Mother’s milk is the best source of nourishment for a baby. You should breastfeed your baby for at least six months before you give your baby any solid food. World health Organization recommends a minimum of two years of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeed in the first six months. Studies have found that artificial feeding is linked to more deaths from diarrhea in infants. Exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months provides continuous protection against diarrhea and respiratory tract infection. Both diarrhea and respiratory tract infection is very common in babies that are fed formula milk.
Once the baby completes her first year, you can gradually stop lifting them for breastfeeding. It can be difficult for both you and your child if you abruptly stop breastfeeding your child. You should adopt a proper ablactation method. During ablactation period you should gradually reduce breastfeeding your child. For example if you are breastfeeding your child four times a day, reduce it to just three times a day for few weeks. As your baby gets adjusted, you can reduce it to thrice a day and then twice a day. Then you can bring it down to once a day before entirely stopping. The entire ablactation process should be very gradual.
Reduce dependence on mother
You will need to make some conscious effort to help your baby through weaning process. One of the ways you can do this is by reducing some of the time you spend with your baby. For example during this time father can take care of the baby and play with the baby.
Breast milk substitute
At the start of weaning, you can give your baby formula milk or fresh whole milk to gradually substitute breast milk. Encourage your baby to drink milk from cup rather than milk-bottle. From the sixth month onwards you should start giving your baby some solid foods along with breastfeeding. During ablactation period, you should cut down the amount of time you breastfeed your baby and instead feed your baby with healthy foods. You should also stop feeding your baby after midnight to allow her to sleep throughout the night.
Cooking meal for your baby
The best way to cook meal for your baby is to steam it. You can steam carrot, zucchini, potato and tomato and blend it nicely in a blender. There are many other ways in which you can cook meal for your baby. Your baby may like certain foods while reject some. With little trial and error method you will learn what interests your baby.