To want to wean DD earlier than 6 months due to reflux/spit up?

[Tjsmumma]

I know this is a sensitive topic but, i want to know, if you weaned earlier due to spit up/reflux and what you gave first, when, why please.

My DD is nearly 4 months, recently she is spitting up a lot more, like nearly after every feed.

She's EBF and seems like she's so hungry she's taking more in that she needs due to this and then just spitting it up again so i really think she is ready for more than just my milk.

She shows all the signs for readiness, looks at food, put things in her mouth, sits really well with support, over double her birth weight, grabs out for anything we eat and doesn't have the tongue thrust.

I know other DM who have weaned way earlier and their babies are fine and really enjoy it and showed the same signs.

I know i should contact HV but, i cant gwt through at the moment, ive left multiple messages to no reply.

i have looked into every option, researched a lot and i know its advised from 6 months but, a lot of people i know have from 3/4 months and all the pouches etc say from 4

I'm just confused and know they advise weaning early if reflux is an issue, she goes very squirmy and irritable and then spits up but, isnt crying or upset.

early weaning risks problems further down the line as before 6 months the gut isn’t ready for food.
That is completely untrue, gut is ready by 17 months at latest, the EAT study actually introduced foods at 3 months , they wouldn't have done it if there was evidence it was harmful

the directive by WHO to delay weaning until 6 months was based on a world wide assessment and has a lot of flaws for bigger western babies, and in fact this is under review and likely to be changed back to 4 months. In my experience many may babies with reflux do improve once they start on solids. I do hope you manage to get hold of a sensible health professional who will support you in this choice. The 6 month rule is relatively new. I really think you can find another site with better advice than MN, look at the credentials carefully on sites you visit, recognise and avoid the luny sites. Mostly the NHS sites will give you better advice

@whatsleep

[[http://www.espghan.org/fileadmin/user_upload/guidelines_pdf/con_28.pdf The available data suggest that both renal
function and gastrointestinal function are sufficiently
mature to metabolise nutrients from complementary
foods by the age of 4 months (12). With respect to
gastrointestinal function, it is known that exposure
to solids and the transition from a high-fat to a
high-carbohydrate diet is associated with hormonal
responses (eg, insulin, adrenal hormones) that result
in adaptation of digestive functions to the nature of the
ingested foods, by increasing the maturation rate of
some enzymatic functions and/or activities (13,14).
Thus, to a large degree gastrointestinal maturation is
driven by the foods ingested.]]

@thunderthighsohwoe
Yep exactly this. A paediatrician has it

I'm just confused why anyone would be keen to start earlier unless medically advised. The mess, the additional effort, the food poop and vom rather than milky ones. Eurgh.

I wasn't keen to start earlier* because of those reasons, hate those weaning poos, but I did start before 6 months because that is best practice to reduce risks of allergies.

*not actually earlier because the medical advice in my country is start no earlier than 4 months and no later than 6 months - I started at 4.5 months.

@Umnoway so guidelines cant change? We should all let out babies sleep on thwir tummies? Smoke in pregnancy because it makes babies smaller etc etc? The list is endless to guidance that's changed. Once kt changes, people follow it, and, it has indeed changed! I don't just want ro introduce for the sake of it, have you even read the OP? 😅

@TATTIEBEE have you read the OP? Did i state 'ah DD is nearly four months, thats why i want to start weaning'? No...

@LaurieMarlow thank you, no, 9/10 mums i know and have asked ive now asked 25! Due to working in nurseries etc i know a lot all weaned at 17 weeks onwards!

@thunderthighsohwoe thank you for your comment! I feel she'll be a lot happier trying it! If it doesnt work or she isnt readu ill obviously stop!

@NoMorePoliticsPlease i have indeed gotten hold of a HV, who states all those signs. Sitting up well (does nof need to be totally un supported) holding head up, good coordination, following food, interested in food. If im completely honest, ive been told on two separate occasions (not regarding this) that the NHS doesn't have up to date guidance on those matters, one that nearly seriously harmed my child so im not overly keen on following only their advice. Ive done lots of research now and seems like its the way forward in the next few weeks.

Do what you think is best OP. My son is 15 weeks and we are in a similar situation to you. He's bottle fed and doesn't have reflux, but is shoving everything in his mouth and tries to grab our food and is always hungry and can sit up etc. My HV is lovely and very down to earth. She said 6 months is just generic advice and advice changes so go for it. She reckons if they are not ready they won't be interested so try it and see what happens. X

I'm just confused why anyone would be keen to start earlier unless medically advised. The mess, the additional effort, the food poop and vom rather than milky ones. Murgh.

I looked at the evidence and decided that starting food closer to 4mo was probably a little bit better than starting at 6mo (reduced risk of allergies and iron deficiency). I'm happy to have a tiny bit more inconvenience if it might be a bit better for my baby.

FWIW I don't think starting at 6mo is "bad" and I think the differences are probably small either way.

Some people find starting solid foods a huge relief, especially if they are breastfeeding and have a bottle refuser---it means they can actually leave the baby with someone for a few hours.

My mum weaned us all at 3 months in the 80's and 90's just as everyone else did then. A lot less people my age have allergies etc! The only reason they say 6 months is they think their could be a link between early weaning and IBS and other gut issues. Not any concrete evidence there is so I would do what feels right for you and your baby . Ignore the keyboard warriors calling us idiots

Thank you all!! We've made the joint decision to start very soon, after evidence read, information from a HV we know and also talking to other mums! She's definitely ready and we are very excited for the journey! I will still be BF her on demand and only introducing things i can initially mix with my expressed milk so it has nutritional value added and be doing it as a part of messy play taking her lead more than putting it on a spoon for her :)

I totally get both sides but the 6 month side seems to be biased on information that's now out of date and things that have been proven incorrect (not faulting anyone i was grateful for both sides!)

It's a touchy subject, obviously!

the only reason they say 6 months is they think their could be a link between early weaning and IBS and other gut issues.

There really has never been this link, except on MN!

@Bruffin yes, i found that too, after doing days of extensive research after feeling like an absolute awful mother for even thinking it may a good idea and id be damaging my DD's gut, give her allergies and potentially really hurt her in the long run.

I found zero evidence to back up these claims, only evidence against it! And, no one could even link anything just state 'follow the NHS!' Who dont even have anythinf on it either 😅

Good luck @Tjsmumma you've very clearly put a lot of thought and research into this.

My little guy has decided he wants food at 5 months... hadn't thought about weaning yet but he's been showing signs and has started grabbing my food (or anyone's, he's not fussy) so we're letting him lead on it. I'm surprised he's actually chewing and swallowing! Still plenty of breastfeeds too

22 years ago - I followed my instincts and weaned early. I couldn't bear to see the pain and distress my daughter was in with every milk feed .
She had an allergy to milk. Nothing helped and she would wrythe in pain with every feed , then scream for hours after.
I weaned. It was 100% the right thing for her . She desensitised over time with small amounts of dairy but she simply couldn't cope with milk at every feed .
You know your child . We ended up in hospital for weeks because she just couldn't feed until I weaned.