Weaning at 5 months 3 weeks

[preggers3]

NCT and NHS advice is that weaning can begin “around” 6 months given all developmental requirements (sitting up, no tongue reflex) have been met. I am wondering what is the range that qualifies as “around” 6 months for starting weaning? Is it a week before, 2 weeks before, or more like a day or two before?

I am pretty by the book so planned to wait until 6 months originally. My LO is 5 months and 2 weeks. He is physically ready and aggressively interested in food (know that’s not a requirement to start but I can’t help but feel bad he’s so interested in it but not getting a taste!). Now I’m thinking about starting him with solids at 5 months, 3 weeks. I am going to be doing the veggie-led approach where I offer a puréed veggie and finger food side by side. Mainly concerned about offering finger food a week earlier than 6 months. Again, I’m a pretty by the book person and I haven’t found any definition of what they mean by “around”... it’s driving me crazy researching the internet as I can’t find where anyone says what is acceptable as “around” 6 months!! Has anyone started finger foods a week or two before 6 months?

The hard and fast rule is not before 17 weeks. And from 6 months babies need food.
Other than that it is up to you.

It'll be fine. If he had been born a couple of weeks early vs a couple of weeks late which are both totally normal timings there'd be a month difference in his age. That's what I was told by my thankfully very sensible health visitor for DC1 who is now 4. The guidance is there to stop people weaning their babies at 3 months old or ridiculously early, a week or two won't make a difference.

DS2 was a week off 6 months - he'd been sitting independently since 5 months and would grab anything and try to eat it.
My DM had just grown some lovely carrots so I weaned him a tiny bit early with a nice steamed carrot stick from DMs garden.

Ds was 5 months when he swiped spicy pasta off my plate, put it in his mouth and munched it. I intended to wait till he was 6 months as I did with his dsis. I started him at 5.5 months on single veg purees first, once he was 6 months I started putting finger food there too and he ate as much as he wanted.

DS was about that age when he nearly killed himself trying to get across the sofa to his dad's chips. Health visitor said for god's sake feed him if he was that desperate.

We started with purees and then when he started grabbing the spoon (about three days in) let him have a go at bananas and such as well.

In the same boat as you & started on Sunday. DD will be 6 months next week. Has been able to sit up and bring hand to mouth etc and like you have said, I started with veg. So far have done broccoli, cauliflower, potato. Also tried her with toast and banana which is going well, seems like she is getting the hang of it.

Can't see that a week would make any real difference so I'd say go for it!

Thanks all! Thinking we will start this weekend 😬