The best weaning age

The stage of breastfeeding the child

The stage of breastfeeding the baby is one of the stages that closely links the mother to her child, as it is not just a feeding process, so the weaning period is one of the most difficult periods for the mother and her child, as she tries to search for solutions to weaning with the least negative effects on him and without his discomfort. There are many questions about the appropriate age and weaning method for weaning. In this article, we will provide answers to these and other questions.

 The appropriate age for weaning

• It is preferable for the mother to continue breastfeeding her child until at least his first year, because her milk contains the full balanced food needed by the child's body, which benefits his health and strengthens his immunity in particular. 
• The needs of each child must be taken into account separately, and not one of them is compared to other children, some of them wean themselves by their tendency to diversify foods and leave them to breastfeed, and some of them need a longer period of time to get used to the usual foods and avoid breastfeeding, and so on.

Cases in which early weaning is not recommended

 Having a family history (inheritance) of food allergy, as breastfeeding for a minimum of four months protects the child from this allergy, so it is best to consult a doctor before starting the weaning process.

•  The child is going through difficult health conditions, as he should not start weaning while he is in the teething stage, or in a specific medical condition, such as malnutrition, colds, or high temperature.
• The mother passes through difficult health or psychological conditions, as it is preferable to start weaning while she is in a good mood so that she can bear her child and his psychological changes.
• The family goes through changes, such as moving to a new home, or having a new child, or other situations that cause the child to be anxious and not feel safe or comfortable.
•  Summer, when weaning is preferable in the winter or spring, given that summer causes many diseases such as gastroenteritis, especially after weaning, as the latter strengthens the child's immunity.

 How to wean a child

 To wean a child, you should rely on two basic plans:

Shorten the time for breastfeeding, distract the baby and take the following steps:

•  Cancel the breastfeeding session and offer him a cup of milk or a bottle of milk depending on his age.
•  If he rejects it and insists on breastfeeding, try with him later.
•  Reduce your baby's breastfeeding period, and complete a snack if he is old enough to eat this type of meal (if he is over 6 months old).
• Be patient, because weaning takes place gradually, and you have to tolerate your baby, especially at lactation before bed. Distract him from breastfeeding by engaging him with a nice toy that draws his attention, or a snack he loves.