Weaning A Child

Often on TV commercials for infant formulas and written on formula containers that all babies should breastfeed for up to 2 years of age. It is a recommendation from the World Health Organization.

Breastmilk contains nutrients essential to a growing infant, and antibodies which protects them from diseases.

The first 6 months of a baby really only depends on breastmilk or infant formula. After that a mother can start weaning.

All I know about weaning is the permanent removal of breastmilk from a baby and substituting it with a baby formula. And I was very wrong. Weaning is called complementary feeding- the process of transitioning away from 100% milk (either breastmilk or formula) feeds to a combination of both milk and food together.

Stay on breastfeeding for as long as the mother and baby is enjoying it. Especially for third world countries where babies die of infection and diseases transmitted through water and food that the WHO's advice should be adhered to.

Why wait until 6 months to introduce solid foods?

A baby's tummy is not yet fully developed that when solid food is introduced at 4 months, the risk of iron deficiency anemia caused by gastric bleeding is high and is related to acquiring infections and weight problems.

Waiting until a baby is around 6 months has benefits for the baby, these are nutrition and development.

From birth to 6 months, breastmilk and infant formula contain all the necessary nutrients the baby needs that when baby food is introduced earlier than 6months then they will take less milk to make room for their food, that means they take also less nutrients. At around 6 months, a baby is fully develop to be able to sit still, develop hand-and-eye coordination that means they are able to pick food and place it in their mouth. Absence of tongue reflux, this was the last development a baby will be having in terms of weaning. However, one has to start solid food even with tongue reflux, it soon will be improved.

There are two types of weaning; baby led weaning and spoon feeding.

Baby-led weaning is letting baby have finger foods and let him feed himself while spoon feeding is feeding baby with mashed or pureed foods in a spoon. Some prefer the one from the other while others also do both. Either way, there's nothing wrong with it.

So what about having baby from breastmilk or formula milk? When a baby is around 6 months, a mother can have her baby completely weaned from breastmilk and introduce formula milk, this is the case most especially when a mother is working and not a full-time mom.

A mother can nurse her baby at night and a baby's yaya can give formula during the day. These days, there are specialized breast pumps to be used for babe's feeding during the day when mother is out for work.

As a baby is growing, his number of times in taking milk becomes less. Usually, nap and sleep feedings are the last to go and more difficult.

When my eldest was around 4 months old, he doesn't want to be fed on my breast until my milk supply became less and eventually dried up that's why we have to substitute it with formula. At around 1 year and 6 months, he was able to let go of his bottle by himself.

My daughter also had formula milk at her 6th month until she was 2 years and 4 months. She was not able to resist it quick that's why I had to replace her bottle teat with a damaged one. Then we used an open cap for more than a month until she doesn't asked for milk at bed time anymore.

Some breastfeeding mother's experienced engorge breast after weaning their child cold turkey but thankfully for me, I did not. So if you're trying to wean your baby from breastfeeding, do it gradually. Express milk to make you a little bit comfortable then your body will take the message and responds to make little milk until it will finally dry up.

Others also breastfeed their baby at daytime while substituting with formula during the night. Others do it the other way. Then finally give formula full-time.

In our place, most breastfeeding mothers have their baby stay with their parents so that the baby will get used to the idea that they will not have milk during the day. Others also have their babe sleep with others, an older sibling or aunts or the babe's grandparents maybe.

While others are easily weaned, some also don't. Some babies become irritable and more fussy and clingy. Weaning can be difficult for both baby and mom but you have to do it if it really is needed. Nevertheless, nursing years has no restrictions. You can nurse as long as you and the baby is enjoying it.

I was able to come with the topic as my 1year and 7 months old baby wakes up at dawn and feed but one time he cried because he was not getting anymore milk. My right breast had cracks on the nipple. It had been for a month already, I tried giving it still but the throbbing pain is too much that I can't bear it. The pain on cracked nipples when a babe is still an infant is much tolerable than when it was an older child. My son would let go if I tell him it hurts. But when I give him the left one and try to tell him it hurts, he wont let go as if he knew it was a lie.

I planned to introduce formula to him during the day and only nurse him at night or at dawn because my left nipple is becoming sore also and little cracks begin to appear that's why it also hurts.

Again and again breastmilk is the best for babies up to 2 years of age.

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