Baby weaning

[gizmosslave]

Why and when did the weaning advice change from 4 months to 6 months? And how come if babies are not putting on weight or have allergies paediatrics suggest weaning early ( 4 months).

My baby is having huge issues with bowel movements and I’m wondering whether introducing some veggies would help? Obviously I know the current guidelines but I was weaned at 3 months and I’m fine!

Advice appreciated

@kaytee87 thank you for your advice. The dr did suggest going on it in the first place as he had awful issues on the infant first milk to. No matter what I seem to do it doesn’t help

@TrinitySquirrel that’s why I’m questioning maybe starting him early but I just don’t know what’s best anymore

Ask your gp if you should try a lacto free formula to see if that helps. It isn't all that unusual for a baby to cry when they poo so don't panic too much.
It's tough doing all this for the first time, i know

It really is probably the powder formula causing the problem. The ready-to-drink stuff shouldn't do the same. The poor little guy.

My little boy can't have the powder at all as he gets constipated within 48hrs and screams blue murder.

Lacto free won't help with dairy intolerance as lactose is the sugar and dairy intolerance related to the protein in the milk

@kaytee87 it’s every single time and it just doesn’t look like normal baby poo, I know there are so many different variations but no matter what it is it doesn’t look right. Idk mothers instinct? Our gp was pretty useless and suggested asking the HV for a milk and then she of course said she couldn’t do that. I’m going round in circles and wverything is getting too much

Trinity, genuine question but isn't the ready made stuff just premixed powder?

It never occurred to me it could be something else!

@dementedpixie surely there’s some milk cpma babies can go on

Give the premixed stuff a whirl and you'll know you've tried that too.

How is he otherwise? Gaining weight, peeing plenty, keeping up with his milestones? Does he have any rashes or bad skin?

I wpuld ask for dairy free from your gp. Not lacto free, that's totally different! if you suspect cmpa, it needs to be dairy free. It's horrible I know. Comfort, normal, ready made - none of it made one jot of difference. He couldnt go, or would go and it would be awful, or dry and hard, there was no telling but it was always screaming and discomfort. If you have tried normal formula and the problems are the same, ask for dairy free from the gp. Give it a week and see if there's a difference, then you'll know.

Nutramigen is often prescribed to CMPA babies here, just be warned if you get it make sure you stock up in advance as chemists don't always stock it and need a few days to get it sometimes which can catch you short!

@kaytee87 he has pre mixed stuff when we go out, I don’t know if that would make a difference or not?

@kaytee87 he seems to be doing fine every other way. Tried grabbing my food earlier hence weaning sprung to my mind.

Some people have said it does but it may be anecdotal, it could be that a lot of people don't make up the powder correctly iyswim?

Well that's good so don't panic, he will be ok

How many weeks is he exactly? Can he sit in a high chair without slumping over?

@kaytee87 by correctly you mean measuring the scoop level? There isn’t anything else I should be doing is there?

@kaytee87 he’s 14 weeks. I wasn’t thinking of starting now, I was asking for the future. He’s a little lopsided when he sits in it bless him

A lot of people put the powder in before the water which means there's not enough water but you're not doing that anyway.

Have you taken him to baby massage? That could get his bowels going. Try some coconut oil on your hand after his bath and rub his tummy in a clockwise direction, if nothing else it will ease any gas he has.

@kaytee87 yep tried that too :(

I don’t know if there’s any truth in this, but I have heard (anecdotally) that the perfect prep machine can cause constipation due to the way it mixes the powder. I don’t know why or how, just a passing comment I’ve heard a few times.
Definitely take him off the comfort milk if you can, and try making your bottles fresh from the kettle water to see if that eases things. Does he have any other symptoms that would suggest cows milk allergy?

@Monoblock67 constant stuffy nose and sick after every feed :(

I had this with DS, comfort milk worked to a point then he refused to drink it. Changing brands helped - we found more normal poo with Aptamil. But still grainy and still infrequent. Weaning was the best thing I did. Just veg and a bit of fruit before 6 months. His poos were perfect then. A little bit of pure orange mixed with cool boiled water helps a lot too.

@haveacupoftea that’s what I was thinking! When did you start?

There's a Facebook group human milk for human babies I think it's called where mums who donate their breast milk will be which you post on and see if anyone nearby has any you could collect. You can specify if you want a dairy free diet or anything. A friend of mine has used it for her little one.

Our baby was terribly constipated when he was a newborn. We tried lots of different formulas (comfort was horrendous and also made him super smelly ) and lactulose and water and massage and all that. The only thing that helped was time, for us anyway. He got a lot better after he hit about 4 months and has been fine ever since minus a few bouts here and there. Solid food can cause constipation too so good to bear it in mind and when you do eventually start weaning do remember to give the baby some water with meals.

Am I completely wrong in thinking that introducing gluten too early may contribute to gluten intolerance? I think I read it somewhere and it seemed to make sense.

Anyway, good luck OP! Hope your little one finds relief soon.