Tips for weaning a child: Here are the most prominent ones
Do you want to start weaning your baby? Are you looking for the most prominent instructions on weaning a child? Then you should follow the article, it will give you important medical advice in this regard.
In the following, let us learn the most important information and instructions for weaning a child:
What is meant by weaning a child?
Weaning the baby means gradually removing the baby from breastfeeding from the mother's breast, or formula feeding on special feeding packages, in place of drinking milk from cups and starting to eat solid foods.
Appropriate weaning age for a child
The age of weaning the child cannot be determined, but it must be after the infant completes the age of six months and not before that, with reliance on exclusive breastfeeding throughout the period before that, as long as there is no medical impediment to it or prevent its continuation.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends maintaining exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after birth and then continuing it with the introduction of complementary foods until the age of at least a year, and the breastfeeding period can be extended for a longer period of time, according to what is seen It is suitable for both the baby and the mother.
Other parties also recommend that some indicators in the growth and development of the child may indicate the possibility of starting weaning, such as:
- infant weight.
- The ability of the infant to sit and control head movement.
- The baby's frequent awakening at night is a result of hunger.
The secret of finding these recommendations is due to the following reasons:
- Breast milk is the optimal food for the child in the first six months, in terms of its components and nutritional elements that take into account and meet the daily needs of the infant.
- The infant's need for nutrients increases after the first six months, which requires the introduction of a nutritional supplement from the food groups allowed at this age.
- Babies are more likely to have allergies and nutritional problems if they are weaned early.
- The risk of choking or inability to swallow increases, as the infant cannot control the process of swallowing and digesting food in the mouth during the first months of life.
Instructions for weaning a child from breast-feeding
Many mothers suffer from the attachment of their child to breastfeeding or artificial feeding, so how can we get rid of this habit and wean the child? And how can he make him use the cups to drink milk?
This may become possible by the end of the infant's first year, by following the following guidelines:
- Start offering the cup to the child and get him used to it, at the beginning of the six months.
- Try to gradually accustom the child to reduce the number of times he uses a bottle of milk, and replace it with a variety of meals that he loves.
- Sit the child on a special comfortable seat when the cup is presented to him.
- Try to encourage the child to talk, and share the drink with a cup similar to his own instead of a bottle of milk.
Instructions to follow while wearing the baby at night
Follow the following guidelines while weaning the baby at night:
- Gradually reduce the number of feedings and provide food in the evening until it is reduced and stopped.
- Accustom the child to eating the largest possible portions during the day, especially before he sleeps at night.
- Focus in the evening meals on foods that contain protein, such as legumes, or cheese, as they take a longer period to digest.
- Make a warm water bath for the child before bedtime, as this will help him relax and enter the deep sleep stage.
- Separate the child during sleep from the mother's room, so that he has a separate sleeping place.
Important instructions during weaning the child and start feeding him food
After the child reaches the appropriate and appropriate time to start the weaning process, it is worth gradual weaning, taking into account several rules, and moving from simple to difficult slowly, while observing the child and the reactions of his body.
Here are the most important points to consider when getting started:
- Offer the appropriate food to the child in small quantities, such as starting with a teaspoon or two.
- Taking into account the transition in the weaning process from liquid to mashed Valsolb.
- Serve mashed and boiled potatoes or rice, then move to mashed vegetables, then serve mashed fruits.
- Ensure that the temperature and taste of food are within the appropriate range so that the food is not hot or cold, and pungent tastes, such as hot or salty ones, must be avoided.
- Pay attention to the child's sitting position, so that it is appropriate and comfortable.
- Taking into account that milk is the main food for the child, in addition to complementary foods.
- Avoid adding salt or sugar or using any unnatural foods that contain any additives or preservatives and coloring.
- Offer foods according to the child's appetite and repeat what he prefers, and if he refuses food, he should not be forced to do so, and try again later.
- The introduction of soft meat, egg yolk, and cheese, starting from the seventh or eighth month.
- Avoid any hard-to-digest food that contains any seeds such as grapes, nuts, and popcorn.
- Ensure that the child takes in an appropriate and sufficient amount of water, which he needs increasingly, starting from the sixth month.
- Avoid offering some types of foods before the child completes his first year. Examples of these foods include:
- Cow's milk.
- Egg whites.
- Honey.
- Peanut Butter.
- citrus fruits.
- The chocolate.
- Any of the sources of caffeine, such as tea, soft drinks.