Why do jars of puree still say on them 'Suitable from 4 months.'

[flubdub]

I noticed the other day. I didnt think solid were suitable for 4 month old?

[andiem]

so they can make money from the unconverted

[OverMyDeadBody]

because technically they are suitable from four months, and they still want to make money from parents who want to wean early!

[donnie]

lots of parents start their babies on purees at 4 months.

[girlandboy]

My dh was weaned at 6 weeks according to mil. I bet he could hardly even hold his head up!!

[andiem]

we know donnnie but that's not what the guidelines say and the babyfood manufacturers luurve the fact that lots of people start at 4 months and also that they feed purees cos they make loads of dosh from it and if people followed the guidelines and did blw then they would be out of business

or just mushed up a carrot themselves instead of buying mushed up carrot in a jar

[OverMyDeadBody]

they are a business andiem, of course they want to make money. What's wrong with that?

[andiem]

because it taps into people's insecurities about feeding babies that's why
because they know the guidance is 6 months and they now say on their packets doh guuidance is 6 months but for people who choose to wean earlier then this food is suitable from 4 months blah blah blah
because it is cheaper and easier to mush your own food if that is what you want to do
or give them a piece of toast if that is what you want to do

[deanychip]

to sell um!
tis bIG money!!

[constancereader]

I think they have to change the labels at some point in the future. They won the right to extend the changeover period.

I don't know where I read this though, it could be wishful thinking/imagination on my part!

[lulumama]

no, that is true, constancereader.

[flubdub]

girlandboy - I know two lunatics people (a grandma and the daughter - NOT MINE) that gave a TWO WEEKS OLD BABY rice!!!
Surprise surprise, shes 10 now, and obese!

[kekouan]

What I find worrying is that a lot of the jars that say 'suitable from 4-6 months' have dairy, gluten or meat in them! It wouldn't be quite as bad if they at least had just fruit and veg in them, but a lot of ill informed people may be giving their children gluten etc far too early.

[tiktok]

constance, not quite right. The formula manufacturers won the right to extend the labelling changeover, which was designed to prevent spurious health claims.

There are no rules pending for baby food labels.

[mrsruffallo]

Becuase you can wean from 4 months without harming the baby.

[chloemegjess]

Because the 6 month thing is a guideline, not the law

[weebump]

Some of them have changed to "stage 1" rather than just "from 4 months" which is a bit of a compromise, but better. If stage 1 is 6 months, then gluten is fine. It's a bit of a miinefield really, and no surprise that many people feed babies incorrectly by going by what it says on the pack.

[ChezzaB]

I was advised by HV to start weaning my DS at 16 weeks as he was demanding feeds every hour (not just a growth spurt) I puree my own veg for him but also use HIPPS jars occasionally these are very clearly labled with stage 1 and also if they are stage 1 4months or stage 1 6months so you are feeding gluten free etc! everything is organic and they actually taste quite good!