I'm sure this has been done to death but mum saying baby is ready for solids

[HesBeenAVeryNaughtyBoy]

I'm sure this comes up all the time but my mum is adamant baby (14 weeks) will be ready for solids in a couple of weeks. I have told her the recommended and scientific advice is 6 months but she is still very dismissive of this. Don't get me wrong my mum is amazing and she would never do anything I wasn't happy with. I trust her completely. Yet how do I explain again her view is out of date.

Many thanks

[OhMjh]

When I was a baby, 20 years ago, the advice was to wean at 3 months which is why she's suggesting it, as it's what she knows, along with things like orange juice for constipation. Why don't you should her the yellow weaning leaflet your HV should have given you, or the NHS page on weaning, which highlights weaning should happen around 6 months? www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/solid-foods-weaning.aspx

Every baby is different, and you may decide to wean sooner or later but I'd probably go for the 'as much as I can't wait to see DC trying lots of new and exciting things,we're going to keep baby on just milk until 6 months, mum, as that's what I've been told to do by my HV/that's what my gut tells me to do/that's what I feel comfortable doing/that's all they need right now'.

[HesBeenAVeryNaughtyBoy]

DS is breastfed and I think she thinks the sooner he can have some solids the sooner she can have him for a few hours. I'm fine with her having him no problems at all (in fact sometimes I would like an hour to myself) I know she could have him now but he normally cluster feeds in the evenings when she could have him after work.

[OhMjh]

As is mine, and I've had issues with my mil with things like this. Could you express some milk for her so she could take DS off your hands for an hour or so? Maybe you could let her know that you'd love them to spend time together, but won't be rushing him onto solid food just for that reason. He won't really be eating it at first anyway, more just tasting it so it's not the quick fix she thinks it is!

[tiktok]

It is not 'amazing' to be dismissive of your views (which are perfectly reasonable!); it is not 'amazing' to be champing at the bit to have your baby for a few hours; it is not 'amazing' to put you in a position where you are writing to a talkboard for advice on what to do; it is not 'amazing' to keep harping on about it all....she is being dogmatic and irritating, and while she may be nice and kind in many ways, in this particular way she is running rings around you.

Be more assertive and stick to your guns.

[PotteringAlong]

Point out to her that if she had a heart attack tomorrow she would want to be treated with the most up to date medical knowledge, not just what they knew in 1980 because it was fine then. Same goes for your baby and weaning. New medical advice to follow.

[HappyAsASandboy]

potteringalong that's a brilliant response! Will try and remember that one :)

[PotteringAlong]

I've only had to use it once but it worked