News

Baby cereal is the first food choice for many parents. It is a big step for your baby which can be introduced in your infant’s diet at 6 months. Although some parents start it at 4 months. Keep in mind that all babies develop at their own.

Cereal like rice, oatmeal or barley are the best at the beginning. Rice cereal is the most popular one. It's one of the single grain cereals that have been recommended for infants when they start on solid foods.It is a good idea to include grains other than rice so that your baby isn’t only eating rice cereal at every meal. If you little one can tolerate all the individual grains, you can move to fortified multigrain cereals.

Do not give your baby only rice porridge all the time. It can expose your baby to too high levels of arsenic. Instead of rice cereal, you can offer another single grain infant cereal such as oat or barley cereal.

If you have just started giving your baby cereal for the first time, feed you little one with spoon with small amount of porridge once or twice a day. So that you baby will be able to get used to this food. It is not recommended to feed your baby with cereal from the bottle unless your doctor says otherwise. Because it can cause the unnecessary calories – your baby can eat more food than she actually needs.

Fortified cereals are a good source for zinc and iron. They play a key role in developing immune system. Whole grain cereals also contain carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals that are very important for your baby’s healthy growth.

Most babies tolerate infant cereals well. Its creamy and smooth texture is the best for infants.

Before giving your baby a cereal always check all the ingredients, to be sure that it does not trigger allergic reaction. If you see that you baby has an allergy to some cereal, take it off the menu and contact your doctor.

Infant rice cereals tend to be a safe choice if you are concerned with possible allergies. Avoid introducing wheat or gluten containing cereals until your baby is a year, as more and more people are developing allergies to wheat and gluten. 

Infant cereals are the most convenient food. You can prepare it easily. It is really the best choice during your busy days. Many Holle and Hipp cereals you can find at our shop.

Use cereals that are specifically made for babies because they will be fortified with nutrients like iron and zinc that your baby needs.

In fact, baby cereal is an important source of nutrition for infants. It should be healthy and organic. Check our webpage for the best cereals from Europe https://www.b4ybaby.com/collections/holle-porridges

More blog posts on our Instagram page @best4yourbabyshop

It is very important to make the right food choice for your baby during the first year.  Your child need a variety of healthy food at the proper time. Moreover, you, as a parent, are responsible for starting good eating habits at such early stage for the whole life. Pay high attention to your baby’s daily feeding schedule and it will help you to avoid some of the fussiness associated with hunger.  

In addition, remember that every baby is different and unique, so they need individual amounts depending on body weight, appetite and age.

Here we would like to share with you typical feeding schedule (this is just the example; different babies have different paces and preferences, along with other factors that influence the frequency of feedings.)

Schedule is a task for every parent. That’s why it is important to know the hunger cues:

• smacking or licking their lips
• putting their hands in their mouth
• looking for a nipple

Once your baby is a few months old, you may be able to introduce a sleep and a feed schedule that works for you. It will help you to make everything organized. As a result, you will have more time to relax.

In general, if your baby seems hungry, feed them. Your baby will naturally eat more frequently during growth spurts, which typically occur around 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.

At 6 Months your baby is ready to start solid food, a good choice will be single grain baby cereal mixed with breast milk or formula. Keep in mind that solids are only a supplement at this stage, and that breast milk or formula is still your baby’s most important source of nutrition. You may be able to start weaning your baby off of night feedings.

7-9 Months is a good time to add a greater variety and quantity of solid foods to your baby’s diet. Purees of meats, vegetables and fruits are recommended at this stage. Your baby may slowly begin to wean off breastmilk or formula as her growing body needs solid foods for nutrition.

At 9-12 Months, most of the calories should come from solid food. Exploring new textures may now be a big part of your little one’s meals. Your baby’s feeding schedule can now include almost all the healthy and nutritious foods that you eat.

You can continue to nurse your baby if you wish. It is your choice. And there is no correct time to wean her off of breast milk. However, every baby is unique. And we recommend to speak to your baby’s pediatrician.

