wean (redirected from weans)

wean (wēn) to discontinue breast feeding and substitute other feeding habits.

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wean (wn)

v.

1. To deprive permanently of breast milk and begin to nourish with other food.

2. To accustom the young of a mammal to take nourishment other than by suckling.

3. To gradually withdraw from a life-support system.

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wean

Etymology: AS, wenian, to accustom

1 to induce a child to give up breastfeeding and accept other food in place of breast milk. Many children are ready for weaning during the second half of the first year; some wean themselves.

2 to withdraw a person from something on which he or she is dependent.

3 to remove a patient gradually from dependency on mechanical ventilation.

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wean [wēn]

1. to discontinue breastfeeding and substitute other feeding habits.

2. to discontinue bottle feeding and substitute feeding by a cup or some other means.

3. in respiratory therapy, to gradually decrease dependence on assisted ventilation until the patient is able to breathe spontaneously. See also ventilator.

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wean

to discontinue suckling by the dam and substitute other feeding procedures which may include the provision of milk substitutes or replacers.

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wean

Old English, to accustom verb Critical care To transition a Pt from dependence on mechanical ventilation–MV to spontaneous auto-regulated breathing. See Pulmonary function tests, V/Q ratio PediatricsTo transition an infant from dependence on maternal–ie, breast milk to milk from other sources or other forms of sustenance.