Weaning Guidelines: Transitioning from Breastfeeding to Solid Food

The transition from breastfeeding to solid food is considered one of the milestones in a baby’s life, where weaning is a process when newborns are given solid food or liquids from drinking breast milk or formula. Many reasons can affect this transitional change in babies, such as the mother now has to return to her workplace or routine after a long gap, the baby has recently turned 4-6 months old or simply the parents or family members feel that it is the right time.

When to introduce solids or wean off breastfeeding is a personal decision taken collectively by the parents and family members. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Sanju Siddardi, Consultant – Pediatrician and Neonatologist at Motherhood Hospitals, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, highlights the signs that your baby is ready for weaning –

• When your baby starts to sit without support or can balance his or her head on his or her own

• They can swallow breast milk without vomiting

• When they show least interest in eating or become irritable and fussy

• Meal time decreases over time

• Being curious when family members are eating and trying to snatch food from your plate

• Constantly biting your thumb or fingers

• Baby is sucking on the breast for comfort but is not extracting milk

Talking about ways to introduce solid foods, Dr. Sanju Siddareddi suggests –

1. At the right age: Parents or family members are advised not to rush too much and start weaning as early as possible. This can cause many health problems and concerns in the baby like asthma, digestive problems such as loose stools, constipation or gas, obesity and allergies. Parents should wait for the right time and right age to start feeding solid food. The ideal age to start complementary foods is 6 months, but in some cases pediatricians consider starting as early as 4 months.
2. Please ignore the quantity: In the early days, parents should focus more on feeding them the right amount of food rather than force-feeding them. The goal should be to feed them, not how much they are eating. Once they get used to the idea of ​​eating solid food and get used to it, food will become interesting to them. Force-feeding or overfeeding can lead to vomiting, constipation or diarrhea soon after eating.
3. Start with simple one-ingredient meals: Do not overfeed your baby by preparing fancy, heavy meals for him as this can harm his digestive system and cause stomach problems. Start with simple and basic foods or items that require less effort to chew, taste mild and are easy to digest. Simple and light foods like mashed fruits, vegetables like sweet potatoes, apples and bananas, daliya (porridge), soft rice and leftover broth from boiled lentils are the best ways to start.
4. Do not stop breastfeeding suddenly: Mothers are advised not to stop breastfeeding their babies suddenly, it is necessary to give them time and space to get used to this new change in their lives. Giving them cold shoulders can make them irritable and upset throughout the day which can spoil the entire family atmosphere as well as their health. Instead, gradually reduce their breastfeeding time, or feed them only with a spoon or bottle throughout the day and breastfeed only at night, this can help them get used to it.

Dr. Sanju Siddareddi advises, “After starting solids, parents or family members are advised to observe the baby after every meal to detect any signs of indigestion or allergies. It may be very normal for them to be irritable initially and reject solids, but it is also important not to force-feed them. Weaning off breastfeeding is considered one of the important changes in the baby’s growth and development. Consulting a pediatrician can help in getting personalized medical guidance and diet plan for the baby according to the nutritional requirements and needs of the body.”