to think it totally bizarre that friends and family are fixated on the weaning of our DS?

[Ohnoredundo]

DS is five months. He is EBF. I've had my ups and downs with BFing but love it now and it's been well worth the occasional blip.

From DS being about 10 weeks friends and family stared to go on about weaning. "Are you sure he's getting enough from you?" they say, faces etched with concern.

Now he is five months and still EBF the reaction I'm getting is one of horror. "But look at his little face, he's copying you chewing, he's starving bless him!"

He's putting on weight I remind them and let's remember official guidelines say 6 months for weaning, I'm hardly being 'out there' with my approach.

Sorry for the rant - I'm just sick of it now. Parents, in laws and girlfriends. And why the hell should it be of any concern to them?

Has anyone else had this kind of reaction?

Do it when you are ready, everyone kept telling me to stick rice in her bottle!!

We did both spoon mush and finger foods when we weaned our baby. We had double the disapproval. We got our parents screeching about how he was sure to choke and I got well-meaning (but bloody infuriating) friends screwing their noses up, tutting about mystery allergies and saying how they left their precious baby to starve or forage.

Smile and nod. It's the only solution.

OP - go to the breast and bottlefeeding topic if you want more info on weaning. I think you would do well to present a united front on this and other parenting issues, showing that you and your partner are making decisions based on evidence.

If you are interested in why to wait until 6 months, read about the open gut of a baby e.g. on these links:
www.analyticalarmadillo.co.uk/2010/08/exclusive-breastfeeding-or-mix-feeding.html
www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html

If after considering the evidence you think you want to wean early then at least you know what you are dealing with.

Oh and just because your baby "seems interested in food" means not a lot. I bet your baby is interested in everything you do: holding a pen, using your phone...

I got advised to put Farex in the last bottle at night time. I also remember my MIL advising me to give mashed potato with oxo when the baby was only a few months old.

Its none of their business.

The official advice is 4-6 months. They don't need solids until 6 months but some babies might be ready for solids at 4 months:

link

But it really is up to you, and just smile and ignore.

FWIW DD and DS1 both weaned at 5 months eat most things, good eaters as babies. DS2 weaned at 6 months totally fussy/terrible eater (now 16 months) but that might just be him and not because of late weaning.

At FIVE months? God help you!
I LOVE these....

www.lactivist.co.uk/ill-wean-when-im-ready-long-sleeve-organic-p-29.html?zenid=d39e586c2c416e3f5c009cd7f2ca5e85

and

www.lactivist.co.uk/still-breastfeeding-small-badge-p-134.html

Is it entirely possible that you made it an issue in the first place? You say you've had your ups and downs with BFing so did you shares those ups and downs?

Even so it really is none of their business, christ do these people have lives?!

I also don't get why they think that your baby will be less hungry with a jar of fruit puree then he will be with milk.