Weaning, or complementary feeding, is the process of switching your baby’s diet from milk-only to solid or baby food. It involves the introduction of other foods that gradually replaces breastfeeding. This process is an important step of child nurturing as it exposes the baby to various nutrients that are not found in breast milk.
When Should My Baby Start Weaning?
Typically, the World Health Organisation recommends that babies be breastfed for at least the first 6 months. However, that may vary depending on his maturity. Breastfeeding is exceptionally important for premature babies as the protective benefits of breast milk are far greater. Once you start introducing solid foods into your baby’s diet, it is ideal to continue nursing for another year before eventually replacing breast milk altogether.
How Do I Stop Breastfeeding?
Here comes the question - how do you stop breastfeeding? Well, it is never a good idea to put a hard stop to it. That could put you at risk of engorgement, blocked ducts, or mastitis. The abrupt change may also be difficult for your baby’s immune and digestive system to cope with. According to our experienced LB mothers, you can start by cutting out one breastfeed a day and replacing it with formula milk. Repeat this once every 1-2 months until your baby is fully weaned.
3 Tips for Easy Weaning
1) Listen and Play by Ear
Listen to the baby boss. If he rejects the food, feed him milk and attempt weaning again when he is in a better mood. Introduce one type of food at a time in small amounts, gradually increasing it over a few meals.
2) Cooking
Avoid adding seasoning such as salt or sugar as your baby may find it hard to accept. Stay away from oils as well as they are harder to digest. Always be mindful to cook the food thoroughly and test the temperature on the back of your hand as you would when you feed formula milk.
3) Supervise your Little Tot
Supervision is crucial, especially in the earlier months! Choking may occur when the food is not minced or soft enough. Of course, good quality tableware that can accompany your little one(s) throughout his/her growing phase is also important. It can help to shape their eating habits and also make feeding time easier!
Even adults need time to develop new habits, not to mention babies! Be patient, do not fuss about making a mess during mealtime - it is all normal! If you haven’t already, be sure to follow our socials so that you will not miss out on parenting tips and new launches of cute products! 😊
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Photo by Filip Mroz on Unsplash
