Weaning: Starting Your Baby on Food

Is It Time To Introduce Your Baby To Baby Food?

Breastfeeding provides your child with nutrients that support growth and health. Further, you might be uncertain about the optimal dietary choices for your infant. The weaning is now upon us. Weaning is when child or baby proceeds from breastfeeding to new resources of nutrition. Weaning your infant is a method that takes persistence and understanding from both you and your baby or child. Consult the doctor and take proper instructions from the doctor and proceed. Let us learn about the weaning and the steps to follow.

Weaning The Baby

Have you been wondering for how long should you breastfeed your baby? When to replace breastmilk with solid food and how to do it? Here are the things you should know about weaning your child.

Signals A Baby Gives When Ready To Wean

Often, a baby wants to breastfeed endlessly. However, sometimes the actions of babies indicate that the baby is ready to wean. 

The signals that your baby is ready to wean are:

• When your baby feeds for more brief intervals than before.
• Your baby might seem less interested in nursing.
• Your baby is diverted while feeding and is usually playing with the nipple or biting it.
• You can distract your baby easily from nursing.
• When the baby just sucks the nipple for comfort, is least interested in expressing the milk through it.

In some situations, it is better to delay the weaning process, such as the baby is sick, in case of any concern about food allergy, or the baby is having a hard time weaning. You should re-try after some time.

When Is The Right Time To Wean Your Baby?

Breast milk is recommended exclusively for the baby for the first six months. You can continue breastfeeding your baby for as long as it is suitable for you and your baby. You can wean your baby after one year or even longer.

Although, WHO recommends weaning the baby for two years as it strengthens the baby’s immunity. Sometimes, it might not be possible for you to continue breastfeeding due to work commitments, or health issues. It is your choice when to wean your baby. Some children wean sooner, others might resist weaning for a long time.

Weaning your baby is gradual and time-consuming. You should be patient and support your baby as he tries to adapt to the changes in feeding.

How To Go Ahead With Weaning?

The best way to initiate weaning is by taking down one feeding session until the baby is ready to feed from a bottle or cup and then progressing gradually to decreasing two or more feeds.

• The night-time feeding session is usually difficult to stop and is done last. Solid food along with breast milk is recommended during the weaning process.
• You can wean your baby with pumped breast milk or formula milk. Always check with your doctor for the type of formula required by your baby.
• Cow milk should be given to the baby after one year. For a child older than one year breastmilk or formula milk alone, won’t be sufficient to provide enough nutrition. Hence, replace it slowly with a solid Diet.
• The baby may want to feed during the weaning. Don’t refuse to nurse your baby at that time and don’t force-feed your baby with other things. Try to distract your baby from breastfeeding and then continue weaning.

The different ways by which you can make weaning comfortable for your baby are:

• For a baby younger than I year, introduce milk with a bottle or a cup during your feeding session
• Divert your child from breastfeeding by playing with him or engaging in some other activities or an outing, on-demand for breastfeeding.
• Take help from your partner or other family members to feed the baby or distract him during the typical feeding time of the baby.
• Avoid your usual feeding areas or clothes.
• Choose the time to feed when your baby is not too hungry. The baby might accept the food patiently.
• Delay weaning if a child is unwell or is teething.
• Sometimes, the child starts thumb-sucking while weaning, which provides him comfort. Don’t discourage it or any other comfort habit the child is putting up.

Conclusion

In conclusion, breastfeeding establishes a bond with your little one. It is not easy for you to let it go. You and your baby might go through many emotional and physical changes at the beginning of weaning. You can make it easier for you and your baby through gradual and consistent efforts, and by loving your baby immensely.