Weaning a prem baby

[suzi2]

What age should this be done at? My friend's DS is 6 wks adjusted, 4.5 months actual age and her paed has recommended introducing solids in a few weeks. She's unsure and feels it's too soon so I said I'd ask around for her.

[StripeyMamaSpanx]

I'm sure it should be 26 weeks from the due date - someone who actually knows will come along though.

[BibiThree]

DTs are 26 weeks (21 adjusted age) and we've only just started offering a little poridge once a day every other day - they are hungry enough for it, but aren't particularly good at "eating" iykwim. We're not pushing the issue, just offering and letting them take what they fancy and no more.

they'll pick up the pace when they're ready. Baby led all the way I say.

[TinkerbellesMum]

Tink was 31 weeks (I think that's about the same as your friend?) we started weaning at 6 months and she did really well on it.

With premature babies you need to not look at them as being this age or that age and allow them to find their own path in their own time - some babies will do what they would have done, some with their birth age, some are advanced and some follow behind.

We followed BLW and it suited that perfectly because we weren't pushing her to do something she wasn't ready for and she was doing it in her own time. I am a member of Aitch's site and there is a thread that the occasional mum of a premature baby who pops up can post on. If your friend would like to know more I'm happy to talk to her.

The best thing to do really is to watch for signs of readiness: sitting unaided, taking an active interest in meal times (ie, watching intently, trying to grab at food), putting food in his mouth.

[suzi2]

Thanks everyone. He's a long way off the signs of readiness. He is more like a 6 wk old than a 4 month old - just starting to smile and things and doesn't have a lot of head control. I'll email her this thread and see what she thinks.

[crokky]

My DS couldn't control his head at 4 months old (although he was only a bit prem, he was induced due to my illness). I weaned at 6 months + 1 week. He could not sit up unaided, but he could sit in a reclinable highchair and hold his head up OK but that stage. I waited a long time and it was actually very easy having waited all that time.