Weaning

[Ikkleme]

At what ages did you all start weaning your lo?
My HV said that you can give them food form being newborn but it's not recommended...
I've started weaning DD at 13 weeks but now I've researched it every where says not to before 17 weeks!

[purplemurple1]

Are you in the UK, your HV is giving out some very wrong advice.

17 weeks is the mimimum age, 6 months is more recommmended. But you should wait until your child is showing signs of being ready for weaning.

From memory the signs are, sitting up unsupported, can pick up objects and put them in their mouth, and have lost the tounge thrust reflex (so they don't ush food back out when you ar efeeding them).

I'm not in the UK and the advice here is you can give little tastes from 17weeks, and real weaning when they show the signs of being ready. Mine was showin all signs by 5 months which is when I started with mashed vegies, pureed fruits etc. I only moved onto real foods at 6 months.

[lucidlady]

You've been given incredibly dangerous advice. Your baby is way too Young to wean unless a doctor, not a HV, tells you to for medical reasons. I Started weaning both my babies at 6 months.

[CultureSucksDownWords]

Wow, that's bad advice from your HV! As others have said, the advice in the UK is never before 17 weeks (unless directed by a paediatrician/doctor) and preferably around 6 months.

What were the reasons you started weaning at 13 weeks? I would just stop giving food for now, and wait till she's older.

[WishUponAStar88]

Nhs guidelines say to wait until around 6 months when baby can sit, bring food to mouth etc. If weaning early it should not be before 17 weeks due to the risk of food intolerance, asthma, eczema and gut problems.

[WishUponAStar88]

I started my dd at a fortnight shy of 6months

[GlitterTwinkleToes]

I started when DD was just over five months. Milk wasn't filling her up at all, she constantly cried for more and she was on the hungry baby formula as well!

[stargirl1701]

Both of my girls were offered food from 26 weeks.

It is has been proven to be a short and long term risk to health to offer solids before 17 weeks.

[PannaDoll]

Did your HV offer that advice or did you ask her at what age you could start weaning? Are you in a hurry to wean your DC? I'm really confused by the advice, the early start and what seems to be a rush to start weaning.

I started offering food for my DD to explore when she was 6 months old. I fed her off my plate at every meal but she mostly licked, bit, fiddled and mushed things up. She didn't really start 'eating' for a few months and then it wasn't very much.

I would say that she was nearer 15 months old when the majority of her calorie intake was from food rather than breast milk so for me you are weaning FAR too young but it depends on what works for you (as long as it isn't making your child sick or uncomfortable and I have to wonder exactly how developed your baby's sytem is at 13 weeks!).