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By Sabine on 23 March 2011
Holle’s new weaning supplement for babies, the all natural Baby Weaning Oil, is now back in stock.
Since we launched the product here in the UK we have been really pleased with how well the weaning oil has been received by customers old and new. The initial stock we held for the launch was quickly depleted and we have managed to get hold of a more substantial amount – which is already selling well.
If you were waiting for the oil to arrive, thank you for your patience and understanding.
By Sabine on 30 October 2010
We all know that harsh autumn and winter weather takes its toll on a baby’s delicate skin – chapped lips, sore noses and wind-swept cheeks are all too common. And those in the know are forecasting another long British winter to come. As well as wrapping your precious baby in warm hats, scarves and coats it’s important to protect and care for those still exposed areas of sensitive skin, especially on your baby’s face. This is where the award winning Weleda Weather Protection Cream helps…
The British autumn is a time that is very special – there is a particular light and the colours are bright and rich. It is surely a time for babies and young children to be out and about exploring the best our local countryside and parks have to offer. And who would deny our youngsters the opportunity of puddle splashing and playing in the snow as the year progresses? There is no doubt that our weather is a source of endless fascination and exploration for our young children. I believe our children should play out at all times of the year – it helps build and strengthen their connection with nature and the world around them. All within reason, of course, and with adequate protection.
The Weleda Weather Protection Cream is 100% organic and is made from extracts of biodynamically grown calendula flower and precious sweet almond oil. The cream is especially formulated to provide an effective and natural barrier against the elements, as well as nourish your baby’s skin.
This year the Weather Protection Cream has, once again, won the ‘Must Have’ award in the Baby Lotion or Cream category of the prestigious and independent TIPS Awards backed by UK midwives. Here is what the judging panel had to say:
“Weleda Baby Calendula Weather Protection Cream – Must Have”
“Weleda Baby Calendula Weather Protection Cream provides a skin-friendly barrier protection which is especially useful in the winter months when chapped lips and wind-swept faces are all too common. The 100% natural formulation is based on sweet almond oil, hypoallergenic lanolin and beeswax, with the trademark scent of calendula flower. This product is obviously useful for chapped hands and lips, but testers found many other uses for this innovative rescue remedy, including sore noses and weather damaged cheeks. Parents suggested this would be great for winter trips and outdoor activities. In fact so handy was this product that testers voted it a ‘Must-have’ award.”Some tester comments:
- “This little tube was full of magic – what a lovely product!”
- “It sinks into your skin beautifully leaving you feeling like there is a barrier but without looking greasy or shiny”
- “Value for money as a tiny amount goes a long way”
TIPS Midwives Awards 2010
The Weleda Weather Protection Cream comes in pocket-sized 30ml tubes and, at just £5.50, is excellent value for money:
The Weleda Weather Protection Cream is a real all round winner that will help you provide your little one with the skin protection he or she needs while still being able to get out and about. Let us know your experiences this winter.
By Sabine on 31 August 2010
Holle organic baby weaning oil
Every now and then there comes along a baby weaning idea that makes you ask, “why on earth hasn’t this been done before?” The new Holle Organic Baby Weaning Oil is one such idea. Read on to find out why this unique weaning supplement will change how you think about weaning your baby.
When a young baby is fed exclusively on either breast milk or a baby milk formula, concerned mums and dads can be assured their precious baby is getting all the nutrients necessary to thrive. But when weaning starts and the amount of nutrients taken in through milk decreases, there can be a period when your baby’s body doesn’t get all the energy and other vital nutrients needed for optimum growth and development. This is where the Holle organic weaning oil comes in. With this unique oil you can supplement your baby’s diet through the transition to family meals and replace some of the very specific nutritional benefits of breast milk and baby milks lost during this process.
Other supplements start from the premise of isolating and then artificially producing specific nutrients found in a given food. These artificial nutrients are then added by some manufacturers to their baby foods – giving you no real choice. Holle, on the other hand, takes a more natural and holistic approach. Holle rightly recognises that individual nutrient chemicals cannot simply be removed from the foods in which they occur and still retain the same overall nutritional effects. The baby weaning oil concept, therefore, provides a special blend of organic oils, an actual foodstuff, which allows you to supplement your baby’s diet with much needed nutrients while still using the full nutritional value of their sources – three very nutritionally valuable plant oils. And you remain in control of your baby’s diet.
