Delaying weaning?

[xprincessxjanetx]

My DD is 5.5 months and we have recently been thinking about weaning as she is coming up to the recommended 6 months! We have 5 other children who have all been weaned at around 6 months but they were all showing signs in advance so this issue hasn't arisen before.

My issue is that DD is not showing any signs of readiness at all. She is quite delayed in her development so this is having an impact on it. I am considering delaying weaning until 7 months to give her a bit more time to 'catch up' but I'm not sure if there is any (medical or otherwise) reason why this isn't recommended?

I have tried looking this up online but every website I'm linked to just states 6 months as the recommendation and I can't find any reliable information about delaying.

If anyone has any advice or experience with delaying until 7 months then I'd be really grateful.

It’s “around” 6 months isn’t it, so I wouldn’t put too much pressure on starting exactly then. If it’s a bit later then so be it, you’re obviously an experienced parent so I can’t imagine you’ll miss the signs. It’s all practice food at that stage. DS barely ate solids until about 9-10 months despite being offered etc.

My first baby hardly ate anything until she was closer to 1. I don't think waiting a few weeks would make any difference.

I agree with @tiredmumma8696 they eat so little to start with, I can’t see how waiting a little bit longer would do any harm. You might need to give a multivitamin (I think you’re meant to do that from 6 months anyway?)

I personally would offer solids (BLW) but not worry too much about how much goes in. I would not delay.

I may be incorrect, but isn't it something to do with iron levels? I also think there is a connection between chewing and talking (I had one child who was a late speaker and spealists asked about weaning).

I guess the issue would be in what ways are they delayed? If she has good hand to mouth coordination I would still offer some finger foods. Sitting 100% unaided isn't necessarily something I would aim for if you have a good highchair etc.

The main issues are not being able to sit even with the aid of cushions etc and not picking objects up yet, if I place an object in her hand she drops it immediately, which obviously is an issue for BLW which we were wanting to do.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6567868/

have a read and see what you think

A paediatrician friend of mine told me babies need to be on solid food of some kind by 7 months as their nutrient stores from birth are depleted and breast milk doesn't give them everything they need to grow (iron for example).

I also think there is a connection between chewing and talking (I had one child who was a late speaker and spealists asked about weaning).

Yes, chewing solid food develops the muscles and practices the mouth and tongue movements needed for talking. I remember this from one of the tv programmes about child behaviour - Dr Tanya Byron, I think.