More blog posts on our Instagram page @best4yourbabyshop

When introducing solid food to babies, parents should keep an eye on food that can cause an allergy. This is especially important if somebody from your family had such a problem. That is why it is recommended to introduce babies to new food gradually, one at a time.  Because if you give your baby three or four new foods and you see that she has an allergy reaction, you won’t know which of the food provoked one. Each time you offer a new food, you should wait three to five days before adding another new item to the menu.

The most common food that can cause the allergy are:

• Cow’s milk
• Eggs
• Fish
• Peanuts
• Shellfish
• Soybeans
• Wheat
• Tree huts

You can introduce this food at a child's first year as a part of your baby’s diet, just like any other food. Just make sure you're doing it slowly. For the most part, parents don't need to worry too much about these allergies. If your baby appears to be allergic to a certain food, talk to your child's pediatrician.

You have probably wondered how can you tell that your baby has a food allergy. Watch your baby and pay high attention to symptoms and signs of such reaction:

• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Sore, red and itchy eyes
• Blocked or runny nose
• Itchy skin or rash
• Swollen lips and throat
• A cough
• Wheezing and shortness of breath
• Itchy throat and tongue

Some allergies go away with time. Egg and milk allergies often go away as children get older, but peanut, tree nut, and shellfish allergies tend to persist. If there is a family food allergies, your baby has an increased risk of also developing it. Never give your child any medication without checking in first with your child’s doctor.

Having a baby with food allergies can be scary. As a parent, be always prepared. Pay high attention to signs and symptoms of allergic reactions. And always talk with your doctor and take steps to manage your baby’s allergy.

More blog posts on our Instagram page @best4yourbabyshop

Introducing solid food to your infant is one of the most important part of your baby’s first year. It is a big step for you and your baby. Giving their first taste of solid food is an exciting milestone, which you should start when your infant is around 4 and 6 months old. However, remember that every child is different. Therefore, it is important to look at the signs that your baby is developmentally ready. Look at the following clues:

• Your baby can sit
• Your infant can hold up the head
• Your little one shows the interest to table food
• Your child is able to open the mouth wide

If your baby is ready, check with pediatrician and start supplementing your baby’s diet.

In the beginning, your baby will only need a small amount of food before her usual feed. She may not know what to do at first. That is why introducing solids is more about getting her used to chewing and swallowing food. So let us have a look at more tips that help your baby discover solids:

• Choose the right time. The perfect time is the time that works the best for both of you. Start with one meal per day, then move up to two.
• During feedings, talk to your baby and help her through the process.
• Your baby should be in good mood.
• No need to rush. Give yourself and your baby lot of time for feedings. You will need it. Understand that starting solids takes time.
• Let your baby enjoy touching and holding the food.
• Show your baby how you eat. Babies copy their parents and other children.
• Do not worry about portion.
• Pay attention to rejection. If your baby reject new food, try it again another day.
• It is very important to know when it is time to stop feeding.

Most parents start by giving their baby single ingredient food without salt or sugar.  The texture of the first food should be super smooth.

Here are good first food to start with:

• If you decided to start with cereal, choose whole-grain oat or whole-grain barley. To start with, mix a small amount of baby cereal with formula or breastmilk. Introduce only one food at time.
• Start with sweet potato or carrot. Then try peas or beans, which have stronger flavors. If your baby reject what you give her, try again the next day.
• You can start with mashed banana, apple or peach purees. For something different, try avocado. It is creamy and yummy.

After introducing this first food, you may add minced meat (chicken, lamb, turkey or beef), mashed eggs, yoghurt or cheese. It will make it different. Moreover, your baby will get used to other food.

There are no fast rules for a baby’s first solid food. It is important to offer a variety of fruits, vegetables and meat in any order. Your baby is getting used to different tastes.

You also shouldn't give your baby foods that won't dissolve in the mouth or can't be mashed with the gums. You should avoid giving infants honey, cow’s milk, nuts, seeds, raisins, hard candy, grapes, hard raw vegetables, popcorn and peanut butter. (In our next blog post, we will talk more about these food allergies.)

To sum up, remember that your baby will need time to get used to each new food’s taste, texture, and sensation. Enjoy your little one’s sticky face and hands. You are both building the foundation for a healthy food for the whole life.

