Your baby and sun

Some parents are afraid to expose their babies to the sun, but guess what?

Actually sun is very good for babies, so they can get enough vitamin D for bones and immunity. Just get the babies out in the sunshine for a few minutes each day, let's say about 5 mins or so each day. All of my family do this until the baby is about 1 year old.

Especially for dark skin babies, they may require a little more vitamin D, because their darker skin makes it harder to absorb the sun's rays.

Your baby & bathing

Is it true that your baby does not have to bathe everyday?

Yup! 

In fact, it's recommended only 2 or 3 times a week to help reduce the eczema risk. Simply you can use a big plastic baby bath, the bathroom basin or kitchen sink. But baby baths becomes so heavy when filled with even the small amount of water. So decide where you're going to bath your baby with eye to filling and emptying the tub. Try to minimize bending.

If you want to get the baby get to used to being in the full sized bath, it's an idea to put the baby in the bath in it for a while  you make the transition. This makes the inevitable splashing easier to cope with, too.

Source: The Choice Guide to Baby Products. The Buying Guide for Parents. 12th ed. 
By Choice

dodgy testimonials?

Recently, the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) has taken action against companies who post a dubious testimonials. Here is what James Thomson wrote:

ACCC says companies are responsible for dodgy testimonials posted on their social media pages. (Source)

 

My baby is crawling everywhere. Should I be worried about hygiene?

It's a challange when your baby putting everything that he/she finds into their mouth. So it's the best way is to prevent them putting dirt or any other things into their mouth. But when at home, as long as you keep the floors moderately clean, a little bit of dirt won't hurt the baby, but it can help to build up immunity againts infection. In fact, according to research, the baby may be less likely suffer chronic problems with asthma and allergies later in life when they got a few cold now rather that later. If you worried, try to use safe cleaning products rather than toxic  bleaches. And also can cover the playing area with wipeable piece of sheeting or blanket  in the garden/park. This can bring you a piece of mind.


Source: Ask a parenting Expert. By. Dr. C. Halsey

Boring with water? Try infused waters

Sometimes we got bored to drinking only plain water, now there is another way to spoil ourself especially for mum who gives breastfeeding. It's called Infused Waters. 
Here is a cool idea that you can make it your own.


Citrus Refresher

• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• 1lime, thinly sliced
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 1.5 lt water

How to:

• Put the sliced fruit and water in a large jug
• Cover and chill overnight. Stir before serving

Source: Your Feeding Questions Answered. By A. Karmel.

Woman & Multivitamins

Great News Ladies!
According to a new study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, women who take a daily multivitamin may have a reduces risk of heart attacks!
It investigated the association between multivitamin use and heart attack in a population of over 30,000 Swedish women between 49 and 83 years old.
In women with has no history of cardiovascular disease, there was a 27% lower risk of heart attack in women using multivitamins as compared to those using no multivitamins.
Well, apparently, this association was stronger in those using multivitamins for more than 5 years!


Source: Go Vita Health Magazine.  Issue 21, 2011

Welcome!

Welcome everyone to iBAMBINO Blog!
I'm so happy to have you here, and look forward to keeping in touch with all parents out there.
Our Baby Blog contains a collection of  tips, advice, and some recipes to inspire you and your baby/toddler (whole family) to stay healthier.

I hope you enjoy iBAMBINO blog.

Sincerely,
Rina Harris
iBAMBINO


PS:  If you have any questions and/or any suggestions, please don’t hesitate to drop me an email at i.bambino@live.com
Your opinions are valued to us. 
Thank you in advance and have a lovely day. ;-)

New Mum Must Haves!

Here are some list will help mum to be for baby's arrival.

Clothing

• 12- 24 Clothes Hangers
• 6 - 9 Newborn Body Suits
• 8 - 12 Medium Body Suits
• 8 - 12 Large Body Suits
• Socks
• 3 -6 Blankets
• 4 Cap & Booty Sets
• 5 - 8 Rompers
• Bibs
• Sleeping Bags

Feeding

• 4 - 6 Feeding Bottles
• Feeding Kit
• Bottle warmer
• Bottle Steriliser
• Bottle brush
• Bottle Drying Pack
• Breast pad
• Breast Pump
• Breast Cream
• Comforter
• Rattles
• Teethers

Nappies

• Nappies
• Nappies bag
• Travel Wipes
• Baby changing Mat

Safety

• Baby monitor
• Safety Gates
• Sleep Positioners

Baby Care

• First Aid Kit
• Baby Mittens
• Baby Grooming Kit
• Digital Thermometer
• Ear Thermometer

Bath

• Wash Cloths
• Baby Bath Tub
• Hooded Bath Towels
• Bath Toys
• Bath Aid

Toiletries

• Body Wash
• Baby Shampoo
• Baby Soap
• Baby Lotion
• Baby Oil
• Baby Wipes
• Rash Cream
• Cotton Balls

Nursery Furniture

• Changing Table
• Cot
• Gliding Chair

Bedding

• Muslin Wraps
• Blankets
• Rug
• Cot Bedding Set
• Cot Net & Stand
• Lamp/Night Light
• Wall Hanging
• Fitted Cot Sheets
• Changing Table Pad

