Changes

= Lesson 57 - Weaning The Infant; Feeding Children =

= Lesson 57 - Weaning The Infant; Feeding Children =

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

Throughout history and in most cultures women never thought to stop nursing their ba- bies until they are both emotionally and physiologically ready. It was natural (and still is) for a child to be nursed at least two or three years—until all their teeth have devel- oped.

Throughout history and in most cultures women never thought to stop nursing their ba- bies until they are both emotionally and physiologically ready. It was natural (and still is) for a child to be nursed at least two or three years—until all their teeth have devel- oped.

In the last lesson I covered feeding baby as well as nursing before actual weaning. Now I will discuss totally weaning the baby from the breast, how to do it, why to do it, as well as feeding a child once it is totally weaned.

In the last lesson I covered feeding baby as well as nursing before actual weaning. Now I will discuss totally weaning the baby from the breast, how to do it, why to do it, as well as feeding a child once it is totally weaned.

57.2. Weaning

== Weaning ==

 

 

 

 

In his book, Hygienic Care of Children, Dr. Herbert M. Shelton said, “Weaning should be gradual, as we see it in nature, beginning at the age of two and lasting at least until the third birthday.” If weaning is abrupt, it is no longer natural as no other crea- tures who suckle their young would suddenly cut them off. Babies need time to adjust to new foods as well as to emotionally adjust to not having the close physical contact with their mothers any longer. Also, women’s breasts would become swollen and sore if they abruptly stopped nursing—they would become filled with the milk that was meant for their babies. Another problem with sudden weaning is that the natural child-spacing effect breast-feeding creates would be halted.

In his book, Hygienic Care of Children, Dr. Herbert M. Shelton said, “Weaning should be gradual, as we see it in nature, beginning at the age of two and lasting at least until the third birthday.” If weaning is abrupt, it is no longer natural as no other crea- tures who suckle their young would suddenly cut them off. Babies need time to adjust to new foods as well as to emotionally adjust to not having the close physical contact with their mothers any longer. Also, women’s breasts would become swollen and sore if they abruptly stopped nursing—they would become filled with the milk that was meant for their babies. Another problem with sudden weaning is that the natural child-spacing effect breast-feeding creates would be halted.

not until they’re well over a year old, some are ready to wean at younger ages then oth- ers.

not until they’re well over a year old, some are ready to wean at younger ages then oth- ers.

57.2.1 Should Baby Be Weaned?

=== Should Baby Be Weaned? ===

 

This is a question asked by Dr. Shelton in his book, Hygienic Care of Children. He discusses the various reasons women have for weaning their children. He claims that most of the reasons are invalid and that babies need not be weaned at all until they are ready to. In other words, when the baby is six or nine months old or even a year old, he or she is most likely not ready to be weaned and should not be if superior growth and development is desired.

This is a question asked by Dr. Shelton in his book, Hygienic Care of Children. He discusses the various reasons women have for weaning their children. He claims that most of the reasons are invalid and that babies need not be weaned at all until they are ready to. In other words, when the baby is six or nine months old or even a year old, he or she is most likely not ready to be weaned and should not be if superior growth and development is desired.

57.2.2 When to Wean

=== When to Wean ===

 

Naturally there is no specific date to wean your child. As I mentioned earlier, each individual child has its own needs and each grows and matures at different rates. You need not decide in advance when to wean. For example, most mothers when asked how long they plan to nurse their babies have an exact age in mind. Usually this date ends up passing and the baby is still nursing. The mother then wonders where she went wrong. I had planned to nurse my two sons for only two years and each one went months past that date. In fact, they would have nursed much longer if I had let them. Planning a time when baby and you will be ready is incorrect and may lead to disappointment or abrupt weaning. Let nature judge when the time is right.

Naturally there is no specific date to wean your child. As I mentioned earlier, each individual child has its own needs and each grows and matures at different rates. You need not decide in advance when to wean. For example, most mothers when asked how long they plan to nurse their babies have an exact age in mind. Usually this date ends up passing and the baby is still nursing. The mother then wonders where she went wrong. I had planned to nurse my two sons for only two years and each one went months past that date. In fact, they would have nursed much longer if I had let them. Planning a time when baby and you will be ready is incorrect and may lead to disappointment or abrupt weaning. Let nature judge when the time is right.

