What do we think on weaning baby at 5 months

[Tiegs]

I’m in a dilemma I’m not sure if I should start weaning my five-month-old onto solids
I know it’s a advised to start at six months, but he seems to be a hungry Baby is showing all the signs that he is ready, but I’m not sure if I should wait till he’s six months or not

Do it! He’s hungry so give him food, if he was 3-4 months I would say wait but 5 months is fine,

I wouldn’t personally. If he seems hungry, increase his milk.

He doesnt need food until 6 months. Give him more milk.

We are in exactly the same boat, LO has just turned 5 months and has been showing signs for the past few weeks. We have just started to offer little bits here and there of what we've cooked and are having I.e. broccoli, carrot, egg.
I was very much waiting for the 6 month mark but like DP said LO seems ready and the advice used to be 4 months for a reason so why rigidly wait until 6 months. Surely if they're interested in food it's best for them to try the different flavours and tastes as soon as they're ready. As mum you know your baby best. Whatever you decide, good luck!

Weaning age has gone up and down over the years, they’re now reaching the conclusion that weaning at 5 months reduces the risk of allergies. It also has the benefit of extending breastfeeding (for those who do) as food makes it less likely a desperate mum tethered to a hungry baby will start using formula as ‘I can’t fill them up’

I have been giving him more milk he is breast fed busy isn’t seem to be settling him as it was before

I breast feed my baby and still want to continue when he starts food

If the "signs of readiness" are there (google for NHS guidance), then it's fine. The guidance is around 6 months, some will be ready before and some after.

It's much more likely you're misinterpreting normal baby behaviour as "signs he's ready". Even if he's interested, there's so much research about damage to the digestive system. You only have to look around and see all the children of the 70-80s with IBS.

A quick search on Google scholar should set you straight if you want facts.

What signs is he showing? Has he lost his tongue thrust?

We used to introduce solids at 4 months. My babies survived and grew up.Whats the problem?

I am a breastfeeding counsellor and haven't seen this research. We're very much advocating waiting until 6 months MINIMUM. Many bf mums we support find the mantra food before one is mostly for fun one a good one.

Extended bf is over two. Not six months!

So long as all signs of readiness are there, I'd go for it. We weaned at 5.5 months at the advice of the nutritionist.

It was 3 months when I had my DC. Just a spoonful of puréed food/baby rice once a day to start with. It takes months to fully wean, so I definitely would start at 5 months if you think baby is ready.

I started at just over 5 months with my first (who in hindsight might have been too early) and a week before she turned 6 months with my second when she was sitting on my lap while I was eating and lunged and grabbed a piece of scone from my hand and ate it before I could stop her lol!
As long as you start with fruit and veg (no wheat) it's fine. I did ask my HV about this and she said it depends on the baby and some are ready at 5 months

I’d just wait closer to 6 months then they can have pretty much the same food as you.

I'd say put it off as long as you can as making healthy, nutricious food 3 times a day on top of milk feeds is just another part of the mental load and chores that I can't be arsed with.

What signs are they showing of readiness?

We also used to put babies on the back seat of a car in a moses basket but it doesnt mean we would do it now?!

Nope. It's been linked to increased issues when they're older - he might be interested in food, but his digestive system is not yet developed enough.

You've only got a month to go.

We started giving little bits from 5 months, there's new evidence of the benefits of earlier weaning on preventing allergies, and babies are very receptive to flavours at that young age so we started with bitter veg.

But I make myself healthy food 3 times a day so why is it any different? Surely a good push to treat your body well alongside your baby.

I wouldn't. More milk is the answer.

Okay thank you for your advice