Tema 20 Months Old - Weaning
Description: Tema is a typically developing child, 20 months of age, who has been breastfed exclusively until now. Her mother wants suggestions to transition to independent feeding and wean Tema from the breast. As an active 20 month-old, she wanders, runs, crawls, finds toys, engages her mother, and sits in the pool of balls independently. She has adjusted easily to activities and communicates with her mother and teachers with smiles, words and sounds, changing facial expressions, appropriate gestures and affectionate hugs.
Assessment: Tema is developing into an attractive and naturally curious toddler who needs emotional support and play-learning activities which are available through the Play, Play, Play manual that is provided for all parents at the center. The observer notes her development is characterized by impulsivity and aggressive behavior at times but that this is normal. Her personality is high energy and active, but she is able to control her behavior with support from her mother. Normal touchstones of toddler development, such as running away, stepping over other children, playing only briefly with toys before dissuading them for another toy are evident and do not warrant concern.
Tema is able to communicate, form a close relationship with her mother and attend to toys in a fashion that is normal and desirable. Her motor skills are average, her sensory-motor skills and social dynamics are coming along with time. Her ability to communicate with words will improve with time. She needs to maintain healthy habits, including a nutritious diet and plenty of sleep.
Recommendations: Suggestions for weaning and self-feeding. Mother and Tema need to stay on the same time schedule of eating, sleeping, and awake time that they followed while breastfeeding. When it is time to eat, but before she demands to be nursed, mother leads Tema by the hand (do not pick her up) to a tray of three foods, arranged before hand on small paper plates that are taped to the tray surface and the tray placed on the floor next to her high chair. Mother sits on the floor ignores Tema if she refuses, and takes a bite of food.
If Tema sits on her lap, praise her, if she throws a tantrum, put the tray on the high chair and leave the room, telling her you’ll give her the tray and sit with her when she stops crying. The breast is more about smell than taste at 20 months of age, so cuddle her and hold her as much as you can in between times so she gets the smell but not the breast. There are many versions of this idea, so try them all.
Tema needs at least 10 hours sleep each night and a two-hour rest period during the day. Tema’s mother has many questions which observer is happy to answer when she returns.
