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How do I transition from breast milk/formula to solid meals?

Parenting Perspective

Weaning from milk to solid food starts at the age of six months. While breastmilk or formula continues to be the primary source of nutrition, complementary foods are needed to provide increased nutritional requirements, particularly iron. Start with soft, mashed foods such as pureed fruits and vegetables and fortified cereals. Introduce one food per day at a time and observe for signs of allergy. Slowly add variety and increase the frequency of meals. At 9 to 12 months, meals can be more organised, and at a year old, most of a young child’s nutrition is supposed to come from solid foods, supplemented with milk. The transition should be slow, child-led, and responsive. Do not force food; but instead permit the child to feed themself when they are ready.

Spiritual Insight

Allah Almighty says in the noble Quran at Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verse 223: ‘… And the (divorced) mothers may breastfeed their children for two complete years, for whoever wishes to complete the (period of) breastfeeding (for the baby) …the mother shall not be made to suffer because of the child and neither the father shall be (made to suffer) because of his child; and upon the heir (of the father) is a similar duty like that (of the father); and if they both desire to wean off (the child from breastfeeding) through mutual consent and consultation with both of them, then there is no culpability upon either of them; and if you desire to ask another foster mother (to breastfeed) your child, there is no culpability upon you, so long as you present her with a payment which is appropriate; and seek piety from Allah (Almighty), and be aware that indeed, Allah (Almighty) is All Seeing of everything that you are undertaking.’ This verse clearly suggests that a child can be breastfed for 2 years. It also stipulates that the act of weaning a child off breastmilk by way of either weaning gradually or employing a milk-mother to breastfeed the child for a time is permissible and a beneficial practice for all involved. This is further supported by a Hadith, and it is recorded in Sunan Al Kubra by Imam Al Bayhaqi, Hadith 19742 that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: ‘A child has the right to be suckled for two complete years by the one who gave birth to him.’ These references highlight the sanctity of weaning, affirming it must be done with wisdom, mutual agreement, and in the child’s best interest.

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