weaning at 14 weeks?????

[whome55]

What exactly are the risks? I know what the guidelines are but what might happen if they're ignored?

[junemami]

Choking, increased risk of developing allergies, weight loss - 'solid' food such as baby rice is less energy dense than milk. Probably more but that's off the top of my head.

[Flisspaps]

The gut isn't mature enough to deal with anything other than milk, which is thought to cause digestive issues in later life such as IBS and increase allergies or intolerances.

People will come on and say "oh, I weaned my baby at 3 hours old on pie and he's fine" but unless it's done under medical guidance, wait until as close to 6 months as you can, although any time after 17 weeks should be ok.

[UsedToBeAPixie]

All of the above - your baby's gut isn't developed enough for weaning at 3mths.
Just out of interest, why are you thinking about it? If it's to help baby sleep, it won't...

[whome55]

No, nothing to do with sleep. She sleeps through and is a very contented baby

[Sleepyfergus]

So don't do it. Weaning us hard work, enjoy the milk only option for longer.

[VisualiseAHorse]

Weaning early = possible gut problems later on, no food you can give them at 3 months will be as calorific as breastmilk or formula, will just 'fill them up' and thus they will take less milk (which they need), choking, and it's a pain in the arse.

[Maternityleaveisawesome]

The risk of allergies in early weaning is well researched and documented if you do a google search.

Just out if interest OP, why do you want to do it? Not asking to be negative about it, just wondering. I am not weaning until after 6 months, partly because of guidelines, but also because I am lazy and am putting off having to prepare other food!

[stargirl1701]

If you wait till 26 weeks then you don't need to bother with purées.

[Jayne266]

It's also to do with the babies kidneys as well

[Flatasawitchestit]

Why? There is no need surely.

Google open gut

[Lisarien]

I just wanted to say that my daughter will be 16 weeks this week and I was advised to wean early as she has cow milk allergy, is lactose intolerant and has severe gastro reflux disease, is also on 3 different meds, she has struggled to put on weight, weaning is going very well and you can actually see a difference in her, she looks healthier and more content and her body looks like its filling out lovely, i think weaning is down to each individual, follow your gut instincts, if baby is ready you will know, good luck with your choice whatever it may be

[Flisspaps]

Lisarien weaning early under medical guidance because of already present health issues is a completely different kettle of fish to someone weaning early because that's what their mum/granny/neighbour did, or because they have a 'big' baby, a hungry baby or a baby who wakes every few hours at night.

[Lisarien]

@ Flisspaps, I am fully aware of that, the point i was trying to make is that with all my daughters ongoing problems they felt weaning was the way to go and it has proved to be right, like i said, its down to each individual and gut instinct rarely lets you down, especially when it come to your own children, not every baby is the same, some need weaning early as formula alone is just not enough.