More blog posts on our Instagram page @best4yourbabyshop

Babies cry a lot. Sometimes the reason is obvious: baby is wet, wants to eat or needs more mum’s attention. For new parents figuring it out can be challenging. Moreover, to stop it is not a simple process. That is why it is so important to soothe and calm a baby.

So, let us have a look at the most common reasons why your baby is crying:

• Your baby is hungry. Newborns take food from 8-12 times a day. Look at your baby and check the signs: lip smacking, taking hands to the mouth.
• Your baby is gassy. Burp your baby after every feeding to relieve gas.
• Your baby is wet. Always check the diaper. In the first months, you need to change the diapers a lot.
• Your baby is cold or hot. Dress your newborn in the same way as you are.
• Your baby is sick. Check your baby’s temperature and talk to your pediatrician.
• Your baby is colicky. Contact your doctor if your baby is fussy after feedings.
• Your baby is bored. Walk a lot with your baby, sing her a song, or just go from one room to another.

Crying is completely normal for a baby. Once you know the obvious reason, let us check a few tips how to make your baby feel comfort and calm. It may take time, but with your practice and patience, you will do it perfectly.

• Swaddle your baby. It helps to soothe a baby quickly because it makes a cozy feeling and newborn sleeps longer. Be sure that your baby is on their back.
• Turn on the white noise. It may remind your baby being inside the womb. Turn on a calming sound.
• Give a pacifier. Babies have a strong sucking reflex. That is why a pacifier can calm your baby.
• Take a ride. Walking is a great way to soothe your baby. She gets used to a lot of motion. Put your baby in a swing or use a rocking chair. You can also use a sling, your baby enjoy the feeling of closeness.
• Give a massage. Many babies love the skin-to-skin contact. It is a great way to calm your crying baby and they will sleep much better.
• Give a burp. A crying baby can get a lot of air. Burp them with gentle thumps on their back.
• Bath time routine. If your baby adores bath time, fill up the tub with warm water. It will calm your baby.
• Have fun with your baby. Your baby can get bored, so keep your baby entertained. Play on the floor with your baby, show her toys, read a book, turn on the music or dance.

If you are tired, and nothing worked, a call to your pediatrician will be a great idea. Sometimes it helps to hear from the professional that you are doing everything perfect and follow their advices.

Try to be patient. It is normal to feel upset or angry. Nevertheless, remember that keeping your baby safe is the most important thing.

More blog posts on our Instagram page @best4yourbabyshop

Most babies have a strong sucking reflex from birth. Some babies even suck their fingers for soothing effect. That’s why introducing pacifiers to babies can make them feel comfortable and calm. Nevertheless, are they really good for your baby? Here is a look at the benefits and risks of pacifiers.

Pacifiers can do for your baby some of the good things. Let us have a look at the advantages of it:

• Satisfy the suck reflex. Some babies are very happy when they are sucking. Bottle or the breast usually meets a natural need of sucking, but the baby may need it after the belly is full. A pacifier can help. 
• Encourage the baby to self-soothe. Pacifiers can help babies to control their feelings. They feel relaxed. They can help your baby to fall asleep faster. Babies learn how to fall asleep on their own. 
• Lower risk of SIDS. A pacifier can save your baby’s life. It is recommended at naptime and bedtime because it may help to protect babies from sudden infant death syndrome. 
• May help you during flights. Pacifiers are helpful during travelling on the airplane. It can relieve painful pressure in the middle ear. 
• Temporary distraction. A pacifier may help parents during blood tests or other procedures. Many parents rely on them to calm a crying baby down quickly. 

 Pacifiers can also present some downsides. So now, let us have a look at it:

• Ears infections. This is not a case before 6 months, when the ear infection is at its lowest. Still it may cause it later.
• Dental problems. Be sure that your baby does not use pacifiers too long. In the first 2 years, it is normal. 
• Become dependent. If your baby is using a pacifier to sleep, you may hear crying spells at night when it falls out of your baby’s mouth.
• Might disrupt breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding, wait 3-4 weeks and then introduce your baby a pacifier. That way, your baby won't start to prefer pacifiers over the nipple. 