Mattresses

• Bassinet Mattress
• Cot Mattress

Walkers/Swings

• Travel Swing
• Jumper
• Mobile walker
• Baby Carrier
• Bouncer

Baby Toys

• Activity Toys
• Toy Box
• Baby Gym
• Books
• Playmats
• Cot Toys

High Chair

• High Chair
• Booster Set

Storage

• Storage Boxes
• Clothing Hangers
• Hampers

Strollers

• Stroller Toys
• Stroller Blanket
• Umbrella 
• 3 or 4 Wheel Travel Stroller
• Rain Cover
• Sun Cover
• Head & Neck Support 

Car Seat

• Baby Car Seat
• Booster Car Seat
• Convertible Car Seat
• Head Support Pad
• Strap Pad
• Car Seat Toys
• Car Seat Protector
• Booster Harness

Mum to Be Essentials

• Body Pillow
• Nursing Bra
• Maternity Briefs
• Maternity Legging
• Maternity Nursing Nighties
• Bump Stretch Dress
• Belly Belt

Baby vegetable pasta

Suitable from 8 mths
Makes 4 portions
Preparation Time: 10 mins / Cooking Time: 9 mins
Suitable for freezing

Ingredients:

• 50 g baby shell pasta
• 10 g butter
• 50 g onion, finely chopped
• 30 g carrot, finely diced
• 30 g red pepper, finely diced
• 30 g frozen sweetcorn
• 30 g frozen peas
• 10 g plain flour
• 250 ml vegetable stock
• 2 tbsp basil, chopped
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 30 g permesan cheese, grated

How to:

• cook the pasta according to the packet and drain.
• melt the butter in a saucepan. Add onion, carrot and pepper, cover with a lid and saute for 10 mins until nearly soft. Add the sweetcorn and peas and saute for 2 mins. Add the flour, then add the stock, stirring until thickened.
• Simmer for 3 mins, then add the basil, lemon, juice and permesan.
• Stir in the drained pasta.

Yum Yum Yum ;-)

Tomato, Sweet Potato and Cheese Sauce with pasta shells

This yummy pasta is suitable from 7 mths
Makes 6 portions
Preparation Time: 10 mins/ Cooking Time: 30 mins
Sauce suitable for freezing
Source: Top 100 Pasta Dishes. By: A. Karmel


Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 225 g sweet potato, peeled and chopped
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced 
• 1 x 400 g can chopped tomatoes
• 200 ml vegetable stock or water
• 100 g organic baby shell pasta
• 60 g cheddar cheese, grated

How to:

• Heat the oil in saucepan and saute the onion for about 4 mins until softened. Add the garlic and saute for 1 more min. Stir the sweet potato and carrots, then stir in the tomatoes and vegetable stock or water. Bring to the boil, stirring, the cover the pan and simmer for about 30 min until the vegetables are tender.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the instruction on the packet. Drain.
• Once cooked, allow the sauce to cool slightly, then blend the sauce to a puree and stir in the cheese until melted. Mix the drained pasta with the sauce.

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. By Amy Chua

After I watched ACA last night about "Proper parenting or wrongly raised?" with Amy Chua, it raised my childhood memory. My dad was so strict with us. What's her secret, her methods, and her expectations were exactly the same as what my dad did! Oh My Goodness, I can't believe it but it's true! 

I am Asian and grew up in a hectic Jakarta, Indonesia. The importance of academic achievement is very important for my parents. However, I have lived in Australia now and I do appreciate the beauty of the parent-children relationship in this culture that I never experienced as a child.

Here are some her stories from her book, "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother". By Amy Chua.

Her secret: no playdates, no sleepover, no TV or computer games, no school plays, no unnecessary extracurricular activities

Her expectations: No grade below A, perfect performance on the piano or violin, be on top of all classes except gym and drama.

Her methods: 3 hours of music practice each day, work, practice, drill 10 times as long as Western parents

Her reward: it works!

But let us take a look further as to how she compares these 2 parenting models:

“Western” model	“Chinese” model
Kids should have fun in learning, thus stressing on getting good grades is not good	Kids are “ordered” to get straight A’s; academically successful kids come from successful parenting
Parents are politically correct when criticizing (e.g. “you tried your best”)	Parents use direct, tough language when criticizing (e.g. “you are lazy/worthless/a disgrace”)
Parents worry about kids’ self-esteem, assume fragility, tend to reassure	Parents do not worry about kids’ psyche, assume strength, expect perfection
Kids do not owe their parents anything	Kids are forever indebted to their parents
Kids are encouraged to be individuals, make their choices and pursue their interest	Kids’ desires and preferences are overridden because parents know what is best for their kids

During those childhood days, I was complaining why I can't be what I want, why do I always need to follow what dad said, why this ... why that...????? 

My dad always said to me, 1 day when I grow up, I will understand what he meant!

Honestly, I don't regret it at all now. I'm very happy what I achieved now. 

Well, both of the parenting models has its pros and cons and of course every parent loves their kids just as much. They just show it in different ways.