Natural feeding and weaning.

1. Big picture

Natural feeding means feeding the infant with human breast milk, preferably directly from the mother’s breast. Weaning in pediatrics usually means the gradual introduction of complementary foods while breast milk or formula continues.

This topic is very exam-relevant because feeding errors are common causes of:

• Poor weight gain
• Dehydration
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Cow’s milk protein allergy symptoms
• Choking and aspiration
• Feeding refusal
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Excessive weight gain later in life

The core exam sentence:

Breast milk is the optimal nutrition for a healthy mature infant; exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for about the first 6 months, then safe iron-rich complementary feeding is introduced while breastfeeding continues.

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2. Definitions

Important distinction:

• Weaning does not mean suddenly stopping breastfeeding.
• It means adding age-appropriate foods while milk feeding continues.

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3. Normal feeding timeline

Birth → colostrum
Day 3–14 → transitional milk
After 10–14 days → mature breast milk
0–6 months → exclusive breastfeeding if possible
Beginning of 5th month to end of 6th month → start complementary feeding
6–12 months → breast milk/formula + increasing solids
After 12 months → adapted family diet

Exam-safe phrasing:

Complementary feeding should not be started too early, but should not be delayed beyond the end of the 6th month.

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4. Physiology of lactation