Buzz
Breast milk is the perfect source of nutrition for the comprehensive development of infants and young children. During the first 6 months of life, babies only need this sole source of nutrition. Even at the 6th month, when babies start to explore solid foods, nutrition experts still advise maintaining breastfeeding until the age of 2. So, when is the right time to wean a child off breastfeeding, and how can you do it safely and effectively?
1. When can you wean your baby off breastfeeding?
Weaning can be initiated when a baby is 4 months old, but nutrition experts recommend breastfeeding until the age of 24 months. The timing of weaning depends on the circumstances of the mother and baby. However, weaning before 12 months can be detrimental to the baby because breast milk contains antibodies that provide the best disease protection. Therefore, breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life, except in unavoidable circumstances.
- Supplementary foods for babies during the weaning period
Effective methods for weaning your baby off breastfeeding
One sign to know the right time to wean your baby is when you feel their head is firm, no longer needing support behind the neck. Other signs to look for include: the baby sitting steadily without assistance, showing signs of discomfort after breastfeeding, or frequently waking up at night due to hunger.
2. What to consider when weaning a baby?
Avoid weaning when the baby is sick.
3. 10 safe and effective ways to wean a baby
Disguising the breast
You can draw scary shapes on the breast or apply lipstick to make the baby scared and unwilling to breastfeed. This is a relatively common method that has been successfully applied by many mothers.
Temporary separation for a few days
Mothers can send the baby to grandparents for care, or they can go to work early and come home late when the baby is asleep to prevent the baby from seeing the mother. Initially, the baby may cry for the mother, but after 2-3 days, the baby will gradually get used to the mother's absence. The baby can stay at home with grandparents or dad, will be introduced to solid food and bottle feeding. When the baby meets the mother again, they will forget about breastfeeding. However, mothers must be persistent and not falter when missing their child.
Applying menthol oil (high) on the chest
Mother naturally loses milk
If the mother loses milk, when the baby breastfeeds, they will not feel any milk coming out, will get bored, and not want to breastfeed anymore. At first, the mother may feel a bit sore because the baby will bite and pull to try to get milk out. Some ways for mothers to naturally lose milk include taking medication, eating betel leaves, strawberry leaves, etc.
Using oversize medicine
This medicine is black in color and bitter in taste, available at western pharmacies. Crush the medicine with water to create a thick paste, then apply it on the breast. When the baby wants to breastfeed, they will not dare to breastfeed partly because of the color of the milk, partly because of the smell and taste. If the baby is hungry, feed them solid food or use a bottle. Keep the baby away for 1-2 nights so they forget about demanding breast milk. If they are too hungry, they will definitely have to eat outside or use a bottle.
Using adhesive tape to cover the nipples
Introduce pacifiers from an early age
When the baby is 3 months old, besides breastfeeding, introduce pacifiers to the baby. Later on, this will help the baby easily transition away from breastfeeding and get accustomed to bottle feeding better, allowing for weaning at any time.
Apply bitter cloxit medication to nipples
Mothers can buy this medicine at western pharmacies, then grind it into powder and mix it with water to create a thick paste to apply to the nipples. This medicine is extremely bitter but safe for children. When the child sucks on the nipple, they will immediately release it. Because of the extreme bitterness of the medicine, many babies will cry loudly. If applied consistently 2-3 times at the right breastfeeding intervals, the baby will no longer demand the mother's breast.
Feed the baby multiple meals throughout the day
Some babies, even when full, still like to suckle on the mother's breast to feel close to her. To wean them off, mothers should apply the above methods. For babies who are already full and no longer demand the mother's breast, weaning can be achieved by having the father or grandparents feed the baby multiple meals throughout the day so that the baby doesn't feel hungry. It's advisable to feed the baby easily digestible foods to prevent them from getting bored and demanding the mother's breast.
Use fake bottles with real milk
The baby refuses the bottle because they notice a different taste from the mother's breast milk. To help the baby get used to the bottle, mothers should express their breast milk and put it into the bottle. This way, the baby will recognize the familiar taste of breast milk and gradually accept the bottle.
Some types of formula milk that mothers trust and choose for their beloved babies during the weaning period include: Japanese milk (Glico Icreo milk, Wakodo milk, Morinaga milk, Meiji milk, etc.), Swiss milk, French milk (Gallia, Cellia, Physiolac, etc.), Aptamil milk,... These are cool, easily digestible milk with a mild taste, similar to mother's milk, helping babies easily accept the milk.