However, if you decided to give your baby a pacifier, keep these tips in mind:

• Give your baby a pacifier when you put her in her crib.
• Never attach a pacifier to a crib, carriage or a stroller.
• Keep it clean.
• If your baby's not interested in the pacifier, don't force it.
• Don't put sweet substances on the pacifier.
• Be sure your child isn’t hungry before offering a pacifier.
• Never use a bottle nipple as a pacifier. 

If a pacifier works for you and your baby, do not hesitate to use it. When your baby seems to need a relief – give it to her. However, remember that every child is different with its needs and abilities.

More blog posts on our Instagram page @best4yourbabyshop

Many parents, who have decided to feed their newborns with formula, raise an important question: what is the best water to make baby formula?

All water looks the same, but there are several types of it that have their own benefits and drawbacks. Therefore, in this article, we will try to give you all information to be sure that the water you use to make baby formula is safe for your infant. 

Types of Water you can use:

Baby Bottled Water is a safe option. Such water is only purified for baby’s consumption. However, always check the quality, to be sure that you give your baby the best one.

If your water is unsafe or you are not at home, the use of bottled water will be the easiest option. Any water that is low in fluoride or it has been purified is good for making infant formula. However, you should still sterilize it by boiling, unless it’s distilled.

Tap water is not recommended to use in baby formula. Nevertheless, there are places that have extremely pure water, and this can be used. 

Although many parents choose it for preparing infant formula and they heat such water to 158 degrees F (70 degrees C). This option is much more economical than bottled water. 

Distilled Water is good for use in baby formula. It has gone through purification and it could be the safest water for making infant formula. It does not contain any nutrients, but your baby will get all they need. 

If your water contains a high level of fluoride, make sure how much you are using for baby formula.  This is because excessive fluoride intake can lead to fluorosis. This can be highly unsafe for the little one. Too many minerals are also something that you need to watch out for. Still it is a point worth discussing. If your tap water has fluoride, you can use distilled boiled water a few times a day instead to balance it. If you’re still worried about fluoride, check with your doctor about alternating tap water and low fluoride bottled water or only using bottled water.

Which water should you avoid?

In some parts of the United States, families drink water from wells. Many of them are private and are not checked by inspectors. This means that they may contain higher levels of minerals that are not allowed. 

Wells can contain toxins and bacteria that are not safe for making baby formula. It may contains iron and nitrates, which you can’t boil away. Such water should be tested regularly. If you are not sure in its safety, avoid using it in making baby formula. 

As we already mentioned, high level of fluoride can lead to problems in your baby. You need to figure out the fluoride content in the water. If this is less than 0.7/ mg/L, then you are good to go. 

It is very important that the water you use to prepare baby formula is clean and pure and is safe for infants. If you use the boiled water, you can be sure that all bacteria are killed. However, when you boil water, make sure that you are cooling the water to make baby formula.

Choose the best water to make the best organic European infant formula from https://www.b4ybaby.com/collections/all

More blog posts on our Instagram page @best4yourbabyshop

Many babies are attached to their bottles not only because it is their food, but also because it is their comfort. It does not matter whether you are breastfeeding, bottle-feeding or a combination of two.

Some day you will ask yourself a question: When and how should I wean my baby from a bottle? In this article, we will try to help you to sort it all out.

It is very important for parents to start weaning their babies from bottle around the 1 year and start giving them a cup (complete weaning from a bottle is recommended by 18 months). Such switch could be a challenge. But once you think your child is ready these tips may help you to smooth the transition.

• Gradual weaning

This phase works the best and takes around the month. Start with the mid-morning or mid-afternoon feedings. You should decrease the offered bottles and replace them with cups. Keep the bottle out of sight. Let your baby choose the best cup for him or try a nice straw. Do not begin the transition when your baby is sick, tired or hungry. Do such moment wisely.

