Weaning at 4 months....

[SamsMommyXXX]

...did anyone do this? Can you tell me why you did it and how?

Thank you

[CaptainNancy]

Are you okay? Can anyone help you? How much milk is your baby taking at the moment?

[tittytittyhanghang]

I did it because ds was drinking a full bottle of milk and expected more. Started him off on baby rice and porridge and slowly took if from there.

[SamsMommyXXX]

He's only 3 months at the moment but a big baby and already on 34oz a day so am trying to get a bit prepared.

[yousmell]

The only thing is that early weaning is connected to various issues. Can you research before going a head

[GoldPlatedNineDoors]

What put me off is the family history on DHs side of Crohns, IBS and Ulcerative Colitis. There is research to suggest that early weaning is connected to the above and after seeing what SIL went through with UC, I had to wait (even if the research is questionable, it wasnt worth the risk)

[meala]

This is a controversial one. I weaned both my breastfed DCs just after 4 months as they were both big (from birth), very alert and interested in food and increasingly demanding more milk feeds. I started on small meals of purees and they both were more contented. Every baby is different so you need to use your instincts. There was research earlier this year suggesting that earlier weaning may be beneficial (here).

[NeedlesCuties]

OP, what do you mean by a big baby? Was size was he at birth? Now? Where on the centile chart is he?

Is up to you really, but good to think long about it and weigh up your options.

DS was always 99th%, DD 91st%, I weaned DS at just over 5 months when he threw himself on top of a pear I was eating and slobbered over it!!! DD is 17 weeks and I don't think she's ready yet.

[mrscogon34thstreet]

I think you can tell - each baby is different but I don't think baby size has anything to do with it. I weaned at 6months because that's when my DS seemed ready but I have got friends who have had babies who are ready earlier.

I used the NHS signs of readiness combined with my own which is that I wanted DS to be able to 'sense' the food. Every week from 20 weeks I waved something around his nose and lips - and until 24 weeks he had no idea. He then took an interest at around then.

If you try him on some food and he just spits it back out at you then he's not ready. I have watched people 'force feed' younger babies - ie put spoon in then it gets spat out then put back in (repeat repeat reapeat) and I just find myself thinking - why bother, just make up a few more oz of milk/offer another bf for a few more weeks.

[KatAndKit]

The size of the baby has no relevance to their readiness for weaning. I started DS at 5 and a half months - at that point he could sit in a highchair with a folded blanket behind him and he could pick up food and get it to his mouth, and he could also swallow food. Those are the signs of readiness - nothing to do with size of baby, how much milk they are drinking or how often they wake in the night.

[stargirl1701]

My LO is 4 months and takes 6x7oz in a day = 42oz. She was on 6x6oz at 3 months = 36oz. She is on the 50th centile. I thought this was a normal amount at each age.

[ChristabelChristmas]

I started DS on solids at 17 weeks to the day. He was feeding every 90 minutes and refused a bottle - it was hard work!! I think you can tell so trust your own instincts. Incidentally, the whole 6 months thing is from the WHO and it's to do with problems with sterilisation in other parts of the world so they want people to breastfeed only for as long as possible. Bet the HV didn't tell you that!!

[readyforno2]

I weaned ds1 at 17 weeks as he was feeding every 1-11/2 hrs and I was physically exhausted. Started with baby rice purées etc. he has a brilliant appetite and always has.
With ds2 I weaned at 18-19 weeks for mostly the same reasons. He's now 27 weeks and enjoying finger foods and purées.
I think you have to take each individual baby as they come.

[GoldPlatedNineDoors]

Christabel that is bollocks.

[mrscogon34thstreet]

Christabel that's not true about the WHO guidelines. Babies are ready at some time between 4-6 months, but milk (either variety) is sufficient until 6 months so if you want to minimise risk of allergies etc. you can start at 6 months to be sure.

[sittinginthesun]

A while ago, in my case (before the guideline said 6 months), but I weaned DS1 at 4 months.

He was on the 91st centile, and constantly hungry, but it was more to do with his attitude to food. He was sitting, with some support, and would almost sob with frustration if he watched you eat. Literally trying to take food from my plate or hand, and drooling. I was having to take him put of the room when we were eating, which just seemed wrong.

My youngest was not remotely interested until 7 months!

[ChristabelChristmas]

I'm a surgeon - it's not bollocks at all. Of course some children don't need to be weaned until 6 months but some do. DS was weaned at 4 months - no allergies and never had antibios - he's now 9. Think we've done pretty well with that!

[GoldPlatedNineDoors]

Arf @ the fact that because you are a surgeon that therefore = expert

[notnagging]

Lol gold I was thinking the same but it is a mumsnet habit

[ChristabelChristmas]

No, you're right, it is sensible to ignore someone with years and years if medical training. What would I know???

[ChristabelChristmas]

Just to clarify, I never said I was an expert. I just said that my point wasn't "bollocks".

[EntWife]

I weaned dd2 at 17w and 1 day. Actually she weaned herself. I was eating a piece of toast with her on my lap and she grabbed my hand, guided the toast into her mouth and did her best to shove it in and eat it. We started her on solids the following day. She was already sitting almost unsupported at that stage and had excellent hand to mouth skills.

Dd1 was about 5 months. She was starting Nursery and I was going back to work. She was my PFB and I didn't want Nursery weaning her. She was more than ready though and took to it like a duck to water.

[EntWife]

Christobel, you comment is the same as what was told to me by a friend who is a pead dietician. Somewhere between 4 & 6 months depending on the individual baby is what is recommended by the British Dietetic Society
www.child-nutrition.co.uk/Weaning.pdf

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

your link, Entwife

oh my god at 50% of UK babies given solids before 4 months, jeez

from the same document, para 1.1 - ''Gastroenteritis is common in developing
countries and is associated with the introduction of formula and complementary foods.
Many have questioned whether the WHO recommendation applies to developed
countries where the risks from episodes of gastroenteritis are minimal'' - this is not the same as problems with sterilisation, but more to so with the preparation and handling of the foodstuffs, IMO.
A common misconception, hence confusions exist over the purpose of using water boiled then standing to achieve 70 degrees before making up infant formula (folk think it's the water where the danger lies when in fact it's the powdered milk that poses the risk)

[ChristabelChristmas]

Thank you EntWife. Who would have thought medical professionals might have a clue!

[mrscogon34thstreet]

Christabel I don't agree that your point was bollocks, but the problem is that by saying that the 6 month thing is for less developed countries fuels people's determination to wean early when it isn't appropriate for their baby.

I agree there are lots of 4 month olds who are ready to wean, but I have witnessed a few people weaning inappropriately - it is their choice, and it is unlikely their children will have any health issues as a result but I always wonder why they are putting themselves through it as introducing solids is way harder work than milk feeding - unless your child is ready.

If you wait until they are ready then it's easy. But watching fellow parents getting frustrated as their 4 month old lies back in their bouncy chair spitting baby rice at them - I just think why would you do that in light of advice? But then if people say 'oh well 6 months is for other parts of the world' then it adds to their belief that they are doing the right thing.