A journey of minimizing the intake of milk and introducing other edibles into children’s diets is known as weaning. Weaning takes time and patience from parents; however, considered an essential phase, as increasing calories after a certain period is necessary for growth and development.

The right time for weaning

The optimal time for weaning starts after six months of birth by limiting milk and including semi-solid food such as curd, fruit sauce, porridge, and chicken stew.

When a baby turns 1, breastfeeding should steadily end, and solid food should be introduced. By this age, your child should be eating a variety of foods.

However, weaning can be delayed due to stress factors like health conditions or developmental issues. Some children may only be ready for weaning once they become toddlers, an age at which they are unwilling to sit still during breastfeeding.

6 simple tips for making weaning an easy process

As weaning is difficult, especially for new parents, a few tips are shared to start healthy weaning.

Breastfeed the child when he asks

This rule states that nursing mothers should never refuse to feed when the child asks; hence also known as the “don’t offer, don’t refuse” management. It accelerates the process of weaning by limiting the tantrums and irritation of the child.

Avoid nursing stations

When weaning is introduced, the caretaker should avoid taking the child to the nursing area or the area where the child breastfeeds typically at home to deviate the mind and prevent demanding breast milk.

Getting help from family members

As with the mother and father, the child is also attached to other family members, so family members can help in the weaning process by feeding the child when the mother or father is not around.

Offer distractions during nursing and shorten the duration

While nursing, try to offer the child a snack or drink. Mother should read stories to him, offer a walk, and take him to his favorite places. Telling the child that we will be done after this story or after we count to 20 will help to shorten the nursing duration.

Replace nursing at night or for naptime

Offering cuddles, reading child stories, or engaging him with other activities could replace nursing.

Benefits of weaning

Following are the benefits of weaning for children

There are some benefits:

Promoting good eating habits

Weaning promotes excellent and healthy eating habits by introducing the child to healthy foods and developing their taste.

Reduce fussiness around food

Child lead weaning reduces fussiness as they can choose their food and be less picky.

Make feeding your child easier

Researches show child lead weaning reduces anxiety during the weaning period as a child is allowed to help himself, which does not overburden the mother.

Take home

Weaning is essential during the child’s growth as he develops a sense of taste and is introduced to various foods. This phase can be challenging too, but tips like breastfeeding when he asks, changing his daily routine, and replacing nursing at night or nap time can help make the weaning process easy.