Basically, good advice as to when to stop nursing your baby completely is when he/ she has all teeth and seems to enjoy the foods (preferably fruits) given. If the foods he/ she eats, digest without causing the baby any discomfort, then baby is ready and nursing can be replaced with foods—gradually of course.

Basically, good advice as to when to stop nursing your baby completely is when he/ she has all teeth and seems to enjoy the foods (preferably fruits) given. If the foods he/ she eats, digest without causing the baby any discomfort, then baby is ready and nursing can be replaced with foods—gradually of course.

57.2.3 Why to Wean

=== Why to Wean ===

 

The foremost reason to wean is because baby is ready for solid foods. He indicates an interest in foods and exhibits an ability to handle them. Gradually the child comes to ignore mother’s milk.

The foremost reason to wean is because baby is ready for solid foods. He indicates an interest in foods and exhibits an ability to handle them. Gradually the child comes to ignore mother’s milk.

To sum up this section: baby needs to be weaned from the breast because he/she needs outside sources to obtain nutritional needs. The child needs to make gradual adap- tations to these physiological changes. The only other reasons to wean are abnormal as mentioned above.

To sum up this section: baby needs to be weaned from the breast because he/she needs outside sources to obtain nutritional needs. The child needs to make gradual adap- tations to these physiological changes. The only other reasons to wean are abnormal as mentioned above.

57.2.4 Methods of Weaning

=== Methods of Weaning ===

 

Again, do not abruptly wean. Gradually wean baby from the breast. But how, you say?

Again, do not abruptly wean. Gradually wean baby from the breast. But how, you say?

La Leche League adds: “You will find that if you devote your attention to your baby- child not only when he is nursing but in other ways as well, his demand to be nursed lessens. ... Even an eighteen-month-old enjoys being read to or just talked to, not in an absent-minded, distracted way while you are preoccupied with other things, but with your whole attention centered on him.” This is good advice. Distraction works with many things as well as weaning in raising your children.

La Leche League adds: “You will find that if you devote your attention to your baby- child not only when he is nursing but in other ways as well, his demand to be nursed lessens. ... Even an eighteen-month-old enjoys being read to or just talked to, not in an absent-minded, distracted way while you are preoccupied with other things, but with your whole attention centered on him.” This is good advice. Distraction works with many things as well as weaning in raising your children.

57.3. Feeding Children

== Feeding Children ==

 

 

 

 

This period of feeding children after breast-feeding is one of the biggest changes in infancy. It is the mother’s responsibility to see to it that the child is properly nourished and develops good eating habits. Before this time, it was easy—all mother had to do was put her baby to the breast. Now she has to provide the proper foods at the right times so that baby can make best use of them and be healthy.

This period of feeding children after breast-feeding is one of the biggest changes in infancy. It is the mother’s responsibility to see to it that the child is properly nourished and develops good eating habits. Before this time, it was easy—all mother had to do was put her baby to the breast. Now she has to provide the proper foods at the right times so that baby can make best use of them and be healthy.

57.3.1 When Is Baby Ready to Eat Solid Foods?

=== When Is Baby Ready to Eat Solid Foods? ===

 

As mentioned in the earlier parts of this lesson, when baby has all the physiological tools necessary to chew and digest foods properly, he is ready for food. He is also ready when he shows an interest in foods and a disinterest in breast milk. Baby, when gradu- ally introduced to new foods, will eventually be completely off breast milk and have a regular diet just like the rest of the family.

As mentioned in the earlier parts of this lesson, when baby has all the physiological tools necessary to chew and digest foods properly, he is ready for food. He is also ready when he shows an interest in foods and a disinterest in breast milk. Baby, when gradu- ally introduced to new foods, will eventually be completely off breast milk and have a regular diet just like the rest of the family.

Food “allergies” are not so much the result of the food not being right for that par- ticular baby’s constitution as they are the result of introducing foods too early. Baby is not allergic to the food but instead does not have the digestive enzymes to sufficiently break down the foods being given. Therefore, he/she naturally rejects it. Wait—do not force food on your baby when you think he/she is ready. He/she will let you know.

