Weaning from Breastfeeding – from the 6th Month Onwards
When should I stop breastfeeding? This is a question that plagues a lot of new moms. And it is a question that deserves a lot of thought given the benefits that babies derive from feeding on breastmilk.
For moms who are contemplating on weaning baby when he reaches 6 months of age, you'd be glad to know that at this age, babies are naturally more curious about the world around them. They tend to explore their environment through their sight, hearing, hands and mouth - yes, that's right. This is also the stage when they put everything into their mouths!
This can be a great time to wean so you can take advantage of baby's natural curiosity for new textures and flavors. If you're introducing baby to solid food, here are some guidelines to help you gauge his readiness:
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he can easily support his head upright with or without help;
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he is able to sit on his own;
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he begins to show signs of teeth;
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opens mouth wide when you offer him a spoon;
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his swallowing capabilities have greatly improved (will be evidenced by how you give him his first “solid” – which will usually be liquid for the week or so), and will keep food in the mouth instead of pushing it out;
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he eyes the family members’ food during mealtimes; and,
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when he tries to snatch some of your food for his own enjoyment.
An iron-fortified baby cereal can be given as his first solid food. Add some breast milk or water to it and make the consistency a bit runny when giving it for the first time. Never put it baby cereal in a bottle and offer it to him (no matter how tempting the idea may be).
You can “thicken” the cereal by lessening the milk or water after a few days to a week, once baby is better at taking food off of a spoon. You can then progress to pureed fruits or vegetables; this is actually a good chance to introduce him to the good sources of vitamins and nutrients.
Remember that not all babies are made equal. If your baby rejects the food at first, then stop feeding him and let him be for a couple of days and then try again. Your baby will eventually get the message and will eat the food without future coaxing.
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