Working Out When to Wean
Where did your helpless newborn go? Only yesterday, your wriggling bundle of joy was interested in nothing more than a drop of warm milk and a snooze. Suddenly he’s sitting up, gurgling away, and showing a sophisticated fascination in your Sunday roast with all the trimmings.
Weaning is a major milestone for every baby (and every parent). It’s an exciting time – the beginnings of family meals, picnics in the park, and fun-filled party teas. But before any of that happens, you’ve got a great deal of mess to get through.
Fun it may be, but weaning is also stressful – and not just because your home’s likely to get an interior makeover (puréed carrot can make interesting wallpaper). Deciding when to wean isn’t always easy either. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months to boost your baby’s immunity and avoid allergies – and that means no solids. But some babies seem ready for weaning earlier, and many health professionals agree that babies can start solids as early as age 4 months.
Posted in Children's Health
