Breastfeeding Weaning

Breastfeeding weaning is the process of switching from breast feeding to semi-solids or solids. As the proud mother of your little one, you probably enjoy breast feeding your little one.It is that time when you establish a special bond with your baby and cherish the skin-to-skin contact with her. Much as you enjoy this process, you must resort to breastfeeding weaning as she grows older. As a caring mother, you can make this transition smooth. As you get started with breastfeeding weaning, ensure that you retain your closeness with your baby. Hug her often and let her know that she is the most important person in your life.

How soon after the birth of your baby, you opt for breastfeeding weaning is your personal choice. It is ideal to wean your baby after six months. After six months, your baby needs supplementation as mother's milk does not contain sufficient amount of nutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin D and iron to meet her growing needs. Also, by this time, your baby may not be exclusively interested in breast milk and shows an inclination towards other food as well.

It is best to get started with the breastfeeding weaning process gradually. Do not hasten your baby into it. Rapid weaning can also cause you to suffer from engorged breasts. Although you have introduced your baby to weaning, you can continue to give her breast milk till the age of one. Sometimes, your breasts continue to produce milk according to the baby's needs for another year or two.

In many cases, mothers tend to opt for breastfeeding weaning earlier than when it is actually needed. Some such instances include the following:

• You find your baby delicately nibbling on whatever she is able to place her hands on. This is a part of the teething process and does not indicate that she is ready to be weaned.
• The mother is a working mother.
• The mother is under medication or has to undergo a surgery. You can continue breast feeding under medication in most cases.
• The mother is expecting her next baby.

You can adopt any kind of breastfeeding weaning techniques for your baby. Breastfeeding weaning may take any of the following forms:

• Baby initiated or Baby led weaning
• Partial weaning
• Abrupt weaning

Baby Led Weaning

Baby led weaning is the best form of weaning when your baby begins to slowly detach herself from your breast and shows an interest towards other food. The baby takes the first step towards the breastfeeding weaning process. She takes the opportunity to begin feeding herself and eat on her own. Babies that are weaned through baby led weaning enjoy eating and learn to eat different kinds of meals. Such babies soon become part of the family during meals.

Partial Weaning

Partial weaning works best when you cannot make up your mind if you want to fully wean your baby. You choose to feed your baby with semi-solids or solids at certain feedings and breastfeed other times. Working mothers find this kind of weaning helpful. This is an ideal choice for the mother because if she decides that she wants to resume full time breastfeeding, she will still have sufficient milk supply in her breasts.

Abrupt Weaning

Abrupt weaning is a kind of forced weaning when the mother stops breastfeeding immediately. This may cause breast infections and other physical discomfort in the mother. The change in hormone level in the mother's breasts may also lead to depression. The baby may suffer from trauma due to this sudden change. Try to avoid abrupt weaning unless it is due to serious health issues like cancer. The mother must shower the baby with extra love and affection during this time to help her through this difficult period.

Tips for Successful Breastfeeding Weaning

Although there are no standard guidelines for the weaning process, you can try the following:

• Make the breastfeeding weaning transition gradually. Start by introducing the weaning process once a day.
• When you decide to get started with breastfeeding weaning after six months, try getting her introduced to the spill proof cup.
• Once your baby is adjusted to breastfeeding weaning for a feed at a particular time, follow the cycle for the feed at a different time.

My baby is 6 months old. Can you please recommend some weaning foods that I can make at home?

Some ideal tasty weaning foods that you can make at home for your little one are daal soup (preferably moong daal), rice soup, mashed curd or mashed curd and banana, fruit mashed and made into paste such as mango, papaya, apple and grape juice.

Please tell me of some ready-made weaning foods? What advantages do they offer compared to home-made ones?

There are many ready-made weaning foods in the market such as First Food Powder in either wheat or apple flavours. Some other common weaning foods are Cerelac which comes in many flavours, Farex, and Nestum Rice. Your baby can easily digest them without any problem and will most likely enjoy the taste. An advantage in the ready-made foods is that they already contain milk and all you have to do is add water. These foods also have many ingredients that are difficult to make at home, and are convenient, balanced and tasty.

What weaning foods can I give my baby who is nearly a year old?

Some tasty food that your kid can enjoy at this stage are custard with or without fruit, spinach curry, tomato soup or juice, spinach and tomato, mixed vegetable soup (carrot, spinach and tomato), mashed rice and pulses with or without curd, mashed boiled potatoes, apple stew, porridge etc.

Where can I find the essentials for feeding my baby?

Shoppers Stop has a vast range of feeding bottles and bottle accessories by Mother Care, Philips and Avent to help you feed your baby her formula food. Sunbaby, an online Indian store provides a whole lot of feeding accessories such as feeding bowls with spoons and lids, moulded plates and bowls to make solid feeding exciting. That’s Cute has anti colic feeding bottles in different shapes that can help to minimise colic in your baby. Kid Studio has a wide range of feeding bottles that you can choose from to feed your baby. They also have silicone nipples that you can buy separately without the bottle.

Other products available in a store near you are - Bonne feeding bottles are made of polycarbonate and polypropylene that are FDA approved. Moreover, these bottles are lightweight, unbreakable, odourless, heat resistant, easy to clean and hygienic. Bonne nipples are made of liquid silicone and natural rubber. They are available in different shapes and sizes. Kids Kingdom offers you feeding bottles that are easy for your baby to hold without slipping. These bottles have a flow adjustable nipple.