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Weaning

When to wean?

14 replies

wibblyjelly · 03/02/2013 15:30

DS is just over 4 months, and I think he is showing signs of wanting to wean. He watches us with great interest when we eat, can hold his head up when sat in a bouncy chair, or gumbo seat. He is also getting the hang of holding something (is everything and anything!), and then putting it into his mouth. I know the advice is to wait until they are 6 months, unless they show early signs. Are these signs enough to go on, or do we wait for something else? What age did you wean your dc's? Tia.

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Clargo55 · 03/02/2013 16:06

Those are natural signs of development, not necessarily signs to start weaning. I would stick to the guidelines just to be safe.

Anyway most foods do not contain as much calories as breast/formula milk. Especially thinks like baby rice (low levels of nutrition and not as high in calories).

Clargo55 · 03/02/2013 16:08

Similar thread here with lots of varying advice Weaning.

Helspopje · 03/02/2013 16:09

i thought advice shifted back to 17 weeks in 2010ish

Clargo55 · 03/02/2013 16:13

Hels, NHS website still says 6months here.

wibblyjelly · 03/02/2013 16:19

Thanks Clargo

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llamallama · 03/02/2013 16:28

I would wait, what's the rush? Weaning is a right faff anyway but so much easier if you wait till 6 months and can fully sit up independently!

Helspopje · 03/02/2013 17:55

Goodness me - yet another change then!

was by 6mths in 2010 but not before 17 weeks as BF/FF was thought not adequate after this age so the programme to wean was more rapid if left right up until 6/12. Around then there was a metaanalysis of available evidence on such things published in the BMJ around then that came down in favour of not waiting until 6/12 to start - must've since been discounted.

birdofthenorth · 03/02/2013 18:00

I waited til 6 months despite huge pressure from MIL to go earlier. If you read the research it's pretty compelling that it's safer for most babies, medical excretions aside.

Plus by 6 months you can just kick off with baby led weaning rather than faffing about with mashing etc, which is a lazy parents dream Smile

wibblyjelly · 03/02/2013 18:02

I'm a bit scared of blw to be honest. I'll be really paranoid about him choking

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ilovepowerhoop · 03/02/2013 18:03

the guidance changed to 6 months in 2003 (around the time I had dd) and hasnt changed again since then

llamallama · 04/02/2013 06:48

Don't be scared of BLW, it really is brilliant!

LadyWidmerpool · 04/02/2013 07:05

Babies' gag reflexes are further forward than adults' meaning they gag more easily as a defence against choking. Nature has their back!

LadyWidmerpool · 04/02/2013 07:07

Also nappies once on solids are a whole different ball game and the time spent cleaning up is phenomenal. Wait as long as you can!

wibblyjelly · 04/02/2013 09:01

I hadn't considered the nappy side of things. His are bad enough as is!Smile

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