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Parenting

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Original poster

weaning 17 weeks

77 replies

kiki22 · 05/12/2016 16:44

Ds2 is to be weaned at 17 weeks on consultant advice all fine I'm fully informed about the pros and cons totally happy to do it he's physically ready in her and my opinion, my hv left for a new job and I don't have another yet which I a problem because I cant remember how much they need to start with.

How many oz of formula and how much of a jar/pouch do they have? Ds1 loved food and took to it straight away I've totally forgotten how I started though regarding amounts

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

dementedpixie · 05/12/2016 16:49

They have as much formula as they were having to begin with and a few baby spoons of food once a day to start with.

What reasons have been given for early weaning?

Original poster

kiki22 · 05/12/2016 16:58

Lots of reasons. Hes ready to wean

In my mind I'm thinking we build up to 3 meals a day over months right?

OP posts:

Caterina99 · 05/12/2016 17:12

I didn't start weaning my DS til after 6 months so it may be a bit different, but it took a good 2 months or so to build up to 3 meals a day, and he was a great eater!

The formula stays exactly the same and then just add in a bit of food. I started with 1oz portions and then increased after a few weeks once he was eating the whole lot. Once he was reliably eating I then dropped a bottle and slowly they eat more food and drink less formula. We also did some finger food at the same time if that's appropriate for you.

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Camomila · 05/12/2016 18:22

Keep milk the same and literally only a few spoonfuls of food a day to start off with. Also just give fruit and vegetables and non gluten cereals until 6 months...so no bread/eggs/dairy/meat etc.
YY to building up meals slowly, I started weaning at 6 months as well and DS at 8 months has only recently started having three meals most days.

Original poster

kiki22 · 05/12/2016 19:04

Thanks its coming back to me now ds1 only had fruit and veg til 6 months now I think of it. I'm pretty sure ds1 just took to it and I went with him I dont know why I'm over thinking it this time.

OP posts:

Heirhelp · 05/12/2016 20:13

My HV said no fruit for the first few weeks. If you are weaning early you will need to avoid all allergyns until 6 months. As you are weaning 9 weeks early I really think you should speak to a HV, there will be others in your area.

Original poster

kiki22 · 05/12/2016 20:39

The HV is a waste of time totally swamped all they can do is send out info they will come the day before 17 weeks I've still got 2 weeks to go so I'm just going to read up myself and figure it out.

In all honesty I've no faith in our areas health visitors they have never been any use to me when I've asked for advice. I'm really not worried about weaning at 4 months my older son was the same it caused no problems as he was really ready so is my baby.

OP posts:

SpeakNoWords · 05/12/2016 20:58

It's odd that the consultant didn't give you any advice on how to start weaning, given that it's been medically advised. They're in the best position to tell you what to do. Any chance you can contact the consultant and ask them?

SleepFreeZone · 05/12/2016 21:00

'Lots of reasons' sounds a bit vague.

dementedpixie · 05/12/2016 21:04

What signs has he given that he is ready? Weaning is so much easier when you leave it a bit later. Surely your consultant should have advised you further given that you are weaning earlier than usual. He's only 15 weeks old?

Original poster

kiki22 · 05/12/2016 21:11

I'm being vague because I dont really want to get into a discussion about if he is ready I've decided with the consultant to go ahead I dont need to go over the reasons why with anyone here I was only looking for a reminder of how it goes. As I've got two weeks to go before we even start I contacted the HV as the consultant expected them to advise and was told they have no one for 2 weeks, I can contact the consultant that's a good idea I was caught a little off guard by HV I hadn't had time to think to much about it.

As I said my first was weaned early it was so easy I forgot the ins and outs I really don't need help deciding if its right for ds2.

OP posts:

estateagentfromhell · 05/12/2016 21:22

If the consultant is so keen for your DC to be weaned against prevailing medical advice, then they should be the one to advise you how to proceed.

Don't believe for a moment that any medical professional would give this advice, but hey ho

Original poster

kiki22 · 05/12/2016 22:03

You don't believe that medical professionals ever advise to wean before 6 months? Really? Of course they do that's why if you wean before 6 months you seek their advice so they can help decide if its right.

