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WEANING This term means the introduction of food other than breastmilk. It does not mean that the baby stops nursing. The overlap of breastfeeding and eating other foods is meant to be a large safety margin. The longer a child receives breastmilk the healthier he will be. The benefits are measurable way beyond infancy. I am saying this because it appears that in this country it is assumed that once a baby has solid food it will no longer need milk. It also appears to be a cause for pride to have a child who is precociously mature, having ‘solid food’ - which is in fact liquefied food - at only a few weeks that its gut is not ready to receive. The child is not ready until it is able to chew at least a little with its gums, if not teeth, and need never have pureed food at all. This readiness happens somewhere in the middle of the first year and may be related to when your baby cuts his teeth. Some are not ready for many months, even up to a year. Formula fed babies must receive other foods because formula is known not to be a perfect food for infants. This knowledge has then been transferred to breastfed babies because of fears about the inadequacy of milk. It does not apply to breastmilk in the same way and it is perfectly appropriate to feed a baby solely on breastmilk for at least six months. At about this time most babies will have started to show an interest in the food that you are eating. I found that my babies liked to nurse when we were having a meal, so it was natural for them to share as much as they could manage. I did have to draw the line at one daughter who used to nurse avidly and eat half the food off my plate. I thought it was time to give her her own meal. Many parents assume that babies need pureed food to begin with and even that it must be especially bought in little jars. Of course you can give your baby these foods if you wish but you do not need to. By starting your child on what you eat the chance is that he will continue to eat the same food as you with little fuss. When your baby stretches out his hand to try your food he wants what you are eating, not what you have separately prepared or bought. Once ready, a baby can manage to gnaw and suck at anything it can hold: crusts of toast quarters of apple peas chunks of banana dried apricots and figs | ||
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CATHERINE HOLLAND Tel: 0701 7415310 Email: catherine@catherineholland.co.uk | |
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