Free Pan-African Calendar (2008)

Dressing Your Newborn In the beginning buy only the basics. You will receive lots of gifts. Use them first. Besides, babies grow out of their clothes quickly so don't waste money. Always use a bib when feeding your baby. You won't need to change the baby's shirt as often (plus there will be less stains on the clothing). Purchase a baby sling (or add to your list at baby registry) This is a hands free type of sling, which holds baby next to your upper body, where baby is happiest. Bathing a Newborn Never, ever, ever leave your baby unattended in a bathtub or near water even for a second. Always close the door to prevent drafts. Be prepared. Get all the supplies that you will need before you even undress your baby. Never leave them in the tub for even a second.. Breastfeeding When breastfeeding your body needs plenty of liquids. You should drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. You need extra calories too. When breastfeeding you at least 2400 calories per day. Make sure the food has nutritional value too.. Important Don't wait until the last minute to prepare for the babies arrival. Sometimes they come early. So, prepare the baby's clothing, basinet and diaper bag at least two or three weeks before your due date, in case your baby arrives early. Pack your suitcase (for the hospital) early, just in case. Before baby arrives, get as much rest as you can.

Breastfeeding was the norm for humanity since our initial appearance on the planet. Until the our era (roughly with the advent of the 20th century) no one would have considered any other form of providing sustenance for an infant. There are many factors for this...first it is readily available, as long as the mother is reasonably healthy. (The health of the mother is obviously important as she must add weight to produce the milk and any bio-chemical health problems she might have can be transferred to the child.)

See Return to Breastfeeding Would Benefit Africa's Children and Families

Mother's milk is an excellent source of carbohydrates and proteins. The milk of human females provides three kinds of proteins, and the protein forms are specifically designed for a human infant's digestive system and thus is easier for the infant to digest than cow's milk. Human infants fed mother's milk have less difficulty evacuating and suffer less occurences of constipation

Mother's milk is preferrable to the milk of cows or other animal milk, such as goats, as these milks are biologically designed for bovine infants and goat babies, not human infants. There are also storage problems involved with non-human milk in many impoverished areas of the world.

Mother's milk is also superior to the many retail formula concoctions available today. (See World Campaign Against Nestlé)

Soy based and similar non-animal options are also less beneficial to the development of the infant.

An added benefit of breast-feeding is the economic savings involved. It is cheaper than formula feeding and reduces health problems in the child, thus health care cost are also reduced.

Studies have shown that breast-feeding bestows many health benefits on the child including a reduction of the likelihood of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, diabetes, high cholesterol and others maladies. Breast-feeding strengthens the baby's immune system helping the child fight out infection. It has also been shown to be an effective bar to many allergies,.bronchiolitis, specific respiratory diseases,: gastroenteritis, asthma among other ailments.

Breast-feeding is also a tremendous bonding agent for the mother and infant. This has a positive social psychological impact on both and the family in general.

World Campaign Against Nestlé

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nation Childrens Fund say that reversing the decline in breastfeeding could save 1.5 million lives every year. Nestlé aggressively promotes artificial infant feeding around the world, undermining breastfeeding and breaking the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. Nestlé makes a profit while others count the cost. Boycott Nescafé until Nestlé agrees to fully abide by WHO Internatianal Code and Regulations

Visit our Women's page and find a baby name.

Family values -- amazing YouTube videos that demonstrate the potential that exist in our community.

When they're ready for solid foods

Once your baby is ready to eat solid foods there is no reason to assume that the dishes have to be bland. Of course you would not want to prepare a meal with habanero peppers and crushed cashews, but you can make some tasty little meals for your precious child. Many familiar seasons and spices such as vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, oregano, black pepper, basil, rosemary, dill, garlic powder, mint can safely be added to your homemade baby foods. Unlike salt and sugar, these additions do not pose a risk to a baby. We cite a few recipes from wholesomebabyfood.com to demonstrate the wide variety of prepared meals:

• Apple(Sauce) with cinnamon
• Pears with Ginger and vanilla
• Bananas with ginger
• Plain Yogurt with mint
• Sweet potato with nutmeg, cinnamon and/or cardamom
• Pumpkin with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and dash of vanilla
• Chicken with cinnamon and/or coriander
• Chicken with garlic powder and basil Carrots with basil & garlic - baked cinnamon carrots are yummy too!
• Green beans with garlic powder
• Mashed potatoes(white) with dill weed or garlic
• Pasta with wee dab of butter and oregano and/or basil
• Oatmeal or other cereals with fruits and cinnamon & nutmeg, dash of vanilla
• Rice Pudding/Custards with cinnamon, nutmeg, dash of vanilla, cardamom, ginger

Click here: Wholesome Baby Food to read more from the wholesomebabyfood.com site

As this site points out, many people believe that ginger soothes stomach problems. As does cinnamon, which is also believed to be useful in coping with diarrhea, and possibly has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial characteristics. Garlic is believed to act an anti-biotic agent and a aid to controlling, blood pressure. Coriander helps with digestive gas and is an appetite stimulant. Dill can be helpful in coping with hiccups, colic and digestive troubles * Mint is an aid for digestion and helps resolve respiratory problems.

Take a look at two of their other articles: Tip for feeding baby his/her first solids and Freezing Baby Food Questions.

We would recommend the article Solid Advice on Introducing Your Baby to Solid Foods and suggest that you also read Nourishing a Growing Baby.

Visit our Recipe page to learn more about homemade baby food.