The benefits of self-weaning
Introduction
Questions about the benefits of baby-led weaning are daily questions for all new parents.
This undoubtedly fascinating topic is much talked about, but the right information is not always provided.
To help you understand a little more, I created this article.
I have added an index to make it easier for you to read it and I have included links to the video course “Practical, easy and stress-free self-weaning” , curated by Dr. Federica Dell'Oro, a nutrition biologist.
It will be his advice that will guide you in discovering the advantages of baby-led weaning not only for the little one, but also for the parents.
If you need further information, you can find me on Instagram at @drsilva.com_official .
At this point, we can get into the heart of the action.
Baby-led weaning: what is it?
To fully understand the benefits of baby-led weaning , it is essential to understand what we are talking about when we mention it.
Self-weaning or complementary feeding on demand is a gradual process of introducing breast milk or formula , which remains the baby's main food for at least the first year, alongside other solid or semi-solid foods.
His fame in Italy exploded following the publication, in 2008, of the book Io mi Svezzo da Solo - Dialogues on Weaning by pediatrician Lucio Piermarini.
All of this happens with the newborn as the absolute protagonist.
Since it is an on-demand process , he is the one who decides the quantities and eats when he is actually hungry, exactly as happens in the case of breastfeeding.
Unlike what happens with traditional weaning, which as specified in this article requires total management by the adult of foods other than milk, the role of the caregiver is marginal.
In fact, the adult who takes care of the newborn must limit himself to observing him to understand when he is ready to handle solid consistencies.
When the time comes - we will soon understand what the signs are that allow us to understand it - we start with a few tastings during meals for the whole family , gradually increasing until we reach the proposal of a complete meal.
Self-weaning begins once the following skills have been acquired (this happens around 6 months, give or take a week):
- Ability to sit with the help of a limited amount of supports , among which must be a high chair with optimal lumbar support;
- palm grip;
- loss of the extrusion reflex , through which the newborn sticks out his tongue to start sucking and to ensure, at the same time, that anything that is not of liquid consistency does not enter the mouth;
- demonstrations of interest in the food that adult caregivers eat.
Without timed insertions , self-weaning does not involve the use of baby food products.
The newborn, ready to handle solid consistencies, consumes the same foods present on mom and dad's plate, obviously cut safely and with an adequate consistency .
As for the first aspect, I remind you that in the video course you will find the complete atlas of safe cuts (as well as many recipes for self-weaning in the name of taste and health).
As for consistencies , you can do the tongue-palate test to see if the food becomes mushy, but you can also crush it between your fingers.
