| Five
To Six Months Introduction Your
baby will enjoy the best of health on a diet formed exclusively of breast milk
until she is 4 months old. Once past this age, she will have increased needs for
certain nutrients that can no longer be met solely through mother's milk. During
the first 4 months, the mother's stores of iron will be used up and so there is
a need to supplement iron from external sources. Hence, supplementary feeding
(feeding in addition to breast milk) will need to be introduced as a part of baby's
diet. This is a transitional stage where your baby's diet gradually changes
from one of breast milk alone to one based on what you and your family eats. This
is called WEANING. As
your baby grows older, you may worry about the correct time to introduce your
little one to weaning foods. Your baby is the best person to help you out of this
dilemma. She will show telltale signs like putting a toy in the mouth or demanding
feeds at shorter intervals or be restless during the night. She may also show
some interest in other kinds of foods apart from milk Most
pediatrician recommend weaning foods by the end of 4 months. However, let your
baby guide you as to when she is ready for these supplementary feeds The
apt age for weaning and introducing such supplementary foods to your baby's diet
is end of the 4th month or beginning of the 5th month. About this age, your baby
will begin to show signs of learning new feeding skills. This, may then become
the ideal time to acquaint your baby with newer textures and tastes too. Prior
to this age, your baby's delicate digestive system may find it difficult to cope
with anything other than milk. Hence, most pediatrician are not in favour of early
weaning. Weaning
is not about charts or time. Weaning is about readiness. So, a gradual shift from
breast milk to supplementary feeds is always advised. We
have divided weaning into 3 stages, each of which has progressive changes in the
diet that will vary with each baby depending on personal preferences, growth and
development (teething) and the baby's ability to adapt. | 
