When did you start your baby on solids?

[SundayMorningSun]

So I realise the NHS guidance is "about 6 months", but what did that look like for you?

Some people seem to take "about 6 months" as "no sooner than 6 months", but that doesn't seem to be the actual NHS advice.

Our DD is under a paediatrician who has said she's showing all the signs of being ready and we can start whenever, though with purees if we started soon (she's just shy of 5 months). It feels like a big decision, but I'm probably overthinking it!

About 23 weeks I think. Simple pureed veg to start with, then fruit and combos. She's 13 months now and pretty good with food (has the odd off day like most toddlers).

5 months and 1 week. I set out all set to wait until 6 months but he was desperate so we started a bit earlier!

My daughter was just 5 months, she was sitting on my lap while I was eating, she reached over picked up a piece of my food and proceeded to eat it like she’d been eating all her life. we started weening the next day.
Ds was 6 months (but was probably ready a couple of weeks before that) I was in no rush!!!

5 months. Could sit up happily in high chair and was totally keen to eat - was over 9lb and 2 weeks late so was quite robust. Solved her general boredom and sleep regression instantly - not a general cure I am sure but it was definitely hunger for us!!

There is no evidence on the 6 months thing. Different European countries take different approaches and the U.K. has chosen 6 months on the basis that the vast majority of babies are definitely ready by then so it reduces risk of parents being too keen when kids are not read AND it aligns with the "exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months" target. France says 4 months and gives more support on how to manage weaning in younger babies. Done sensibly and for the right reasons early weaning is fine.

Thanks @thetoddleratemyhomework - it seems like there are different risks each way. Over six months there's increased risk of allergies; under six months there's increased risk of being overweight in childhood. And so on. The main thing is nothing before 17 weeks. Shrug All we can do is be sensible, as you say.

He was just gone six months, I wanted to wait until he was 6 months corrected (he’s prem) but he was drinking ridiculous amounts of milk so his paediatrician said to give it a try. I did a combination of spoon fed and finger food. I still do, he just wants the food shovelled into his mouth as quickly as possible, much like his mum.

Both my DDs were around 5 months, you will know when you know.

MN will give you a whole host of strong opinions but only you know your baby!

10 weeks for ds who is now 26. He was large at birth and always hungry. The health visitor advised to give baby rice to bulk him and make him settled. Dd was 4 months. Both had baby rice and pureed stuff then progressed. Advice is totally different now.

1 week before 6 months. With all my kids. Baby led weaning. So barely any food went in at first, gradually more and more. Milk is what fills them up and gives nutrition until nearer 12 months.

I started offering DS food at exactly 6 mont because that’s what the HVs insisted on. He wasn’t interested and didn’t really eat much until he was 8.5 months.
I really stressed about the fact he wasn’t eating food but that didn’t speed anything up.
He’s got CMPA and is allergic to soya as well, eggs have been an issue but we’re on the egg ladder so that will be ok. No issues with nuts or fruits.

@SundayMorningSun

Agreed! I think the research is a bit incomplete either way - all quite tentative really!

11 weeks and 18 weeks. Over 20 years ago though. Both healthy young women and no allergies.

And it is not as if the NHS has actually weighted up the latest science and said that they would prefer risks on allergies to being overweight and picked the policy accordingly, so far as I can tell. It is decades old and based on science that different countries have taken different views on.

I started with DD was 5.5 months. She was sitting up and showing enormous interest in our food. It was a bit hit and miss tbh as she refused to take purée off a spoon and would just suck on bits of bread/broccoli/banana.

She only really started noticeably eating food at about 6.5-7 months when she worked out how to chew.

Milk is what fills them up and gives nutrition until nearer 12 months.

The reason weaning should start no later than 6 months is to avoid the risk of having an anaemic baby. Babies iron stores last around 6 months - this isn't exact as each baby is an individual - and after this they need to consume food with iron in it.

I weaned at 5 months starting with veg. But my DD showed me she was ready. If your baby isn't interested try again in a couple of weeks and repeat until they are.

I have HVs and paediatricians amongst my family and friends. The HVs were adamant weaning should start at 6 months exactly and expect DD to be given a variety of foods from the begining, there as the paediatricians took a more relaxed approach.

What @colafreezepop said. The HV has scheduled me in for a weaning group session when my youngest turns 6 months so that is her expectation. Medics in the family are far more relaxed. I think anywhere between 5 and 6 months you'll be absolutely fine providing the head control is there.

@anon2000000000

17 weeks for severe reflux

Hi

Sorry i know this is an older thread but my lg has silent reflux and I was wondering if early weaning helped

Thanks

My baby was weaned at 5 months - paediatrician advised anytime from 17 weeks (reflux). She took to it well and definitely helped the reflux. She was off her medication about a month later. Sitting up unaided at 6 months also helped TBF so not sure which was more beneficial.

We've just started our DD at just shy of 5 months, she loves it.

Eldest 3.5 months, muddle one 4 months youngest 4.5 months. All breastfed. Never got to 6 months with any of them. Was careful to give them easily digestible good that was mixed with breast milk. Eldest 18, middle 15, youngest 12. Eldest autistic but was aware before weaning. Other two fine. It's not an exactly science.