Is there an ideal time to stop breast feeding? When should you be weaning your baby? Can you breast feed for too long? Answers to these questions and more.
Every parent is faced with the question of weaning (and challenges) at some point in their child's development. When is the right time to start? How do I begin? Is it okay to continue breast-feeding? How do I know if my baby is getting enough to eat while weaning? Is it possible to give my baby too much to eat during the weaning process? What do I do if my baby refuses to eat solid foods?
There is good news. You are not alone. These questions (and many more) bombard the minds of parents all across the globe. There is more good news. These answers will all come with time, patience, encouragement and understanding. I know this sounds too easy, but who says it has to be difficult? Trust me, it does not have to be.
I am going to go a little bit out of order here and discuss what the most common problem is for parents who are trying to wean their baby:
STARTING TOO EARLY!
Yes, it is that simple. Do not push, rush or pressure your baby to eat solids. (Contrary to popular belief, it does not aid in better sleep. On the contrary, this is the culprit for sleep problems associated with colic and gas.) All this will accomplish is tension between the two of you (and possible the entire household) and it will create unpleasant food associations for your baby during feeding times. It is not uncommon for your baby to refuse solids in the beginning, so try again by following their natural signs.
Yes, they will have natural signs. (*REMEMBER: it is not recommended to begin your baby before they are between the ages of four to six months due to digestive problems.) Some of these signs include, but are not limited to the following:
- your baby is still hungry after eating from bottle or breast
- your baby wants to nurse or bottle feed more frequently
- your baby gives you the "I want a bite, too" look whenever someone eats something around them
- without sudden illness, their weight and height levels off or slows compared to normal
- if your baby slept through the night previously, they could start waking frequently from hunger
Weaning your baby should be a gradual process. Begin with rice cereal or any simple fruit or vegetable easily pureed. (*REMEMBER: solid foods should not replace breast milk or formula. Solids should accompany these feedings.) Introduce small portions at a time, gradually increasing over several weeks. Start one ingredient at a time to get baby accustomed to tastes and textures. Eventually you will work your baby up to three solid meals per day.
If you suspect an allergy to a particular food (or foods), consult your physician. Do not attempt to take your baby off a particular food (or foods) on your own because you may be robbing them of vital nutrients. What may appear to be an allergic reaction to you may turn out to be something completely different.
Patience is key when it comes to weaning. If ever it feels like a "struggle," stop trying to introduce solids until a later date. It is common for your baby to like something one day and refuse it the next. Do not get discouraged, this is a natural part of the "learning to eat" process. Allowing your baby to play with the food will help them understand food texture and hand to mouth coordination.
Lastly, here is a brief list of what foods to avoid introducing to your baby until between six to twelve months of age (refer to your physician for more details and guidance):
- milk from a cow or dairy
- eggs
- citrus
- nuts
- sugar
- salt and other seasonings
Your physician will also be able to offer more answers and advice to your questions and concerns. If all else fails, it could just not be the right time to offer solids to your baby.
