Should I start weaning?

[xmasstocking]

My DS is 21 weeks old and showing none of the classic signs of wanting solids at all - sleeps through every night, doesn't finish all his bottles, and is a very happy and contented baby.

I know the new guidelines say start at 24 weeks but as that coincides with Christmas, I am really keen to get him started now as we are away at Christmas and would prefer solids to be established by then and for us to be in some kind of routine with them. I also don't want to leave it until after Christmas as he starts nursery in the New Year and I think it might be too much change for him to wean him and start nursery.

My thinking is that up until recently, the guidelines were to start at 4 months so if he had been born a couple of years earlier, then I would have started weaning anyway regardless of whether he is 'ready'.

Am I being selfish wanting to do it now as it is convenient or do you think it would be ok to start him even though he is not 'ready'? BTW, he has more than doubled his birthweight which I know is another sign.

[tribpot]

I wouldn't, to be honest. He may not be ready for a while yet (my ds definitely wasn't at 26 weeks) and only having to deal with bottles or bf is a lot less hassle when you're away. Not sure what to suggest about the nursery issue after Xmas, it may well be though that he starts to take an interest in solids once he sees other children doing it. I'd leave it til then and see.

[LoveMyGirls]

i would start.

[lulumama]

it is actually 26 weeks ....but there are other signs of readiness...and if he is happy with milk...then wait....if he is happy & content, why upset the apple cart.....?

[xmasstocking]

Thanks for your advice - I do kinda agree with Lulumama about upsetting the apple cart but we have nothing really planned for the next 3 weeks leading upto Christmas so it seems like the ideal time to get started - I just feel it is goingto be rushed after Christmas. If only I didn't have to go back to work I would stop stressing about it.

[CorrieDale]

I definitely agree with Lulumama - DS's sleep, which hadn't been great anyway, went completely to pot when he started on solids. And he was showing signs of being ready, and not eating very much at all because we did BLW. Why not leave it for a few more weeks, until he's showing signs of being ready? Get him settled at nursery, then try him with some broccoli?

[TwinkleInSantasEye]

Hi Xmasstocking. I posted a similar thread to this a few days ago. DS is 18 weeks and I was/am thinking about starting to wean him in a couple of weeks for similar reasons. I haven't decided exactly what to do yet, but I'm definitely with you on the not wanting too much change all at once thing. The way I see it is that early weaning is only about offering tastes of solids and I personally can't see the harm in doing this a bit early. He'll let you know if he's not ready. Good luck!

[terramum]

If hes not ready, which tbh he doesnt sound like he is, then all you are doing is making work for yourself. Also he might very well start not wanting them when he starts nursery anyway because of the change so all that work will have been for nothing! Better to get him settled at nursery, then start him on solids, maybe in the evening, so you can enjoy watching him eat his first food

[Bevspooner]

Hi,

I have just started to wean my son this week and he's 17 weeks (much to the disgust of the health visitor).

He's loving it!

He was showing all the signs.... shouting at us when we were eating and taking imaginary mouthfuls along with us (very cute and v distracting), he was draining his bottles and still hungry, and reverted back to wanting feeding every 2-3hrs.

Now we've started he's back to feeding every 4-5 hours and his happy as Larry.

My advice would be... follow your own instinct, its your baby and you know him best.

Finally ...good luck and enjoy Christmas.

[DizzyBinterWonderland]

wait til 26 weeks

you can always tell your nursery to leave the first tastes to you. are you working full time/ part time/ evenings? can you do tea time with him?

i would be reluctant to do something concerning my child just for my own convenience.

[TwinkleInSantasEye]

I don't think Xmas (or me for that matter) is thinking of her own convenience DizzyBinter - it's surely about making it a happy and relaxed experience for mum and baby.

[xmasstocking]

Thanks Twinkle - that is exactly what it is - I would rather do it now so it is a relaxed experience rather than rushed - I am planning on working 3 full days a week so would only be giving DS his morning feed (which is likely to be rushed) and his evening one when he is usually tired so neither would be ideal.

Thanks for all your advice - my HV said that this is a common query as weaning does tend to coincide with mums returning to work and to give it a go as at the moment, it is just about taste/textures and DS will let me know if he is not interested at the moment.

[TwinkleInSantasEye]

You've convinced me Xmas! I think I will start DS in the next couple of weeks.