Weaning

[MrsAnon6]

Does anyone have any suggestions/recommendations for a weaning schedule for a 6 month old. I've been introducing solids since 4 months but want to start properly weaning now but have read so much conflicting information. I thought I'd have to feed her 3 meals per day but have read not to do this and I'm so confused. Any advice appreciated.

It's not pretty clear. Many European countries recommend starting weaning between 4 and 6 months and there is evidence of increased risk of anaemia and allergies if you wait until six months. Babies are born with about six months' worth of iron but can't get it from breastmilk so need to be eating iron rich food to be sure they are getting enough iron after six months.

One problem is people tend to go a bit earlier. So people starting at 5 months when the advice is six months does no harm. But it's a problem if the advice says 4 months and you get someone trying to give a 12 week old solids! Solids should never be before 17 weeks.

We used jars and pouches and worked through the different age ranges. Didn’t want to do baby led weaning. The pouches worked well for us (quick and easy) and DT’s have grown up eating everything. Never had to cater for fussy eaters.

The latest research is actually that closer to four months is healthier - Dr Mary Fewtrell a paediatrician in London and other scientists have prepared a report and challenged the current guidance.

The latest research is actually that closer to four months is healthier - Dr Mary Fewtrell a paediatrician in London and other scientists have prepared a report and challenged the current guidance.

Do you know who funded the research?

Dr Fewtrell receives funding from baby food manufacturers!

Have a look at First Steps Nutrition. Fully independent charity that covers all areas of nutrition. They have useful information on weaning.

That's what I was suspecting. The last time someone came on NN quoting research saying that weaning should be before 4 months, the "research" had been funded by Nestle. Like you'd trust anything they said was good for your baby 🤷‍♀️

Just blend any meals you're having. All babies are different but my little one hated pureed veg etc but once she tried a chilli, she wolfed it down!

That's brilliant that she was so partial to a chilli. Did make me laugh.

@PinkMimosa I might be wrong, but thought that this research wasn't funded by any baby food companies. However three of the scientists had in the past either consulted for or received grants from baby food companies, and that was used to discredit the research.

I don't want to derail from what the OPs asking, I just didn't think it was fair for a PP to say she was wrong for weaning when she did. There is conflicting advice out there

I might be wrong, but thought that this research wasn't funded by any baby food companies. However three of the scientists had in the past either consulted for or received grants from baby food companies, and that was used to discredit the research.

I don't want to derail from what the OPs asking, I just didn't think it was fair for a PP to say she was wrong for weaning when she did. There is conflicting advice out there

Unless you do know who did find the research, I wouldn't be quoting it as a reason to wean early.

I've not yet seen any credible research that says to wean before 6 months.

So really there is no conflicting advice. The advice is, and has been for quite some time to wean at 6 months.

However I did not say anything in my posts about the OP weaning early. There's no point as she's already started solids, I simply provided information on how best to feed baby from now on.

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 one single study, compared to years and years of research and guidance that’s been the same for more than 20 years, isn’t quite ‘conflicting advice’ in my book.

It isn't cut and dried though, as there are many studies. And many different guidelines across different countries based on different research. In France, Germany, Italy and Japan the guidance is from five months. In Switzerland it's from four months etc.

Ours was under paediatrician advice at five months or a couple of days before, due to family allergies. So eggs, wheat, nut butters, different fruits etc were all introduced every three days or so. But they seemed very relaxed and a focus was on the readiness signs - sitting, coordination, interest in food, and absence of tongue thrust.

I bought a book Ella's Kitchen - purple one on Amazon. A life saver ! Takes my stress away , gives you ideas for meals, very simple ones . And step by step when it's OK to increase amounts or mix things up a little. My girl is really enjoying most of the dishes :) also I found it easier to jus open up a book and pick what I want rather then search internet everyday for inspiration. Good luck 😊