Weaning

[leahbyrne08]

I've been told the earliest you can start weaning is 17 weeks my little one is 16 weeks 2 days and she has reflux with cows milk protein allergy and has been picking up colds and bugs from nursery so she's been throwing up a lot and put off feeds and is 2 pounds under weight so I wanted to try weaning her when she's 17 weeks and I was wondering what were the safest things to try her with that she can have with her cows milk allergy?

[HandbagFan]

Most babies aren't ready for weaning at 17 weeks, and the NHS advice is not to give them anything until 6 months.

Some times due to medical reasons, early weaning (17 weeks or later) is recommended.

I would aks your GP or HV for advice on this rather than just jumping in - it could make your child ill if not done at the right time for them.

Also, it's bloody messy and hard work and I would recommend mum to mum that you enjoy the time before weaning starts!

[MrsPatrickDempsey]

Is she under the care of a dietician? Weaning at this age to put on weight isn't advisable or healthy. Milk should form the basis of their diet for the first year and introducing solids just gets them used to taste and texture. Agree that early weaning is sometimes indicated but shouldn't be undertaken without advice from a paediatrician or dietician.

[MrsPatrickDempsey]

Also you say she's two Pounds underweight. Where are you getting this info from? What percentile was she at birth and now??

[MrsPatrickDempsey]

Sorry - keep thinking of things to add after posting....
There is lots of hidden dairy in lots of foods; that's why you need advice from a dietician.

[Hellmouth]

I also second going speaking to a dietician, as well your health visitor. Surely they would have their own advice about the weight loss? Also, if she is ill, still make sure you give her the usual feeds. If you've not been doing that, that could cause her to lose weight and become dehydrated.

[FATEdestiny]

2 pounds under weight

Are you not in the UK? We are not used to babies being described as under weight (or over weight). Babies follow a centre line and concerns are raised if babies drop centiles.

Any way, can your baby sit straight backed, unaided?

That's the very first requirement for weaning. There are others.

[FATEdestiny]

"centre line" = centile line

[leahbyrne08]

I have an appointment with the dietician and I was going to bring up the weaning because of her weight she's dipping down on her weight chart

[FATEdestiny]

What centre line is your baby following?

Are you breatfeeding with an elimination diet or formula feeding with CMPA milk?

Many with CMPA also have intolerance to soya.

[FATEdestiny]

It's autocorrected centile to centre again