Tag: baby
Great Little Trading Company
If you haven’t already discovered the wonderful Great Little Trading Company I recommend you have a look, even if it’s just to browse for inspiration through their selection of wonderful childhood items.
GLTC as they’re also known, sell the most beautiful quality products for babies and children from toys and games to children’s bedroom furniture and bedroom accessories.
I love their amazing selection of Toys and Gifts and they have a beautiful range of quality Baby and Toddler Toys that are built to last.
Development of Newborn Senses
Early Learning Activity Toys
SIGHT
Newborn’s can only see things close up, about 20cms away from them. So when your baby’s being held they’ll be able to see your face, which makes this close contact a great way to bond.
Contrasting colours such as black and white are great for newborns to look at. At around 2 months your baby can distinguish colours and will enjoy mobiles.
At 6 months, new faces and objects are catching your baby’s attention and at 8 months your baby’s vision will be fully developed.
TASTE
It’s no wonder babies like sweet tasting foods, milk is naturally sweet. From 3 months onwards your baby will probably try to put what they can into their mouth, and when teething starts this will heighten their desire to have a good chew on things!
HEARING
Your baby listened to your voice in utero so will recognise it when they’re born and associate this with comfort. Hearing isn’t properly developed when a baby is newborn. At around 1 month old they’ll react to loud noises. Babies learn to associate certain sounds with happy events, so it’s important to make singing and music a fun and special part of the day with your baby. Music is a wonderful way to soothe your baby and develop their hearing and sense of tone.
TOUCH
Touch is essential for babies, kisses and cuddles make your baby feel secure. Babies love to explore with their hands and when weaning, will often squash food before eating it to understand what it feels like. Toys and books with texture really encourage play and development.
SMELL
Newborns have a good sense of smell and will know your natural scent from birth. Babies find your natural scent comforting, so try not to wear any perfume or scented creams for the first few months so your baby can enjoy your natural scent. By the age of 1 your baby will be able to recognise foods by their smell.
For further baby sensory development and a great way to have fun with your baby, you can join a local Baby Sensory Class.
Pumpkin, Leek & Sprouting Broccoli Quiche
This recipe is for a vegetarian no pastry quiche with ricotta and sweet roasted pumpkin. It’s colourful, tasty and a great way for the family to get 2 of their 5 a day.
It’s packed full of healthy goodness and is versatile for families as it can be eaten at anytime of the day, hot or cold. I use organic vegetables as these taste better and are grown without chemicals.
As an alternative to sprouting broccoli, this quiche can be made with baby spinach.
Pumpkin, Leek & Sprouting Broccoli No Pastry Quiche
Serves 4
Preparation Time 10 minutes
Cooking Time 45 minutes
Ingredients
700g butternut pumpkin, peeled and cut into 2 cm pieces
Olive oil
1 leek, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
100g sprouting broccoli (or baby spinach leaves)
4 eggs
2 egg whites
60ml (1/4 cup) skim milk
80g (1/3 cup) fresh low-fat ricotta
1/3 cup fresh basil leaves
Mixed salad leaves, to serve
Preparation
Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C for fan ovens).
Line a large baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Place the pumpkin on the lined tray and spray with olive oil. Bake in oven for 25 minutes or until golden.
Chop the sprouting broccoli into 2 cm pieces. Place in a pan with water and boil for 2 minutes. Drain.
Heat a large non-stick frying pan with a little olive oil over medium heat. Add the leek and cook for 5 minutes or until soft, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute or until soft. Add the sprouting broccoli and stir for 1 minute (or if adding baby spinach, stir for 3 minutes or until the spinach wilts).
Line a 26cm x 16cm (base measurement) baking dish with non-stick baking paper. Spread the pumpkin and leek mixture evenly over the base of the pan.
Whisk the eggs, egg whites and milk in a jug. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the pumpkin and leek. Sprinkle the ricotta evenly over the vegetables.
Bake for 25 minutes or until puffed and golden. Sprinkle with basil.
Enjoy the quiche on its own or serve with mixed salad leaves.
