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Sensitive period for weaning - If the introduction of solids is done at this age the interest is captured and can later on prevent problems with feeding. Children are best breast fed until at least a year and supplemented with solids. At times by 10-12 months the child may not want breast milk, one must learn to follow the lead of the child. Prevention of feeding problems is essential when children get to the toddler phase and may often get picky with their food. There is ideally a good variety and positive experience with food for the child.
Also see our Weaning from Breastfeeding article.
More Montessori Sensitive Periods:
Sensitive Period for Order (age 18 months to 2 years)
Sensitive Period for Language (birth to 6 years)
Sensitive Period for Movement (birth to 4 years)
Sensitive Period for Refinement of the Senses (birth to 5 years)
Sensitive Period for Weaning (5 to 6 months)
Sensitive Period for Numbers (4 to 5.5 years)
Sensitive Period for Manners and Courtesies (2 to 6 years)
3 responses so far ↓
1 Halidsadee // Oct 17, 2008 at 12:28 pm
“Children are best breast fed until at least a year…”
At what age should we stop breat fed? e.g. some 5 years old children still breast fed. Is that still okay? Or is it more harmful to them? Did Montessori mention anything about this?
2 Emma - DM MODERATOR // Oct 22, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Montessori did talk about breastfeeding children. Her opinion is that children be breast fed until 12 months and transferred to cow’s milk at about that time too as the child’s digestive system will be developed by then. It of course depends on each child but that is a fair guideline age. World Health Organization advises that children be exclusively breast fed until 6 months of age for purposes of health and the developing immune system.
A child who breast feed until 5 years old is the mother’s choice. Children do not need the nutrition that breast milk may be providing and all their nutritional needs should be provided by normal everyday food. There is no more nutritional value in breastfeeding for the child that age.
It cannot be said that breastfeeding until 5 years of age can be nutritionally detrimental to them but can emotionally be since it can be impeding in the development of the child’s growing independence. A mother need not be breastfeeding in order to have that same sort of closeness or special attachment that they have with their baby. As the child gets older there are more age appropriate activities and hugs and kisses from parents will always be special. The direct contact that happens at this age is now solely for the pure enjoyment of direct contact without any need for any nourishment. The relationship changes from dependency to enjoying each other’s company and closeness. The child learns about being their own person within the company of the mother.
There is an appropriate time for everything. To stop breastfeeding is a natural way for detachment and independence to develop for the child if given the opportunity at the right time that it naturally occurs.
3 Halidsadee // Nov 1, 2008 at 9:52 am
Thank you very much Emma. You answered it very clearly.
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