A little guide for weaning your baby

Breastfeeding, as well as being the best source of nutrition for the newborn, is also a very special time of big intimacy between mother and child. But there comes a time when your child must move to a later stage of his life: weaning. Every mother experiences this passage with so many doubts, and indeed there are plenty of things to know about weaning. Fortunately you can find a lot of advices also online thanks to Checkpregnancy.com, the most exhaustive website about motherhood and pregnancy.

For example when is the right moment to start weaning? This is a very personal choice but in any case this delicate process has to be as natural as possible, also respecting the emotional needs of your child, because weaning too suddenly can have negative effects and it can also be very traumatic and stressful. However generally baby lead weaning begins at 5 or 6 months, when the child starts to feel interested in different foods, with the introduction of the first solid and semi-solid foods (biscuits, fruit, soup and baby food) to the diet with only milk. But in any case, if the child is breastfed and enjoys good health, you can consider to start with weaning a little later. In fact studies show that starting weaning too early may increase the risk of eczema, asthma and atopy. In addition, breastfed babies for a longer period are less likely to develop allergies to foods such as milk or peanuts.

Another important question that every mother ask for answer is: “ why weaning is so important”? This change is so essential because growing up, the baby begins to need additional amount of minerals, in particular iron, proteins and certain fats for the optimal psychomotor development. We wean the baby also because its digestive abilities are matured making it able to take foods other than milk. And also because in this way the child begins to get used to flavors and textures different from those of only mother's milk. But remember that dureing the weading process breastfeeding is still fundamental, in fact the other foods simply complete the meals of your baby with their additional nutrients. 

And if the child refuses to eat? You have to be very patient during weaning and do not experience the meal with apprehension. Forcing the child to eat is wrong because it can create nervousness. Better stop and try again later, perhaps trying to figure out if the child is tired. And if you feel discouraged remember that weaning is a difficult phase for every mother. But with the help of the family you will manage to overcome this new fundamental step for the healthy growth of your little child.