Food “allergies” are not so much the result of the food not being right for that par- ticular baby’s constitution as they are the result of introducing foods too early. Baby is not allergic to the food but instead does not have the digestive enzymes to sufficiently break down the foods being given. Therefore, he/she naturally rejects it. Wait—do not force food on your baby when you think he/she is ready. He/she will let you know.

57.3.2 Baby’s First Food

=== Baby’s First Food ===

 

What should baby’s first food be? Experiment. Some babies love bananas, some wa- termelon, some peaches, etc. Try one fruit at a time but never more than one at a time. Once you find a fruit your baby enjoys, stick with it for a long enough period for your baby to get used to it. Also give only small amounts at first.

What should baby’s first food be? Experiment. Some babies love bananas, some wa- termelon, some peaches, etc. Try one fruit at a time but never more than one at a time. Once you find a fruit your baby enjoys, stick with it for a long enough period for your baby to get used to it. Also give only small amounts at first.

As the child gets older, about five or so, you can add nuts and seeds. Before this it is difficult for baby to properly masticate nuts and, therefore, they’re difficult to di- gest. Wait on these. The article in this lesson, “Feeding Your Child From Two to Three Years,” is very helpful in suggesting particular menus.

As the child gets older, about five or so, you can add nuts and seeds. Before this it is difficult for baby to properly masticate nuts and, therefore, they’re difficult to di- gest. Wait on these. The article in this lesson, “Feeding Your Child From Two to Three Years,” is very helpful in suggesting particular menus.

57.3.3 Developing Good Eating Habits

=== Developing Good Eating Habits ===

 

Good eating habits are the most important aspect of diet. If a child learns these when young, they will carry over into adulthood. Good eating habits begin with breastfeeding

Good eating habits are the most important aspect of diet. If a child learns these when young, they will carry over into adulthood. Good eating habits begin with breastfeeding

# Provide a calm, relaxing environment for him/her to eat meals in.

# Provide a calm, relaxing environment for him/her to eat meals in.

# Teach him/her to sit and relax while eating.

# Teach him/her to sit and relax while eating.

# Andmostimportantly,showagoodexample.Ifyou’reeatingallsortsofwrongfoods,  it will be very difficult to teach your child otherwise. That is cruelly hypocritical! Dr. Tilden has said, “Fit children to the food and never attempt to fit the food to the children.” This means that a child must learn good eating habits by your example and words. If a child does not like a certain food, do not force him/her to eat it. There are plenty of good foods available and missing one particular item of food in his/her diet will certainly not create any sort of deficiency. Never force your child to eat anything. 57.4. Conclusion  Now you know that weaning your child from the breast should be a positive and gradual experience for you and your baby. He or she will be more well-adjusted and more likely to learn good eating habits. The best time to wean is when your child is ready. He/ she will let you know when that time comes—you merely have to be observant. A full mouth of teeth is a good indication that whole foods are needed and that by now your milk supply is probably lessening. Experiment with fresh fruits and keep them sim- ple—monotrophic. Follow the rules for good eating habits and you should have a happy, healthy child. 57.5. Questions & Answers My child is already two years of age and does not seem interested in food at all. He is very thin and his front teeth are brown and pitted and all he wants is breast milk.

# Andmostimportantly,showagoodexample.Ifyou’reeatingallsortsofwrongfoods,  it will be very difficult to teach your child otherwise. That is cruelly hypocritical!

Dr. Tilden has said, “Fit children to the food and never attempt to fit the food to the children.” This means that a child must learn good eating habits by your example and words. If a child does not like a certain food, do not force him/her to eat it. There are plenty of good foods available and missing one particular item of food in his/her diet will certainly not create any sort of deficiency. Never force your child to eat anything.

 

== Conclusion  ==

Now you know that weaning your child from the breast should be a positive and gradual experience for you and your baby. He or she will be more well-adjusted and more likely to learn good eating habits. The best time to wean is when your child is ready. He/ she will let you know when that time comes—you merely have to be observant. A full mouth of teeth is a good indication that whole foods are needed and that by now your milk supply is probably lessening. Experiment with fresh fruits and keep them simple—monotrophic. Follow the rules for good eating habits and you should have a happy, healthy child.

 

== Questions & Answers ==

My child is already two years of age and does not seem interested in food at all. He is very thin and his front teeth are brown and pitted and all he wants is breast milk.

