weaning at 22 weeks?

[washngo]

My dd is 22 weeks, and ebf. For the last few weeks she has seemed a bit unsatisfied with just bf, and has been rather irritable. I know this could be for a hundred reasons, but I often wonder if she is hungry. Also, all her poos are green (when i read this back in my head i sung this along to the tune of the first line of the Mamas and Papas classic 'California Dreaming').

Anyway, a few people have suggested this could be related to her being hungry or ready to wean. So i suppose what i'm asking is, is 22 weeks to early to wean or is it ok? Anyone had similar experiences?

Thanks ShowofHands, that video is really clear. Will see how she's doing in a couple of weeks :)

Hi, green poo and irritability is sometimes associated, with getting a lot of milk too quickly. Do you have a fast let down?
Basically, milk is passed very quickly through their system, this can lead to irritability as their intestines try and digest everything, (and green poo!)

Could this be it? :)

Actually I think I do have a fast let down- sometimes she does a couple of sucks then opens her mouth and just lets all the milk pour out! Is there anything I can do about that?

People always say guidelines have changed, but they haven't really changed that much have they?

When I was born in the mid-eighties, advice was to wean from 4 months. Now it's recommended to wait til 6 months, but never before 4 months. I doubt 12 weeks was ever the official line.

I think the sensible way to look at it, is somewhere between 4 and 6 months your individual baby will be ready for food - 26 weeks isn't a magic date. If a 22 week old is sitting up, has lost the tongue thrust and is grabbing at food and putting it in their mouths then I would wean. If you have to battle their tongue thrust to get almost liquid food into them then it's too early.

Hi, Washngo you can try 'block' feeding, where you feed from one breast only, until it feels nice and empty. This could mean feeding only on one side for two meals! If your other breast starts to feel uncomfortable then of course you can switch.
This way DD will get more of the fattier milk.

Also try and express some milk first so that the pressure hasn't built up. Are you feeding on demand or on a schedule? If you are feeding every 3 hours try feeding every two.

Feel free to PM me, I am a LLL Peer counselor and I have contacts

By the way, from what you are saying, it does sound like a fast let down, especially with your DDs reaction to your milk, bless her :)