Is early weaning really that bad?

[jonesyyy]

Would like to hear some experiences of weaning your LO before the recommended guidelines.

I want to wait as long as possible before starting my son on something but sometimes I feel like he could do with a little extra, maybe some baby rice or a reduced sugar rusk?

I'm new to this so I have no idea what I'm doing! Please help me out mamas

How old is he?

There's absolutely no nutritional value in baby rice or rusks & he'd be much better off having more milk if he's hungry.

What age?

If you think he's still hungry why can't you just give him more milk?

If you are weaning, especially if early so at a time when your baby really needs calories, please avoid baby rice and rusks altogether.

My mum, 2 sisters, and nephew all have bowel issues. My sisters are both early 40's so were probably weaned at 3 months, my sister also decided to wean my nephew early as he seemed hungry (although she fed him food rather than rice or risks) could be a coincidence, could be genetic but I wouldn't risk it with my boys.
If he is hungry you could either try adding an extra oz to each feed or try and fit in an extra feed. There are much more calories in milk than rice or rusks

I'm a first time mum so no expert but everything I read says seeming hunger is not a reason to give food, you should give more Milk. Early weaning has resulted in a lot of allergies. Why take the risk just wait?

From 17 weeks is fine. I believe the 6 month guideline is a WHO guideline to promote as much world wide breastfeeding as possible because it’s protective against gastro illness in places with less access to sanitary food preparation and storage, it makes sense. There’s plenty of good new research that shows in the U.K. and other western countries it’s probably beneficial to wean around 4 months as it reduces the risk of allergies, a growing problem. Basically anywhere between 4 and 6 months is fine, no earlier than 4 or later than 6.

I made a post about my girl when she was 4 months old and got grilled on mn for it. In my personal opinion I'd talk to the health visitor first before feeding anything. However I did start with giving breakfast at 4 months and my dd's reflux was so much better. She was less fussy during the day by 6 months she was on 3 meals a day and ate everything.

Ask the health visitor.
As important as it is to start at the correct age, you also have to be aware what is safe to introduce at different stages. I can’t remember exactly the stages, but when DD was tiny I was told no strawberries, kiwi fruit until at least 1 year old and no gluten until 10months or 1 year(I really cannot remember the details) and there were some other foods she wasn’t allowed until specific ages.
Rice cakes are not good (no calories, no nutritional value, a lot of air and the baby would start on puréed food not actual solids). Yes as a last backup on a day out but not as food.
I don’t know what rusks are - some sort of biscuits?

The current recommendation in the UK is 6 months once showing all the signs of readiness (sitting upright with support, coordination etc) - perhaps this might be useful kellymom.com/nutrition/starting-solids/solids-when/

Paediatricians can and do recommend earlier for some babies for weight issues. And some babies might display all the signs of readiness earlier or later than others too.

I believe there are studies due to be published recommending introducing allergens earlier rather than later in the weaning process unless either parent has an allergy.

We started only a week or so before 6 months to boost weight gain, under medical advice to increase calorie intake - I did delay a few weeks until baby was meeting all the developmental stages the NHS state prior to weaning. A friend introduced food at 4 months under similar medical guidance but her baby hasn’t gained as well weight wise, but he’s a much better eater than mine. I still feel my decision to delay suited my baby better but we still use formula and she was able to cut it out. They’re both getting calories that they need. Use your judgement and seek your HV advice, you can research and make an informed decision on the risks then.

Your baby is what, 12 or 13 weeks old? Not even out of the 4th trimester.

Thanks everyone. I've done my research and I think I'm just going to offer more milk. To be honest I think DS is going through a growth spurt..

We weaned early on advice of doctor at 5 months for really bad reflux.

There seems to be a certain mindset that thinks early weaning = advanced. It doesn't and it's just adding extra faff to your day. Wait till 6 months as per the recommendations then weaning is very easy, you can introduce everything immediately (except honey?) and don't need to puree everything.

@AuntieGT This is what the paed registrar T our hospital told us. He also said that NHS guidance is likely to change soon to make this more explicit.

We weaned at 17 weeks on paed advice for reflux.