Marilyn S. Espinosa

 How to sterilized baby bottles? It is very important to sterilized baby bottles, pacifier and other things used in preparation of baby formula. This is to make sure that they are all clean and free of unwanted bacteria and other microorganisms that may be harmful to baby’s health. There are many ways to sterilize baby bottles like using boiling water, steam sterilizer and chemical sterilizer. Do you have any idea how to sterilize baby bottles? Here’s the procedure how to sterilize baby bottles using boiling water. You just need dishwashing soap, dishwashing brush, tongs, large pan with lid, stove, timer, clean towel or drainer and clean water. Before sterilizing baby bottles, make sure that your hands are clean. Then, wash the insides and outsides of baby bottles, bottle lids, nipples, caps, rings or even pacifiers with warm soapy water. Use dishwashing brush to scrub around grooves in the neck of baby bottle to make sure that all traces of milk and food will remove. Use large pan with lid and pour baby bottles with enough water to cover baby bottles and boil. After 5 minutes of boiling, remove the pot from the heat. You can use tongs to remove baby bottles and drain in a clean towel or drainer. To sterilized baby bottles using steam sterilizer, you just need a steamer that is big enough to hold baby bottles and water. Pour water at the bottom of steamer and put baby bottles and other stuffs in a steamer basket and close. Boil the water and allow steamer to steam baby bottles for 5 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and use tong to removed sterilized baby bottles and dry in a clean drainer. This is how to sterilize bottles using chemical sterilizer. Chemical sterilizer is available in tablet or liquid form. Use a large container to hold baby bottles and other things to sterilize. The time and measurement of water and chemical should follow the instructions on the package. Remove sterilized baby bottles from the solution and dry. How to increase your milk supply? Are you breastfeeding your baby? Breastfeeding for the first few days will be uncomfortable because milk flow is not yet enough. After few days, you will have more and more than enough for your small baby. Infant consumes small amount of milk but frequently. When babies are bigger, they need more milk to satisfy their needs. That time, some mother may don’t have enough milk. You must do something to increase milk supply. There are some ways to increase your milk supply when breastfeeding. Drinking water, juice or other healthy liquids frequently will help a lot in increasing milk supply. It is recommended to drink at least 64 ounces of water a day to boost milk supply. You need to breastfeed or pump at least 8 to 12 times a day to achieve the strongest milk supply. It is important to offer your two breast when breastfeeding to ensure the proper balance of foremilk and hind milk. Breast compression can help utilize the good flow of milk and will encourage the baby to continue breastfeeding. Make sure that your breasts will be your baby’s first choice when he needs food or simple comfort. Avoid pacifiers and bottles to encourage the baby to breastfeed often. Don’t forget to breastfeed your baby at night because it can boost your milk supply. Try to relax when breastfeeding. It can contribute the good flow of your milk. Do you know that there are herbal remedies than can help increase breast milk supply? Mother’s milk tea promotes healthy lactation. Fenugreek capsules will help increase milk supply but you should consult your doctor before using it Do you know that oatmeal can also boost breast milk supply? Galactagogue is an herb prescription medication that can increase milk supply. There is no problem in your milk supply if baby is gaining weight well on breast milk alone. If you’re still worried about your milk supply, contact La Leche Legue Leader in your area or a board certified lactation consultant. How to make your own baby food? Are you tired of buying expensive baby foods? Are you concern of your baby’s health? Why don’t you make your own baby food at home? If you do so, you can save money. You can make sure and confident that your baby is getting healthy and fresh baby foods. Some baby foods manufacturer may add additives or preservatives to baby foods that they make to preserve them. They are not good to baby’s health. Babies aged between 4 and six months are ready to have some solid foods. In this stage, baby foods that made of fruits and vegetables are appropriate for them. Baby foods recipes with mango, pears, apples, avocado, apricot, banana, peach, papaya, plums, prunes, pumpkin, green beans, carrot, peas, sweet potato, squash, rice, oatmeal, barley, chicken and beef meat will be fine. Soft cooked, thinly pureed fruits and vegetables and baby cereals should be the first baby foods for your baby. Don’t you