A Q&A with registered dietitians Daina Kalnins and Joanne Saab.
What is weaning? Weaning is the process of transitioning your baby from milk -- either breastmilk or formula to a diet of solids foods. For this article, we talk about weaning from the breast.
When is the right time to wean? The World Health Organization recommends exclusively breastfeeding for at least six months and then gradually introducing solids. Some mothers will wean their babies earlier and place them on infant formula, while others will continue to breast feed into the second or third year of life and beyond.
What factors should a mother consider when deciding to wean? A mother’s desire to continue to breastfeed and when she needs to go back to work are often considerations for when a mother decides to wean. If a mother is going back to work after a one-year maternity leave, it is usually possible to continue to nurse in the morning and after work if mom and baby are still committed to breast feeding. The age of the child will also be a consideration, as babies under nine months of age generally are not able to take enough liquid from a cup or sippy cup and will usually need to be supplemented with breastfeeding or with a bottle of breast milk or formula. After nine months of age it may be possible to transition directly to a cup. Many exclusively breastfed babies are unwilling to drink from a bottle, which will affect the decision about when to wean.
How do we wean? There are no specific steps that you need to take to wean. It usually happens gradually over time. As your baby takes in more solid foods, he will gradually rely less on the breast. Usually the nursing times in the middle of the day are the first to go, and the ones at night may be stopped last. Let your baby guide you and listen to his cues.
How long does it take to wean? Weaning from solely breast feeding can take a few weeks or months -- it all depends on the mother’s situation with respect to work, accessibility to her infant, etc. Other options include continuing to breastfeed in the morning and evening, and providing breast milk or formula by bottle during day. Again, this is a very individual choice, but moms should be made aware of the different options.
What foods should we introduce first? If an infant has been exclusively breastfed, then the first foods should be, at six months, ones that contain iron and zinc. Iron-fortified infant cereals along with meats, chicken or tofu are good options. Foods should be mashed or pureed initially, with gradual increase in texture. It is probably best to introduce new foods one at a time over a couple of days to be able to identify any that may cause a reaction. The latest recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics is that it is not necessary to avoid certain foods like egg white or fish until one year. But it is best to check with a family doctor or pediatrician, especially if there is a history of allergy in the family.
Any other tips? It may take a few tries for a new food to be accepted, so don’t be discouraged if a child refuses even after five or six tries. We encourage moms or caregivers to prepare foods at home from fresh ingredients -- this allows for lots of variety and increased experimentation with food, and of course, is less costly than prepared commercial foods. Having said that, there is nothing wrong with commercial foods. Most have simple ingredients without additives or salt.
Daina Kalnins MSc, RD, is a registered dietitian at the Hospital for Sick Children, and Joanne Saab, RD, is a registered dietitian formerly of the Hospital for Sick Children. Mothers themselves, they have a combined 25 years of experience in pediatric research and nutrition.
Thought that was sweet? You'll enjoy:
Photo: Kimi Bono, stock.xchng
