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WHEN DO WE START WEANING?
Ideally at around six months.
Earlier, if the mother is working.
Some may not need foods even at 8-9 months;
others may need at 4 months. Mothers vary and
so do infants.
Plot growth curve to find if infant is growing
well. If the curve flattens - then supplement.
If this occurs < 4 months increase the breastmilk
supply. If this occurs > 4 months increase
the BM supply and introduce complementary foods.
One may void using animal milk as complementary
food.
WHAT IF FOODS ARE
GIVEN BEFORE 4 MONTHS?
Dangerous practice.
Contaminated food/water - diarrhoea
Full stomach - less suckling at breast - fall
in BM output.
Less suckling - less Prolactin - LAM benefit
lost
Energy intake by infant thg BM reduces - growth
faltering.
Risk of developing allergies.
WHAT IF FOODS ARE
DELAYED BEYOND 6 MONTHS?
Growth stops around 6 months - risk of malnourishment
Infant's reluctance to try new foods and tastes
after 9 months - difficult to start new complementary
foods
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