I feel he has a deficiency of some sort because of his teeth but he won’t eat. What can I do?

I feel he has a deficiency of some sort because of his teeth but he won’t eat. What can I do?

The best you can do is to provide him with the best of foods at home and show him a good example by keeping good eating habits yourself. Try to expose him to other children that are being raised Hygienically and don’t allow him to watch so much (if any) commercial television. Give him positive reasons why he should eat good nourishing foods.

The best you can do is to provide him with the best of foods at home and show him a good example by keeping good eating habits yourself. Try to expose him to other children that are being raised Hygienically and don’t allow him to watch so much (if any) commercial television. Give him positive reasons why he should eat good nourishing foods.

Article #1: Feeding Your Child From Two to Three Years by Paula

== Article #1: Feeding Your Child From Two to Three Years by Paula Duvall ==

 

Duvall

 

When your baby is two years old, you can start feeding it whole fresh fruits and vegeta- bles, in addition to breast milk. This transition period can be a difficult time, and I would like to share with you my experiences that I have had with our two children.

When your baby is two years old, you can start feeding it whole fresh fruits and vegeta- bles, in addition to breast milk. This transition period can be a difficult time, and I would like to share with you my experiences that I have had with our two children.

First, let’s review some very important rules to follow that are covered in Dr. Shel- ton’s book, The Hygienic Care of Children. It is important for you to understand that you cannot decide what food you would like your children to have; you must feed them foods that agree with them and keep them healthy. Some important basic rules, including food combining rules which are covered in Dr. Shelton’s book, are worth repeating:

First, let’s review some very important rules to follow that are covered in Dr. Shel- ton’s book, The Hygienic Care of Children. It is important for you to understand that you cannot decide what food you would like your children to have; you must feed them foods that agree with them and keep them healthy. Some important basic rules, including food combining rules which are covered in Dr. Shelton’s book, are worth repeating:

1. Feed the child natural, that is uncooked, unprocessed, unsterilized, unadulterated, un- drugged foods.

# Feed the child natural, that is uncooked, unprocessed, unsterilized, unadulterated, un- drugged foods.

 

# Do not stuff the child. Feed it three moderate meals a day.

# Do not stuff the child. Feed it three moderate meals a day.

# Feedsimplemeals.Donotfeedfoodsthataremixedinsuchawayastocausefermen-  tation.

# Feed simple meals. Do not feed foods that are mixed in such a way as to cause fermentation.

# Do not feed between meals, nor at night.

# Do not feed between meals, nor at night.

# If the child is upset, or feels bad, or is excited or tired, or overheated or chilled, or in  pain or distress, or is sick, don’t feed it; if there is fever, give no food.

# If the child is upset, or feels bad, or is excited or tired, or overheated or chilled, or in  pain or distress, or is sick, don’t feed it; if there is fever, give no food.

6. Do

6. Do not feed the child cooked fruit.

 

not feed the child cooked fruit.

And here are the food combining rules:

And here are the food combining rules:

