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Original poster

Breastfeeding and under pressure to wean!

47 replies

DinosaursArentMakeBelieve · 22/05/2017 17:32

Hi,
My LO is just over 3 months old. A very big boy weighing c.8kg as of 3 weeks ago.

He's exclusively breastfed and is thriving BUT...
I'm under a bit of pressure from family to wean him... he eats a lot - which I don't mind at all, and has started teething too. he does get really bad wind and has started to show discomfort too prior to passing wind. He has a dirty nappy once every 2-4 days on average but lots and lots of wet nappies!

My family (none of which have experience of breastfeeding) have suggested weaning with rusks/ baby rice etc

NHS guidelines say 6 months and I guess I just need advice or reassurance?
It used to be 3 months, then 4 and now 6 so my family members are suggesting it's an arbitrary date rather than guidelines and also that now LO is teething, it's time to start solids...

I'm a first time mum so could do with others thoughts on this - happy to receive comments on either side of the fence!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

blamethecat · 22/05/2017 17:35

Stick to the guidelines, nod and smile a lot.

Nibletmum · 22/05/2017 17:38

Nhs guidelines are based on evidence and research! Sure it used to be 3 months but it also used to be common to.put whiskey in a babies bottle!
If you're happy continuing to breastfeed and baby is thriving carry on. Teething is no excuse to stop - I breastfed until DS was 14 months. Do what makes you happy and ignore it.

ScarletSienna · 22/05/2017 17:38

Either smile and nod or offer to give them the information that explains when it is advisable to wean and that baby rice and risks are not advised!

Interested in this thread?

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CatsCantFlyFast · 22/05/2017 17:40

Please don't wean yet. Milk is their main source of nutrients until one, its higher calorie than solids and there's a reason the guidelines are 6 months. Your baby's gut/stomach isn't ready for solids

NewMum17 · 22/05/2017 17:41

Interesting question. I'm a FTM too so parents are also giving me advice here and there. You're right, it is advised 6 months now but other mum's I spoke to said they started once they saw their child was ready. They mentioned you will know because your LO will keep eyeing up your food haha and putting things in his mouth. Also once they have teeth it's a sign too.
Personally, I say do what you feel is best. Weaning is a whole new ball game as you have to prep all that mushy food. When you do go for it, I was told the best thing to do is make batches and freeze it.
My son is almost 16 weeks and also exclusively breastfed. He doesn't have teeth yet though. But I'm happy to continue with this.
Could you also speak to a health visitor at the next drop in time? Good luck with your decision!

captainproton · 22/05/2017 17:42

Please don't feed your baby anything other than breast milk or formula (if you do wean) before 6 months. Early introduction of solids has been linked to IBS and other digestive disorders. Not saying al babies will suffer this fate but you just don't know and it's best to wait.

Babies get fussy and feed more around growth spurts and development stages. There are many up to 1 year and during these times your baby will feed and feed and feed.

This is normal.

You won't run out of milk. The more you feed the more milk you make. So there is not a danger of him starving.

If you have one in your area check out a breastfeeding support group so you can meet other breastfeeding mums and get proper information to help make an informed decision either way.

Personally I reckon you're coming out of the hardest stage now as your milk should be established. Just carry on boobing and ignore those who actually have no clue about boobing.

glitterglitters · 22/05/2017 17:43

Smile, nod and follow your gut and stick to the government/ NHS guidelines and then when you decide to wean I'd maybe stay away from (sugar filled) disks and (empty calorie) baby rice.

You're doing brilliantly by the way!

blue2014 · 22/05/2017 17:43

3 months is far far too little! Ignore them

glitterglitters · 22/05/2017 17:44

Also it's been 6 months for over 10 years now

ScarletSienna · 22/05/2017 17:45

Havinh teeth and eying up food are not conclusive signs to wean at all! Some babies are born with teeth and my son eyed up many things; the car, oven, wine but I didn't think, oh he is ready to drive, cook and pop to the pub with his mates for a few bevvies!

OuchBollocks · 22/05/2017 17:45

Presence or absence of teeth has nothing to do with readiness for solids. Some babies are born with teeth, some don't have any until after their first birthdays. Babies' gums are more than hard enough for them to chew most things once weaned.

