Is it time to wean?

[lucidlady]

DD is EBF. She's 23 weeks old and will be 6 months old in 18 days. I have always planned to wait until she's 6 months to start weaning her, but in the last few days, she's started feeding much more frequently. Does this mean milk isn't enough for her any more, and that I should wean her sooner? I know we're only talking a matter of days but I really wanted to get to the 6 month mark! I love BF and feel quite sad at the thought of cutting down :(

The little bit of food they eat in the first few days of weaning won't impact on the amount of milk they take, so I wouldn't wean just because she is feeding frequently if you are keen to wait til 6 months.

Agree with Rubirosa, solids are more about exploring texture and taste at this age rather than satisfying hunger. If she is feeding more it could just simply be a growth spurt and there is no reason to doubt your supply, afterall you've sustained her this long .

"I love BF and feel quite sad at the thought of cutting down", do you mean you are thinking of cutting down on her bfs once she starts weaning? The LLL recommend offering solids an hour after a bf until they are one then you can offer a bf after the solids. Weaning is more about getting to eat family meals rather than replacing bfs .

Basically what I'm trying to say is don't wean because you think she is hungry, at this stage you will only really be able to give her fruit and veg and your milk is far more calorific than that, but if you've read the current guidelines on weaning (there is some good info on NHS, Kellymom and Mumsnet) and feel that she is ready and you want to start, nobody is going to hold it against you .

DS is nearly 31 weeks and feeds more now he's weaning. He's cruising and moving all over, starting to talk etc. Massive number of calories needed and he takes them from milk and then smears cottage pie on the wall.

Wait until they're sitting, tongue thrust gone, able to pick up, chew and swallow, hand over a banana and stand well back. Increased hunger is probably a growth/development spurt. No harm in letting her have access to your food (within reason, a big mac's probably pushing it) and following her lead.

Thanks for the replies - they are very helpful! I'll keep an eye out for other signs that she might be ready to wean, and will carry on as normal for now.

I guess the sadness is that she's growing up and I'll need to stop BF at some point! DH thinks I should put her on formula once she hits 6 months. I'm ignoring him.

Once you've BF for 6 months and are happy with it, keep going - you're right to ignore your DH suggesting formula - that would just be another thing to have to carry round with you. Once you get into weaning you have to remember snacks, food, bibs, maybe spoons and pots. At least with BF you can't go out without food, snacks and drink for baby - it's all attached :o

Agree with chilli, you've done all the hard work with bfing, why swap to formula now? Think that a lot of people get confused as the american meaning of weaning isn't starting solids its stopping bfing.

Maybe you could ask your DH why he thinks that would be a benefit to you and your DD? If you show him this he may be able to see how many benefits you've both gained already .

I reckon he thinks it will take the pressure off when I go back to work next month - he thinks that the expressing will stress me out, as we don't have a BF room in my building - its in another office 5 mins away. I didn't realise the American definition of weaning was so different - that explains some of the stuff I found when I googled!

Thanks for the link - I've sent it to him.

Is there a room you could use at all in your building? I used a storeroom, not very luxurious but it had a lock on the door and was very close to my office.