For a lot of new mothers, a common question that is asked is when your baby is ready to start weaning. What is important to remember is that every baby is different. Thus, some babies may be ready to start weaning quicker or earlier than others. Usually, a baby is ready to start weaning once they are around 6 months old, as their digestive systems are ready to consume more solid foods.
Once your baby is off formula, you could sell any leftover formula you have at https://sellformula.com/. Although, you shouldn’t rush this process, as there are some signs to look out for to help you know when your baby is ready.
In this article, we have put together the top 5 signs to look for when your baby is ready to start weaning.
What Is Weaning?
Weaning is the process you use as you begin to change an infant’s diet from breastmilk or formula to other foods. Usually, you are introducing more solid foods into your baby’s diet. However, these solid foods may start as purées and over time you can incorporate different textures.
Weaning typically happens as milk is no longer enough to give your baby all the nutrients they are craving.
Sign 1: Your Baby Can Sit And Hold Their Head Steady
At around 6 months old, your baby should be able to support their own head and sit up by themselves. This is the first sign to look out for, and then you can start offering them vegetable purées or mashed up bananas to try.
While your baby may be able to sit up, they may need some support from a high chair or being held as they sit on your lap, this is fine. The idea is that your baby is able to sit up straight, creating a clear pathway from their mouth to their stomach.
Sign 2: Your Baby Can Swallow Food
Your infant will use their tongue to force the food out of their mouth if they are not yet ready to be weaned. This is a common tongue-thrust reflex, which normally goes away once your infant reaches the age of six months.
Before attempting again, give it a week or two and keep in mind to offer a range of flavors. Either purée your own vegetables from scratch or use a prepared pouch or jar. For weaning meals eaten at home or on the road, the good meals will have natural ingredients and be free of added sugar, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Sign 3: Hand To Eye Coordination
Once your baby has good hand to eye coordination, this means your baby can pick up food and place it into their mouth without any help from you.
It is best to sit your baby in a high chair and offer them small, cooked but cool pieces of food such as broccoli. You could even offer them small pieces of cut up fruit, which is soft and juicy.
Sign 4: They Watch You Eat
If your infant begins to show a great deal of curiosity in the foods you are eating, that is another indication that it is time to start weaning. They may be ready to wean if they exhibit the first three symptoms and pay close attention to you as you eat your breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Keep in mind that weaning involves more sensory exploration for infants than real feeding. Before putting any new food in their mouth, your baby will want to give it a close inspection.
Sign 5: Your Baby Isn’t Full After Formula
Your infant receives the majority of the nutrients they require from breastmilk or formula up until they are about six months old. You are recommended to offer your infant 500–600 ml of formula daily starting at six months old, or the equivalent quantity of daily breastfeeds, until they reach 12 months old. They are probably ready to begin weaning if they still seem hungry and exhibit all the other symptoms. You can also choose to use the best organic baby formulas for your little one.
Final Thoughts
Once your baby is showing more than one of these signs, you ought to start thinking about weaning them. It is best to start off slowly and build things up over time. Your baby should enjoy the new textures and flavors they are being presented with.
We hope you have found this article useful. Now you should know the top 5 signs to look for when your baby is ready to start weaning.
