My child is 6 months in 11 days can I start weaning ?

[Ttc125]

Just that really . She’s 6 months in 11 days , and when I rang the new health visitor (my old one left so I’ve gotten a new one) to see when she was coming to review dd and I also mentioned that her reflux has seemed to get worse not better . She asked “have you started weaning yet?” I said I’ve just given her some spoon feeds of fruit and veg every so often , and she has had a melty puff as she loves shoving everything in her mouth and she loved it ! But this reflux is insane , every single time she has a bottle and burps , loads comes up, then hours after she’s still bringing up milk , I know there’s some people that will tell me just to wait 11 days and there’s some people that will say just do it it’s only 11 days , but my hv isn’t coming out till 23rd April and she’ll be 6 months by then , can I start introducing food to her now or should I wait 11 days ?

would it be safe to introduce allergens also?

If you've given fruits and veg and melty puffs then that sounds like you've started already.

You can give most foods from 6 months. Not sure if there are foods you should avoid if reflux is involved though.

You have already started though if you're giving her the odd spoon of fruit or veg, and a melty puff - whatever that is

I can't see how 11 days would make any difference though.

Of course you can, 6 months isn’t a hard line, it’s just a guide. You need to look for signs she is ready, can hold her own head up in a sitting position, pick up food by herself etc.

They really don’t eat much when you start weaning, it’s more about exploring foods and textures, so I’d guess it’s unlikely to resolve reflux issues.

Sounds like you've already started.

Usual signs are if your baby can sit up, put things in their mouth, chew and swallow then they're ready. This happens around 6 months, which is a guideline rather than a hard and fast rule. However, with severe reflux, you can sometimes find it beneficial to wean sooner.

Have you had any other support with the reflux?

Sorry should’ve made it more clear , when I said weaning I meant like actual proper food that’s labelled 6months plus. Everything I’ve given her is 4month plus.
they say the likes of dairy and protein shouldn’t be introduced till 6months which is why I asked. I’ve taken her to the gp loads of times about it but she was reluctant to give her anything as she said she’ll grow out of it

She can sit steady in a high chair , will grab anything you give her and put it right in her mouth and chew , that’s why I tried her with a carrot puff and ate the whole thing !

And I was told they need to start drinking water when weaning , is it cool boiled water ? Is this safe ?

I think you will have enough to do with weaning foods rather than deliberately trying to feed your child food you think she is allergic to.

How is she doing if you give her something to pick up and gnaw at from her high chair tray. Is she happy to have things in her mouth, chew on them a bit and swallow them?

Does she accept food from a spoon and swallow it? Does she seem interested in the idea of food other than milk?

To be honest 11 days isn’t going to make much difference, either she is ready to try weaning foods or she isn’t, but there won’t be a moment on her sixth month birthday when she suddenly demanding to be weaned. Take it slow, introduce new foods one at a time, try things again a few weeks later if they aren’t enjoyed. She will still be getting most of her nutritional needs from milk, but introducing weaning foods is fine and I can understand how you must want to be over the reflux.

Normal water is fine. Just give them bits of what you have. I don’t think they’re allowed honey, but apart from that they can have most things. We did porridge, hummus, cucumber, salmon, cheese, etc.

Tap water is fine as a drink from 6 months. I'd avoid acidic fruits and give root veg, porridge, toast fingers, non acidic fruits, meat like chicken or turkey, fish, etc

Jars can contain a lot of water, fillers and even the veg purees can contain fruit juices which could make them more acidic. Might be better making your own food for her

Oh and peanut butter, they loved it and still do! Scrambled eggs are nice and easy too

Yes, she accepts the spoon feeds and swallows and loves it ! She’ll pick up anything you put infront of her and put it in her mouth .
Am I able to give her those Ella’s Kitchen pouches that are labelled 6/7 months plus with protein / dairy?
or am I better just giving her bits of what I’m eating ? It’s so confusing ! Yes the reflux is hard for her I’m sure !!

Yes cool boiled water is safe. Also if she's already having things then 11 days isn't going to make much difference really. Though obviously go for less acidic foods if she's got reflux. Mine started at 4mo and by 6mo was eating most things. If you think she's ready, go with your gut😁

Thank you ! What would u recommend? Purée or baby led ? What foods aren’t acidic ? Sorry but I’ve no idea 🥲

The paediatric dietician you saw when they told you to introduce food early should have guided you on this, and also on how to avoid the higher risk of allergies, or worsening her reflux, by weaning early. I’d contact them for advice again.

Doesn't need to be cool boiled water at 6 months. You could start with bits you are eating and also give pouches. There are no hard and fast rules about weaning

Thank you, so protein and dairy would be okay to start now ?

I suggested foods that are less acidic. I'd give finger foods alongside pureed/mashed foods.

I did purée because I didn't think he'd get enough baby led. As a pp suggested go for root vegetables and oats are good. It's mainly fruits that are acidic, you'd have to look up which are best for reflux babies. Sorry that's not more helpful.

Just because on the 6 months plus pouches it says about protein and dairy !
the likes of allergens , is it better to give say scrambled egg or something containing egg first ?

With only 11 days until 6 months then I'm sure dairy and proteins would be fine. If she's on formula she'll be having some dairy already anyway

I don’t think it matters whether you use pouches or give her tastes of food you have prepared ( though watch out for fats, sugar and salt in home cooked food as what tastes good to an adult will be too much for a child). In these early days it is about introducing different tastes and textures, also pouches can be expensive as she probably won’t eat a whole one, I honestly don’t know if it is ok to freeze left over pouches for another day, but if you purée home cooked food then you do know what’s in it and it is cheaper and you can usually preprepare and freeze.

Just give her bits of what you eat, no need for pouches.

Thank you everyone :)