Is 3 months too early to wean?

[May2000]

My baby girl is 3 months old and is having 6-9 oz every 2/3 hours ( having a 6oz then wanting more so she has another 3oz) she was taking 5oz every 2/3 hours HV said it’s normal as she was a bit small at birth and she might be ready to wean early.

I tried her with a little bit of banana porridge the other day and she loved it and was demanding more when I took it away as I was too scared that she was too young. Has anyone else’s baby been ready before 4 months if so what do you start them off with? Thank you x

@PermanentIyExhaustedPigeon with the advice of the GP, as the mother of my dc, I did know best. I certainly knew better than the local HV team who advised that young children with glue ear didn't need grommets because the research showed that they caught up to the average by age 7.

Firstly my DC were not average to begin with and secondly why would I want them to catch up to average. They were entitled to receive optimal care to ensure they received their potential.

So by that logic did Karen Matthews or Kate McCann or Constance Marten know best, just by dint of being "mum"?

Being "mum" doesn't give you superpowers and omniscience.

And no, I'm not conflating weaning ridiculously early with faking a kidnap. I'm just pointing out that all of those examples were famously mums thinking they knew best and, er, not in fact knowing best! "Mum knows best" is just a pointless meaningless platitude.

@PermanentIyExhaustedPigeon you do realise that being mum means not having the power of speech. I have never regarded any HCP who has referred to me as "mum" or who says "you mum?" to be worthy of very much respect.

@PermanentIyExhaustedPigeon you also seem to have missed the point that I acted on the advice of a clinically qualified and experienced doctor.

This is wise - please check your child’s readiness against this if you’re not convinced by all the advice.

If the OP had a a clinically qualified and experienced doctor advising her to wean early then she can crack on and start weaning. Considering she's asking random people on the internet for stories of early weaning, i'm going to make a crazy guess and say she's not acting on the advice of a professional. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Whinge the op has been advised by her hv to wean before 4 months. Quite rightly the op is questioning the hv's advice and seeking reassurance it happens.

@May2000 perhaps have a chat with your GP. Based on my experience I take everything that leaves a health visitor's lips with a pinch of salt.

@Whinge I was only asking on here as my GP told me to ask in here and get ‘advice’ not get slated just because I’m asking a simple question. I was told by my GP that the recommended ages is 4-6 months my little one is 2 weeks off being 4 months was just seeing if it made a difference. GP also said I know my child best so if I think she’s ready then to gradually start her on the basic stuff. Obviously I would watch what she has and the quantity of it

@RosesAndHellebores Thank you.. your right I was only asking what other people done for their little ones I wasn’t asking what the recommended age was as I have Google for that lol.

@ZipZapZoom yes I am in Uk she said she doesn’t usually recommend it til 17 weeks old but she does seem ready as she is seeing how she is. She’s on thickened milk and she still isn’t getting full she will just drink and drink until I think it’s enough but she screams for more like she’s starving. At 6 weeks old my baby was drinking 6 oz bottles every 1/ 2 hours.

This has to be a wind up?

I can vaguely believe a maverick HV spouting nonsense but no GP is going to say 4 months is ok in 2024...

I was only asking on here as my GP told me to ask in here and get ‘advice’

Your GP told you to ask for weaning advice on Mumsnet? This is so bizarre.

Honestly I really wouldn't wean early. We did because of reflux and allergies but it was all under the guidance of professionals and it was a complete faff. If the professionals are suggesting you wean to fill her up then honestly you need to find new professionals because the amount she will eat will make honestly zero difference in how full she is. Milk is much more filling than food.

She was “demanding” more porridge was she? 🙄 She’s a 3 month old baby.

Is it your GP or HV you are getting this advice from. Remember GPS don't necessarly specialised in babies and may not have the most upto date info regarding weaning and other non medical related issues. Even HV have not always got most recent up to date info. We can not see into babies digestive tract to know whether their tummies are ready. A younger baby might be but as you don't know for sure it's safer to wait. A baby does not need anything other than milk at this age. If you are determined, speak to paediatrion.

Way, way too early.

Her digestive system and kidneys are not developed enough to process food.

Its risking lifelong digestive issues and damage to the kidneys.

@ZipZapZoom I obviously worded it a bit wrong. My GP said if I’m still worried or unsure then to ask mumsnet for advice and exactly that’s what I’m trying to say everyone is here calling me a liar whatever I say about weaning. My little one has really bad reflux even on anti reflux milk.

put the little one on formula for another few months. don't listen to the judgemental comments here either - fed is best, which ever way x

@Bernadinetta oh you silly silly woman. If you read properly she is 2 weeks away from being 4 months sorry I still class her as 3 month old not 4 week old. Yes she was crying for more. I asked for advice not to be criticised. Thanks though

if she's hungry for banana porridge id give it to her we all like a treat x

@misszebra thank you. That is all o was asking for just a bit of friendly advice not a know it all xx

You're her mum but also you're not a medical expert and you can't see her insides to see if they are ready. Why not just wait until 6 months when you can be sure. It would awful if she had stomach problems in later life and you blamed yourself for weaning her too early.

any time. people can be so hostile and dramatic on here, a happy baby is what's important, its not like you're giving her pizza and beer! xx

Usually I think mum knows her baby best, but 3 months is very very early. Half the reccomended age. How would you feel if she developed an allergy?

Weaning didn't help DS with his reflux so I wouldn't hold your breath. Your baby will still need milk for a long time yet so I'd definitely hold off weaning as it could cause more harm than it fixes. Have you considered an allergy if she has very bad reflux?

My soon to be 18yo was very mobile from birth and suffered reflux. With the help of my GP I early weaned her from 5 months as I BF so it was hard to get meds into her and she could sit and crawl. She only had baby rice until the 6 months when we progressed to single ingredient purees. My second was EBF until 6 months and despite being on the larger side didn't really start weaning until 7 months and went straight to full solids. 3 months is far too young and could cause a lifetime of gut problems. Being able to sit helped with reflux, not baby rice.