From the age when your baby is ready for solid foods, organic baby weaning oil becomes an important part of a balanced diet. It is an excellent source of energy; the essential fatty acids omega 3 and omega 6; and other nutrients. This is why Holle recommends adding 1-2 teaspoons of baby weaning oil to milk-free meals such vegetable, potato and meat based meals as well as porridges made with water. Holle also recommends adding the weaning oil to its porridges and jars.
The mixture of high quality rape and sunflower oils in the Holle baby weaning oil results in an ideal ratio for infants of the essential fatty acids omega 3 and omega 6. Essential fats, and the other fats they are converted to in the body, have a wide range of functions in humans. They are vital for the structure of cell membranes making them flexible and able to allow nutrients into, and toxins out of, cells so body processes can function correctly. They also play a role in cardiovascular health, immunity, and nervous – system functions. The omega oils are especially important for a developing baby’s brain and nervous system.
As well as rape and sunflower, the weaning oil also contains 5% hemp seed oil. Hemp seed oil is not only rich in polyunsaturates, it is almost unique in nature in that it contains a special fatty acid called gamma linolenic acid. One of the few other foods in which gamma linolenic acid is also to be found is breast milk and it is especially important for the skin, providing your baby with an effective protective barrier. Gamma linolenic acid also has an anti-inflammatory effect and it is especially helpful for children with eczema as they don’t have the necessary enzyme that changes other fatty acids into gamma linolenic acid.
Here are a few more details about each of the oils used by Holle, and why they were specifically chosen for their baby weaning oil:
Rapeseed oil is produced by pressing rape seeds. Over 90% of rapeseed oil is made up of polyunsaturates and therefore contains more than most other oils. Additionally, rapeseed oil contains lots of vitamin E and carotenoids. Nutritionally, rapeseed is a very valuable oil.
This vegetable oil, with its light yellow colour and its mild taste, is made from pressing the seeds of the sunflower and is very suitable for a developing child’s diet. Sunflower oil contains lots of vitamin E and is specially selected for the weaning oil as it produces an ideal, baby friendly ratio of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids when combined with rapeseed oil.
Because of the gentle cold pressing process used in producing the Holle baby weaning oil, all the precious, essential fatty acids and the naturally nutty taste of the oil are preserved. One special component of hemp oil is the rare gamma linolenic acid, making it unique amongst edible oils. Hemp oil, which is made from the pressing of hemp seeds, is guaranteed to be free from the potentially intoxicating effects present in chemicals found elsewhere in the seed’s structure and poses no health risk, in fact just the reverse.
By the way, it is extremely unusual to get all three of these oils in certified biodynamic, or Demeter, quality. Biodynamic produce is the highest form of organic and it is partly because Holle have insisted its weaning oil is of such high quality that it has taken over two years to research, develop and bring it on to the market.
Holle recommends adding only cold pressed and non-refined oils to your baby’s meals, for several very good reasons:
Cold pressing on the other hand, is a much more gentle process with less oil yield but with a far higher oil quality. Important nutrients are preserved by cold pressing the seeds. Only oils that are cold pressed and without further refinement can be declared as cold pressed on a food’s label.
With the Holle organic baby weaning oil, the risk of pesticide residues that are found in other, non-organic, oils are fully eliminated. This is guaranteed through organically farming the raw seeds and the consequent strict pollutant controls that are in place.
The use of cold pressed and non-refined oils for preparing your baby’s food is, therefore, completely safe. In fact, through cold pressing, more vitamins and other nutrients, natural colours and the natural taste of the oils are preserved.
I have written in some detail about the weaning oil and I hope you will see why I think this is such an exciting development in how we think about weaning our little babies. Part of the beauty of the oil is that it doesn’t require you to greatly change what you are doing now or have done before when introducing solids to your baby.
Simply stir one to two teaspoonfuls of the oil into your baby’s existing meals and you are already helping to give him or her that extra nutritional boost during this time of enormous change and development. And all completely naturally.
To ensure your baby gets the optimum nutrients Holle recommends the following amounts to be added to each 200g of food:
The weaning oil can, of course, be used with your own homemade weaning recipes as well as with Holle’s own ranges of milk free baby porridges and their fruit jars, vegetable jars and meat based jars. And if you are just starting out on the weaning journey with your baby and are preparing much smaller amounts, simply adjust the amount of oil you stir in proportionately. Experience shows me that one bottle of 25o ml goes a long way.
Holle has managed to keep the price of its weaning oil down at a very low level, meaning we can sell it for just £4.95 per bottle. I find this especially surprising in view of the lower yield involved in cold pressing the seeds and the oil’s unique biodynamic quality. When I asked Holle, they were clear about their reasoning to keep the oil at such a low price level. Because this supplement is for use at a time when most babies are vulnerable to missing out on vital nutrients, Holle took the decision not to make their oil an exclusive product. By pricing the weaning oil low, all babies are able to benefit from its nutritional qualities.
