Weaning: Your Child's Eating Development – From Milk Drinker to Omnivore

Learning to eat is a skill, and each step is new for your child. Here, we go through your child's eating development, from newborn to 3 years old, with practical tips and advice for parents.

Sara Ask

Read time: 3 m

Verified by Sara Ask

Licensed dietitian

Weaning: Your Child's Eating Development – From Milk Drinker to OmnivorePhoto: Preggers
Sara Ask

Verified by Sara Ask

Licensed dietitian

More from Preggers

Read popular and relevant articles.
Breast milk – this is how it works

Breast milk – this is how it works

Early in pregnancy, the body begins to prepare for breastfeeding. Breasts change, blood flow increases, and the milk ducts grow. Here we explain how breast milk is produced, what colostrum is, and how breastfeeding is regulated by the baby’s needs.

Breastfeeding the very first time

Breastfeeding the very first time

Right after birth, your newborn often has a period of alertness lasting about two hours. This is usually when the very first feeding takes place – an important and special moment for both you and your baby.

Getting the baby to latch on to the breast

Getting the baby to latch on to the breast

It is important that the baby can latch on to the breast properly as this will reduce the risk of sore nipples, uncomfortable breastfeeding, engorgement, insufficient amounts of milk and slow weight gain in the baby.

The first days of breastfeeding

The first days of breastfeeding

The breastfeeding pattern differs from child to child. Some babies sleep almost the entire first day after birth, while others want to feed straight away and often. Although your priority is not on yourself, make sure to sleep when the opportunity presents itself, eat well and ensure that you get enough fluids.

Bleeding and discharge after giving birth

Bleeding and discharge after giving birth

After giving birth, it’s normal for the mother to bleed, for up to eight weeks. Most of the bleeding is from where the placenta comes away from the wall of the uterus. This happens to all women, whether the birth was vaginal or by caesarean section.

Post-birth contractions

Post-birth contractions

The uterus will shrink back down to its normal size after delivery. The contractions are called postpartum pains, or simply afterpains, and are similar to period pain.

Phone

Hundreds of related articles, podcasts & more waiting for you in the Preggers app.

Download Preggers today.

10k reviews