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Original poster

"WEANING 2"

109 replies

laneydaye · 26/02/2005 12:20

What started out as a few mums trying to get helpful, friendly advice seems to have turned into a witch hunt....Get the mothers who even consider giving their babies solids before 6mths.
I was quite happy in my decision to start dd on a tsp of baby rice but now i just feel pressured even bullied that i could have done such a thing.
THANKS MUMSNET!

Any mums who would like to discuss weaning (no age restrictions)
would love any advice tips and help without being judged....

OP posts:
Original poster
laneydaye · 26/02/2005 14:35

Thanks to anyone who gave me advice on anything, I ORIGINALLY CAME ON FOR ADVICE ON SLEEPING It soon turned to weaning

I really hope any young mums out there dont offend you like i obviously have
Sincerely hercules Thankyou...

OP posts:
WitchfinderGeneral · 26/02/2005 14:36

If someone else accuses me of being a bully and a witch hunter, then I am afraid I will always defend myself. I dont see that as a bad thing at all.

NotQuiteCockney · 26/02/2005 14:41

I'm afraid I don't see how pointing out the WHO and gov't advice on weaning is "bullying" or a "witch hunt". I also don't see how anyone needs to flounce over this.

WitchfinderGeneral · 26/02/2005 14:42

Yes, especially when it was asked for.

WitchfinderGeneral · 26/02/2005 14:49

i am very confused after reading this thread

Twiglett · 26/02/2005 14:56

I thought I'd responded to a similar thread, but when I couldn't find my postings on the other 'weaning' thread thought I must be going mad

HappyMumof2 · 26/02/2005 16:51

Message withdrawn

Lonelymum · 26/02/2005 18:25

Hi Laneydaye. When I started giving my ds solids at 3 months (on the advice of the HV I hasten to add) I gave him baby rice for a lot longer than was at that time advised because I was aware I was starting him very early. (I suppose he had nothing but baby rice for about three/ four weeks.) Then I started adding other foods such as banana and carrot but still with a baby rice base. My advice to you, if you want to start weaning a bit earlier than currently recommended, would be to take the same slow pace. I found it made a big difference to my big baby who jsut didn't seem to ever be satisfied on milk alone. BTW, if I remember correctly, the HV said there was something about his weight that suggested he was fine to have solids earlier, but I can't remember what that was, sorry. Also BTW, he is nearly nine and has no known allergies even though his father is an asthmatic so you could argue he would be more likely to develop asthma.

Mud · 26/02/2005 19:13

Hi Hercules, just seen this, are you okay?

Dior · 26/02/2005 20:02

Message withdrawn

hermykne · 26/02/2005 20:19

laney
i am the same as dior, but i kept feedng ds myself all the weaning did for me at 20wks was stretch out his feeds to maybe 3hrs sometimes 3 1/2. and i echo what lonely mum says, if you do start sooner, dont rush it let them have rice for maybe 10 days then a bit of pear.

on the other thread someone mentioned annabel karmel, do you have this book or any of her books, they are good for introducing a variety of foods and maybe your local library might have a copy for you (at no cost). i never thought my ds woould eat banana, avocado and yogurt - he loves it.

the other reason to space out the introduction foods you introduce is see if the baby has any reaction to them.

vess · 26/02/2005 20:25

I'm not sure research results translate into clear, strict advice that easily. You cannot cause allergies and asthma only by starting solids early - in the same way as you can't be sure you'll prevent it if you start late. Statistics works with big numbers, not individual babies. So if something works for let's say 60% of babies it doesn't mean it will be right for yours. It's just that there's a serious chance that it won't be too wrong.
I think health professionals are generally meant to 'personalise' the guidlines (based on the latest accepted research) and to assess your own situation, not just throw some information at you and leave it at that. Unfortunatelly, a lot of them won't do that.
On the weaning subject - you will have to trust your own judgement after taking all the information in. You are the one who will notice notice the signs if something goes wrong, so...
Start with baby rice mixed with milk, see if she likes it - if she does, then carry on - if she seems happy and healthy obviously. I think if there is a bad reaction to food, you'll notice quite quickly.
At least that's what I did!

NotQuiteCockney · 27/02/2005 06:48

vess, I agree with you about the meaning of research, and of course individual mums need to make these decisions.

That being said, a lot of the (possible) problems with early weaning aren't going to be immediately obvious. I don't think any baby is going to immediately come down with IBS, asthma and excema on having their first taste of baby rice. It's because these effects are subtle and slow that people are pushing for caution.

hercules · 27/02/2005 07:58

Agee with notquitecockney- any problems might not be seen until later life.

vess · 27/02/2005 08:51

Well if they are not seen until later in life, how do you know they are due to, or linked to weaning?

HappyMumof2 · 27/02/2005 09:02

Message withdrawn

HappyMumof2 · 27/02/2005 09:02

Message withdrawn

hercules · 27/02/2005 09:05

Look at the WHO website- there are loads of articles about this. Sorry, but food aversion ?? what a load of balls!

HappyMumof2 · 27/02/2005 09:07

Message withdrawn

hercules · 27/02/2005 09:08

No, it cant be proven. You have to make your own decision based on the evidence ie making an informed choice. I want to give them the best chance possible to avoid these things.

Twiglett · 27/02/2005 09:10

I think the point is thought that you don't know for sure, scientists across the world have concluded that there is an increased risk and until any research comes along to prove conclusively otherwise what exactly are your options?

a) You wean at 4 months because that's what you want to do

b) You wean at 6 months because that's what you want to do and that's what current medical experts are advising is best for your baby

I will reiterate I have done both with 2 different children, with each child I followed the current guidelines that's all I could do

Twiglett · 27/02/2005 09:12

BTW my DD who was weaned at 6 months is the biggest gannet on earth, and it was so much easier too than faffing about like I had to with DS (who is at 4 not a great eater, but isn't at all picky)

hercules · 27/02/2005 09:12

Same here Twiglett. 4 months with ds , 6 with dd.

hercules · 27/02/2005 09:13

Yes, it felt great between 4 and 6 months with dd not spending time pureeing carrots.

Twiglett · 27/02/2005 09:16

actually the advice is NOT to wean at 6 months, but to consider weaning from 6 months, they are happy for you to wait an extra few months