If you do not know when to wean your baby, you can base your baby's readiness signs. However, you need to clearly distinguish whether your baby is ready to stop breastfeeding and not temporarily breastfed for some reason
What is self-directed weaning?
Self-directed weaning often occurs when a baby no longer needs to be breastfed, both nutritionally and emotionally. In order for a baby to quit feeding on its own, a baby needs to first get most of the nutrients from sources other than breastmilk such as rice, porridge, milk, bread ... Usually, this only happens when the baby is over 1 year old. , was able to hold a cup to drink by himself and gradually did not care about breastfeeding anymore. However, weaning based on your baby's natural needs usually takes a long time, and to finish the process, moms may have to wait until the baby is 2 or 4 years old. This is not a big problem for mothers who want to prolong the breastfeeding process.
Weaning in the form of a self-directed baby can be successfully applied when the baby has mastered the eating skills and tolerates major nutrition from food
Baby ready?
Babies often rarely wean themselves before 18 to 24 months. If a baby suddenly refuses to breastfeed, you should check to see if the baby has one of the reasons why the baby is lazy to breastfeed:
-Baby is sick or hurt: toothache, ear infection, mouth injury, thrush ...
-Mother changes her diet to make milk taste different
Your baby is more allergic or sensitive to something in breast milk
-The amount of milk is reduced
-Mothers change many types of bottles, nipples and combine formula for babies to drink
There is a change in mother's body odor: the smell of soap, perfume, fabric softener and body lotion
-Change breastfeeding schedule according to work, kindergarten, school, work schedule ...
Stress: work, moving house, personal conflicts ...
-Mother reacts too strongly when the baby bites her while breastfeeding
Tips when weaning your baby
- Milk gradually.
- Weaning at night feeds before weaning during the day. This will help your baby establish a habit of sleeping through the night.
- Follow up if your baby is tired.
-If weaning suddenly is inevitable, give the baby lots of love and care for the mother's physical and mental health.
-Caiing the baby's milk without having to refuse the baby. If you try to push your baby away, say no, or turn away every time your baby wants to breastfeed, it will make your baby feel that you are not accepting your baby.
Are you in a hurry to wean your baby? Over time, foods will gradually replace breast milk, becoming your baby's main food source. And the right time to wean will come closer and closer. However, it is not easy to change a habit that has followed the baby for a long time, so sometimes, mothers can suffer from unnecessary rush.
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