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Nutrition experts advise weaning babies when they are 18-24 months old. However, the timing may vary depending on factors such as breast milk supply and other objective considerations.
So, what is the most effective method for weaning a baby who cries and refuses to cooperate? Mothers can seek guidance from the following nutrition experts:
When to start weaning the baby?
Nutrition experts suggest exclusively breastfeeding babies for at least the first 6 months, and continuing until they are 1 year old. There is no right or wrong decision in deciding to wean your child at this time, and there is no standard for the timing of weaning. Trust your maternal instincts!
How to wean the baby properly?
Gradually wean your baby regardless of the age. Sudden weaning can harm both mother and baby. Instead of leaving the baby for a few days to stop breastfeeding, try the following methods:
Apply menthol oil on the mother's nipples. The strong smell will make the baby gradually stop breastfeeding.
Reduce one feeding session per day and observe the baby's reaction. Prepare a substitute bottle, either with breast milk or formula milk. Repeat this for 1-2 weeks consistently at the same time to allow the baby to adapt to the change. This also helps the mother adjust and decrease milk production, reducing the risk of breast engorgement and mastitis.
This method is better than reducing one feeding session. For example, if the baby typically feeds for 5 minutes, reduce it to 3 minutes. Compensate for the reduced milk intake with formula milk or solid food (usually introduced around 6 months old). However, the bedtime feeding session might be the most challenging to change, so be patient because if the baby doesn't feed adequately, they may struggle to sleep.
Attach a black tape/apply bitter lipstick/tie tangled hair around the mother's nipples to make the baby afraid to suckle.
4 important tips for weaning your baby
- Avoid abrupt weaning
Abrupt weaning can lead to feeding aversion in children and affect their mental well-being. Breastfeeding is not just about nourishment for infants; it's also an emotional need, where babies seek comfort, closeness, and affection from their mothers. To prevent shock, gradually reduce feeding sessions. - Introduce enticing new foods to the baby
Alongside gradually reducing breastfeeding, introduce your child to new foods. This helps make weaning easier as the baby becomes interested in exciting foods, ensuring nutrition and diverting attention away from breastfeeding. - Avoid weaning during adverse weather conditions
Weaning during extreme hot or cold weather should be avoided as it can exhaust the baby, disrupting their eating habits and potentially causing illness. - Avoid weaning when the baby is sick
Sick children tend to have reduced appetite, making it challenging to adapt to new feeding routines. Particularly avoid weaning during episodes of diarrhea, as reduced food absorption exacerbates the condition, leading to further feeding aversion and malnutrition. During illness, breast milk is the safest and most nutritious option for the child.
Moreover, sick babies seek comfort and closeness from their mothers, which aids better sleep and reduces fussiness.
Allow the baby to sleep separately to gradually reduce breastfeeding
Various methods for weaning the baby
- Disguise the mother's nipple
Some effective techniques for disguising the mother's nipple to discourage breastfeeding, commonly used by mothers, include:
– Applying menthol oil to the nipple: let the baby smell it before breastfeeding. The strong scent will deter the baby. Warn the baby by saying, 'It's spicy! You won't be able to breastfeed!'
– Apply lipstick or tie knots in hair or attach black tape to the nipple: the baby will feel scared and refuse to breastfeed.
– Prepare betel or guava leaf extract to drink. These leaves reduce milk production. If the baby doesn't see milk, they will lose interest and stop breastfeeding.
– Crush garlic and mix it with water. Apply the garlic water mixture to the nipple and outer clothes. Just one day of this, and the baby will refuse to suckle anymore.
- Temporarily isolate the baby from the mother
Let the baby sleep separately or temporarily leave the baby with grandparents for a while to gradually reduce breastfeeding.
When weaning your baby, they will cry a lot, but don't be soft-hearted. Stay persistent and firm because weaning is crucial for your baby's growth.
9 signs indicating that it's time to wean your baby
- When carrying the baby, their head is steady without needing support behind the neck
- The child can sit upright without assistance
- The baby exhibits chewing motions
- The baby's weight has doubled compared to birth
- The baby shows signs of dissatisfaction even after being fed full and cries restlessly
- The baby breastfeeds for longer durations than usual
- The baby puts anything they find into their mouth
- The baby cries at night, waking up due to hunger
- The baby shows curiosity when seeing others eat
