Ablactation, in this way, allows the baby to begin receiving other nutrients that are not present in the mother’s milk, beyond the great importance that this food has for the growth of children. It is a procedure that is part of the natural growth of the human being.
Usually, weaning starts when the baby is between four and six months of life. The start of the process, however, depends on the indications made by the pediatrician according to the baby’s physical characteristics.
Broadly speaking, it can be said that the doctor usually suggests the start of ablactation when the child no longer has the extrusion reflex (which leads him to expel the solid elements that are inside his mouth) and evidences a production of saliva confirming that your digestive system can already receive other types of food in addition to breast milk. The baby, on the other hand, must have the ability to sit up and control the movements of his head.
Offering him one food at a time, allowing him to get used to the texture and consistency, and not forcing him to eat are some of the suggestions that specialists make for successful ablation.
Since ablactation is an important change in the characteristics of children’s nutrition, it must be borne in mind that it involves certain adjustments of an immunological, microbiological, nutritional and even psychological nature. Precisely, it is not a process by which breastfeeding is abruptly interrupted to start taking other products, but there must be a smooth and supervised transition at all times.
Among the reasons why mothers should not stop breastfeeding their children during the ablactation process are some benefits, in addition to the contribution of nutrients, such as increased stimulation of digestion and an increase in defenses against various diseases of infectious type that usually appear at this stage. In short, breastfeeding while feeding solid foods is the best combination to achieve good physical and psychological development.
There are certain basic rules that most health professionals recommend to mothers to respect throughout the ablation process:
* in addition to not adding more than one food at a time, it is important not to mix them;
* Give your child two or three days to get used to each new food. At the same time, this serves to ensure that you tolerate it appropriately;
* related to the previous step, if there is a rejection of a particular food, then we must leave it and try another. The same is true of proportions;
* give the child first breast milk and then soft food;
* ablactation should include foods of natural origin. For example, it is important to avoid products that contain flavorings, preservatives, and colorants;
* When cooking solid and semi-solid foods, we must do without any type of seasoning, such as salt and sugar;
* ensure that new foods are kept at room temperature, since hot or cold can cause rejection or even difficulties in digestion.
