How To Wean A Baby
July 19, 2008
Weaning is a difficult time for both baby and mother! However, doing it gradually with lots of love and attention can ease the transition. Breast feeding is necessary for babies with some doctors recommending till the baby is two or three years of age. But, most mothers prefer weaning a baby when it is six months old. One requires a number of things before beginning the weaning process e.g. baby bibs, baby bottles, baby / infant training cups, baby formulas, milk.
Since, weaning can be traumatic for the baby, it is best to proceed slowly. It can also lead to mastitis in your breasts i.e. mastitis is an infection causes fever and flu like symptoms, pain, hardness, redness, or heat in the breast. Begin by eliminating one daily feeding session at a time over a period of weeks or even months. Offer baby a substitute for the breast, such as, bottle feeding formula for nutrition, if it less than a year old. For babies past their first birthdays, offer a variety of foods, help them to drink from a cup, or offer food or distract baby with a fun game or activity.
Be more affectionate to baby than before, as weaning babies are vulnerable and needs added reassurance that they are still loved. Keep baby occupied by going to the park, strolling or playing in the garden. If, baby clearly wants to nurse and won’t be distracted with snacks or activities, go ahead and nurse to avoid a battle of wills. Continue to nurse for comfort if necessary. Often, a more or less weaned baby will want to nurse after a fright or a fall. Nurse it till baby is used to the other forms of comfort offered.
Avoid putting babies that are being weaned from breast to bottle with a bottle. It can choke baby and also promotes tooth decay. When weaning a baby, offer a spill proof cup of water when it gets thirsty at night.
Tips & Warnings
Breast-feeding babies exclusively for the first six months of their life is recommended.
Weaning is made easier after the first year by offering baby a wider variety of foods.
Follow your heart and nurse your baby for as long as you like. Avoid feeling you have to wean your baby after six months. Many mothers nurse beyond the first year, and some nurse their babies well into toddler hood.
Avoid large quantities of juice or sugary drinks as substitutes for breast milk. They may fill baby up, but may not provide adequate nutrition and may also cause tooth decay.
If, a baby is weaned before it is 12-months, infant formula is recommended, but if after 12-months, then you can use cows’ milk.
Hungry babies become agitated, making it difficult to feed them. You would be better off feeding them a little earlier than usual.
Teach baby how to eat solid food, beginning with mashed food and moving on to little chunks of food, chopped up with a fork.
Slowly introduce baby to new tastes like carrots, swedes, potatoes, parsnips, pumpkins, butternuts squashes, peas and sweet potatoes, including fruits like pears, apples, apricots, bananas, mangos, etc.
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