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Perhaps that’s enough: signs that it’s time to wean your baby
The World Health Organization recommends weaning a baby after two years of age. In practice, Russian mothers most often finish breastfeeding between a year and two. Moreover, the older the baby becomes, the more misunderstanding and rejection of those around them nursing mothers face.
25 2020 June
Only here it is not for the “sofa experts” to decide when and how a woman should turn off the GW. Yes, there are cases when it has to be done urgently, including for medical reasons. But if neither the mother nor the baby has health problems, then the baby should be weaned smoothly, gradually, focusing on some indirect signs that show that the process will be the least traumatic for both.
Signs your baby no longer needs mom’s milk
– In him all milk teeth have erupted, and he easily gnaws apples, and carrots, and drying.
– Most likely, it has already been completely transferred to the common table and his diet has all the food options: and cereals, and soups, and meat, and dairy products, and fruits and vegetables. He will definitely not remain hungry without breastfeeding, and he will not feel thirsty: there is tea, water, other drinks.
– It can put someone else to sleep – dad or grandmother. And a big tragedy from the fact that there is no “sisi”, the kid will not do. Of course, on his chest he falls asleep more calmly and faster, but if not, then no.
– If he asks for breast, and you cannot give it to him right now, he is quick enough will be distracted and go to play or do your other business. This means that such a request is a consequence of a habit, not a need.
– By the way, calm the crying baby also possible without a breast.
– Is he sleeps all night without awakening for feedings. And even if he suddenly wakes up at night, he can be “tricked” with a bottle of water. This feature is considered a priority by breastfeeding specialists.
– You did not breastfeed the baby for more than six hours and at the same time do not feel the rush, severity, overcrowding? This is also a good symptom: for you, weaning will also be painless in every sense. Suppression of lactation during early breastfeeding is often a problem for nursing mothers.
– Mom returned home after a long absence. The baby is very happy to see her, he missed her, but at the same time does not reach first to the chest.
The situation matters
Even if you see that the baby is ready, you need to choose the right moment. Weaning does not begin during the child’s illness (we repeat, if this is not due to medical indications), when his teeth are teething, during the period of vaccination or a change of scenery – moving, going on vacation, the first weeks in a nursery. Some pediatricians advise not to start the process in the summer, in the heat.
Breastfeeding, if it is a planned decision, does not end abruptly. The number of feedings is reduced gradually. First, they remove the daytime ones, and then the nighttime ones, observing the baby’s reaction. If the child’s appetite has deteriorated, he began to throw tantrums, sleep poorly, ask for breasts more often at night, bite, it means that the moment was chosen unsuccessfully. In this case, you should postpone the process and try again after a week or ten days.