Weaning
Weaning is the process of gradually introducing an infant human or other mammal to what will be its adult diet while withdrawing the supply of its mother's milk.
The infant is considered to be fully weaned once it is no longer fed by any breast milk (or bottled substitute).
In some cultures, weaning progresses with the introduction of feeding the child food that has been prechewed by the parent along with continued breastfeeding, a practice known as premastication.
[3] The practice was important throughout human history in that it naturally gave a child a greatly improved protein source in addition to preventing iron deficiency.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends feeding a baby only breast milk for the first six months of its life.
The United Kingdom's NHS recommends withholding foods including those "that contain wheat, gluten, nuts, peanuts, peanut products, seeds, liver, eggs, fish, shellfish, cows' milk and soft or unpasteurised cheese" until a baby is six months old, as they may cause food allergies or make the baby ill.[9] However, recommendations such as these have been called into question by research that suggests early exposure to potential allergens does not increase the likelihood of allergies, and in some cases reduces it.
[11] No matter what age baby food is introduced, it is generally a very messy affair, as young children do not have the coordination to eat neatly.
From an evolutionary perspective, weaning conflict may be considered the result of the cost of continued nursing to the mother, perhaps in terms of reduced ability to raise future offspring, exceeding the benefits to the mother in terms of increased survival of the current infant.
The factor that the Japanese meals did not include cow's milk or special vegetables for children also favored late weaning.
When breeding laboratory mice in a controlled environment, the weaning is defined as the moment when the pups are transferred out of the mothers' cage.
[20] For pet carnivores such as dogs or cats, there are special puppy or kitten foods commercially available.
Options include: The use of these methods depends on farm management style, feed availability, condition and age of cow (dam), type of production and whether or not the calves are heifers.
Studies show that prior to separation there is no change in feeding habits, social interaction to other members of the herd.
In some there is no contact between calf and cow for health related reasons, such as preventing bovine paratuberculosis (Johne's disease).
The main purpose of separating dairy cows from their calves to allow collection and selling of milk.
[39] Studies indicate that kittens have different preferences when being weaned and this is based on specific prenatal and postnatal exposure to various flavours.
[40] For example, kittens exposed to cheese flavor during pregnancy and the first week after birth oriented preferentially toward cheese-flavored chicken.
It is important to remember that abrupt removal from the mother cat can have a negative effect on the kitten's health and socialization skills.
They should be placed in a separate area for a few hours at a time to reduce their dependence on the mother's milk and her overall presence.
The kittens should be put in their own special area with a litter box, food and water bowls.
