Baby rice

[K8eee]

my dd is just over 3 months and I thought I'd try her in some baby rice. I've bought the aptamil one that seems to have only just begun to be sold. anyway, have made it up to the instructions on the packet and it's so runny. pretty much feels like I'm giving her milk on a spoon. I guess this is the right thing as my dd as all babies has only had runny milk since birth but when would you start thickening it up?

Have you been advised to wean early by a doctor or health visitor?

Current guidelines state ideally you should wean at 6 months, but never before 17 weeks. I'll try find a link ...

This is great info:

www.mumsnet.com/babies/weaning

Talk to your HV first.

Baby rice is a bit rank and probably unnecessary at this age.

So she's about 12 weeks? Why did you think that she needs to have solid food at this age? You should not be weaning before 17 weeks (unless under the guidance of a paediatrician for a specific health issue), and preferably you should wait till nearer to 26 weeks.

If your baby seems hungry then give her more milk feeds. The baby rice will not be more calorific or nutritious than breast (or formula) milk. She doesn't need it.

I know of so many babies who have been weaned at 3 months. It's not like I'm substituting a whole feed for baby rice. She had about 5 spoonfuls. I was weaned at 3 months and there's nothing wrong with me, my friend whose a midwife weaned her kids at around the same time; yes 17 weeks is stated but she's still getting her proper milk feeds. all I was asking advice on was how thick baby rice should be

It would be irresponsible and remiss of anyone posting in response to you not to mention the current health guidelines for weaning.

I am sure that there are many people you know who were weaned at 12 weeks or earlier who appear to not have any long term health issues as a result. However there are significant risks to doing it, which is why the NHS advises not to wean before 17 weeks. Why would you take that risk? What are the benefits to your baby that outweigh these risks?

No one can advise you on how thick to make it up because even on the packet it will say that it isn't suitable for babies under 4 months.

Baby rice is grim, why bother? Just wait until they are 6 months and then they can feed themselves with finger foods. Far less hassle.

Is it because your DC isn't sleeping? IME weaning did not help my DS to sleep- he is still an appalling sleeper at 16 months.

Why do you feel the need to wean early? It won't help her sleep and she needs the calories from milk at that age not food. Guidelines are six months and not before 17 weeks.

You can't tell people what advice to give you on a forum. There are lots of things that people did years ago, but since then there has been more research, hence why guidelines change.

My parents used to put my carry cot on the back seat of the car. You wouldn't do that now.

I'm not sure you'll find anyone here who will advise you about baby rice at 3 months. Read the current info and make an informed decision, but please at least wait until 17 weeks.

(I know we used to wean sooner, I weaned DS1 at a similar age as that was within guidance ranges then. Honestly, milk is sufficient until 6 months except in certain circumstances and then after medical advice).

Why do you think there is any need to give her baby rice or thicken her milk?

Milk on its own is far more nutritious than baby rice (which is really just starch).

If you look on the packet I bet it will say "from 4 months" as that's the earliest you should be giving anything other than milk.

The instructions tell you to make it very runny (ie virtually all milk) because your baby should be having mostly milk at 4 months.

There is new info now that very early weaning (pre 17 weeks) can harm the baby's gut.

K8-I think initially its meant to be a similar consistency to single cream.

Seriously though, I think you should hold off until at least 17 weeks. Your dd's gut and kidneys are not mature enough yet.

Why do you want to wean early? Spoon feeds are way more hassle than milk feeds, more messy, your dd is probably spitting half of it back out, shes unlikely to be sitting upright enough and there's also a choking risk.

I wouldn't. It's not recommended. One of the reasons is the extent of allergies etc. Stomach lining isn't ready. At the very, very earliest its four months. Better to wait until 5 and a half to six months.

Research has moved on since we were weaned as babies. Also plenty of people have crohns disease and milder digestive issues without thinking, actually, it could be linked to early weaning.

If your baby isn't showing the signs of being ready then why introduce extra stress?

What is the point of doing this to her? Its known and proven not to be good to wean babies so young. She would possibly be fine or just show no obvious problems from it (thats not to say they are not there!) but thats no reason. Why of why do people insist on pushing their babies ahead on this weaning issue so early. Also baby rice, is basically manky and of little or no nutritional value. Again, what is the point of doing this?

My DM used to give me condensed milk! Advice has moved on. I'd follow the advice.

Why are you weaning a three month old? This is her long term health you are playing with. I think you need to cop on and leave her on milk solely until six months as per medical advice given to all parents.

A doctor friend told me recently that the guidelines may be changing again with re to weaning and that it may go back to being younger than 6 months..I think three months is still too early but my baby is 4 months and is showing all the signs that she is ready to start weaning so I have started her with a very small amount of baby rice mixed with my milk. Guidelines change all the time, your baby will let you know when the time is right for them.

pickledpumpkin, this is a rumour that seems to be getting quoted with increasing regularity. The guidelines don't change all the time. The last change was over 10 years ago, advising "around 6 months" as opposed to "from 4 months".

Your doctor friend is probably referring to the EAT research project. This isn't due to complete until 2015 when the results will be analysed. Only then would the NHS issue different guidance, if the research shows it to be necessary. The research is looking into allergies in relation to weaning age, so it may well be that any change to the current advice might only apply to those with a family history of allergies. The EAT research project itself advises that parents should stick with current NHS guidance until the results have been analysed.

OP, don't mean to be preachy, but please do try and hold off until 17 weeks. There is lots of conflicting advice and research about when to wean onto solids, but NONE of it advises anything other than milk before 17 weeks.

Nothing like a load of patronising advice and members laying into you. Thanks for making me feel like a shit mum!

to those of you who advised tactfully thank you and i'm not going to give her anymore. She didn't seem too bothered and was more interested in having her usual bottle.

Wasn't intending to be patronising and I don't think anyone has laid into you either.

It seemed reasonable to assume that you weren't aware of the issues around early weaning. All my questions were genuine questions and not intended to annoy you.

My twins are now 19 weeks they have been having baby weeks for the last two weeks but only because their consultant advised it for medical reasons. I was surprised as they were six weeks premature but I followed his advise. I would never have given it to them otherwise.

Baby rice not baby weeks!!