There isn't generally a need for the consultant to give weaning advice for early weaning if the baby is to be weaned as normal the usual HV talk would be enough when I left her the understanding was I would get any help I needed from them but as I'm not getting that until last min and I like to be prepared I thought I would come on here for some help refreshing my memory before I read all the info I'm being sent. Its been very helpful from the decent people who are here to help and not judge.

OP posts:

BitchPeas · 05/12/2016 22:16

I was advised by a consultant to wean DS as 17 weeks due to severe reflux and colic. This was early 2008. He didn't give me any weaning tips though! So it does happen.

dementedpixie · 05/12/2016 22:26

Sounds like yours was advised for medical reasons whereas OP hasn't given an indication of problems that may be solved by weaning

Popularcontrarian · 05/12/2016 22:35

Lots of very unhelpful comments on here for you!

I know she's not liked on mn but Gina Ford's weaning book is excellent and very prescriptive. It gives weaning plans from 17 weeks.

Start with a bit of baby rice, then pear purée and then to carrots as far as I remember.

I weaned at 21 weeks, will consider weaning earlier with the next baby. I cannot understand people who see 6 months as a target, every baby is different and their gut isn't magically ready at 26 weeks on the dot but not ready at 25+6...

Original poster

kiki22 · 05/12/2016 22:37

Well obviously it was for medical reasons a consultant isn't going to recommend early weaning because he fancied trying it. I'm not coming back to this its become pointless I'll just read the info they send me.

OP posts:

Original poster

kiki22 · 05/12/2016 22:38

Thanks popular

OP posts:

53rdAndBird · 05/12/2016 22:44

I think people are asking what the medical reasons are because that would change the advice for how to wean?

Nineloves1 · 05/12/2016 22:49

Fruit, vegetables, baby rice, Annabel Karmel 's book had some good recipes, if you can get over the elaborate meal plan that includes steak (but not for a teeny one).

Maintain milk feeds as already said. In theory they build up slowly, but I can remember the baby I weaned early being on 3 meals a day after a week or so.

dementedpixie · 05/12/2016 22:55

To be fair you said he was 'ready ' for it and didn't make any mention of medical reasons. Some people mistake normal baby behaviour as signs to wean but they aren't so just trying to find out what made you think he was ready at such a young age

Andbabymakesthree · 05/12/2016 22:55

Ring consultants Secretary?

ReallyTired · 05/12/2016 22:59

My son and his classmates were all weaned at 17 weeks almost 15 years ago. They lived to tell the tale. My son had reflux and early weaning did nothing to help him. It just made the vomit multi coloured.

If you are going to wean at 17 weeks then start with baby rice. You just use a little bit to slightly thicken the milk. Or if your child decides it's utterly disgusting you can thicken milk with banana purée or crushed melon. The only problem with fruit is that it is not as calorie dense as milk. Mince is more calorie dense. I really would avoid dairy products or wheat until 6 month.

With a second child I did baby led weaning at 6 months. Far less stressful than worrying about what a child can or can't eat.

AnnaT45 · 05/12/2016 23:03

OP I weaned DD1 early under medical advice. I think it's all fine and well people saying the advice is 6 months but we all know all babies are different and I don't think you should be getting this grief! Dd2 is the same age DD1 was but has no need and isn't ready so I'm not weaning until I think she's ready. Again... they're all different!

I started with babyrice mixed with expressed milk around lunchtime to start. Keep feeds the same for a while as they don't tend to eat much! I was told to stick to baby rice, fruit and veg till 6 months which was fine. I then did dinner and breakfast last. Good luck!

ReallyTired · 05/12/2016 23:16

I find it hilerous mumsnet consternation at early weaning. The majority of babies came to no harm. All that happens is that the food comes out the other end undigested as most babies guts are not ready to digest food.

It would be interesting to know if the incidence children with allergies had decreased. When Ds was little nutters used to wean their babies at 3 months and the advice was 4 months. My mother tells me that when I was a baby I was weaned at 2 months and the official advice was 3 months.

I suspect that official advice is on the late side so that impatient mothers do not wean dangerously early.

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