HOW TO WEAN FROM BREASTFEEDING
How to wean from breastfeeding? The preferred (and suggested) method of
choice for mothers who went through it and who are considering weaning would be
gradual - a slow but sure way of making the transition from breast to bottle
(or cup) an easy one. Not only that. It also benefits the mother as there would
less of the dreaded breast engorgement.
When your baby turns 8 or 9 months old, it is time to wean him away from
breastfeeding as your milk supply will diminish and will not be enough to
satiate your baby throughout the day. You would have already introduced him to
solids that are easily digestible and at 9 months, your baby should be given a
variety of stewed veggies and fruits to help him grow better
How will you know if your baby can take solid foods?
Curiosity
This is a time when a baby gets to use all of his sensory
faculties: hearing, feeling, seeing, tasting and smelling. The last 3 are the
key reasons why he becomes curious when it comes to food. If he's already into
eying your plate and watching your every move, chewing and "tasting"
every now and then, then we're ready to bet that he's ready to feel real food.
Head control
Since you cannot feed your baby solids while he is lying
down, he needs to be able to hold his head in a steady and upright position
with little or no support at all.
Sitting well
As with head control, your child needs to be able to sit
in an upright position with or without support. This will help facilitate
easier swallowing activity for him.
Teeth
This is one of the first signs mothers take when they wean
their children into solids. The mouth, teeth and tongue develops at the same
time that his digestive system is starting to develop. The appearance of more
teeth automatically prompts the baby to imitate a chewing motion. Baby will
also less likely drool during this phase because he is now learning to swallow
efficiently, signaling that he can possibly be given solids now.
Weight gain
The baby would most possibly be ready to eat solids as
soon as they've doubled their birth weight and should be at least 6 months old.
(Some babies are weaned at the early age of 4 months, but it is advised to wait
for at least 6 months due to possible food allergies and medical conditions
incurred because of too early weaning).
A growing appetite
Even with at least 10 feedings a day, he's still
hungry, and demands more sustenance via crying or tantrums. This is an
indication that even if you increase his feedings, his body is asking for more.
Here are some tips to help
make it easier for you to wean your baby from breastfeeding:
- Long before you even try to start weaning your baby from breastfeeding you should get baby used to drinking from an alternative source, a cup or a bottle; preferably a cup as mentioned earlier. Still continue to breastfeed but give baby either water, juice or breast milk from a cup. Try this at mealtimes when feeding baby solids or when giving baby a snack
- For the stubborn baby who refuses to take a cup or bottle, it can be a good idea to skip a breastfeeding session once daily usually after breakfast or lunch, and only offer him/her what's in the cup. This may be hard for three or four days, but after that baby will get the idea. Once baby is used to drinking out of a cup once daily, you can skip another breastfeeding session and drink what's in the cup. Do this until you are only nursing once at night before bedtime.
- Wait at least a week in-between skipping a breastfeeding session, so both your baby and your breasts get used to the changes.
- If baby is sick or there is another event such as a move or a change in daycare postpone weaning baby for a couple weeks to ensure baby is okay and ready to wean.
- The last feedings to go are usually the morning and the night time feedings, I recommend cutting out the morning feeding first. Your baby will be hungry and will eat a good nutritious breakfast.
- When it is finally time to wean baby from the night time feedings, it is easier to have your breasts out of sight. Having your spouse put baby down for bed can make this transition easier. Tell your baby goodnight and hand baby off to dad. It takes a good week of dad putting baby to sleep for baby to get the hang of it. Before you put baby to bed make sure baby is full. Give baby a nighttime snack and a full cup of milk. When the week is complete go back to your regular bedtime routine only replacing breastfeeding with milk.
Bye Bye Breastfeeding
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How To Wean From Breastfeeding