Why wean at six months?

[VintageGardenia]

Hi, I have a 12 week old baby and a 10 year old son. Now when my 10yo was small the advice was to wean between 4 and 6 months and I know that since then the guidelines have changed, and obviously there have been some hot debates on MN over this and related issues. I don't have a health visitor / public health nurse (am in Ireland - don't ask!!) and haven't been given any advice since my new baby was born.

Can someone link me to some sort of back to basics article which outlines the reasons for the change in the guidelines / other appropriate advice for a new mother? Thanks a mill. (DS is currently exclusively breastfed and I intend to keep this going.)

[poppy34]

see this thread here link - greenmonkies has included a link to latest nhs guidance on this.

but bascially the advice is wait til 6 months but at wean no earlier than 17 weeks as there is higher risk of food intolerance etc developing later plus its unlikely that baby will ready before then (ie lost tongue reflex, sitting up reasonably unassisted etc).

[carrotsandpeasifyouplease]

hi Vintage, i'm in ireland too, the government booklets which your phn should have given you or will give you at his 3 month check up says 4-6 months is usual for formula fed and 6 months for breastfed although why they make the distinction I don't know. They also say about the no earlier than 4 months that the NHS state.

[RaspberryBlower]

The Kellymom site has some good advice about breastfeeding/weaning etc. I don't know how to do a link to it - I'm going to have to learn that.

[CharCharBaGOOOOOOORE]

Here's the link from Kellymom on delaying solids.

[VintageGardenia]

Hi thanks all, will do a bit of reading.

carrotsandpeas he is 13 wks on Mon and I haven't had a letter about a 3 month check up. He had his 6 wk check with the paediatrician at the hospital, rather than the phn, but then I don't have phn because the one for our area has retired and not been replaced... How does the 3 month check usually happen? I really can't remember from 10 years ago.

[carrotsandpeasifyouplease]

i've just checked in my orange book (my ds is 9mnths now) the 3 month check was just in the local health centre, the phn rang me it was very quick and they just check the normal responses and weight/height etc. Then I had one at 7 months this was mainly for the hearing. Did the phn come out for the heel prick test when he was newborn? I had problems initially breastfeeding so I got to know my phn maybe thats why they were quite proactive with me. They didn't really say much that I didn't know but they did give the government literature.
I get the impression that they are not very proactive normally though.

[carrotsandpeasifyouplease]

also, FYI if you didn't get the BCG in the hospital you should have had a letter from the local health board about that, there was a shortage when my ds was born but I think they have caught up now (obviously the decision whether to have it or not is another issue).

[VintageGardenia]

He didn't get the BCG in the hospital so I rang the health centre and got that there. The heel prick was done in hospital. Perhaps I should call the health centre and see if they will take him for a 3 month check, otherwise I suppose I could ask my GP to do one. I am not worried about him (naturally he is perfect!) just think it's crummy that there is so little support. You were very lucky to get breastfeeding support!

Maybe they are more relaxed because he is my second, but I know things have changed even in the last five years, so thought it best to get off my behind & start finding out for myself.

[carrotsandpeasifyouplease]

there is v.little support and as for the breastfeeding, she meant well but I won't go into it.