# Do

# Do not feed acid fruits and starch foods together.

# Do

# Do not feed acids with proteins.

# Do

# Do not feed sweet fruits and acid (sour) fruits together.

# Do

# Do not feed sugars or starches with protein foods.

# Do

# Do not feed sweet foods with starch foods.

# Feed only one protein at a time.

# Feed only one protein at a time.

# Feed fresh milk alone.

# Feed fresh milk alone.

The schedule that your child is on around the age of two, if fed Hygienically is milk, juice, milk, juice, milk. To start the transition to adult foods, the first juice feeding in the morning can be dropped, and the child can be given fresh, whole fruits combined well. At first, I gave my children only one kind of fruit. Now I give them only two kinds of fruit at one meal.  You may have started your child on this morning fruit feeding earlier than at two years of age. The fruits that my children digested well before two years of age were blue- berries, any kind of melon, papaya, pears, oranges, grapefruit, mangoes, fresh figs, apri- cots, and plums. They also digested well any other berry fruit, like strawberries, rasp- berries, and any other wild berry. Here in Ogden Dunes, Indiana, we have a lot of wild berries growing, and our family has a fun outing looking for these and picking them. We always go berry picking around ten in the morning, so the children can eat their meal right from the bush or tree. You can’t expect to take children berry picking without them eating the delicious fruit!  Fruits that my children did not digest at first were apples, bananas, cherries, grapes, and the sweet dried fruits. Both children had problems digesting bananas and apples in their early years. I did not feed them cherries because of the pit, and I did not feed them grapes because of the seeds. (The “peel” around grapes is not chewed well enough by a toddler and usually comes out whole in their stools.) Even if the grapes were seed- less, for some reason the children did not digest them well in their early years. Now, of course, my five-year-old Jacquie digests all of these fruits very well. But I still stay away from the concentrated sweet dried fruits, such as raisins, dates, dried figs, and prunes. If there is fresh fruit at the market, which is usually true most of the year, I but it in prefer- ence to the dried fruit.  The best way to tell whether your child is digesting a food is to check its stools. If chunks of the food are coming out, then you know the child is not digesting that partic- ular food, or is not chewing it well.  When your child is between the ages of one and two, I feel you can try it on the pulpy fruits. If the child does not do well with them, then put it back on the juice. When I first introduced fruit to my children, I introduced one fruit at a time. I found it was better if I gave them two oranges rather than two kinds of fruit at the same time. Papaya is quite

 

 

 

 

# Do not feed butter, oil or other fats with protein foods.  Both my children were nursed; one until the age of two, and the other for only one year. Therefore, neither child was on breast milk during the transition feeding period at two to three years old.  The schedule that your child is on around the age of two, if fed Hygienically is milk, juice, milk, juice, milk. To start the transition to adult foods, the first juice feeding in the morning can be dropped, and the child can be given fresh, whole fruits combined well. At first, I gave my children only one kind of fruit. Now I give them only two kinds of fruit at one meal.  You may have started your child on this morning fruit feeding earlier than at two years of age. The fruits that my children digested well before two years of age were blue- berries, any kind of melon, papaya, pears, oranges, grapefruit, mangoes, fresh figs, apri- cots, and plums. They also digested well any other berry fruit, like strawberries, rasp- berries, and any other wild berry. Here in Ogden Dunes, Indiana, we have a lot of wild berries growing, and our family has a fun outing looking for these and picking them. We always go berry picking around ten in the morning, so the children can eat their meal right from the bush or tree. You can’t expect to take children berry picking without them eating the delicious fruit!  Fruits that my children did not digest at first were apples, bananas, cherries, grapes, and the sweet dried fruits. Both children had problems digesting bananas and apples in their early years. I did not feed them cherries because of the pit, and I did not feed them grapes because of the seeds. (The “peel” around grapes is not chewed well enough by a toddler and usually comes out whole in their stools.) Even if the grapes were seed- less, for some reason the children did not digest them well in their early years. Now, of course, my five-year-old Jacquie digests all of these fruits very well. But I still stay away from the concentrated sweet dried fruits, such as raisins, dates, dried figs, and prunes. If there is fresh fruit at the market, which is usually true most of the year, I but it in prefer- ence to the dried fruit.  The best way to tell whether your child is digesting a food is to check its stools. If chunks of the food are coming out, then you know the child is not digesting that partic- ular food, or is not chewing it well.  When your child is between the ages of one and two, I feel you can try it on the pulpy fruits. If the child does not do well with them, then put it back on the juice. When I first introduced fruit to my children, I introduced one fruit at a time. I found it was better if I gave them two oranges rather than two kinds of fruit at the same time. Papaya is quite

a rich fruit, and one half of one is enough for any child. The overfeeding of fruit will cause digestive problems of protein foods. I also discovered that if I overfed my children fruit, they would break out in skin eruptions. I fed the fruit to my children between 10 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. It always depended on their waking hour. My son, Donny, awakes at 7:30 or 8:00 a.m. so I do not feed him the fruit meal until 11:00 a.m.

a rich fruit, and one half of one is enough for any child. The overfeeding of fruit will cause digestive problems of protein foods. I also discovered that if I overfed my children fruit, they would break out in skin eruptions. I fed the fruit to my children between 10 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. It always depended on their waking hour. My son, Donny, awakes at 7:30 or 8:00 a.m. so I do not feed him the fruit meal until 11:00 a.m.