The Process Of Baby Weaning

The connection developed between mother and infant through breast feeding is a strong emotional attachment. Psychologically, both the mother as well as infant can experience some separation anxiety during weaning if it’s forced or done too fast. When pondering weaning your child, it’s best to think of it as a slow and gradual procedure, rather than an abrupt and immediate event.

Weaning, very much like any other event in the life of your child, will come at different times for everyone. Your baby is an individual, and just as your individual child will learn to sit up, roll over, and crawl at different stages than every other child, so will they undergo the baby weaning process. Don’t forget, your baby’s digestive and motor skills will not be developed enough before six months to handle solid foods.

Several sources recommend breast feeding your child until twelve months of age. You shouldn’t be alarmed if you do not make it this far as many children self wean around the ages of 9-12 months. If your child is rejecting the breast milk, then it is time. The one factor you must avoid while attempting to wean your newborn baby is rushing or forcing the procedure before the child is prepared.

Do your very best to watch out for the signs that your child is ready to wean. They should become, disinterested in breast feeding and in many cases begin grabbing for foods and trying to insert them in their mouths. As soon as this begins to take place, you are going to realize it is time to start the weaning process.

As soon as you begin to introduce other foods, or even formula to your toddlers diet, you have begun weaning your baby. This doesn’t imply you need to halt breastfeeding completely. This merely means the slow and gradual process has begun. It can take weeks or perhaps months, so be patient, do it bit by bit and with love. Natures strong and loving bond through mother and child will survive it, and so will you.