When to start weaning?

[TuttiFrutti]

When should you start weaning? My ds is 15 weeks and big for his age - he was 9lbs 8oz at birth and was 16lbs last week. I was exclusively breastfeeding until a couple of weeks ago, but am now offering him formula after breastfeeding and he usually drinks a good 4oz.

The reason I started doing this is that he was asking for feeds earlier and earlier, and chewing his fists a lot as if really hungry. He's still doing that now and I wonder if I should try him with some solid food soon. I know NHS guidelines now say wait till the baby's 6 months, but surely that's different with an extra big and hungry baby?

TuttiFrutti - your body is capable of feeding a large baby. You will have a huge impact on your milk production if you offer formula after every feed. If he appears hungry then put him back on the breast. Fist chewing is the way a baby feels - they do it with their mouths. It is not a sign of hunger. Have faith in yourself - don't restrict his feeds to certain times and he will boost your supply. A big baby's gut does not mature faster than a small baby's hence why the weaning age applies to all. At 6 months a baby'd sigestive system is ready to deal with solids.

Thanks everyone for your advice. Will definitely not think about weaning for a few more months!

I've cut back on formula too, although am still using it about one day in three as a top-up only. It's useful for days when I am out for several hours and leaving him with my mother, as I can't always express enough in advance to keep him going. But 90% of his intake is now breast milk only.

Well, having started weaning (at 6months) we are now getting LESS sleep not more and dd has wind for the first time and wakes up bleating.

I was told that if you feed on demand, your breastmilk supply will increase to meet baby's needs, so he will not be hungry. Of course this can be very tiring. But there are real benefits. Eg he will a lot less suceptible to bad viruses and gastro if he is exclusively breastfed. On the other hand, if you are exhausted and can't handle constant breast-feeding, then you are not doing him (or yourself) any favours either. It's a tough call!
I tried to get my dd to take a bottle of formula at three months because I was so darned tired with all the night feeds and wanted dp to help out. But she refused the bottle. So that was the end of that.