A mother's common misconception would be that in weaning, breastfeeding can already be discontinued.
Certainly not true as weaning should be a gradual process of making sure that baby moves on from breast to feeding bottle to sippy cup to solid foods.
So when to stop breastfeeding? Well, that would actually depend on the mother-baby tandem.
If the mother wants to wean early, and yet the child doesn't want to (as evidenced by possible lack of head and back support due to baby being too young to sit or firmly fix his head upright, and through crying so loudly that the neighbors two doors away can hear), then mum would need to rethink her strategy.
But there are other things you can watch out for that signals your baby's readiness to wean.
He may need to have more feedings in a day, curiously (or suspiciously, just like my daughter does) eyeing other people's food, or waking up in the middle of the night asking for more milk feedings.
Solid foods need not be so solid, especially for a 6-month old baby.
Iron-fortified baby rice or cereal and pureed fruits (apples, pears, bananas) and vegetables (carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes) are perfect for a child who is ready to take on the munching world a little at a time.
Remember that they are just beginning to learn how to swallow something other than milk; giving them a feel of food texture when you're just starting out is not a good idea, as it may lead to choking - something we obviously don't want to happen.
You can start the feeding with some milk first, then introduce a little of the solid.
If he spits it out or outright rejects it, stop the feeding, and wait for a couple of days.
Then try again.
It has been said that patience is a virtue; this adage holds true for a time like this.
Gradually introduce new food, one type at a time.
Wait for 4 days before trying another so you can observe if he develops any allergic reaction or rash to the new food.
It is still strongly recommended though, that even though the baby has successfully been given solids, the mother should still be able to express enough breast milk.
In reality, baby really doesn't need anything else (except for breast milk) for the first 6 months.
Everything they would ever need is there - nutrients to help ward off sickness and infections, enzymes to help the digestive system do its job, etc.
Plus, there's also the added benefit of the security and comfort that only a mother can give, cementing a strong bond between mum and baby that lasts for a lifetime.
Certainly not true as weaning should be a gradual process of making sure that baby moves on from breast to feeding bottle to sippy cup to solid foods.
So when to stop breastfeeding? Well, that would actually depend on the mother-baby tandem.
If the mother wants to wean early, and yet the child doesn't want to (as evidenced by possible lack of head and back support due to baby being too young to sit or firmly fix his head upright, and through crying so loudly that the neighbors two doors away can hear), then mum would need to rethink her strategy.
But there are other things you can watch out for that signals your baby's readiness to wean.
He may need to have more feedings in a day, curiously (or suspiciously, just like my daughter does) eyeing other people's food, or waking up in the middle of the night asking for more milk feedings.
Solid foods need not be so solid, especially for a 6-month old baby.
Iron-fortified baby rice or cereal and pureed fruits (apples, pears, bananas) and vegetables (carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes) are perfect for a child who is ready to take on the munching world a little at a time.
Remember that they are just beginning to learn how to swallow something other than milk; giving them a feel of food texture when you're just starting out is not a good idea, as it may lead to choking - something we obviously don't want to happen.
You can start the feeding with some milk first, then introduce a little of the solid.
If he spits it out or outright rejects it, stop the feeding, and wait for a couple of days.
Then try again.
It has been said that patience is a virtue; this adage holds true for a time like this.
Gradually introduce new food, one type at a time.
Wait for 4 days before trying another so you can observe if he develops any allergic reaction or rash to the new food.
It is still strongly recommended though, that even though the baby has successfully been given solids, the mother should still be able to express enough breast milk.
In reality, baby really doesn't need anything else (except for breast milk) for the first 6 months.
Everything they would ever need is there - nutrients to help ward off sickness and infections, enzymes to help the digestive system do its job, etc.
Plus, there's also the added benefit of the security and comfort that only a mother can give, cementing a strong bond between mum and baby that lasts for a lifetime.