Weaning your baby -The right way
It is recommended that a baby exclusively breastfeeds for the first six months of his life. After that, or even earlier, alternative foods are introduced to his diet, a process called weaning.
Weaning is best started from end of 3 months to 6 months depending on maternal, infant, socio economic and cultural factors. Until then, breast milk provides the calories and nourishment your baby needs.
A very important question of weaning though that mums need to answer is: Am I doing it right? Rickets and constipation in the child are only but a few complications that can arise when weaning is done wrongly.
Anastacia W. Kariuki, a Consultant Nutritionist notes that the first weaning foods should be smooth and mainly consisting of milk based porridge, pureed rice, bananas, pureed fruit and pureed vegetables and pulses/legumes. Each new food should be introduced gradually and the child’s perception towards the particular food monitored and as per the developmental stage of the child.
Mums should avoid weaning with mixed cereal flours due to their high phytate (a substance that reduces the absorption of calcium and phosphorous) levels. Many reviewed journals and publications related to weaning have associated these flours to the rising rickets rate in the country.’
Another complication is constipation from the mixture of flours and pulses/legumes currently used during weaning. It is prudent that mums get professional advice before contemplating the weaning process so that they can be guided appropriately and prevent the risks associated with weaning with the wrong foods.
How do you wean a baby?
A baby should be weaned slowly. At the time of introduction, give a test feed and increase gradually as the baby gets used and additional demand increases. Remember to monitor the baby’s performance and adjust accordingly. However, breastfeeding should continue up to 18 months if possible.
What happens if weaning starts way earlier?
Before three months, the baby’s digestion system may not be mature enough to tolerate the new foods. This may cause abdominal upsets and irritation causing vomiting, colic and undue constipation. It may also deny the child maternal antibodies that are known to be protective. Waiting until your baby is mature enough to stop breastfeeding greatly reduces the risk of allergic reactions as well.
What complications could arise during weaning?
o If not done properly the baby can suffer from undue psychological trauma with far reaching consequences-he can develop food phobia and indigestion.
o The baby can be choked by improper methods of feeding and some have been known to die or develop respiratory complications.
o High food concentrations have also been known to be toxic to the baby’s body system and have actually caused death for instance normal salt content is too strong for the baby and may cause chemical intoxication.
What are the benefits of weaning on time?
It gives the baby extra food requirement not fully obtained from breast milk. It also allows the baby to adjust gradually to the new food rather than stopping breast milk suddenly. The mother can also rest and have time for other duties of baby care and family demands. She also starts to rebuild her health which has been taxed in pregnancy and lactation.
What are the dangers of late weaning?
The child may not get adequate diet and may thus be malnourished. The mother may also be overtaxed in providing nutrition through breast milk. She may not have sufficient time or milk to satisfy the baby. The baby’s extra demand may also disturb her nutritional or health status.
What they say:
Anna, 3 ½ month old baby
My baby has only added100 grams since her birth three and half months ago. I felt that I needed to add something in her diet more than my breast-milk so that her weight increases. I have introduced her to pawpaw and water. My baby has not shown any resistance to the new diet. However, I notice that her pooh is hard.
Ruth, two children, 3 and 5
When my children were young, I started weaning each of them from the sixth month. I knew that breastfeeding had to be done exclusively for 6 months. I began with porridge. I would give three spoons per sitting. At first they resisted but they got used with time.
Catherine, 11 month old baby
I started weaning my baby at 6 months. I gave him porridge made from rice in small amounts. Of course I knew he would resist the first time because of the strange taste. .
Of importance though, to all mothers, is never to introduce two different diets in a week. There is need to watch out for any allergic reactions and know how to deal with them. Introduce different solids gradually, one at a time, waiting at least three days after each new food. This way you will note if your baby has an allergic reaction to one of them; signs of an allergy may include diarrhoea, a bloated tummy, increased gas or a rash.
END: BL20/64-66