So, as your precious baby begins the transition from an all milk diet to joining in with your family meals, make sure he or she doesn’t miss out nutritionally. The Holle organic baby weaning oil is a natural supplement that will ensure your baby gets all the energy and other vital nutrients needed for optimum growth and development. Your baby will positively thrive.
By Sabine on 6 September 2009
At Ulula we love to receive your feedback – both good and bad – it helps us to know how you like our organic baby foods as well as how we can make the whole shopping experience at Ulula better for you. We take all your comments and suggestions seriously – read more further on.
You can imagine how pleased we were this week to receive the three messages below from some good friends as well as new customers.
Hello,
just a quick note to say thank you for my last order which was delivered quickly and big thank you for the extra bread sticks and the Green directory magazine. What a lovely service! I have just placed my second order and I am sure it wont be my last. Best wishes Edita
Hi Ulula Team
just want to say thank you for your perfect service and little presents that you send me every time I order. My 18 months old boy loves your Goat Milk. I wish you the best.
Thank you
Hana H
Hi Sabine, just wanted to thankyou for my order & say how much i look forward to reading your lovely notes.Also really appreciate freebies.yes,am still into my rusks.my sister stayed recently &liked them too,so have got through quite a few lately! hope you have a lovely autumn. thanks again, Heloise.
The Ulula baby food blog has been a little quiet lately. We may not have posted many articles since coming back from our holidays but we have been very busy behind the scenes. Responding to your suggestions, Roger has made a few subtle changes to the website to make the shopping cart system easier to use - no more struggling to find the buttons you need.
We have also both been working on a major change to the way the site is structured which will make it easier for you to find the products you are looking for – we know how little time busy mums and dads have. Very excitingly, we are also working on an entirely new concept that is dear to all our hearts – weaning babies. We can’t reveal exactly what we are planning just yet, suffice it to say we are calling the new concept ‘The Weaning Wizard’. All will be revealed soon!
By Sabine on 9 July 2009
Strawberries - exercise caution when weaning babies
Ever since the ancient Romans introduced strawberries to Britain two thousand years ago they have been a firm summer favourite – and rightly so in my opinion. Not only are they delicious, they contain more vitamin C than oranges and are rich in fibre.
Please remember though at this time year that strawberries are reported to cause allergies or an intolerance in babies and young children from time to time. If your baby is still under one year old and is weaning, perhaps consider waiting to introduce strawberries until next season. I would suggest this should particularly be the case if there is a family history of allergic reactions and/or asthma or eczema.
Because strawberries are such a soft fruit that readily absorb pesticidal sprays it is also important to try and buy organic strawberries for your baby or child.
Try blending five strawberries with one banana, four ice cubes, a strawberry yoghurt, half a cup each of milk and fruit juice. Pour the liquid into paper cups, cover with plastic wrap and insert a lolly stick. Freeze for at least five hours – healthy homemade strawberry lollies for older babies and children!
By Sabine on 3 June 2009
Sometimes parents tell me that they find it difficult to prepare the Holle organic baby porridges without lumps. I instantly know the problem and a simple piece of advice is all that is needed to quickly and simply prepare baby porridges with a fine, smooth consistency that is perfect for weaning babies.
So, how can the baby porridges be prepared in such a way as to completely avoid a lumpy texture? Simply add the liquid to the bowl first and then stir in the powdered baby porridge.
I think, as adults, we become so accustomed to mixing liquids into powders that we sometimes find this counter-intuitive and we automatically prepare the baby porridges the same way. But by closely following the instructions on the packaging lumps really should not occur, allowing you to feed your baby the perfect porridge.
Just a few other general pointers when feeding your baby with the Holle baby porridge range:
Do let me know your questions about our organic baby foods and weaning babies – your questions can help others too.
By Sabine on 2 June 2009
Holle have recently announced a change in their recipe for the Organic Three Grain Baby Porridge – the cereal is now the first gluten free multi-grain baby porridge on the market.
The Swiss organic baby food manufacturer has just launched the new 3 grain baby porridge recipe on the continent and we are pleased to already have an ample supply of cases of the gluten free version available to purchase.
The Holle Organic Three Grain Baby Porridge is made from three popular gluten free organic/biodynamic grains – rice, corn and millet – and is suitable for all babies including those with a gluten intolerance and those who wish to avoid feeding their babies with foods containing gluten before the age of 6 months.
