Pediatrics recommend that moms breastfeed exclusively for the first six months. Stretching it a bit longer is even better. With time, it becomes a necessity to start weaning your child. Moving an infant from exclusive breastfeeding onto solid food can be a challenging experience.
Weaning can be baby-led where you follow your baby’s cues, for instance, when they no longer want to breastfeed. It can also be mother-led where you decide you are ready to stop nursing.
Here are some tips to make weaning easier for you and your infant.
1. Postpone Feedings
Start by lengthening the time between feedings. Extend this period by about 30 minutes each week. Within a few weeks or months, you may get to one feeding per day or none at all.
When your child gets hungry, give them solid food or formula depending on their age. Adopt a well-laid meal plan that slowly introduces your child to solid foods such as the ones offered at Baby Elk, infant care Singapore service. This food is carefully prepared to ensure your child stays healthy and strong.
2. Start Decreasing Time Spent at the Breast
Start shortening your nursing sessions gradually; you can cut down by one minute per week. By reducing the amount of time you nurse your child, you reduce their urge to breastfeed. With time, they will get used to nursing for a shorter period. They will realize that they aren’t getting everything they need and have to get it somewhere else.
3. Skip Some Feedings
Observe the feedings that seem less important to your child and try dropping them. After a couple of days or a week, eliminate another feeding. Night feedings are often the most important to infants, so you may want to keep them longer and eliminate them last. Remember to eliminate only one breastfeeding session at a time to avoid shocking and upsetting your baby. Replace these sessions with breast milk in a bottle.
4. Start Refusing Some Time
Pick a few feeding sessions such as bedtime and morning feed. Other times, start saying no to your child, especially when they are a little older and have picked a tendency to pinch, bite, or forceful with your breasts.
It is okay to say no to nursing, and it doesn’t make you a bad mom. You may feel a mix of emotions and some bit of sadness about failing to breastfeed at first. However, there are many exciting adventures ahead in your parenting journey.
5. Distract
Offer a healthy snack or play a game when your baby is looking to nurse. Any distraction where you are giving your infant attention goes a long way towards making weaning easier. Continue giving your baby plenty of affection by cuddling, talking, or singing to fulfill their needs.
6. Practice With a Cup
When your child can move a cup, try giving them a small amount of water or milk as they learn to hold and lift the cup. It may end up being an exciting and interesting process for your child, making weaning easier.
7. Relieve the Pressure
As your body becomes used to producing less milk during the weaning process, your breasts may feel full. You can express milk to relieve the fullness. Cool-compressing your breasts with a cabbage leaf or ice packs can offer some relief. The slower the process, the lower your risk of having plugged ducts and mastitis.
Bottom Line
Weaning marks an end to the unique breastfeeding relationship you share with your child. You will know when the time is right, no matter when it happens. Follow these tips to make the transition easier.
