Weaning is the process by which a baby is weaned, or transition from a primary diet of breast milk or formula to solid food. Weaning a baby does not necessarily mean the baby no longer consumes breast or formula milk, though often weaning does involve an end to these methods of feeding as it is commonly done around the one year mark when a toddler begins to drink cow’s milk.http://www.atfalwyeth.com/27/$$What%20Is%20Weaning%20.html?menu_id=130&menu_item_id=1http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/feeding/weaning.html

In fact it may be easier for parents to first transition the baby to cow’s milk and then begin to wean the baby. Gradual change is far easier on the child, which leads to a much easier experience for the parents. You can read a full how to guide for transitioning a baby to cow’s milk by clicking the phrase in this sentence. You do not have to transition a baby to cow’s milk at all, or can do so after weaning. Many cultures continue to breast feeding up until about four years of age. What your baby eats is a matter of personal choice.http://www.pregnancy-info.net/when-to-wean.html

This simple, step by step guide on how to wean a baby onto solid foods will walk you through the process of transitioning a baby from a primary diet of breast milk or formula to “big people food” with as little fuss and fight as possible.

The first step in weaning is to determine whether or not it's time to wean. Attempting to wean before a baby is ready can make the process far more difficult and maybe even harmful to the child. A baby should never be weaned before six months of age. An infant’s digestive system is immature and not sufficient to process solid foods as a primary source of sustenance in the first six months of life.

Weaning does not have to be an all or nothing process. Most babies continue to eat breast or formula milk as well as solid foods even after the weaning process. Weaning is simply a switch of the primary form of feeding.

Some babies will show signs of a readiness to wean such as:

• -Shows less interest in feeding sessions.
• -Becomes cranky or fussy when attempting to bottle feed.
• -Shows a marked interest in solid foods.

Other babies are content to nurse or bottle feed forever and parents will have to rely on intuition to know when to wean. Keep in mind however there is no right time to wean. The only set in stone time frame is after six months of age. http://www.babycenter.com/0_weaning_3272.bc

First eliminate one feeding. It’s generally best to choose a day time feeding that the child shows the least interest in. This is usually a feeding that falls during the child’s active time. You can replace the feeding with a solid food meal or snack and a sippy cup with juice, water, expressed breast milk, formula or in the case of babies over one year of age, cow’s milk. Wait at least a week before removing another feeding. This will not only give your child and his/her digestive system time to adjust but in the case of breast feeding mothers it allows milk supply to diminish.

If you find the baby fights this gradual change, you can add an extra step. Before removing a feeding altogether shorten it by a few minutes each day until its entirely gone. You may also try postponing the feeding you are attempting to cut by distracting the baby at feeding time for as long as possible.

Remember that weaning does not have to ban the bottle. Many parents continue to offer night time feedings especially in younger babies. You can continue to offer breast or formula milk even after weaning. http://www.babycenter.com/0_weaning_3272.bc http://www.parenthood.com/article-topics/when_and_how_to_wean.html

Naturally when removing feedings you need to replace them with something, in the case of weaning that something is solid food. Many babies have been introduced to solid foods well before they begin to wean as solid foods are usually began between four and six months of age but weaning is not recommended until at least six to twelve months.

Regardless, the basics of staring solid food will be covered here in step three.

Here are some cues your baby is ready for solid food in general that can be used in conjunction with the cues mentioned in step one of this guide for beginning to wean.

1. The baby has good head and neck control and sits well when supported.
2. The baby has lost the instinct to automatically spit out any solid food that enters its mouth.
3. The baby has doubled its birth weight or exceeded fifteen pounds and is at least four months in age.
4. The baby makes chewing motions and shows interest in your food.
5. The baby seems hungry even after a full bottle or breast feeding.

Generally the first solid food a baby eats is infant rice cereal. You can mix it thinly with a bottle of breast or formula milk to begin. This is the logical reason why solid food should be introduced before weaning to solid food as the primary food source. Once your baby is used to the cereal in its bottle you can begin spoon feeding the baby.

Once spoon feeding is regular you can step up to strained or mashed fruits and vegetables. Remember to introduce only one new food at a time, spacing foods around one week apart. This allows you to watch for allergies and your baby to adjust to the new foods. You can mix foods you know your baby is not allergic to later. Protein and mashed meat should be introduced last.

As your child ages you can begin to introduce finger foods and allow the child to feed itself. As self feeding will likely be an exciting concept to your baby, this may be a great time to begin the weaning process. Often the distraction of getting to feed themselves helps toddler’s less aware they are no longer getting bottle or breast feedings at all or as often. http://www.babycenter.com/0_introducing-solid-foods_113.bc?page=1 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-baby/PR00029