• Cold Turkey

Sudden transition can be painful for everyone, but it can be the most effective method. Talk with your child about that before. Take them to a store and pick with them such cup that they like the most. Make it a big deal! Tell your baby about a week before that he is a big boy and now he does not need a bottle. Remove the bottle from your house (out of sight, out of mind). Offer your baby a reward (some snack that he loves). You may deal with a fuss one or two days. Be patient!

Once you started weaning, give your baby extra love from you: more playtime together or more hugs. This will help them to do the transition more easily.

If your baby is sitting in a high chair, you may also offer to take formula or breastmilk from a cup. Tell him that he is going to do it like his mommy. Babies like to do what you do. This will help him to get used to eat at the table.

Finally, remember that every baby is unique, and these tips may not work with your baby. You may have a strategy that is much better for your baby. Share with us.

More blog posts on our Instagram page @best4yourbabyshop

Do you agree that the most difficult thing in motherhood is night feeding? Once you’ve got a baby, your nights will never be the same!

Nevertheless, no worries we have tips to help you with this and make it just a little easier.

1. Keep the lights low

Keep the room as dark and quite as possible, when your baby wakes to nurse. It helps them to fall asleep again. Do not turn a bright light if you need to see or find something, use nightlight or flashlight. No phones or devices at night.

2. Listen

Babies can sleep very noisy. They snort and whimper during the sleep. Just listen first to see if they need you to tend to them.

3. Be organized and prepared

Before you go to bed, prepare everything what you will need during the night feedings. The more organized you are, the faster you will fall asleep. Think what you will need and keep it close at hand.

4. Nap when it is possible during the day

Sleep when your baby sleeps. Everyone says it - because it is true. Rest as much as possible during the day. Even ask your partner to spent time with baby while you will have some time to rest.

5. Find a comfortable position and stay close

Try to feed your baby in horizontal position. In this way, you can have some rest. As well you can keep your baby close at night.

6. Hide the clock

Do not watch your bedside clock. It somehow makes it worse to know how much time you slept.

7. Easy cleanup

Keep some dry towels near the bed. They can help you to stay dry and comfortable.

8. Do not talk

Keep the room quiet and try not to talk. Baby need to understand that nighttime is not time for playing. Make thing as boring as possible. Moreover, try to skip diaper changes if possible. Because it can really wake them up.

9. Ask for night feedings help

Do not be afraid to ask for help during the early weeks. If your baby takes a bottle, your partner can help you with night feeding. So you can sleep longer.

Nighttime feeding are very important. Not only for newborn, but also for you.

Remember that newborn period lasts only few months. Hug your baby and watch how she grows. And until then, keep working on your own tips that help you to get enough rest.

More blog posts on our Instagram page @best4yourbabyshop

You know that every baby is different. How often and how much you should feed your baby depends on your infant’s needs: age, weight and healthy growth. But there are some basic guidelines that can help you to feed your little one.

Normally babies eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full. So it’s very important to pay attention to your baby’s hunger cues.

Signals of hunger cues are:

• Baby is putting her hands to the mouth
• Baby is opening her mouth or smacking lips
• Rooting or sucking
• Crying

If your baby finishes the feeding quickly and is looking around – that means that she wants more. During the growth spurts, your baby may be hungrier than usual.

Here are some general tips which can help you to figure out how much formula your baby need and how often you should feed your infant.

Remember that your newborn’s belly is tiny. So they do not need so much formula to be full. You can start with 1 or 2 ounces in the first days if your baby is only formula-fed. Give more if they show hunger signals. And remember that most newborns need food 8-12 times in 24 hours.

Every day your baby will be getting older and will need more formula – so time between feedings will be longer. They will take what they need. From 6 to 12 months your baby should be feed with formula or solid food about 5-6 times per day.

Here are typical amounts on age per feed:

• The first week: 1 to 2 ounces
• By 2 weeks: 2 to 3 ounces
• From 2 to 4 weeks: 2 to 4 ounces
• By 1 month: 4 ounces
• By 2 months: 4 to 5 ounces
• By 4 months: 4 to 6 ounces
• By 6 months: 6 to 8 ounces

When your baby is 12 months old you can switch them to cow’s milk. But do this gradually. But if you still want to feed them with formula we have wide range on our website www.b4ybaby.com

Also, to help you we have a feeding chart depending on different baby formula brands. Press here to see it.

