9 Common Doubts About Weaning
Breastfeeding is a very special time for mother and baby. However, when weaning haunts our minds, many doubts arise, such as whether the baby is going to suffer during the process, how to wean, how long will we be like this, etc.
When this moment arrives, we can come to feel anguish and feelings of guilt and question ourselves, even if we will be able to wean. For this reason, we want to answer some of the most common questions about weaning.
Most common doubts about weaning
When to wean?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding up to at least 2 years of age of the child, so breastfeeding can be extended until mother and baby want.
However, there may be many other reasons before the age of 2 that make you decide to wean. And it will be just as valid as at any age. In the end, nobody like the mother herself knows her needs, her circumstances, her desires and the best for both her and her baby.
How do I wean? One of the most common doubts
Ideally, you should opt for a respectful weaning, a gradual weaning. The formula for this type of weaning is “do not offer, do not deny. ” You could start by eliminating the “least necessary” feed, which is usually the first hour in the afternoon, although no one knows the feedings of her child better than the mother.
Shots are always deleted one at a time. Until the little one has a deleted take, it is not convenient to move on to the next one.
Do I have to wean to go back to work?
Absolutely not. If you have to spend a lot of hours away from home and your child is less than 1 year old, you will probably need to express milk so that someone else can offer it or, failing that, use formula milk for those feeds. However, when you return to your baby, you must offer the breast to continue the good milk production.
Is it better to spend more time without my baby so that she asks for less?
It is not convenient to do it for long periods of time. Ultimately, weaning is a big change your baby is going to go through and separating from him for long periods would be another change that he should get used to.
Remember that during parenting, in general, it is not necessary to promote 2 changes simultaneously so that this change occurs in the most respectful way possible and is well accepted by the baby.
In addition, the mother will have to implement more activities with the little one in which she dedicates her attention, affection and love, to compensate for those moments that are no longer going to be given during the feedings that have been eliminated.
How long does weaning last? Another of the most common doubts
Weaning as such begins to be done gradually from the beginning of complementary feeding, since, as the baby grows, some feedings for other foods will be eliminated naturally.
However, when it is decided to eliminate all feedings and do a complete weaning, this process can take days, weeks or even months.
Breastfeeding is something very intimate and personal and all options are valid. You may have weaned your child, but you still want to have the morning feed or the feed before bed, for example. So complete weaning is really a gradual process and can take a long time.
Is it normal for me to cry? What do I do in that situation?
Yes, it is normal for them to cry, especially at night feedings in which they use their chest to relax and fall asleep. You have to be clear from the beginning that you have to serve them with all the love and understanding in the world every time they claim their mother. Like everything, it is a process and it will pass. It is important to always attend to her crying.
What is the parent method?
For night weaning, we can use the “parent method”, which is usually very useful. It consists in that every time the baby claims his mother during the night, it is the father who takes care of him. It will be more difficult for the little one not to ask for a breast if it is mother who is going to attend to him in his night awakenings.
What if he only knows how to fall asleep on his chest?
This is one of the most frequent doubts that occurs at weaning, but the little one will soon adopt new ways or routines to relax and fall asleep.
For this reason, it is important that every time you claim your mother you are treated. If it is the father, better. We must continue to accompany him and help him sleep if he needs it, only that instead of the chest, he will choose to sing to him, cradle him, caress him … Anything that can help him to fall asleep again.
What about nutrition after weaning?
This depends a lot on the age of the little one. If you are going to wean before the year, it is important that you still have several feedings per day, since until the first year of life milk is your main food. So you will have to supplement with milk that you have previously expressed or give formula milk.
If it is older than a year, you can offer whole cow’s milk along with the rest of its already incorporated diet. It is important for your child to have good healthy eating habits.
In short, we hope we have answered some of your questions regarding weaning. However, you can always consult with your pediatrician or your GP to provide you with the appropriate guidelines for you and your little one.
