A new moms guide to weaning a baby

For new mothers, the period between 0 to 6 months is a learning experience. You get to know your baby, its feeding patterns, its sleeping patterns, and your baby gets to know you, your smell and appearance.

However, things get harder when the baby turns 6 months and has to be weaned. One feels like they have been thrown into the deep end of a pool and asked to swim through. It is one of the scariest experiences for a first time mother.

At this time, dear mothers, make Google your friend. If you can, speak to a nutritionist on your 6-month clinic visit to advise you on how and what to wean your baby with.

When weaning your baby, be sure to follow the instructions below to make it a smooth experience for both of you.

1. Be the one to introduce food to your baby.

This is an important stage in your baby’s life and it would do you good to be the one to do it. You will learn what he/she likes, learn her feeding patterns and ensure she is safe. Then you can teach what you learn to the care giver.

It is also important that you prepare the baby’s food yourself to ensure the highest level of hygiene and safety. Remember you’re the mommy and no one can love that baby more than you.

2. Let your baby enjoy touching and holding the food

This is a time when the baby enjoys touching everything and putting it in their mouth. Touching the food will be fun for the baby and putting it in her mouth will teach her how to eat by him/herself. Allow your baby to feed themselves, using their fingers, as soon as they show an interest.

3. Don’t force your baby to eat

If you realise that the baby does want to feed, don’t force it. Forcing a baby to eat will make him/her hate feeding thus making it hard for both of you. It is advisable to wait until the next time if they’re not interested this time.

4. Let your baby hold the spoon if it wants to

It is natural for babies to hold things at this age. Letting her hold the spoon teaches him/her to feed herself and make it an enjoyable experience as she gets used to eating solid foods.

5. Start by offering just a few pieces or teaspoons of food, once a day.

Don’t overdo it, babies are not supposed to eat three times a day like adults. Giving them a little amount of food at a time gets them used to solid food, and within no time they will be eating whole meals.

6. Cool hot food and test it before giving it to your baby

This is rather obvious. Giving you baby food that is too hot will hurt their mouth and food that is too cold will make them sick.