Should i wean my baby at 4 months

How to Start Weaning a Baby at 4 Months. Baby Weaning Schedule for 4 Month Olds. Do you feel like your little one is ready for weaning at just 4 months old?

Weaning Babies at 4 Months: Developmental Milestones Weaning your child at 4 months depends a lot on his or her developmental milestones. Look for these milestones:. Sitting up and rolling over: This is a fun weaning at 4 months milestone for any baby! You should never try to feed solid foods to a child who has yet to master the skill of sitting up without help.

This also means that he or she will start to take notice of family meal times much more frequently. This is another important weaning at 4 months milestone in the weaning process. As your child's nervous system and eyesight continue to develop, these LCPs will remain crucial.

Some studies have even determined that breastfeeding for six months keeps some babies from getting all the nutrients they need in their diets.

Babies at 4 months may not have developed better tongue thrust and gag reflex control, and therefore may be unable to swallow well. At 4 months, babies do not have strong immune systems and may develop allergies or illnesses from the solid foods they eat. Babies should never be given solid foods younger than 4 months under any circumstances. Other things to consider:.

All babies are individuals and what works well for one child may not work for another. If so, it may be. If so, now may be the perfect time to try. Developmental milestones are the best way to tell if your child is ready for early weaning at 4 months. If your baby is less than 17 weeks old, solids are never safe. This is specified by several organizations worldwide, and it is backed up by every health care professional. If there is a history of celiac disease or severe food allergy in your family, solids may not be safe at an early age.

This means that anything upsetting to either of these vital systems may do a lot more harm at an early age than it would in a couple of months. If your family has a history of celiac disease or food allergies, be sure you talk to your pediatrician about starting your child on solids at all. Many pediatricians will encourage caregivers and parents to refrain from giving babies anything containing gluten until six months of age.

For the first six months at least, your baby can get plenty of nutritional benefits from breastmilk alone. Babies may start to develop more of an appetite at this stage because they are starting to be more active. If your baby still has a tongue thrust reflex, solids are not yet safe. Up until a certain stage of development, babies instinctively push things out of their mouths.

This is for their safety since they are not yet able to swallow without choking on most items. If your child is still pushing things out of his or her mouth and seems to be struggling with swallowing at four months, do not try to force weaning.

If your child is breastfeeding less, make sure he or she is getting enough iron-fortified formula or milk. Check with the doctor about how much your child should get. If your baby weans before 1 year of age, or you find that you're not making enough milk, you will need to give your baby formula.

Check with the doctor to see what formula is right for your little one. Weaning is easier if a child has also taken milk from another source. So try giving an occasional bottle of breast milk to your little one after breastfeeding is well-established. Even if you continue breastfeeding, this can ease weaning later.

It also lets other family members feed the baby and makes it possible to leave your child with a caregiver. Remember that infants over 6 months should have solid foods as well as breast milk. After 1 year, breast milk alone does not provide all the nutrients a growing child needs. So solid foods must become a regular part of the diet. As you start to wean, remember that your child needs time to adjust to drinking from cups. Be patient as your little one begins exploring the world of food.

Many moms make the decision to wean with mixed emotions. Weaning brings more freedom and flexibility, and the proud realization that a child is reaching a milestone. But nursing is an intimate activity that fosters a strong bond between mother and child — and some women find it hard to let that go. So expect a wide range of emotions, and understand that your child may have them too. Also remember that there will be countless other ways to nurture your child in the days ahead. Reviewed by: Madhu Desiraju, MD.

Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Weaning? When Is the Right Time to Wean? If you have these symptoms, call your doctor. Your doctor will most likely prescribe an antibiotic to clear up the infection. There are many sources of information, including your paediatrician, family doctor, a community health nurse, breastfeeding clinic, lactation consultant and La Leche League. Last updated: June Home Pregnancy and Babies Current: Weaning your child from breastfeeding.

When should I wean my baby? Can sit up without support, and has good control of his neck muscles. Holds food in his mouth without pushing it out on his tongue right away.

Shows interest in food when others are eating. Opens his mouth when he sees food coming his way. How do I wean my baby? A sudden, abrupt wean should only be considered in extreme circumstances. Start by substituting one feed. When one feed is going well, substitute another feed, and so on. Continue this way, substituting one feed at a time. The pace is up to you and your baby , but in general, the slower the better. You can start with a liquid such as expressed breast milk in a bottle or cup or a complementary food after about 6 months of age.

Hold and cuddle your baby if you are feeding from a bottle. This extra closeness will help both of you during the weaning process. Never prop a bottle. Bottle propping can put your baby at risk for choking and causes early childhood caries. Watch the cues you give to your baby.

If you have to take a medication, talk to your doctor. There are very few medications that require you to stop breastfeeding. If you are very sick, or if you and your baby have to be separated or a long time, try some of the suggestions for caring for your breasts described below.

If your breasts get uncomfortable, express your milk to avoid blocked ducts, mastitis or a breast abscess.