When to start weaning?

[TuttiFrutti]

When should you start weaning? My ds is 15 weeks and big for his age - he was 9lbs 8oz at birth and was 16lbs last week. I was exclusively breastfeeding until a couple of weeks ago, but am now offering him formula after breastfeeding and he usually drinks a good 4oz.

The reason I started doing this is that he was asking for feeds earlier and earlier, and chewing his fists a lot as if really hungry. He's still doing that now and I wonder if I should try him with some solid food soon. I know NHS guidelines now say wait till the baby's 6 months, but surely that's different with an extra big and hungry baby?

[hunkermunker]

TF, if you're topping him up, you're not producing as much breastmilk - this could be why he seems hungry. Can you try going back to exclusive breastfeeding? Might mean a growth spurt-like feedathon to begin with, but should be OK.

No different for babies who were big at birth or who seem hungry - their guts mature no faster than smaller babies.

If he is asking for feeds earlier, feed him more often - you'll make more milk that way and he'll settle again in a few days once you've upped your supply.

There are people who wean very early, but IMO (and the opinion of various eminent establishments ) it's better to wait. IMO it's also better to wait because it's considerably less buggeration to wean an older baby - you can often go straight to finger food.

15 weeks is definitely too early - the longer you wait, the less chance of him developing allergies, etc.

[hunkermunker]

Too late, MT

[hercules]

You wont find medical advice to wean at this time but you will find some parents and out dated health professionals saying it's fine. i would advise researching it.

Kellymoms is excellent for advice and expells lots of myths about when baby is ready.

[hercules]

kellymom

[Alipiggie]

Have to join in this one again I'm amazed how medical opinion changes so rapidly in two years. For ds2 I was told that weaning at 16wks was fine now we're up to 24wks plus. When was the change made? I know it was the World Health Orginisation that recommended this one. Anyone help me out on this one - pure curiosity

[hercules]

over 10 years ago. In the 1920s and 30 it was more like 10 months.

[hercules]

babies usually drink formula if offered after breast as it's different. You always have room for pudding even if full!

[aloha]

Call me thick but why do people think their babies are so hungry? My dd is really a very big girl. People remark on it constantly. She is on the top centile for height and above the 75th for weight (or was when she was weighed for the second time in her life at about five months. She has been exclusively breastfed and thrived on it. I started her on solids on her six month birthday and she couldn't care less about them. Yes, she wakes up once, sometimes twice a night, but a five minute feed and she's back down so I don't really mind - compared to ds she is such a sleepaholic!
Yes, she chewed her fists - all babies chew their hands - and yes, she looked intently while we ate but also looked intently when we did diy or read the paper! She's now six months and one week and still hardly eating anything off a spoon so basically still breastfed. She's the most bouncing, vigorously healthy baby you can imagine. If it's Ok for her, why not for others.
BTW I weaned ds at just before four months because he was such a terrible sleeper and I was under so much pressure to get him onto solids, and it made not a jot of difference.
I suppose with dd I don't notice when she feeds more often because I never look at the clock with her. That really helps IMO.

[aloha]

Btw I never, ever offered a top up. She may well have taken it if I had, I suppose. But it never crossed my mind. If she looked hungry I have fed her.

[Alipiggie]

Interesting thanks This is what I've just found for Scotland \link{http://www.hebs.org.uk/topics/topicfulltext.cfm?topic=oral&CA=topiccontents&TxtTCode=312this}

[Alipiggie]

oops link didn't quite work did it. Anyway says weaning 4-6 months

[hunkermunker]

Aloha, don't tell me you've not started your DD on reading and wielding a screwdriver? She's obviously ready if she's watching you intently!

MT - we probably have...you're not an early weaner are you?! LOL!

[hunkermunker]

Scotland not well-known for being good at health info, are they?

[hunkermunker]

MT

[Alipiggie]

no it's not but seeing as I've two healthy half english, half dutch boys can't be all bad can it

[TuttiFrutti]

Hercules, thanks for the kellymom link, that was really useful.

Hunkermunker - re topping up with formula, I know it's controversial, but it really seemed the only way to satisfy his hunger. My delicate nerves couldn't take any more screaming. Saying "he'll settle again in a few days" doesn't really cut it when you have a crying baby in your arms who needs food now!

[maisiemog]

And does he stop screaming when he has had a top-up? Could it be something else he is after, like comfort, nappy, winding, entertainment, dummy, nice drink of water ?
Poor you though, it's not nice when your baby is grumpy - some babies are just grumpy though. Mine was for months, but now at 9 months he is the sunniest little thing.
Don't forget you can put him in his cot and run down to the end of the garden sometimes - I doubt it will do him any harm at all. Going for a walk helps too, fresh air, knocks them out, or at least the screaming is less potent.
Re early weaning, we waited until 26 months to be on the safe side, he did feed like a crazy baby for the last few weeks of this time, but I'm still glad I did it.
To help galvanise your resolve Check out the number of babies with allergies etc.. on just about any parenting forum - not very nice.

[hercules]

not surprised he was hungry! 26 months!

[maisiemog]

Sorry I meant to say 26 years.