The 3 grain is an ideal porridge during the second and third stages of weaning your baby.
As with all Holle baby porridges you can prepare the Organic Three Grain Porridge for your baby’s breakfast with breast milk, baby milk formula or even water.
By adding freshly prepared fruit puree (quickly and simply prepared using the Ulula glass grater) or adding some teaspoons of one of the Holle fruit jars your baby will enjoy a delicious and nutritious afternoon snack.
To make a lunch for your baby just add the Holle gluten free Three Grain Baby Porridge to your home made vegetable puree or mix with Holle carrots, carrots with apple or parsnips.
Let us know how your baby likes the new gluten free recipe for the Holle Three Grain Baby Porridge, whether he or she has a gluten intolerance or not.
By Sabine on 29 May 2009
Green Parent Magazine June/July 2009
The current edition of the Green Parent magazine (June/July 2009) features a thought provoking article on weaning babies and includes an interview with me talking about the value of organic and biodynamic baby foods.
Journalist Iris Coates discusses widely different weaning traditions around the world and looks at the confusing and conflicting advice that confronts parents as they approach this important stage in their baby’s development.
Coates concludes just what Ulula has been suggesting for the last four years. Parents should listen to and understand the current ‘official’ advice but also, more importantly, ‘listen’ to their baby and his or her needs. You, as parents, are the people who know your baby intimately and can best judge just when your baby is ready for weaning and how he or she reacts to the foods you gently introduce. Trust yourself and your baby and you will do what is best.
The article also points to research identifying the problems of non-organic baby foods and discusses the dangers of pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics and other chemical nasties (over 260 of them are permitted!) to a baby’s delicate and developing body. Coates quotes Dr Vyvyan Howard of the University of Liverpool as saying:
“Choosing to feed your baby organically may be the single most important way to give them the best start in life.”
Organic baby foods are not just about what they don’t contain. Coates points to independent research that also shows how organic food has higher levels of nutrients, from vitamins and minerals to iron and essential fatty acids such as omega-3.
Tell us about your experiences of weaning babies – did you follow the official advice or did you take a more baby-led weaning approach?
By Sabine on 20 May 2009
I mentioned last week that the Holle Organic Baby Spelt Rusks are now available in their new packaging and gave you a few simple recipe ideas for weaning babies that use these sugar free rusks. I should also have mentioned that they really are not just for weaning and teething babies.
Whenever my children are unwell, which thankfully is not often, I feed them what my mother gave me whenever I was recovering from illness – baby rusks soaked in tea. Simply take a couple of rusks, break them into a few pieces on a plate and pour over enough Holle organic baby tea to make them soggy. Mash with a fork and allow to cool. This lovely mild cereal is enough to tempt any child recovering from sickness.
I mentioned last week that on the continent rusks resemble toast more than biscuits. Actually such ‘toasty’ rusks aren’t just made for babies and are a popular snack for adults with butter and jams or cheeses or even more exciting toppings – great for buffets. As an alternative to the Holle Baby Rusks the ErdmanHAUSER rusks are made with butter and are specifically made to eat as party snacks – they taste absolutely delicious and are Demeter/biodynamically certified. For children and adults who have an intolerance to gluten I would recommend the Werz Four Grain Rusks which are gluten free.
A number of mums have told me that they have found baby rusks perfect when they were pregnant and had morning sickness – a light, dry nibble was just what was needed to settle their tummy.
So, baby rusks are great for adults and babies alike – let me know how you like to eat yours.
By Sabine on 18 May 2009
Here are two statistics that scare me. One in four British households no longer has a table that everyone can eat around. One out of every two meals eaten in Britain is now eaten alone. I am not singling out Britain here, I think this is trend that is repeated throughout much of Europe and North America, and it is one that I find very sad.
I am a strong believer in eating family meals together – mealtimes for me aren’t just about refueling the body. When families sit down and eat meals together they have the chance to chat and socialise and to develop and strengthen their relationships. Parents have the opportunity to model the kind of behaviour they would like to see at the meal table as well as encourage a healthy attitude to food.
When families include their baby in their family mealtime routines from the very beginning of weaning, it becomes second nature for the growing baby and child to accept all this, to naturally develop the good habits you want to see and for them to learn some essential lifeskills. So, include your weaning baby in family meals and give him or her a first class education!
I know that eating together at every meal is often difficult – share your experiences on including your weaning baby in family meals and let’s all learn from each other.
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