Always pay attention to the signals:

• Happy baby
• Steady weight gain
• Wet diapers

So you will be sure that your baby gets the right amount of formula.

But is your baby is vomiting or tummy pain after a feeding that may be a sign that she got too much. And remember that spitting up is normal.

If you still worry about that – talk to your doctor.

Now many people are looking for alternatives and wondering whether glass baby bottles are safer and better alternative than plastic. However, some parents prefer glass bottles over plastic, and there are many reasons that make it the right fit. Deciding whether to buy glass bottle or plastic can be difficult for every mom.  Let’s talk about it in details!

Here are few benefits of glass bottle:

• No chemicals. You do not need to worry about chemicals. Glass bottle maintains the purity of the liquid taste.
• Easy to clean. They are much easier to clean than plastic. You can always see when the glass is clean or dirty, compared to plastic.
• Perfect sanitization. You can heat the glass to higher temperatures without any worries.
• Glass bottles are more durable than plastic one.

Now let’s check the main disadvantages of glass bottle:

• Glass bottles are heavier than plastic. The weight of such bottle can make it difficult for your baby to hold.
• More expensive. Glass bottles are more expensive because the material is more costly. However, it is really worth to make such an investment.

Do not panic when you hear the word glass and baby. Modern glass bottles are safer than they were many year ago. Most of them are made of tempered glass, which is very hard to break. Many of glass bottles have silicone covering which prevent them from slipping out of hands.

Let’s check the benefits of plastic bottle:

• Plastic bottles are easier for baby to grip and hold on.
• Less expensive. Plastic bottles are cheaper than glass one. They are less expensive to produce. Always check the quality and buy the brands, which you can trust.
• Won’t break. No need to worry about shattered glass.
• Widely available. You can find plastic bottles at many stores and supermarkets.

Disadvantages of plastic bottles are:

• Plastic bottles contain chemicals. Be careful buying the cheapest models, as they can be made with unsafe chemicals.
• More difficult to clean. Small scratches on plastic bottles can also attract bacteria. Moreover, it makes cleaning difficult.
• Absorbs odors. Over time, plastic can absorb odors.
• Less durable. Plastic do not last as long as glass. They are eventually wear down.

There are many choices when it comes to baby bottles. However, always remember to check the quality and choose a brand, which you can trust. After looking advantages and disadvantages of each bottle, you can decide which bottle to choose: plastic or glass one.

Breastmilk provides all needed nutrients for your baby development. Its composition is specially adapted to infant’s healthy growth.

Breastfed babies have good bacteria in high level at their digestive system. These bioactive compounds found in human breastmilk promote the maturation of immune system and protect against different infections.

Probiotics and prebiotics have recently been added to infant formula in Europe and other countries. The purpose of its supplementation is to mimic functional effect of bacteria and oligosaccharides found in breastmilk. So, let us find out what are probiotics and prebiotics.

• Probiotics are live bacteria and microorganisms which improve digestive system, promote general heath and increase the immune system. Probiotics help to push the food through your intestine and in this way keep your baby’s digestive tract healthy.

It was shown by some researches that probitics can help with bowel disease, diarrhea, eczema and colic. However, there are many stains of probiotics and only a small amount has proven benefits. In formula-fed babies these probiotics promote a balance of bacteria in your baby’s gut. It should be pointed that a large number of infant formula available on the market contain probiotics.  

• Prebiotics and non-digestible ingredients that promote the growth of probiotics in the intestinal tract. They are found in human breastmilk, bananas, onion, garlic, wheat and others.

Prebiotics in infant formulas are based on oligosaccharides. They are stimulating the growth of main probiotics: lactobacillus and bifidobacteria.

However, regular milk that is used in infant formula cannot shape immune system as human milk does. So remember that the process of building a healthy gut microbiome start from birth and continue through childhood.  

Before giving your baby infant formula with probiotics and prebiotics, consult with your pediatrician.