Whatever you think of the WHO guidelines, you'll be shocked!

[hunkermunker]

Well, you might not be.

But I was.

Superdrug's Little Star brand of weaning spoons say suitable from 3 months!

I emailed them and they said they'd pass my comments on to their buyers - wtf?!

Unfriendly bunch, aren't you

So if Superdrug had "From birth" on weaning spoons, that would be fine?

Or "especially for premature babies" on their own-brand rusks?

The six month guidelines haven't been around for 10 years. When I had dd 5 years ago, it was 16 weeks that was recommended. I don't think Superdrug is promoting anything by selling weaning spoons saying 'suitable from 3 months' really.
Ambrosia - you BOTTLE fed yours???? You're going straight to hell!!!!

PG, they have been around ten years - the WHO have said that for at least that long.

The government hadn't adopted them till more recently because they'd have had to do something about paid maternity leave being longer.

i suppose what i'm going to say is that i don't really care what it says on the packaging, if you are an averagly intelligent person or even below average, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to listen to midwives, health visitors, doctors etc about when to wean a baby. most parents will have read something, spoken to a health proffessional, asked advice from friends/relatives with children, about when to start feeding their baby on solids.
the suitable from date on packaging is just a guideline and a legal get out clause, if you should use the spoon before your baby is three months old, just because it says suitable from three months i'm sure that most people will not be swayed to start weaning at three months, just because a spoon packet ahs said that its product is suitable from that age.

But they shouldn't have put it on the packet in the first place, IMO.

All of the other baby spoons say 4 months plus (which, again, I think isn't good, but obviously as your babies were all on steak and chips with brown sauce by then, you won't agree with me!).

There is. DS hasn't had much from a spoon - but that's whole 'nother thread

hunkermunker, i think tht you are taking things too far. obviously the issue of rusks for preamture babie is completley different, not that this has happened yet (as far as i'm aware). how are your views on formula milk for premature babies?
disposbale nappies for new borns?

HM, bear in mind that most UK health professionals guidance hasn't been to wait until 6 months for the last 10 years. Didn't this change only come in mid-2003?

If I am shocked by anything, it is the nanny state that you seem to want to impose on people. Now that is definitely scarier than spoons for 3 month olds.

vickiyumyum, don't mind disposables (but not baby wipes for newborns), but don't personally like the idea of formula for a preemie, although I totally understand that under the circs it's often what's given as the best option at the time.

Blimey, you're all reading things into my posts that really aren't there!

Nanny state!! FFS!

Sadly, there are still lots of so called health professionals advising early weaning because they are uninformed.

Since when has providing correct information been a nanny state. I would be appalled if they didnt share research.

Hunker - I cannot really believe that the medical profession really disregarded WHO advice as recently as 4/5 years ago. Must look into that....
What you have to remember is that WHO advice is aimed worldwide, and for a lot of countries with poor nutrition, lack of clean water etc, breastfeeding as long as possible is by far the safest and best option for the child - hence their guidelines. WHO doesn't differentiate between countries.

The WHO have been saying 6 months for over 10 years and the advice is for all not just a matter at being aimed worldwide and really meant for developing countries. Babies guts are babies guts.

PG, no, they don't differentiate between countries.

But babies guts don't mature faster in developed countries.

It's fact that the WHO have said this for ten years. I'll dig up some references if I can be arsed.

PMSL Hercules

Want to be in the babies guts clique?!

Bit of a snap post there , hunkermunker!

I weaned my ds with a spoon from 6 weeks on the advice from the hv. he is now 5 and its never been a problem!

Some of the problems associated with some cases of early weaning dont show until adulthood - eg irritable bowel syndrome I believe.