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How to wean a baby from breastfeeding to a full diet

Contributor
By Ronnie Dauber
eHow Contributing Writer
(3 Ratings)

Breastfeeding is not just a means to feed your baby. It is also a precious time of bonding between mother and baby, and so it is essential that weaning your baby off the breast and onto food is done properly. Here are a few suggestions.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • baby bottle
  • <br>beginner cereal or baby food

    How to Wean a Baby From Breastfeeding to a Full Diet

  1. Step 1

    Begin with the middle of the day feedings. Substitute every other feeding with the food supplement or bottle of your choice. Do this for a couple weeks or until you feel that the baby can handle another substitution.

  2. Step 2

    Once the baby has accepted this first change, eliminate another daytime feeding and substitute that one, as well.

  3. Step 3

    Let the early morning feeding be the second to last to be eliminated but make sure you substitute it with a bottle so that the baby’s early morning routine is not interrupted too much. The baby will begin to look for this change and adjust to it.

  4. Step 4

    Let the bedtime feeding continue for a period of time after the other feedings have been substituted. This allows the baby to know that there is still a special bonding between the two of you. Only the mother will know when to end this. But do not rush into stopping too soon, since it is a type of security blanket for the baby.

Tips & Warnings
  • Since this bonding helps the baby to be secure in facing the world, it is often necessary to continue nursing the baby for that one night time feeding for several months after the other feedings have been substituted. The baby is able to sleep peacefully knowing that you are still there.

Comments  

Cloey said

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on 9/25/2008 You could speak with your doctor to find the milk best suited to your baby. Sometimes just cutting back to 2% or 1% will make a great taste difference, yet it still provides the same nutrients. Many children do not like the heavy cream that is in whole milk. When weaning your baby from breast to bottle, it's always easier on the baby's system to begin with 1% and work up to prevent the heaviness of the whole milk from upsetting them. Many people just stay with 2%.

momsandra said

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on 9/23/2008 What if the baby does not like the taste of whole milk? My daughter is 12mo and she does not like the taste of whole milk, any suggestions?

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