Weaning Challenges and how to get around them
Dear NeoMom,
As a mother, there are several decisions you would need to make concerning your child. One of them is choosing when to wean Baby Tiwa.
Err, what's Weaning?
To put it simply, weaning your baby is the process of transitioning her to adult foods and fluids. It's when Baby Tiwa slowly gets used to eating family or adult food and relies less and less on breast milk or infant formula.
Deciding when to wean is a personal choice which could be influenced by the need to return to work, the health of the mother or the infant, or simply a sense that the time is right.
At 6 months of age, when solid foods are typically introduced, changes in breastfeeding patterns that lead to complete weaning occur naturally. Most babies are ready to be weaned completely by 12 to 18 months. But exactly when this happens is actually up to you and your baby.
Weaning is a normal part of your baby's growth and is a gradual process that shouldn't be rushed or taken lightly. The first step is to determine whether your baby is ready to be weaned. This is when they:
appear to get hungry earlier than usual.
can sit up without assistance and have good neck muscle control.
can hold food in their mouth without immediately pushing it out.
show interest in food when others are eating.
open their mouth when they see food coming their way,
can lean back or turn their head away from you to indicate that they don't want food.
Here are some steps to help you and your baby have a smooth transition:
Start switching your baby’s meal from breast milk to other liquids. Let the replacement be gradual. You shouldn't cut off your baby from breast milk completely. Feed them the liquid one time and breastmilk another. The slower the process the better.
Pay attention to the baby's signals. Your baby will let you know when they have had enough.
Then you can go ahead and introduce solid foods to your baby. Because you did not rush the process, you might notice that during this time your baby begins to take less breast milk. Take caution and introduce solids to your baby in small amounts to prevent them from getting constipated.
Common weaning challenges:
My baby spits out food.
When the back of your baby's throat is stimulated, they have a reflex to thrust their tongue out. This is referred to as the 'tongue-thrust reflex,' and it will fade as your child grows older. If your baby spits food back out, don't be worried; this is common during weaning. It's usually because they're still learning to eat rather than because they dislike the food. So make a few more attempts. If they're still having trouble swallowing, they are probably not ready to start weaning yet; in that case, wait a week or two and try again.
My baby gags on solids
Do not panic. Gagging is a natural reflex that protects your baby from choking, so don't be alarmed if it occurs. Check to see if you're putting too much food on their spoon or if you are putting it too far in their mouth.
Sometimes your baby may struggle with the transition from smooth purées to lumpier textures. It may take some time for your baby to adjust to lumpier foods, so start slowly to avoid a weaning problem. Gradually work your way up from a smooth purée to mashed foods with small lumps, then larger lumps.
My baby is getting obese
This could be a problem with the number of calories you are feeding your baby. You should definitely see a nutritionist to help you plan a healthy diet for your baby.
When to see a health caregiver:
If you notice any of these signs in your baby, it is important to get professional help quickly:
Refusal to eat solid foods after the age of six months
If your baby develops anaemia during the weaning process
Caries of the teeth, also known as baby-bottle caries
Obesity as a result of overeating
Weaning tends to bring up a lot of mixed feelings. While you may be excited about the new independence you and your baby will have, you can also be upset that your baby is moving on to a new stage in their life and no longer so dependent on you.
The process takes a bit of time and effort and you may sometimes get overwhelmed. But trust me, you can do it.
Did you know you can get cheap and easy access to a child nutritionist? Just click on this link below…