Patient's question:
My baby is 7 months old now, and I'm preparing to wean her, but there's a question: I'm currently in Jiangxi, and I need to take her to another place at the beginning of December. I'm not sure if she will get sick due to the change in environment. Could you please answer as soon as possible? Thank you.Doctor's answer:
Hello: The scientific method is four words—"step by step."Generally, it is believed that when infants are around 10 to 12 months old, their gastrointestinal digestive function is basically mature, and their nutritional needs gradually increase. The amount and quality of breast milk can no longer meet the needs of growth and development at this time, making it an appropriate period for weaning. However, weaning is a significant transition for an infant's eating habits, and moving from fully relying on milk to weaning requires gradual adaptation.
Weaning should be coordinated with and mutually transformed by the addition of complementary foods. From 2 to 3 months after birth, infants can be fed small amounts of rice water, vegetable soup, and juice; at 4 to 5 months, they can be given egg yolk and vegetable puree; and at 8 to 9 months, they can be introduced to foods like liver puree, porridge, and noodles. Between 6 and 8 months, one feeding of milk per day can be reduced, replaced by cow's milk, soy milk, or egg custard. Gradually, the frequency of milk feedings should be reduced to help the infant adapt to various new foods and prepare for complete weaning. Adding complementary foods not only provides additional nutrition and promotes growth and development but also gradually changes eating habits. The taste preference shifts from single to diverse, allowing the child to gradually adapt to various flavors and become accustomed to a varied diet.
Complementary foods, with their diverse shapes and flavors, can enrich the child's senses, broaden their horizons, stimulate their appetite, and prevent future problems like picky eating or food aversion. Transitioning from liquid foods to semi-solid and solid foods helps develop swallowing and chewing skills. These practices can reduce the child's interest in breast milk and dilute the strong psychological attachment to "mother" or "milk." While introducing complementary foods, the child should also be trained to use utensils like spoons and small bowls to drink cow's milk and eat.