BF DD feeding LOTS more at 17 weeks: ready to wean????

[MrsTittleMouse]

BF DD was sleeping for 6 hours consistently, and went all night 3 times. Now she's waking up lots more in the night really hungry (sucking so hard I can hear the jet!). I'm feeding her a lot in the day, and a LOT in the evening, but it's not helping.
She's 18 pounds and seems very interested in our food. Is it time to gradually start solid food?

No. It's a growth spurt.

I agree. it's a growth spurt.

Agree, growth spurt.

I did this with my son because he had slept through then started waking. I stuffed the poor boy full of fruit and veg and IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE to either his weight gain or to sleeping through the night again. He was a very big baby too. I wish I had just ridden it out as fruit and veg and rice have way less calories than milk but by giving them I probably had reduced my milk supply so he woke even more. Its really not worth risking allergies for. Also I bet you dd is interested in everything you do not just your food.

Probably a growth spurt, maybe teething. Weight & interest in food are not weaning signals. Things like sitting unaided, losing the tongue thrust reflex, picking things up & putting in their mouths, making chewing motions are better signals. The digestive system is said to mature at the same time as all these abilities are gained so if she isnt doing all of them then she probably isnt ready for solids.

These links from kellymom will help reassure you:
growth spurts
when is my baby ready for solids

They are bloody hard work but hang on in there as they do pass.

If she is gaining weight nicely then i would say a growth spurt. I did start weaning my dd at 17 weeks due to weight loss, but check with your hv/gp first.

She's chewing her tongue and taking Calpol from a spoon no problem, does that count?
Can you tell that I'm really really hoping that it's not yet another growth spurt?

16/17 weeks is a very common growth spurt I'm afraid! Eat more yourself, rest more and hope your supply catches up quick!

Hold out a bit longer if you can MrsTittleMouse - she is feeding more because she needs more milk. Your supply will up and she will settle again. It really is better if you can aim for 26 weks before starting solids.
The earliest I started solids was 20 weeks but with my fourth baby I decided I was waiting until 26 weeks come hell or high water. The signs I took as readiness for solids with my other children was wrong. My DD did the same things but she then settled again once she had upped my milk supply. Weaning was an absolute breeze with her - at 6 months you don't need to faff around with baby rice or anything.
Babies will watch you eating - it isn't a sign they are looking for solid food. They will also stick their fists and toys in their mouths at this age - that is because babies feel with their mouths - nothing to do with hunger. Staring solids later gives her a flying start reducing the risk of allergies etc. Much better just to let her feed when she wants - it will settle back down.

no, growth spurt definitely

Rats!
I was looking for an easy answer. Not much chance of resting sadly, we're moving tomorrow! New city, new job for DH and away from handy babysitters for the first time. All alone with DD!

Definitely better not to start solids with all that upheavel going on TBH. Life is so much easier with a baby when they just need a boob (even if it does seem permanently)

Rest and eating more will make no diff, MrsT, so just carry on responding to your dd as you are doing - that's the way to make the right amount of milk