4 mth old - should I wean?

[Ba8y1]

Hi ladies

I would be very grateful if anyone could take the time to advise me about weaning DS1 - I am at my parents and won't be able to discuss this with the HV for another week or so would really appreciate the help as have no experience whatsoever!
I'm not sure what info you will need so will include everything I can think of!

DS is just 4months - he will be 18 weeks tomorrow.
Weighed 3.93kg (75th centile) at birth (EmCS), is currently fully breast fed and weighed 7.63kg at 17wks (between 75th-91st centile). He has gained weight brilliantly so far (~ 250g per week) so I imagine he has doubled his birth weight this week.

Feeding pattern at 3-4 months: fed at 7am, 11am, 2:30pm, 6pm with dream feed at about 10:30pm.
He sleeps well at night 7pm- 10:30pm and then after his dream feed through until 7am. His daytime sleep used to be good, short naps am and pm and a longer sleep at lunchtime.
Developmentally he rolls front to back, sits unsupported (though slouches forward!) and can stand unsupported holding onto the back of a chair

Over the last 2 weeks he has become increasingly grumpy ~(usually very easygoing character), needing feeding at 7, 10, 11:30, 1, 2:30, 5, 6 and dream feed. His night time sleep is as yet unaffected (thank goodness!), except he wakes earlier around 6am, but his daytime naps are all over the place.

As you can prob tell, I'm quite a routiney person (!) and the idea of baby led weaning doesn't appeal (though I know it works well for some people) so I would be starting on baby rice and purees if I did. I just don't like seeing him hungry and unhappy all day - is this just a long growth spurt or should I be thinking about starting to wean?

Would be hugely grateful for any advice

Many thanks!

[Adair]

No, no no!

Enjoy the bf nappies for as long as possible!

[nethunsreject]

It's the infamous 4mth sleep regression/growth spurt.

It will pass, especially as you have one of those fab sleeping babies (like ds1)

He's working on loads of developmental things at this age.

Keep up the feeding and throw the clock away for a few weeks. Good sleepers revert to good sleeping, honest! Just feed and chill.

[TittyBojangles]

Personally I would just up the feeds. BM will have more calories than some puree anyway, and 18 weeks is very early to wean. Have a look at the 4 month sleep regression info on here if you haven't already. Only 5 feeds in 24 hours isn't much for a 3-4 month old so I'd say your new 'pattern' is more normal. It'd be easier to accept the new feeding rather than trying to get hom back onto the old routine. Just feed more often through the day... if you must stick to a routine then try every 2 hours?

You have some great nightime sleep going, I hope it lasts! :)

[Ba8y1]

Wow quick responses - thank you!

That's kinda what I thought, don't want to start too early. I was just worried he was needing more than I could give, but will persevere! Thank you!

[TittyBojangles]

No, just give more bm, that's all he needs. :)