24 weeks or 6 calendar months?

[Summerdays2014]

Hi all,

This might be a silly question but... Did you wean at 24 weeks or 6 calendar months? My son will be 24 weeks on Saturday and can sit unaided, grab things from the table and put them in his mouth, watches us eat and has been 'practicing' sitting in his high chair. He seems ready but I'm not sure if I should wait until he is 6 calendar months? I'm a first time mum and a bit nervous about weaning. I like to do things 'by the book' (although I'm trying to remember that all babies are different!)

Thank you all in advance.

6 calendar months is half a year I.e 26 weeks. Not that it matters, your baby's tummy doesn't under go a massive change on the stroke of midnight when they turn 6 months. If they're ready at 24 weeks then go for it.

My advice though would be not to be too keen to start early - weaning is a long , messy, (sometimes) stressful process and you'll soon long for the simplicity of just milk ;)

Honestly - relax. Sounds to me like he is ready if he is sitting up, has full head control and is interested in food. Give it a go! Annabel Karmel's book is great for ideas even if you prefer to blw rather taken to the purée route.
Most people I know did a combination of both. Make sure you are confident you know what to do if there is a choking incident and prepare for some mess and far less fragrant nappies!

Chuck some bits of dinner in his highchair, if he can pick them up and put them in his mouth by himself then he's ready. DD started weaning at just over 5 months because she nicked a piece of carrot from my Sunday roast!

I did it at 16 weeks with my first so just go with whatever your DS is up for.

Recommendation is 26 weeks ish. So if they're sitting up, can pick up food, put it in their mouth, chew and swallow, I'd be led by that. If you're not sure, there's no harm in waiting a few more days.

Thank you all for your advice. I am going to give it a go at the weekend. I'd like to do BLW but husband is not keen, so carrot purée it is!

If the spoon doesn't go down well at first just use your finger for him to suck it off