Weaning: 10 Questions and Answers about this Process and How-To

The weaning can be a painful process for both the mother and the baby. But, it is worth knowing that with a few tips it is possible to face this period without trauma and stress, ensuring peace and balance for the whole family.

However, it is worth knowing that breastfeeding is highly recommended until the age of two, providing all the vitamins, nutrients and antibodies to maintain health for years.

Want to know more? So keep reading and learn a lot more about weaning , as well as the main questions and answers related to the subject. Check out!

weaning

Motherhood involves countless challenges, after all, since the beginning, the child is in a continuous learning process, as well as parents, especially the first-timers. This can be frustrating and also takes time, persistence and a lot of patience. And this would be no different with weaning, since in addition to being a habit and a means of feeding, it also symbolizes a bond that is not always easy to break.

And if that bond is a concern, rest assured. Because, there are other means of proximity between the mother and the baby, which equally grant exchange, affection and care, following the child’s development and stage.

However, this process is not always easy and, above all, it is important to emphasize that the mother must be prepared. That’s because there will be many crying, moments of stress, nervousness, anxiety, among others. And so, it is necessary for the woman to remain strong and firm, to understand that these episodes are normal at first, but with time they tend to lessen, until the baby gets used to the new routine.

In addition, it is also necessary to say that weaning does not happen overnight, nor should it. Since this can cause trauma and harm to the baby. So, plan and as already said, prepare yourself little by little for this phase, because with patience, affection and a few tips, everything will work out.

Now, read on and get to know the main questions and answers about weaning . Check out!

10 Weaning Questions and Answers

Breastfeeding has challenges from its beginning to its end. That’s because, in the beginning, what affects are the concerns about production and possible pain, and then the main difficulty is knowing how to wean. After all, after a long period, the baby and the mother are used to this moment, which makes the new routine slow and painful.

But, if this is your affliction, rest assured, this phase can be faced calmly and patiently, as well as some very important tips for this transitional moment.

So, keep reading and see the main doubts about weaning, so that you can start without stress, trauma and discomfort for both mother and baby. Look!

What is weaning?

Weaning is a process of changing food via breastfeeding to other types of consumption , which requires time and patience. And it is also worth mentioning that there are two types of weaning, natural weaning and abrupt interruption, where the second reveals an urgent need, which usually follows medical indication and great care.

Typically, abrupt weaning takes place when the mother is still breastfeeding and discovers she is pregnant . Because, in this case, there is a risk of miscarriage with the stimulation of the mammary glands, which requires a sudden and immediate interruption that can be a little complicated for both the mother and the baby.

After all, the baby will have to get used to formula milk unexpectedly, which is not always so easy and the mother will also continue to produce the food, which can cause pain and discomfort, such as clogging, for example. So, if this is your case, it’s worth sticking to some tips that we’ll mention below, as well as medical follow-up that can help you in this situation.

But, if there are no problems, the most suitable thing is to carry out the natural weaning process , which respects the child and also promotes benefits and greater autonomy in a gradual and gentle way.

When will the weaning process begin?

To answer this question, it is important, first of all, to emphasize that, according to the WHO – World Health Organization, breastfeeding should be the exclusive feeding of the baby up to 6 months of life. And only after this period other types of food should be offered, but always together with breast milk, at least until 2 years of age.

Therefore, it is most recommended that the weaning process only start from 2 years or more , however, it is known that in many cases this is not possible, mainly due to the double shift of the woman, which includes working outside for long periods .

So, if possible, wait until this age, but if there are no alternatives, it is important to seek help from a pediatrician who can indicate the best way to care for and maintain your baby’s nutrition properly.

How to start with the natural weaning process?

To start with the weaning process, first of all it is necessary for the mother to prepare herself physically and emotionally , after all, the baby at the beginning may be against the changes in breastfeeding, which results in stress, crying and nervousness.

With this, the first tip at this stage is to plan and thus, note the times that the baby has the habit of breastfeeding and choose a certain one to start , however, for now, avoid breastfeeding before bedtime.

This is because, taking a feed before bed, both in the afternoon and at night, can generate a great load of emotional stress for the baby, making him suffer a lot and making sleeping periods difficult.

Therefore, choose a breastfeeding that is not the one before sleep and effectively withdraw for 2 weeks. After this period, choose another moment of breastfeeding and also withdraw for the same period and so on until all feedings are finished.

The ones before bedtime, as already mentioned, can be a little more complicated. So, when deciding to remove them, be patient and empathetic to understand this phase of the baby. And also offer a lot of affection, lap, affection and even objects such as teddy bears, stuffed animals and little ones, which can act as a substitute at this time.