know that making baby food is fun and easier than you think? A saucepan, food processor and a blender is what you need to get started. Most fruits don’t need to cook. For example, mango, avocado and banana are soft fruits. Make sure to wash, peel, take off seeds and mashed it with fork. For vegetables like carrots, green beans, squash and sweet potato, they need to cook first and then pureed or blend using baby food maker. Clean thoroughly and take off inedible parts first. Try these simple but nutritious baby food recipes here http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/stage1_homemade_baby_food_recipes.htm#.Uykt7qJh0Sk. They have baby food recipes for fruits, vegetables, cereals, soups and meat. I checked this website and found great baby food recipes here http://www.parents.com/recipes/baby-food/make-your-own-baby-food/#page=2. You should try them and I’m sure your baby will love them. Most parents agreed that making your own baby food at home is the safest, affordable and best way to have best baby foods. The Best Organic Baby Formula There’s nothing compare in natural and the best milk for babies which is mother’s breast milk. There are times that a mother can’t breastfeed her baby so baby formula is the remedy. Baby formula is a food supplement especially made for babies and substitute for human milk. With the help of many researches, organic baby formula is produced. Organic baby formula is made of natural ingredients which are good for babies. Most mothers choose organic baby formula because they are safer compare to regular baby formula. Organic baby formula is more expensive than regular baby formula but baby can get more benefits with it. What is the best organic baby formula? As parent, we really want to give our baby only the best. There are so many organic baby formulas produced and available in the market today. Natures One is the leading company who provide chemical free baby formula. It does not contain dangerous chemicals like melamine or cyanuric acid. They have different choices like; dairy, soy, and lactose intolerant organic baby formula. Earth’s Best Organic Formula contains DHA and ARA which are good for baby’s eyes and brain. It is all natural and has no pesticides, steroids and growth hormones that can be found in non organic baby formula. Bright Beginnings Baby Formula has the recommended vitamins and nutritional values that contribute in baby’s growth. It has no pesticides, chemicals, growth hormones and other dangerous substances. Similac Advance Organic Infant Formula is one of many parents favorite. It has antioxidants and DHA and ARA for baby’s health. Vermont Organics is gluten free, free of harsh chemicals and contribute to baby’s health. If you’re looking for organic formula, make sure that it is certified organic by finding USDA organic logo. Use filtered water in mixing organic baby formula to avoid unwanted contaminants from tap water. Avoid the one that contains so many additives like sweeteners. Probiotics for Infants Our body is consists of bad and good bacteria and they should be balance to maintain healthy body. Some medication like antibiotics can disrupt this balancing. It can destroy the good bacteria and develop thrush and E. coli infections. Don’t worry; probiotics will introduce live bacterial cultures in your body. Probiotics will restore the balance of bad and good bacteria in our body. What if this happen to our baby? We all know that infant’s digestive system is not fully developed that’s why it is very weak. If gut microbes is disrupted, a baby may suffer from thrush and baby colic. What an inconvenience and uncomfortable! Poor baby! Foods with probiotics like cottage cheese, pickles, yoghurt can help supply friendly and good bacteria. Probiotics supplements may also help babies but it is better to consult your doctor first. Breastfeed babies are safer than formula feed babies. They are healthier compare to formula fed babies. Breast milk contains the first probiotics for infant and young babies. Babies who are formula feed are mostly encounter medical issues and need to boost their gut microbes so we have to think good how solve this. Probiotics capsules or powder may help but powdered probiotics is the best for children. Why you should give your baby probiotics? Your baby may have friendly and good bacteria but like adults they can have imbalance digestive system too. Are you wondering if probiotics for infants is safe? Infants and babies can take probiotics. There are some ways to give infant probiotics. It is by probiotic supplements or probiotics foods. If a baby is healthy and eating solid foods, you can give probiotics foods like probiotics yoghurt, fermented dairy drinks and others. You can give probiotics supplements if baby is unhealthy and in need of probiotics. Studies show that giving a baby with probiotics may provide health benefits.