Anyone started weaning before 4 months?

[snowmoon]

Hi. My DS is 3 months and 2 weeks old. In the last 5 days or so, he has shown little interest on the breast and the bottle. With the bottle he will drink 3 - 4 oz and then start chewing on the teat. On the breast he fusses and loses interest after about 5 minutes. And because he's taking less at each feed, he's feeding more often.

I am wondering if he is getting bored with fluid feed and whether I should consider giving him some baby rice. So I would like to hear from other mums who have found their babies ready for solids earlier than 4 months, and whether you encounter any problems. Did your baby develop any allergy for instance?

In my opinion, the 4 months at the earliest guideline surely cannot be universal for all babies, since every baby is different?

Thanks.

My son was the same, he slept through very early. Some babies just want things earlier... I couldn't stand watching ds cry when i knew what he wanted. I left it for as long as i could and then started slow. Your right, everyones experiences are different. I hope you didn't think i meant you should ignore what other people say, that wasn't what i meant. I more meant for you to trust yourself and your instincts. There are SO many opinions out there, it's hard to know what is best. All parents/carers/hv/and midwives say something different or have had different experiences. I did wean early, and have had no ill effects with my ds. To be honest, for all the guidelines, i've never known anyone with a child that did. But then that's not to say it can't happen. These medical researchers must have based what they say on something! I'm of the opinion that perhaps (and i may run the risk of starting a new war) sometimes medical research interferes too much. For example, for thousands of years women have breastfed their children, doctors and midwives started saying that mums should time feeds, swap breasts half way through, and set a feeding timetable from early on... It all went pear shaped, women all over had problems. Now they say "feed on demand"! Which is what women have done for years! At the risk of making myself sound like a hippy I think the best teacher is nature. But again, it's another opinion! Good luck!

Lulupop, Ahhh i'm sorry to here that your son has had so many problems . My heart always goes out when i hear of children with Asthma. I've got it myself, can be bad, and this time of year is horrible. All the fireworks and cold weather... . Asthma does run in my family though, my mum had and still has it. Thankfully ds shows no signs, but it's something that i'm always looking out for with the family history. Keeping my fingers crossed that sprog on the way won't develop it either. Hopefully your ds will grow out of it, it can happen when children have it young.

PocketTasha, sorry, the second paragraph in my last post was not directed at you personally. Sorry if it sounded that way.

And... having read all your responses here, I have come to the conclusion that my DS fussing at the bottle and breast is not enough of an indication that he's ready for solids, so I will hold out for a while. But if/when he does show the signs, I will just try him on some baby rice.

That's ok, i wasn't sure if it was for me or not . Good for you though, making your chioce, i mean. (I hope that sounds the way it's supposed to!) Just, well done and good luck is all i mean! I really wish MN gave us more emoticons to work from, The lack of "tone of voice" has a lot to answer for when typing messages.