Health visitor says no baby porridge at 16 old any opinions pls

[isobel79]

Hi

My HV has said no baby porridge for my lo who is 16 weeks tomorrow. He is on 7oz of milk. He weighed 15lb on 16\6.

Any opinions would be gratefully received. I feel like he needs something more. He's on pepti 1 and it doesn't seem to fill him up.

Thanks all

That should say 16 weeks in the title oops

General advice is to wait until tjey are 6 months old. What makes you think he needs more?

It's up to you as parents to decide. They are probably giving blanket advice not to wean til 6 months. maybe you decide what's best.

I gave my ds baby rice and slowly moved up to porridge from 4 months, have you tried hungry baby milk or I tried topping up breast feeding with sma gold which I thought was a bit richer than normal sma?

If he isn't losing weight just give more milk seems to be advice

WHO recommendations are to wait until 26 weeks. What makes you think he needs more? Can you offer him a bottle more often?

16 weeks does seem young when the advice is 6 months.

But then I'm a rule follower!

You've asked for opinions, here's mine, 16 weeks is too young to wean. If you think your LO is still hungry give them more milk. My boy was on 10 ounces of milk 6/7 times a day at one point - we still held off with weaning until 6 months.

Why do you think he needs it? Is he unhappy?
What is pepti 1? If it's formula, I'd be inclined to give an extra ounce or two. IMO 16 weeks is still very little, but that is just my opinion.

Why do you want to give him porridge? He doesn't need porridge, he really doesn't. There are no benefits to giving him food, and plenty of risks. Just wait.

dontpokethebear Pepti 1 is for babies with milk allergy.

Milk contains more calories than any food that will actually go down at this age! The guidelines are 26 weeks but solid food should never be given before 17 weeks, their little tummies just can't digest it (obviously if you have been told by a professional otherwise it is for a medical reason!) I'd hold out a little longer if possible. Try maybe adding a feed if he won't take any more ounces.

Just give more milk - it's more calorie-dense than solid foods, and he's just telling you he needs more of it!

Thanks Imnotaslimjim!

His digestive system isn't fully developed yet so wait until 6 months and just give him extra bottles in the meantime. It's only two months away it will fly by. My DD was a big feeder and it was very hard to keep up with her demands but I'm glad I did.

Just a thought OP, some babies have a growth spurt at around 4 months so its likely that! Just persevere, offer extra feeds if he's acting more hungry than usual. If its a growth spurt it'll pass soon

Another HV here just echoing what the others have said. Milk should provide the main source of calories for a year. The purpose of weaning or complimentary feeding as it is sometimes called now is to introduce them to taste and texture. Developmentally they should be ready to be able to work solids from the front of the mouth and be able to swallow. Nearly being able to sit unsupported supports the choke reflex and there is some evidence to suggest a link between early weaning and intolerances in adults (haven't got the link to hand). There is nothing to say that a milk feed has to be limited to one 8oz bottle; more is fine if that is what your baby needs.

going off at a tanget: Consider porridge rather than baby porridge - When I last looked for my DD2, readyBrek and own-brand equivalent had less salt and sugar than "baby" porridges.

16 weeks is far too young for any food at all.

Thank all I will offer more milk. He must be about 17lbs by now and so he probably just needs filling up to cover his weight gain. Has anyone elses little one been this weight at four months?

I worry that he is too weighty but docs and HV say he's fine.

MrsPatrickDempsey thanks so once he can sit unaided he should be able to tolerate solids and tolerate digesting them?

He needs to sit unaided and lose the reflex that makes his tongue push everything out. He should also be able to use a pincer movement to bring food to his mouth, particularly if he is feeding himself

Yes they should be able to sit unaided and if you give them half a banana they should be able to eat it themselves so coordinate hand to mouth. That's 6+ months

At 4 months mine became hungry again in growth spurt and ate every 90 mins in the day for a week or so.

My advice having had six babies and tried all sorts of weaning strategies is to think about why you are giving food.

If he is hungry the advice says that milk has more calories than anything that is healthy for him to eat so you may as well stick with milk.

If you want to start giving him food because he seems interested in food and you want to start the exciting journey of building your baby's palate - baby porridge is not a great start. Far better to start with something that tastes exciting

My ds was 21 lbs when he started solids around 23 weeks