Ready for weaning? Thoughts please!

[HelenMummyof2]

Hi all,

My DD is 18 weeks and is feeding likened! I know there is a big growth spurt from 16-21 weeks but sh is sometimes feeding 10 times in 24 hours (every two hours in the day, longer at night). She holds her head very well, can sit with minimal support and is desperately trying to move. I’m just worried about doing it too soon and upsetting her little digestive system....

Any views or experience? Thanks xx

Being weaning reading is about her gut being developed enough. I would not risk it but then DH has Crohn disease. Feeding that frequently is normal.

I would say yes it’s too soon. Fruit and veg purée and baby rice (only thing really you can feed them) is basically ‘diet’ food so it won’t fill her up. It would be like replacing a big calorific meal with a salad. So keep on with the milk feeds to make sure she’s getting what she needs. Beyond that, 10 feeds a day sounds pretty normal. I’m sure my 7 month old has at least that plus 3 meals a day (currently he’s on feed 3 since 7am this morning and it’s only 10:30!). Just keep at it and enjoy it for now. It’s a lot more work once they start solids and you end up with a lot less free time just to enjoy them so I’d make the most of it while you can.

Agree with pp's, at 18 weeks her digestive system is likely not ready for solids. Milk is the main source of nutrition until they are 1 so I would keep going with the milk and if she wants more give her more. Starting solids is a lot more work and more mess so I would wait until closer to 26 weeks.

Her feeding pattern is normal she doesn't need solids yet

We started weaning at 17 weeks, Following advice from GP and HV as DS had awful constipation for weeks. Carrot, steamed and blended with His usual milk. Broccoli, cauliflower and peas are all good too.

Remember, food before 1 is just for fun. Don't drop milk feeds. Just give purees in between feeds.

Speak to your HV.

As other have said OP, it sounds as though your baby is feeding a normal amount - they all go through phases where they want more or less.

Introducing solids wouldn't help to fill her up for longer. Breast milk and formula are far more filling and nutritious than the tiny amounts of solid food an 18 week old would eat.

Weaning is recommended from 6 months as there are some links to food allergies and digestive issues with children who are weaned earlier. But even then food before a year is just about exploring and experimenting with flavours really - before a year babies should still get most of their calories from milk.

Personally I knew DS2 was ready for weaning when he swiped a piece of bread from my hand and ate it.

I would hold off - as PPs say what she needs to fuel her growth spurt is milk, not low-calorie vegetable mush. For her to be ready, you are looking for her to be sitting with a little or no support, the tongue thrust reflex to be gone, baby able to pick up and guide objects to mouth, and able to chew.

I'd say it's fine to start, ut don't cut out any milk, or expect that to reduce yet.

The advice here is 6months, but in a lot of countries its 4-6, (with some discussion about whether the UK should follow), because there is some evidence that weaning before 6 months reduces allergies (loop up the eat and leap trials). But if you start, it's pretty much little tastes of it only, hence why milk shouldn't reduce.

Thanks everyone.... I think I’ll hold off for as long as I can..... just waiting for HV to call back so I can chat it through with them. Her feeding has just upped so dramatically I want to make sure I’m doing the right things! Xx

There is absolutely no need to wean before 6 months. Just keep going with the milk, that's all they need. Even when you do wean, it's not really for keepi them full, more about nutrients they no longer get from milk.