to solids, fruits and vegetables are the recommended foods to start with. There’s a wide variety of fruits and vegetables you can introduce to your babies, depending on their weaning stage; including Avocado, Apples, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Mangoes, Banana… etc

BLENDER AND STEAMER:

When preparing vegetables for your baby, the best way is to steam them because this locks in all of the nutrients that can be lost when boiling. After steaming, you will need to blend your fruits and vegetables to the desired puree consistency; depending on your baby’s weaning stage. You can also use a food masher in place of a blender sometimes.

HIGHCHAIR:

When feeding your baby, it is important that they’re seated in an upright position; to enable them swallow food properly and control chocking hazards. A comfortable highchair creates a more comfortable feeding environment for your baby.

SPLASH OR MESS MAT:

This can be placed under your baby’s high chair to avoid having food mess up the floor where your baby eats.

SAUCE PAN:

It is essential to have non sticky pans of different sizes, depending on the quantity of food you’re making for your baby.

PEELER:

This is a more comfortable alternative to a knife for peeling your baby’s food.

CHOPPING BOARD:

You can get these in different colors and sizes, for cutting different things.

FOOD STRAINER/SEIVE

This is very handy in draining unwanted liquid from fruits or vegetables.

Carrot Puree Recipe.
05 Jun
4-6 months (Stage 1), Feeding, Recipes

Carrot Puree Recipe.

Carrot puree is another good option for firsts solids introduced to a baby. carrots are delicious, highly nutritious and necessary in the development of a baby. Carrots are a good source of Fiber, potassium, Vitamin K, Carotene; which is a natural pigment that is used by the body to make Vitamin A. All these nutrients contained in carrots, aid to boost immunity, to boost skin health, to lower blood pressure. Carrots also help to maintain healthy cholesterol and boost heart rate, to ensure bowel regularity and help in digestion, and to boost the eye health.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium sized carrots.

Directions

  • Peel the carrot and chop them into bits.
  • Put the carrots into a steamer, set over boiling water and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until it’s tender. Another steaming method would be to put the carrots in a pan, add enough boiling water and cover with a lid. Then simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until it is soft.
  • Drain the carrots,place in a blender and puree until it is very smooth.
  • You can add some of the cooking liquid or your baby’s usual milk to get desired consistency; depending on your baby.
  • Spoon some of the puree into your baby’s bowl and serve lukewarm.

Storing

  • Carrots can either be stored before or after pureeing.
  • Put the Carrot 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.
  • Thaw in the fridge the night before use, or by putting the ice molds in a bowl, over hot water, on the counter to defrost.
  • Non-pureed carrot can be put in a bowl filled with clean water, covered with plastic wrap or it’s seal-able lead and then refrigerated. The water should be changed once a day.
  • To prevent condensation from forming, Wrap the carrots in a paper towel and place them in a bag in the refrigerator.
  • Perforated plastic bags can also be used.

Please Note:

  • Excess moisture causes carrots to rot.
  • Carrots are full of vitamins that are good for your health, but eating too many carrots can bring in too much beta-carotene to the body. Beta-Carotene is the molecule responsible for carrots bright orange hue and a precursor of Vitamin A. This can lead to excess blood carotene which can discolor the skin.
  • For best storing results, we highly recommend using our Moobi Food Pot and our Moobi Freezer Tray, as seen below.
Collaboration with Baby Chef
10 Oct
Collaboration, Feeding, Plate it series, Recipes, Resources, Weaning Zone

Collaboration with Baby Chef

We are so delighted to announce our official collaboration with @babychefng . Gear up for meal prep tips, baby/toddler recipes, techniques for making yummy African food and so much more

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BabyChef ng has become part of the moobi tribe. Join @moobibaby newsletter for loads of free material @babychefng will be giving our moobi mums and dads

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They will also give 5% off all moobi products and the BabyChef meal planning system template with your purchase.

Amazing first weaning food
10 Oct
Collaboration, Feeding, Plate it series, Recipes, Resources, Weaning Zone

Amazing first weaning food – Avocado

Avocado is known for its creamy texture. It’s great for your baby’s first food

🥑 BENEFITS OF AVOCADO

  • build intelligence
  • Flushes out toxins
  • Nutrient packed
  • Promotes baby’s health
  • Contains Anti inflammatory properties

🥑 WHEN CAN I INTRODUCE AVOCADOS TO MY BABY’S DIET?

  • 4-6 months

🥑 What are some of the ways to introduce avocados to my baby’s diet?

Some easy avocado recipes are:

1) Mashed avocado:

  • Peel and de-pit an avocado.
  • Cut out the fleshy part and mash using a fork.

2) Banana-cado baby food:

  • Peel and de-pit an avocado.
  • Cut out the fleshy part in a bowl.
  • Add in a ripe banana.
  • Mash the two together with a fork and serve.

3) Creamy fruit mash:

  • Peel and de-pit an avocado.
  • Cut out the fleshy part in a bowl.
  • Add steamed pears or steamed apples.
  • Mix in a little amount of yogurt to give a smooth creamy texture.
  • Your creamy fruit mash is ready to serve.

Did you know

Avocados promote baby’s health and wellness. They heal wounds, scratches and rashes faster than any antibiotic.

Baby food and Eczema
10 Oct
Collaboration, Feeding, Plate it series, Recipes, Resources, Weaning Zone

Baby food and Eczema. Is there a link?

Could diet be to blame for your child’s eczema?

It’s possible.

Up to 1 in 3 kids with eczema has a food allergy that could make symptoms worse. If you remove some choices, it could make a big difference.

