In the first year of life, infants undergo periods of rapid growth when good nutrition is crucial. In fact, nutrition in the early years of life is a major determinant of healthy growth and development throughout childhood and of good health in adulthood.
Breastfeeding is an excellent way to feed your baby in the early months and breast milk continues to be the best food for baby's first year. It is a complete food for the baby because it contains many immune cells which help the baby fight germs and infections without first falling ill. It also creates a psychological security and bond between the mother and child. Babies on mother milk are less likely to be overweight as adults than the one fed on formula feeds. The incidence of diabetes and intestinal diseases is also much lesser in a breast fed child.
Breast milk does provide all the nutrients that a baby needs for healthy development in the first six months of life. But after the first few months, your baby's needs are no longer met entirely by breast milk. Around the age of six months, solid food should be introduced. This is called Weaning the baby. Weaning, as the word indicates, is the process of transition from a purely milk based intake of the child (i.e. weaning away from) to a semi solid diet for the child.
Weaning a baby from the breast is a big change for moms as well as for babies. Besides affecting you physically, it may also affect you emotionally. Some moms feel a little sad to lose some of the closeness that breast-feeding provides. Don't be surprised if you feel both happy and sad that your child is becoming more independent.
When is the best time to wean?
There is no right or wrong time. And there is no correct length of time that it should take. It depends on how ready you and your child are to start weaning. Timely weaning occurs when the baby's need to suck lessens. This typically occurs sometime between six months and three and a half years of age. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for at least two years. If given the chance, many babies would breastfeed beyond their first year. Weaning is a personal decision. In short, when one or both members of the mother-baby relationship are ready, it's time to wean.
Which foods to start with?
Babies can be weaned with a variety of foods but the rule of the thumb is to begin with those foods which are least allergic and slowly move up to the heavier proteins. Following tips will help you get started:
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You can puree (food prepared by cooking and straining in a blender) boiled carrots (gazar), cauliflower (gobhi), bottle gourd (lauki), sweet potato (shakarkand) and potato. It is not necessary to add milk or any salt or sugar. You can simply mix a sweet vegetable with a bland one to get the desired taste. In fact, most authorities feel that bringing the baby food to the adult taste may be a mistake as we have very high threshold of both salt and sugar which may be too high for the child.
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You can also introduce fruit purees to the baby. Mashed banana, apple, pear (nashpati), apricots (khubani), sweet lime, muskmelon (kharbooja) can be given. One can avoid strong citrus fruits like oranges, berries, cherries, pomegranate (anar) as they are acidic for the delicate stomach lining of the child.
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Boiled and mashed brown rice is the lightest food one can introduce. But sooji (semolina) should be avoided because it is refined food and it contains gluten which may be allergic in some babies.
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The next step can be to introduce boiled dals (pulses) like mung dal (green gram). But avoid the heavier dals like chana dal (bengal gram) in the beginning.
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For babies who have allergies or a family history of asthma and skin allergies, it is best to start the following foods only after 1 year of age: honey, wheat, oat, animal and dairy products, peanuts, soy and heavier dals. Processed and canned food should be avoided completely.
Should the foods be given in a juice form every time?
A great myth which mothers have is that every food is to be fibreless which is why many mothers prefer juices than giving mashed fruits which is not right. At this age, it is understandable to give soft foods but that does not mean that the foods have to be a fibre-free liquids.
Be prepared to breastfeed more often again if you see behaviors such as tantrums, anger, or sadness in your baby. These behaviors may occur if you are weaning too quickly. Also, babies may have occasional spurts of breastfeeding more often again if they are ill, upset, or experiencing new situations. At these times, your baby wants breastfeeding for comfort.
