AIBU to tell them to piss off?!

[BabyMama212]

I've got a beautiful 3-month-old son, he was 9lb 4 at birth and is now a rather hefty 14lb 1lb. Today I gave him his first taste of baby rice and he loved it.

The reasons why I gave him baby rice today are as follows:

• He started sleeping through the night at seven weeks, but now he wakes for a feed again.
  
• Halfway through his feed he tries to physically push his bottle away, then complains because he is still hungry
  
• He chews his hands before and after each feed
  
• He is absolutely fascinated with our food and drink
  
• He tries to pick up our food
  
• God help us if we sit down to a meal and he isn't there. He'll even wake up from a nap if he realizes we're eating without him.
  
• He refuses to nap during the daytime when before he would sleep for two hours at a time and then be awake for 4-5. And if he DOES nap, he'll sleep for maybe half-an-hour, then get grumpy because he is very tired.
  
  The trouble is that obviously, this incited the wrath of several mums I know who went ballistic on me for weaning before the 17-week mark. I've said that it's my decision, all of the signs are there and they've been there long enough for me to know that this isn't just a growth-spurt but a real thing, but of course they won't listen. One even borderline-accused me of child abuse.
  
  I've told them to butt out and stop being so judgeypants, as I didn't judge them on deciding to start their child on pureéd food at the age of eight months, but they've really upset me.
  
  I realize that the guidelines are there for a reason... but guidelines and just that - GUIDELINES! Aren't they? I'm prepared for abuse from other people on here, but I just want to know.... AIBU?!

[Blueberties]

It would be unreasonable to tell them to piss off and it's unreasonable to give baby rice which is disgusting and vile.

However not unreasonable to start on veg and fruit and wouldn't have thought.

[worraliberty]

All 3 of mine were weaned at that age on the general advice of the HV

Just do what you think is best.

[NinkyNonker]

I think Yabu, 17 wks is the absolute minimum recommended, by those who know, for a reason. Babies' sleep patterns do change, doesn't mean they need to start on solids.

I will be flamed now.

[BabyMama212]

Haha, is baby rice really that bad?! He seemed to love it! But thank you - I was coming in here with my steel helmet on, ready to be flamed. At least there are some on my side! Feel like these women ganged up on me because it's my first baby and they all have at least two.

[MamaMaiasaura]

Yabu. Babies hit growth spurt around 3 months and need to increase milk intake, hence waking. They do not "need" solids. But if you feel you know better than all the well researched evidence which is available then you follow your instinct.

[BabyMama212]

But it isn't JUST his sleep patterns... it's everything. If it were just his sleeping, I'd consider other options including "it's just a phase", but if you add everything together it makes it difficult to see any other option.

[youngermother1]

see link - conflicting views and studies, YANBU
www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1347006/Breast-feeding-6-months-causes-allergies-warn-British-researchers.html

[SuePurblybilt]

I have no strong views on this but - around 4 months is the minimum age (17 weeks), yes? So if he's three months but was ten days overdue (f'rinstance) and is a big baby, is it really such a stretch?

[pictish]

Yanbu - your kid, your way. Fuck all to do with anybody else.

You are gonna get slayed on here btw. Let the flapping and squawking commence.

[mumnotmachine]

YANBU, both mine were weaned at 13 weeks, eldest on advice of HV and second because its what I had done with the first!!!

YABU to give your DS baby rice, quite the vilest thing ever!!!
Mushed up veg all the way!

Dont worry what others think- its your baby, you know him best

[Baffledandbewildered]

You are his mummy don't let people make you feel bad about making informed choices. Each baby is different and as you say the guidelines are just that a guide. Our two eldest boys weaned early and are now healthy young adults with no health issues or food intolerances. Good luck and enjoy your son x

[troisgarcons]

All mine were weaned @ 10-12 weeks on baby rice. Thats how it was back in the dark ages, 16 years ago ..... none of them died/got allergies/got fat blah blah blah.


Guidelines are just that, guidelines. They arent 'the law' - oh and they will change in 6 months with another 'study' or 'finding' blah blah blah.

[BatsUpMeNightie]

Really? I was advised to give my son small amounts of baby rice at 5 weeks. He was a big baby too - 10lbs - and he was hungry! Nobody ever judged me on that but if they had it'd have been the big old 'piss off' from me too!

[AchtungBaby]

BabyMama212, please don't continue to do this. There's absolutely no need for your DS to have anything other than milk for now, and there's also a real possibility that it might have a detrimental effect on his health in future.

[Doilooklikeatourist]

He's your baby , so you do as you think best.
He's happier , you're happier I dont see a problem , it's no ones business .

[NinkyNonker]

I think you just want validation, but to be honest given the recommendations (6 months, min of 17 wks) I would be shocked if you told me that in real life. There is so much info out there on why it is a bad idea and babies' sleep patterns/regressions that I'm amazed you thought this was a good idea.

[DuelingFanjo]

imo yabu.

[DuelingFanjo]

welcome to mumsnet by the way.

[forrestgump]

My first was weaned at 16 weeks as that was what the recommended guidelines, were. I dont think i would wean any earlier than myself. I know of mums the same age as me who were poping a rusk in the bottle to get them to sleep, and that alarmed me!!

By the time number 3 was born those guidelines had shifted to 6 months, but I went with what i knew and weaned at 4 months.

i think if i were you, i wouldnt of told anyone, as i hate confrontation, (it was non of anyones business that our 3rd was weaned at 4 months) and weaning is one of those that everyone has an opinion on.

[worraliberty]

For goodness sake, since time began women have been doing what's right for their babies amongst all the ever changing guidelines and stupid scare mongers.

[BatsUpMeNightie]

Recommendations change the whole time ffs! Don't make the OP feel bad about doing what she thinks is right for her child! I can absolutely guarantee you that nothing bad will come of feeding baby a little baby rice. My strapping intelligent healthy 21 year old is proof of that!

[duvetdayplease]

YANBU unreasonable to want people to keep their noses out of how you raise your child.

YABU and YAB reckless for feeding your baby so early. Feeding an undeveloped gut so early can lead to a wide range of problems, some now and some in later life. The advice of 17 weeks AT THE EARLIEST is there for a reason.

[BatsUpMeNightie]

And what worra said!