Dreaded weaning question

[dinosaur17]

Some advice please regarding weaning from 17 weeks. I have no desire whatsoever to wean until 6 months. I have 2 older DCs and find the whole thing a total faff to be honest.

But,

DC3 is now 16 weeks, head control is great, he’s a chunk so sits very well supported and can sit for a short time unsupported. Forever trying to grab at our food and is transfixed on us all eating at mealtimes. Chews on his hands whilst we’re eating (although this could well be his teeth)

I would be more than happy to carry on with just milk until he’s 6 months, no issue, but he’s bored. He’s distracted, constantly when feeding no matter what I do.

Do I just bite the bullet and accept he’s ready for me to try on solids from next week, or just persist in trying to solely bottle feed for longer even though he’s fed up with it?

I've always gone by the banana test / BLW principle that if they can sit up, grab food and get it to their own mouth and chew and swallow then it logically follows that their internal development is probably mirroring this and they are ready. So I would absolutely not stick them in a baby bouncer and start spooning down runny baby rice or carrot puree at 17 weeks. But from that age as a minimum, if they were interested in food and sat in an appropriate place (e.g. Lap/high chair, not a car seat or semi reclined buggy) then I'd offer them some food and see what they did with it in much the same way as I'd let them explore other safe items.

I found both DS1 and DS2 were initially interested but in actual fact didn't really get very far with anything until more like 21/22 weeks. At which point I started making mealtimes more of a "thing". With DS1 I just continued with a BLW approach because, well probably mainly because it was 2009 and very trendy on MN :o with DS2 he really hated self feeding, but I did wait until he was taking in a substantial amount before I started spoon feeding him, at which point it was like he went thank god, WTF were you doing lady, don't you know how to feed a baby?!

I didn't avoid any food groups apart from excess salt, sugar, honey, choking hazards. I couldn't find any good evidence for the NHS advice to stick to plain fruit and veg until 6 months, and by the time DS2 was born the research actually backed this up (plus we live in Germany now and the advice is different) so his main first meal was usually half a weetabix with formula milk or a mashed up banana.

This is ancient now and a bit waffly but I really liked it and it reflects my thoughts on the matter quite well :

www.analyticalarmadillo.co.uk/2013/09/13-baby-led-weaning-myths.html

I would not expect a four month old to be taking in enough food to fill them up. And hands in the mouth is definitely developmental and/or related to teething. But I don't see any problem at all in allowing a baby of that age to experience food in a very hands off, low expectation kind of way.

I bet if your poured yourself a nice glass of wine or put your car keys in front of them he would want both of them but it’s doesn’t mean he is ready to go to the pub for a pint or drive the car.

Have a read up about the concerns about early weaning and long term gut health. Gut health is the new big area of scientific research linked to all sort of long term issues including mental health and then make a decision if now it’s the time or if it’s best to wait another few weeks. The guidelines are around 6 months not you have to wait until exactly 6 months.