Weaning the baby

SHARE WITH FRIENDS:

At what age is it recommended to wean a child?

Modern pediatricians, psychologists, breastfeeding consultants recommend breastfeeding the baby for as long as possible, but of course until the appropriate age. Usually this age is one and a half, less often two years. Some mothers continue to breastfeed until the child is 3-4 years old, explaining this by the fear of ending such physical and mental contact with their children.

According to social surveys, the optimal time to wean among mothers is the time when the child is mentally and physically ready to be weaned, which is approximately one year of age. Many women stop breastfeeding when their baby is one year old and explain why:

• The child is now able to consume absolutely ‘adult’ food, of course, with certain restrictions;

• Decreased levels of essential vitamins and protective substances in breast milk;

• Need to get started;

• They are tired of feeling like a ‘dairy factory’.

At the same time, counselors recommend not to stop breastfeeding until 1,5-2 years of age, as the composition of milk changes as the baby grows and retains the nutrients that the baby needs right now. .

How to wean a baby?

In some mothers the process of weaning the baby is almost easy and painless, while in some mothers the baby does not agree with this decision and begins to whim. To make it as easy as possible to wean the baby, it is necessary to gradually switch to breastfeeding 1-2 times a day, only in the morning and evening, that is, to ensure that the baby does not require breastfeeding during the day. The mother's body gradually reduces milk production, the breast does not "swell". In this case, it is enough for the child to sleep for a few nights with another family member, separately from his mother. Advantages of this method:

• The baby does not smell breast milk;

• His father or grandmother may soothe him, rub him, and give him water or compote;

• The mother is not left with the choice between weaning or breastfeeding.

If the baby is accustomed to breastfeeding after each feeding, then abrupt cessation of breastfeeding can adversely affect the baby and even lead to hysteria. In this case, the method of weaning will be different. For some time before weaning the baby during the day, it is necessary to distract him with delicious juice, compote, clean water, and only then it will be possible to wean the baby from evening breastfeeding. There are also other recommendations:

• Change the breastfeeding habit: breastfeeding in conditions that are not normal for the baby, such as breastfeeding to the left, not to the right;

• Make changes to breastfeeding times;

• Use other perfumes, if the child does not notice the smells he has learned, he will become alienated and start eating less.

Some mothers sometimes decide to stop breastfeeding suddenly, leaving the baby in the care of a grandmother or relative for a few days. During this time, the child “forgets” the breast without seeing the mother and stops asking for it constantly. If a woman suddenly decides to stop breastfeeding, the following is recommended to avoid problems:

• reducing the amount of fluid you drink during the day;

• restrict hot meals;

• wearing tight underwear;

• to relieve swollen breast pain, to reduce the stagnation and accumulation of milk in the breast, to milk it sparingly until the milk is fully returned.

If the lactation process cannot be stopped naturally, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist and together with a doctor to choose a drug to stop the production of milk in the body.

Weaning the baby: a folk tradition

Separation of the child from breastfeeding is the breaking of the ‘bond’ that connects the mother and the child spiritually. There are a number of well-known recommendations and prohibitions among the people in this regard, the most popular of which are:

• The child cannot be weaned in summer, winter, early spring, during fasting;

• It cannot be restored after stopping breastfeeding.

Why can’t breastfeeding be restored? There is a saying among the people that after this, the child becomes ‘eye-catching’, i.e. ‘touching’ the eyes of others. Perhaps it is necessary to wean again the day after the resumption of breastfeeding in order to eliminate the negative impact on the psyche of the child and the mother.

It is much clearer that breast milk is inseparable from summer, when milk protects the baby from various intestinal infections, and in winter - from viruses, and in early spring - from avitaminosis.

It is preferable to stay away from other folk remedies, such as rubbing something bitter on the breast or drawing large spots to scare the baby, as this can have a negative effect on the child’s psyche.

And, of course, every woman has the right to stop breastfeeding at any time, depending on her condition, emotional state, and the health of the baby.