BertrandRussell · 22/05/2017 17:47

And remind them that the guidelines have remained practically unchanged for 21 years to my certain knowledge. I can take a picture of my red book from 1996 to show them if you like!

Blossomdeary · 22/05/2017 17:47

Tell them to piss off - it is none of their business. If your wee lad is happy and thriving, then that is just fine. Why do people think they have the right to interfere in what other people do? My DGC were BF till they were about 18 months.

savagehk · 22/05/2017 17:48

Hold out! There's a reason the guidelines have changed. Please don't wean early unless under medical advice. (Also, rusks/baby rice have very very little nutritional content and your milk will be much better. You might make baby 'full' with rusks/baby rice but then they won't be getting the nutrients they need from your milk. Have a look at baby led weaning - see if it's for you.)

I keep recommending this book as it is a good balanced look at weaning, both BLW and 'traditional' purees : www.hive.co.uk/Product/Dr-Rana-Conway/Weaning-Made-Easy--All-You-Need-to-Know-About-Spoon-Feedi/7461141

BertieBotts · 22/05/2017 17:50

It is not arbitrary, it's got later over the years due to better research. The best research we have access to now states that waiting until 6 months reduces the risk of allergies, intolerances, IBS, conditions like coeliac, etc etc.

I think the next stage is always exciting and people are always looking forward to a baby's next "firsts" and that's the reason why they push, it's not because they have any problem with what you're doing now.

BertieBotts · 22/05/2017 17:52

It also might be a bit of nostalgia, ooh, we did it this way etc and feeling disappointed that it won't be the same. But parenting is going to change over the generations and they do need to accept that you'll do things your way.

Fragglez · 22/05/2017 17:57

I would recommend talking to your hv. There are several signs that babies are ready to wean and they all need to be happening together.

Being hungry is not one of them.

retpally · 22/05/2017 17:58

Newmum17 things in their mouth is NOT a sign to wean, and neither do you have to 'mush up' food 🙄

dementedpixie · 22/05/2017 18:05

Has it ever been 3 months? It changed to 6 months when Dd was a baby so around 12/13 years ago. Prior to that it was between 4-6 months with a minimum age of 17 weeks. Rusks are a terrible first food - full of sugar and gluten. My niece never had teeth until 13 months old so that is no indication of a need to wean either. It's easier imo the later you leave it. I started with Dd at 17 weeks and in hindsight it was too soon. I waited until 23 weeks with ds and found it easier and less stressful.

namechange20050 · 22/05/2017 18:07

The guidelines are there for a reason. By exclusively breastfeeding your baby to 6 months you are giving him the best start. Whatever you do, don't give him baby rice.

QuitMoaning · 22/05/2017 18:12

It was 4-6 months 19 years ago for sure. I had to wean slightly earlier for other reasons (under medical supervision) but it was still 13 weeks and I continued to breast feed him until he was 8 months
If I had another one, without the medical issues, then I would have gone a lot longer.
Btw, he is a ravenous 6ft with no eating issues at all now and very healthy indeed, but that is possibly in spite of it all, not because of it.

wigglybeezer · 22/05/2017 18:18

There is talk of changing it back to 4-6 months as, ironically, allergies have increased and they think it's linked to delaying exposure to a variety of solids, the advice about avoiding nuts may also have been counter - productive.

dementedpixie · 22/05/2017 18:23

The change back to 4-6 months has been mentioned for years with no actual move back to 4-6 months. If no one actually waits until 6 months anyway how can the increase in allergies be attributed to the advice? Peanuts have been ok in a weaning diet for at least 10 years too.

PetalMettle · 22/05/2017 18:27

If he's having digestive issues then moving to solids isn't going to help I wouldn't have thought. If you're genuinely worried about constipation maybe boiled water, but they like to make noises when they're pooing so so long as it's soft it's probably fine.

fuzzywuzzy · 22/05/2017 18:28

I exclusively bf my youngest twelve years ago, till she was seven months old. She was a thriving little chunk of a baby.

So long as you're happy to continue and baby is happy I'd keep doing what you want to do.

Don't wean the baby at three months tho it's far too young. You might find the wind gets worse if you do.

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