Breastfeeding is not just a way of sustenance and survival of a newborn, it is also a wonderful way for mother and child to build a solid foundation of lifelong love. They say it is one of the most blissful and primal feelings in the world, but it's a myth that breastfeeding comes naturally to all moms. Breastfeeding can get harrowing if you don't get the hang of it soon enough, and then comes the unsolicited guilt and stress. We want this blissful bonding experience to be just that, so we've compiled the best breastfeeding tips and weaning articles in Parenting Decoded: Breastfeeding A-Z.
A new mom is the centre of attention, and is under a lot of pressure to be a good mother and take good care of the baby. Anne John shares her personal experience and gives some tips to make the breastfeeding journey smoother.
Why is knowing about breastfeeding crucial? Because you're supposed to master the art just as you are reeling from labour and the arrival of the little one. Akshaya Nandakumar gives some pointers that you should know beforehand, from her experience. Expectant mothers, note them down!
Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to keep your http://healthsavy.com/product/zovirax/ baby healthy and to bond with the baby. It is a simple act of sustenance for the baby, but grown ups and their inhibitions make it a tedious proposition. Sakshi Nanda writes about her experience with breastfeeding and the ways in which it is viewed from different quarters.
4. Is Only Breast Best?
Everyone agrees that breastfeeding is the best option for a baby, especially for the first 6 months of its life. The flipside of this belief is the bullying that moms who don't breastfeed face as Swapna Thomas explains. It's important to understand that breastfeeding is a choice best left to the mother, and in some cases it's just a case of 'Can't' as opposed to 'doesn't want to'.
So you and your baby have found the breastfeeding rhythm and all's well in your little world. Too soon, it's time to wean them off breast milk as they grow older. The list of 'Do's and Don'ts' for weaning is a mile long, but we have Gauri Kamath simplifying it for us.
Babies consume a limited range of foods – first milk, then moving on to mashed fruits, veggies, pulses etc. Don't heave a sigh of relief, as this limited range mostly translates into limitless fuss, frustration and tantrums. Every baby has their own likes and dislikes, so the best way is to let the children and their taste buds themselves lead the way, as Sunita Rajwade advises.
Most parents laugh or at least let out an indulgent chuckle when they say their baby is a fussy eater. But dealing with a baby who is being weaned and refuses to eat most of the solids offered to him/her can make life difficult. Here is how Akshaya handled the transition phase.
8. What To Feed a Toddler?
Once the baby reaches the all-important milestone of 6 months, it is time to get him/ her started on solids. Every baby has different tastes, but there are some common and nutritious foods listed by Shubhangi that can get your baby off on a healthy start to solids.
Just like you get bored having roti, dal, chawal every day, your child can also get irritated if you serve him the same bland food just to ensure that he doesn't eat too much salt or spices. Rituparna Ghosh discovers a great cookbook that will help you tide over the 'Introducing to solids' phase.
This was our way of decoding breastfeeding and weaning babies. Share it to help expectant and new mothers with this essential life-giving act. If you have any great posts, tips or thoughts about breastfeeding, leave them in the comments section below!