when to wean and signs?

[stumpsxo]

My DD is 4 months old. She seems quite contented happy, lovely little thing most of the time. I know weaning is meant to start at 6 months (so they say, my mum said me and my brothers were weaned at 4 months) but I know some babies can want to be weaned earlier. Im sure when she does want food I'll know but I dont want to miss any signs she gives me. Ive got a weaning book on the way (first time mummy) But is there any advice for weaning,when I should start the process and signs to look out for when shes ready? Shes been chewing her hands constantly past week, is that just down to teething? (Shes had teething coming through since 11 weeks)? :)

Hi stump have you read the Mn weaning info and did you know Mn has its very own weaning board?

The signs of readiness are here, chewing hands definitely isn't one

Which weaning book have you ordered?

Thank you for replying. I read those signs you linked me too, helpful but they sound like there just signs of when I should wean her due to her age/development rather then signs of when she wants food herself? If that makes any sense?

I read somewhere that when she can grab and put thing in her mouth and also if she is eye balling our food when we eat. She does this constantly. Everytime we eat infront of her shes dead silent and just stares, watching every movement. Its dont half make you feel guilty haha, puppy dog eyes! Does that mean she wants food? Or she just intrested? Shes never that intrested in anything else in comparison? :/

lots of babies chew their hands, from birth, it's not a sign that they need weaning.

again, she WILL be interested in you eating, she's wondering what you're up to but it isn't a sign that she needs food.

there is very good research and studies behind the advice to wait til 6 months.

things like being able to sit unaided, use a pincer grip, chew and swallow ARE signs that a child is ready to wean because they need to be physically able to do it and the theory is that their gut is maturing on a par with their ability to feed themselves...

lastly, having weaned 3 children myself, i'd encourage you to wait cos it's a whole load of faff you can do without! lol

I would also add that babies don't get the connection between food and hunger when they are pre-weaning (or even for the first few weeks of weaning) - so she won't "want" food. It takes a while for them to connect solid food to feeling hungry - initially they will want milk if they are hungry. That's why when you first offer food you should do it about 1 hr after their usual milk feed.

Watching what you do is just how she learns. I assume she watches you put on make up and load the dishwasher but she's not ready for those either. Watching you eat isn't a sign, picking up food and eating it is a sign

Read a good quote on askmoxie recently "there's a reason young babies can't pick up food and stick it in their mouths, it's because they're not supposed to eat it".

If you think your baby is hungry, just offer more bfs/formula.

Babies don't understand what food is, so there is no point at which they 'want' food - except in the sense that they want to put everything in their mouths. It isn't until 9-10 months, so a long way post-weaning, that they understand food can fix hunger. Wait for the proper signs.

I second the view of waiting. My experience was that ds milk intake dropped as it all made him feel too full which made me mega stressed & we started having to get up in the night for extra milk feeds after having slept through for 3 months! We started at 5.5 months (6 months really as he was overdue). Next time I'd leave it till 6 months & be much more chilled about it.

My DD is 26 weeks old. I started weaning her at 24.5 weeks on advice from the health visitor (low centile and weight gain had dropped off). She had showed no signs of being ready to wean, but devoured her first meal with gusto and has devoured every meal since. She was obviously ready. Personally I would say that 4 months is too young, unlesd advised to by health professionals.