How to Know Whether Your Baby Is Ready For Weaning?
Progressing your baby from breast feeding to solid food is known as the process of weaning. Breast feed alone can not provide the required nutrients to your baby after six months. Weaning too early or increasing the amount of solids too quickly can harm the digestive system of your baby. Your baby must get proper amount of milk so that requirement of essential nutrient is fulfilled.
All babies have their own different needs. Your baby will produce some signs when he / she is ready to start eating solids. The following check list will help you to decide whether or not your baby is ready.
1. The first and the foremost point to take care of is that your baby should be more than 4 months old.
2. Is your baby capable of swallowing food? Babies can only swallow liquid initially and as they grow older, they develop the capacity to transfer food from mouth to throat.
3. If your baby has started sitting on its own or with some support and can support his / her own neck and head himself / herself, he / she is ready for weaning.
4. If your baby has started chewing his / her hand or anything he / she gets hold of, that means that he/she is ready.
5. When your baby tries to grab food from your plate, it is an important sign to understand that your baby is ready for weaning.
6. If your baby has gained double the weight than he / she had at the time of birth, then also your baby is ready for weaning.
7. When the baby starts demanding milk feed more frequently, it means the baby needs weaning.
8. If the baby is waking up at night again and again for feed, it means the baby is showing the signs of hunger.
If your baby shows most of the above signs, then that means that your baby is ready for weaning. Start with semi-solid foods and juice in very small quantity and gradually increase the quantity of her diet when the baby digests the food properly. If still if you have any doubt or concern, ask your doctor.
