Difference between weaning and self-weaning
Introduction
All new parents have wondered, at least once, about the difference between weaning and self-weaning.
If you are wondering about this very important topic, the article you are about to read is for you!
To make reading easier, I have created an index, so that you can, if you wish, delve into the various aspects of the topic in detail by simply clicking on the titles of the paragraphs that interest you most.
You can, in any case, find further information on Instagram at the profile @drsilva.com_official and above all in the chapters of the video course “Practical, easy and stress-free self-weaning” , created by Doctor Federica Dell'Oro, a nutrition biologist expert in maternal and child nutrition.
His advice will guide you through this article. Now, as I often say in my videos, let's get into the heart of the action!
Meaning of self-weaning
Let's start to delve into the fascinating world of the difference between weaning and self-weaning by focusing on the meaning of the first term (it is a generic expression and we will see why later).
As Dr. Dell'Oro also clearly specifies in her video course, when we talk about weaning we are referring to a gradual process that takes the newborn from a diet consisting exclusively of breast milk or formula to a diet in which other foods of both liquid and solid consistency are integrated.
One very important thing: weaning should not be seen as a novelty that allows you to kick the “bad habit” of milk.
The food in question, in fact, at least for the first 12 months of life , is the baby's first source of nourishment.
The goal , in fact, is not to stuff the newborn with baby food to eliminate one of the feedings of the day (in most cases, it is the one that the puppy asks for around lunchtime).
Weaning is something very different: it is, we reiterate, a process , characterised by maximum gradualness , which sees breast milk or formula accompanied by other foods.
The journey is long and precious for the growth of the puppy, from a nutritional point of view and beyond.
As mentioned in the previous lines, “weaning” is a generic expression . The most suitable , in fact, is “complementary feeding” .
