Eventually it comes to all breastfeeding relationships, the time to wean. The journey begins with introducing solids to your baby.

The safest, and most healthy way to introduce food to your baby is to wait until they are at least 6 months old, and showing signs of being physiologically ready for food.

You can then begin offering them soft, chewable finger foods to test out. Babies don’t need pureed food, as all it teaches them, is how to “drink” thick mush. Finger foods, are a much safer and healthier approach, as they teach your child to eat.

A good resource to learn how to wean your baby from breastfeeding to solid food is available here

Why Breastfeed exlusively for 6 months?

1. It’s all your child needs. Breastmilk is a whole food, and will provide them optimum nutrition, even if your diet is a bit shoddy.
2. It lowers the chance of your child developing food allergies Breast milk is a great source of an immunoglobulin called secretory IGA. This ingredient effectively coats the intestines and keeps food allergens from entering the bloodstream.
3. Your child will have fewer digestive problems, ear infections and  allergies, as breastmilk contains antibodies that protect your child from these. The longer you feed, the longer the protection.
4. Adults who were breast fed have lower body mass index (BMI) levels on average, and have higher HDL cholesterol levels than their formula-fed peers. Having higher HDL levels and a lower BMI is considered advantageous in avoiding cardiovascular disease.
5. It’s not until a child is approximately 12 months of age that they have the ability to efficiently screen allergens  from their system. Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months, ensures that their system matures optimally, and allows this to happen

Many parents are concerned about iron levels in breastmilk after 6 months, however recent research has proved this to be not a concern - even when the mother is slightly anaemic.