Who knows when and how to wean children from the bottle? Probably no one. There are only general recommendations, because a bottle of milk is not just a meal, it is much more. But despite this, it is important to begin to form a habit of eating food with a spoon at an early age, as soon as the baby learns to hold it.
What gives milk sucking?
Before discussing the issue of how to wean children from the bottle, let's figure out what is, in fact, feeding babies. But this is a symbiosis of the mother and her child. This is food and immunity, as well as the spiritual unity of kindred souls. This process, like a sacrament that gives a child and mother a lot, in particular confidence and peace of mind. Sucking and absorbing food is a natural process that triggers very important mechanisms, even if the mother’s breast is replaced with a bottle with a nipple. In light of the foregoing, raising the issue of forced interruption of feeding is incorrect, because this is what the baby needs. The time when the child is weaned from the bottle should be determined by the baby. This is the moment when he can do without the emotional, even if it is very conditional, support for his mother. Parents are required to create the necessary conditions for refusing a bottle in favor of a spoon and fork. No more!
When to start training?
Experts have proved that both mental and physical health of a person in the future depends on psychological calm and proper development in infancy and early childhood. That is, parents must provide the necessary education and development for the baby. This is a complex process, and each one goes differently, but on average, at four to five months, the child already knows how to hold objects. Give him the opportunity to get acquainted with a spoon and a cup. At six, he can already sit, this is an occasion to put him at the table with everyone together. That is, to raise the question of how to wean children from the bottle is incorrect, it is necessary to deal with the development of the child, as a result of which he will abandon the excess. It is in your power to provoke a refusal, but only in a relaxed form, without causing harm. If your baby needs a nipple and a bottle - let it suck, contrary to all comers, to make a comment, despite the whims of parents.
Recommendations
And now a few words about how to wean children from a bottle, about how to form a child’s habit of eating with a spoon.
- Always sit your child at the table with everyone else. Even if he is unable to behave correctly, this is no reason to feed him, like a kitten, separately. The kid should see how mom and dad do it, take an example from them. This is the best way to learn!
- Reduce the amount of food offered in the bottle. Serve food in beautiful (for the baby) plates and cups. Do this often (at least 5-6 times a day).
- Do not scold him for eating too dirty. Be tolerant, the learning process is ongoing, and this takes time. The kid will quickly understand that eating from a bottle is easier, cleaner, mom does not scold ... As a result, he will not let her out of her hands for a long time.
- Wean a child from night feeding can be a hearty dinner. Immediately before going to bed, offer your baby warm milk in a beautiful glass with a straw and cookies. If the baby nevertheless woke up, give first water, and then milk.
Remember, a calm child is a healthy child. Do not do anything to the detriment of the psychological state of the peanut. The main thing is that the baby is healthy.