Best time of day of wean

[CCW86]

I was thinking of starting to wean DS soon, and was wondering when is the best time of the day to try. I have read that usually in the morning/early afternoon is best in case they have a reaction but when in relation to when he usually has his milk would work best? Just before his milk? Just after? Or in between his usual feed times?

I've read about 30mins-1hour after his milk so he's not hungry and it won't fill him up before his next feed :)

We started with midday for 2 weeks, then gradually built it up so for the 2 weeks after that breakfast and dinner, then in another 2 weeks breakfast, dinner and tea. I use the names of meals but of course it was really just a couple of spoonfuls of something very simple!

In terms of when the solids were in relation to milk I really can't remember I'm afraid as ds breastfed lots!

30 to 60 mins after milk. Reactions can be immediate to take up to 24 hours so time doesn’t matter. You can have allergic reaction at anytime so the first or the hundred and first time having a food. If you are giving purées then you don’t go to 3 meals a day until after they are 9 months.

The nhs website has really good info on weaning.

Look at Nanny Louenna's stuff. On her app she has a whole section on weaning - how to introduce it, recipes etc.

I wouldn't plan your life around the risk of an allergic reaction as you'll be introducing new foods for a very long time (this is only if neither you or your partner have a known food allergy - then take advice from your GP).

Otherwise, I'd do it at a time when it's easiest for you to prepare and offer something healthy and when your baby is not starving or really tired. The purpose is for them to have the experience and trying and playing with new foods. It doesn't matter if they eat to start really.

I started it at 11am as it was a couple of hours after one bottle for her to be a bit hungry but not too close to the next bottle for her to be so hungry she got upset. I think it must have been a good point after her morning nap too. Once she was having more I moved it to lunch time then added in breakfast and dinner last

Do you have family history of allergies? Wondering why it is a particular concern to you (I have several allergies, so was very careful when introducing foods to DD).

I used to go for between 30 mins and an hour after a feed, which was what I was advised by health visitor when I asked them. They really eat very little to start with, so it doesn’t matter too much.

The first meal I introduced was supper but that was because he was a horrific sleeper and I wanted to sleep train safe in the knowledge he couldn't possibly be hungry. With my second child I can't even remember, he probably got given something small at every mealtime after 6 months because I needed him to sit quietly in his high chair while I sorted his big brother! If you don't have a family history of allergies then don't worry too much. If you do BLW they hardly swallow anything at first anyway...

Thankfully I don't have any major allergies so hopefully DS won't too. I am actually really looking forward to him trying lots of new foods and textures, mainly just so I can watch his ickle face :)

Yes, can be hilarious the reactions to some foods. And my DS1 refused to try ice cream for ages. Like he thought it was some kind of trick... He loves it now.