What to do if the baby is suffering a lot from weaning?

In the beginning it is common for babies to suffer from the new weaning routine. So, to alleviate these feelings of anxiety, be sure to dedicate time to the baby with lots of love, showing affection and complicity.

Soon, sing songs, tell stories and create other types of bonds that can bring them together in these moments of doubt and insecurity, especially for the child.

Likewise, the support of the father and family circle are essential , as this period can physically and emotionally overwhelm the mother. Therefore, before starting weaning, also talk to other family members who provide help and reinforce this need until weaning occurs gradually and in a healthy way.

How to offer milk during weaning?

Starting with weaning does not mean that the baby will also stop consuming milk. Therefore, at first try to remove breast milk with pumps , in order to store and offer it in cups, spoons or even baby bottles, if the family wants.

Breast milk can be frozen in the freezer for up to 2 months and thus, it is ideal especially for mothers who wish to wean due to returning to work. Therefore, when starting with weaning, remove the excess with the pump and remember to choose suitable and comfortable models that really help for this phase.

What to do if the milk hardens in the breast?

When starting with weaning, the flow of milk does not always decrease immediately, which can cause breast pain and hardening. So, a good tip is to make compresses with cold water , which will ease the hot and burning sensation. And also during the bath, let the warm water fall on top of the breast and massage with circular compression movements .

Do this whenever you feel uncomfortable and also remove with the pump to prevent the accumulation of milk in the breast, which results in pain and lumping. And if possible, inform your gynecologist or even your pediatrician, in order to find a better solution. And if weaning is abrupt, also report this problem to the specialist, to reduce discomfort.

But, without a doubt, compresses and massages will help a lot. As well as the use of bras and tops that compress the breasts more, as they become firmer and tighter, there is a decrease in production. So be sure to follow these tips.

Is it recommended to use products with bad taste to prevent the baby from getting the breast?

No, this practice, generally used by the ancients, is not recommended, as it can cause some trauma to the child , who suffers a sudden change from a pleasant practice to a painful and unpleasant one.

Thus, according to specialist doctors, the ideal is not to use products that interfere with the taste of the breast. And yes, perform natural and gradual weaning, which in most cases tends to work, avoiding the child’s suffering, even if it takes a few months to be achieved.

Are remedies to dry breast milk indicated?

According to expert opinions, remedies to dry breast milk are not recommended , especially at the beginning of weaning, where this type of food can be offered by other means, such as cups and bottles. Thus, the ideal is to try to use natural methods, which will gradually reduce production, which avoids greater discomfort for both mother and baby.

So, if you want to reduce production, the tip is to make compresses with cold water, at least 3 times a day, for a maximum of 15 minutes. And also put tops, bras or bandages on the breast that make them tight and thus, production will decrease.

Likewise, according to some opinions, consuming smaller amounts of fluids and engaging in intense physical activities also reduce the amount of breast milk production, considerably reducing production, without the consumption of medication.

However, if these natural methods are not working, you will need to consult your doctor, who will recommend the best treatment for your situation.

How to wean without losing the bond with the baby?

The fear of many mothers is about the possible breaking of the bond that can occur with weaning. However, know that this is all an adaptation process that can be smooth and full of benefits for everyone involved.

Thus, as mentioned above, to maintain the bond between mother and child, a good tip is, instead of breastfeeding, to dedicate exclusive time to the baby with a lot of affection, exchange and care . At this moment, singing songs, rocking on your lap, telling stories and patting are great suggestions. So, like conversations and looks, which will strengthen the bonds.

So, don’t be afraid of hurting your baby during this weaning process and remember that, in addition to being necessary, it will ensure more autonomy and confidence for both the mother and the baby.

What milk to offer the child after weaning?

After weaning, one of the biggest questions and concerns for parents is about which milk is best suited for replacement. Therefore, the recommendation is always to seek an opinion from the pediatrician or nutritionist, who will provide adequate information about the nutrition needs for the child’s stage, avoiding loss of nutrients and vitamins important to growth.

As weaning usually occurs when food is added, the most important thing is to offer meals rich in vitamins that maintain a healthy balance . In addition to varieties that will diversify the baby’s menu.

And as for milk, if possible, prefer options that meet the growth stage and also those rich in vitamins and proteins, which will ensure supplementation, in addition to probiotics that will help in the functioning of the intestine.

What did you think of our weaning tips and information? Leave your comment!

Read more about the 1 year old feeding routine !

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Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.

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