But since finding food triggers is tricky — and eczema can have lots of other causes — don’t jump to conclusions. Work closely with an allergist.

Which Foods May Trigger Eczema?

When you have a food allergy, your body reacts to a harmless treat as if it’s a dangerous germ and attacks. Symptoms — like swelling — are side effects of your body’s defenses..

Eczema doesn’t seem to be an allergic condition, but reactions from food can make it worse in some kids. It’s more likely in babies and young children.

Some foods are more likely to bring symptoms. The common offenders are:

  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Peanuts
  • Tree nuts
  • Wheat
  • Fish
  • Shellfish
  • Soy

While trigger foods can make eczema worse, experts don’t think they’re really the original cause. Instead, it seems to result from “leakiness” in the outer layer of skin that lets in irritants, germs, and allergens.

How to Find a Food Trigger

Some are obvious. If your child eats lobster for the first time and breaks out in hives 15 minutes later, it’s probably not hard to figure out.

But with eczema, it’s often tougher. Symptoms may not show up for days after you eat something. If you do find a trigger food and get rid of it, that may help. Still, it may not make the eczema go away. Remember, 2 out of 3 kids with eczema don’t have a food allergy at all.

That’s why working with a doctor is so important. He can guide you toward the real cause through tests like:

Elimination diets. If your doctor thinks a food may be harmful, he may ask you not to give it to your kid for 10 to 14 days. Watch to see if it makes a difference.

Food challenges. After you’ve taken a food out of your child’s diet, your pediatrician might want you to add a small amount back in to see if it causes symptoms. He may want to do this in the office, just in case your child has a reaction.

Skin testing. A doctor can take an extract of the food and use it to scratch the skin lightly. If the area swells up, that could be an allergic reaction. However, it’s not always accurate.

Blood tests. RAST — a radioallergosorbent test — can check for special cells in the blood that signal specific food allergies. Again, it’s not always accurate. Other lab tests can check for cells that trigger swelling.

Tracking down a food trigger can take patience and detective work.

Be methodical. Only eliminate one food at a time. If you ban dairy and gluten at the same time and symptoms get better, you won’t know which one made the difference. Use a food diary to keep track of what you get rid of, and the changes that brings.

Move slowly. A positive skin test isn’t reason enough to cut out a food. Lots of kids test positive for foods that don’t really cause symptoms. Plus, if you get rid of too many foods, you could cut out nutrients your child needs to grow and develop. So for his sake and yours, be sure before you take a food from your child’s diet permanently. Work with your doctor.

Keep using other treatments. Even if you find a trigger food, getting rid of it may not make the rash disappear. Stick with the other things your doctor recommends — like skin ointments, lotions, and medicines. Continue to steer clear other allergens like dust mites, pollen, or pet dander, too.

Baby food Myths
10 Oct
Collaboration, Feeding, Plate it series, Recipes, Resources, Weaning Zone

Baby food Myths

Avoid These Popular Baby Food Misconceptions

Whether you are at the ready to start making your own homemade baby food, or you have a feeling that your baby is almost at the stage where solids can be introduced, the following myths will help you separate fact from fiction.

Myth #1: Rice cereal should be the first solid food introduced

Many parents (and doctors) believe that rice cereal is the ideal choice for first foods. It has just the right texture and taste to be easy for tiny mouths to swallow, and it is high in nutrients and fortified minerals too. While this cereal is definitely worth adding to the solid food list, there are a number of other foods that are equally good for first solids. Choose soft, hypoallergenic food that is not too strong in flavor, such as apple, sweet potato, pear or cereal. Remember to do the four day allergy test when introducing any new food.

Myth #2: Babies are a big risk for food allergies

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), only 8% of children under the age of six have shown signs to allergies, with only 2-5% listed with confirmed allergies. Still, to be safe, it is a good idea to only introduce allergenic foods at the age of three. The top allergens in foods include peanuts (whole or butter), egg whites, shellfish, fish and tree nuts (including cashews and walnuts). The best way to check for allergies or intolerances in infants is to use the 4 day wait rule with all food being introduced.

Myth #3: Babies only refuse foods they do not like

It’s no secret that babies can be fussy about foods, but rather than this being a taste thing, it is often simply a case of getting used to new foods. A study done by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State showed that parents should offer a food six to eight times before it is accepted by a baby. Ultimately, you know which foods are important for growth and development, and it is your job to help your baby learn to love those veggies from as early an age as possible.

Myth #4: Babies know what they should be eating

Some moms believe that babies and very small toddlers have a natural instinct for which foods they should be eating. Sadly, this is not true. A baby offered a variety of foods will not grab the healthy food – they will grab the most interesting looking food. Once babies are able to start feeding on its own, a good way to encourage healthy selection is to offer finger foods such as avocado, sweet potato wedges, mashed beans and fruit that they can choose from when feeding themselves.

Myth #5: Commercial food is better than homemade baby food

There is something about commercial food that makes you think it has to be better than regular food that the bigger members of the family put on the table each dinnertime. But in reality, with no clear idea of what goes into factory made food, regular fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and grains that are already found in your kitchen offer a far healthier option. Better still, making baby food is cheaper as well as convenient. A good guide to keeping textures safe and avoiding choking hazards is to start with a stewed, strained, creamy texture and slowly progress to pureed, chunky and then bite-size bits as your baby gets older and more adjusted to solid foods.

At the end of the day, feeding time may not ever be the easy, happy moments that baby food commercials make it out to be. But if you have a better idea of which foods to try, which to leave for another day and how to get through it all with minimal stress, you (and your little one) will be just fine.