To think that weaning at 16 weeks is too young?

[ThePowerOfThree]

That is the advice my friend has had from her HV yesterday. I thought it was 6 months when you started weaning. My DD is only 2 months so I haven't researched it properly yet, but 16 weeks seems quite early to me.

Well, DD1 started weaning at around 16 weeks and she survived! No allergies or other issues.

DD2 and DS were 6 months.

I should add, DD1 is 20 and that was the advice back then, DD2 and DS are younger!

Same as Mamma, ds1 is 19 and the advice then was 4 months. It seemed a natural time.

It is too young unless advised by a paediatrician. I think your friend was mistaken or lying?

It cqn be between 4-6 months if her HV had advised it then maybe there is a reason current advice is wait till 6 months but a lot of parentsby pass the purees

16 weeks was the advised age to start with a bit of baby rice/baby yoghurt when my eldest dc was born, I have to say he dealt with solids far better than my youngest dc, who wasn't introduced to solids until 6 months, I think it's a bit late tbh as they do get used to just drinking rather than having to work their mouths.

I weaned at 13 weeks (first time mam) cos my little boy had really bad reflux, he wasn't happy on milk at all and I noticed a huge change in him when I gave him food

So you have a grand total of 8 weeks of parenting behind you and now feel qualified to judge?
Concentrate on your own baby and leave others to raise theirs the way they see fit.

I weaned 1 at 16 weeks the other at 20ish weeks (she was premature) was decades ago though

I think I weaned around then too.

I think 6 months is too late and you rush through the foods and textures.
We started at 6 months with our eldest he is now 8 and eats very little. DS2 had severe reflux and was told to wean at 12 weeks by consultant paediatrician. We thought it was too early as he had no head control so waited until 16 weeks. He has s gastrostomy and lots of disabilities. DD1 stole a pizza crust from her dads plate at 15 weeks and scoffed it... Did BLW with her from that points .... Eats everything and anything!!!!
Listen to your baby !!!

Yabu to be judging. Unless you were present and heard the hv say 'yeah fuck it baby is thriving but why not wean for the hell of it'. Hcps don't recommend weaning at 16 weeks to fill a gap in the conversation. And ime are usually reluctant to even when its the sensible choice without a second opinion. So why not educate yourself by discussing the reasons with your friend instead of inviting others to join in your judgy session.

Like the others, my DS1 is 17 and was weaned at 16 weeks, his siblings were 6 months which was just as the guidelines changed. Haven't noticed a difference in any of them, DC2 was VERY hungry and could have been weaned before 6 months.

As per the other anecdata filled thread on this matter, for the majority of babies, it is too young.

I weaned at 16 weeks as that's what's recommended here in Sweden. It was changed to 6 months, in line with the WHO advice, but was changed back again because it lead to an increase in food problems.

God I hated weaning.

put it off until 6 months if you have any sense about you. the mess. the many-times-daily preparations of food. the interminable discussion and subtlley judging facial expressions of other mums.

and it doesn't get better! he's 18 months now and eats about 8 meals a day.

sigh. can you tell I'm ignoring the washing up?

Sounds ok to me but I am an older mum. These things tend to go in cycles.

ouryve Who needs guidelines, research and health professionals when you have MN? "My granddad smoked 40 fags a day and lived to be 102, so smoking doesn't always mean you'll die young and of lung condition."

The advice in Holland is still 4 months - my Dutch friend had a baby a week before me, and while she was giving her son baby rice, I was still flapping over formula! Fast forward a month, and I was advised by two doctors and my HV to wean. DD was only just 5 months at the time. I would have definitely waited until 6 months otherwise. The advice is there for a reason. but then on the other hand, I'm pretty sure Dutch babies' digestive systems aren't any different to British babies'

YANBU, but people will tell themselves anything to justify their decisions against science.

YABU babies are individuals with different needs. The advice she has received will hopefully be based on information she has provided. Unless what a parent is doing is dangerous or neglectful just smile and nod.

Did you ask your friend why she was advised to wean? Btw its only advice nobody needs/has to wean before 6 months.

What science ?

Love these parenting fashion threads.

My first two were weaned at 3/4 months and my last 2 at 4/5 months.

None of mine could have waited 6 months. I am not a mummy martyr and wasn't going to smile happily and up the night time milk as had a busy life. Maybe with pfb but no way for later ones.

All of these parenting mantras are fashion and change with new research and theories.

Been a parent for 26 years and my view is listen to your baby as everyone is different.

Op you have a long journey ahead you know. You do as you see fit and let your friend do the same.

sllnew yes but you dont realise it's all baloney until you are an older mum.

I was told that the advice changed from 16 weeks to 6 months because it protected children in countries where the conditions were less sanitary and the water for weaning might not be clean. That may not be true but it highlights the fact that 'blanket advice' is not always set in stone.