Important notice to customers — product packaging changesLearn More

NEW FOOD PACKAGING IN STORE NOW

From August 2018, customers will notice our rebranded food packaging start to appear on shelf in all major stockists.

  • CURRENT Packaging
  • new Packaging

We are excited to announce our new packaging will start to appear on shelf from August 2018. This transition to new packaging will occur over a number of months. During this time there will be a mix of current and new packaging on shelf.

There are no major changes to these products, in some instances there is a small name change or slight recipe improvement, see below for the full details.

Products purchased via the website will be delivered to customers in our old packaging until the end of October. From November, products ordered from the website will be delivered in the new packaging.

Please note, our Infant Formula packaging will not be rebranded until later in 2019.

For any questions, connect with our team of accredited practising Dietitians on +61 3 6332 9200

Product name changes

  • Cereal Name Changes
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Baby Rice
  • NEW Packaging Organic Rice with Prebiotic (GOS) Note: Our Baby Rice recipe has been upgraded to now include GOS Prebiotic
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Vanilla Rice Custard
  • NEW Packaging Organic Milk & Vanilla Baby Rice
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Apple & Cinnamon Porridge
  • NEW Packaging Organic Apple & Cinnamon Baby Porridge
  • Ready To Serve Name Changes
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Banana, Pear & Mango
  • New Packaging Organic Banana, Pear, Apple & Mango
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Mango, Blueberry & Apple
  • New Packaging Organic Blueberry, Mango & Apple
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Peach & Apple
  • New Packaging Organic Grape, Apple & Peach
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Pumpkin & Tomato Risotto
  • New Packaging Organic Pumpkin, Sweet Potato & Tomato
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Broccoli, Beef & Brown Rice
  • New Packaging Organic Beef & Vegetables
  • Note: We have also upgraded some of our RTS recipes to remove added sugars and to remove some of the more complex ingredients that are not required for young children such as Tamari.
  • RUSKS NAME CHANGES
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Milk Rusks Toothiepegs
  • New Packaging Organic Milk Rusks
Home/Nutrition & Recipes/Babies (6-12 months)/Tips for Protecting Your Baby by Fighting Germs

Tips for Protecting Your Baby by Fighting Germs

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There are few things that new parents obsess over more than germs – germs outside, germs on people they come in contact with and germs in the home. Unfortunately (or not), the world is quite literally full of germs. And while the majority of germs are not harmful and are even good for your baby, the few bad ones can be dangerous. Already, babies on average will have six to eight colds, coughs, ear infections and other respiratory infections every year (and some will get sick much more often). Plus, as every parent knows, their favourite thing in the world seems to be putting new things in their mouth.

It’s important to understand, first off, that being exposed to germs is part of growing up. There’s no way to avoid them completely, and they are necessary to help build your baby’s immune system. So unless advised by a paediatrician to stay away from certain places, there’s no need to avoid taking your baby out into the world, especially after the first three months during which their immune system is developing. Simply washing their hands (and yours!) when they’re out and when they come back can go a long way, as touch is the most common way that bad germs spread. And make sure to try to wash for a full 20 seconds every time.

Tips to fight germs

As the most common way that babies are exposed to harmful germs is from other people’s hands, if a family member or friend wants to hold your baby and you know for a fact that they have been around people who are unwell, then it’s often best to first ask them to wash their hands. For the most part, however, it is impractical to have someone wash their hands each time they wish to hold your baby, so it can sometimes be handy to have a little bottle of hand sanitiser available if you’re ever unsure about where their hands have been.

Another way your baby can be exposed to harmful germs is when they are brought into your house – by you or by guests. This is why simply sweeping and vacuuming your baby’s most common play areas regularly is really helpful. This should be done even more frequently during your baby’s crawling phase, as they will likely go just about every place where people walk. It can also be a good idea to ask people to check the soles of their shoes before entering the home to make sure that they aren’t tracking in dirt or other unsavoury items. Some people prefer to simply have their guests leave their shoes at the door, but this depends on the individual household.

As most parents are aware, other children are also a common source of germs and infections. If any child has a cold, they will be contagious even before they experience any symptoms, so finding indoor recreational play areas with lots of ventilation and that are kept clean is always helpful.

Here are a few other simple tips to help:

  • When there are other kids around, try to get them to play with the toys that are easiest to clean.
  • Take extra care to disinfect any bath toys, as the bathtub is actually one of the dirtier places your baby will regularly spend time.
  • Don’t believe in the five second rule – it’s a myth. Germs can stick to something in no time and can live for up to a month. So if you or your baby drops food on the floor, throw it away.
  • If at all possible, limit any refined sugar in your baby’s diet as this actually depresses their immune system and makes them more susceptible to germs.
  • Focus the majority of your household cleaning/disinfecting on the kitchen and the bathroom, as these are the two rooms that are exposed to the most germs.
  • Always wipe down the grocery cart seat before you let your baby ride along while you do the shopping.

Finally, remember that no matter what you do, your baby is still going to be exposed to lots of germs. So don’t overly worry when you can’t stop them from eating that mouthful of dirt or putting something in their mouth you didn’t see. If you’re concerned, you can always call your paediatrician.

Where do you worry the most about your baby coming into contact with germs?

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Important Notice to Parents and Guardians

  • Breast milk is the best for babies. The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Unnecessary introduction of bottle feeding or other food and drinks will have a negative impact on breastfeeding. After six months of age, infants should receive age-appropriate foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond. Consult your doctor before deciding to use infant formula or if you have difficulty breastfeeding.
  • The content on this website is intended as general information for Singaporean residents only and should not be used as a substitute for medical care and advice from your healthcare practitioner. According to recommendations from the Singapore Health Promotion Board, solid food should be given to babies only after 6 months.