Would you wean early in 99th percentile?

[Meeting]

My baby is just over 4 months old and has been in the 99th percentile since birth. Do I still need to wait until 6 months to wean or could I start early? He's showing all the signs of readiness already.

I wouldn’t; i don’t see how weight is relevant. Weaning is a nuisance, dont start earlier than you need to!

No I wouldn’t, do some research on the future impact of early weaning- their gut health etc, they aren’t ready.

Being big doesn’t = needing food sooner, milk is enough.

No I wouldn't wean early unless advised.
Dc1 was weaned at 4 months (that was the guidelines then) it was hard work, much slower and just seemed to drag out. Dt were.weaned at 6 months (again following guidelines at the time). It was much easier.
Previous poster is right dont rush to wean, its easier when they are 6 months and can sit unaided.

You don’t need to wait until 6 months, it’s around 6 months, if you baby is sitting unaided, has some level of hand eye coordination ect then you can start weaning them.

studies have proven is it dangerous to wean before 17 weeks. Studies have proven that it is not dangerous to wean after 17 weeks.

The guidance for weaning around 6 months is aimed at and to encourage exclusive breastfeeding. It’s also curated by the WHO organisation which are responsible for the guidance worldwide (hence the name) so 6 months is guidance based on third world countries where water isn’t clean therefore isn’t safe to be digested by a child much younger than 6 months.

If you feel your child would
enjoy complimentary foods, and would still drink the recommended amount of milk/formula for their age then you can absolutely give them some foods to enjoy. But don’t necessarily aim to replace milk until closer to 6 months.

I started weaning mine at 4ish months (ebf) and they took to it really well. Purées to begin with and worked from there. They are both brilliant eaters and had fewer issues with eating than friends who waited until later......
It also meant I had a little bit of a back up with food, as neither child would take a bottle and I believe proper food was healthier alternative to formula!

No.

Unless your doctor tells you to do it, leave them well alone. So much harm from early weaning and no benefit.

You still need to wait until 6 months, weight has nothing to do with it. Speak to a GP or health visitor if you have concerns

Why are you claiming that formula is less healthy? Do you have any evidence of this?

I'd say you know your child best...4 months is still early. Our son is 5 months, went from 50th to 90th percentile from birth - a big long boy and loves his milk. HV did mention he may be keen to eat before 6mths but if we can keep him trucking along on his milk til 6 months at the earliest then to do so.
He does show interest in food and drink but is happy getting milk. We aren't planning on starting any weaning until 6mth at earliest and want to get him used to high chair etc first.

Formula is upf! Necessary in some cases I realise but fresh, homemade purées and subsequent foods (along side bf obviously) are healthier because of the limited processing.

Weight is irrelevant but weaning can begin any time between 4 and 6 months if baby is able to sit up with minimal support, bring things to their mouth, and show an interest in food. Should be started by 6 months at the latest, especially if breastfed.

That is not the guidance

I had a 99% centile baby who was very hungry. He was breastfed and luckily I had plenty of milk. I attempted to start weaning at around 6 months but he wasn’t in the least bit interested and didn’t start eating food until he wasn’t around 9 months or so.

In many countries the guidelines are around 17-18 weeks at the earliest. I started to wean my eldest at about 18 weeks, the other I waited til almost 6 months. I based it on similar criteria to overstimulated above. My paediatrician was fully on board with both decisions. The NHS is very black and white about their guidelines around pregnancy and parenting, but it isn't a one size fits all - they just don't trust people to have the common sense to make informed decisions.

I weaned both mine around 5 and a bit months as they were ready. DD literally ate a whole banana straight away. They were both ebf if that is relevant. 4 months is a bit young though I think.

It is also a faff! And messy! So don't rush too much..

NHS guidance is outdated and not evidence based. My country bases its guidance on scientific studies, which support starting between 4 and 6 months of age to reduce the risk of allergies and anaemia (the latter especially in breastfed babies) and states clearly that all babies should be starting solids by 6 months. Though I was wrong about weight being irrelevant, babies that had a low birth weight might need to start solids on the earlier side (not earlier than 4 months still)

No, beyond there being no reason to. You’re not aiming for him to lose weight and definitely don’t want him to gain more, honestly, it’s a complete PITA. You go from feeds every 3-4 hours to pretty much feeding every 2 hours if you account for milk feeds plus 3 meals a day plus all the extra clean up and washing. Get out and enjoy your baby in these easy months when you don’t have to cart extra stuff with you everywhere. Solids can wait.

Wean when you want but it isn't related to weight.

I have weaned a child before so I know what is involved and also what the signs of readiness are. I didn't know weight was irrelevant.

To be honest I think I'll start him at 5 months. I'm a big believer in that babies are not robots and cannot be held to strict time scales in pretty much any aspect.

This is not the guidance!!

This

I don't understand why baby being big would mean weaning earlier? Surely no need as they are clearly thriving on milk? (My 8 month old is 99th centile and we started at 6 months, same as my eldest who was around 50th centile at the time)

You can't be serious? Breastmilk is tailor made for your baby AT THAT TIME. It changes according to your baby's needs. In hot weather it is more watery, when your child is sick it provides antibodies to help them fight the infection. Christ on a bike, I used to squirt breastmilk in my babies eyes when they had pink eye.

Formula is fine, babies grow up just fine on formula, it's an excellent substitute but it can NEVER be as good as something that is constantly evolving for the needs of the user. Scientists don't even know all the ingredients in breastmilk so its still impossible to replicate it.

There is a hierarchy of "best" for premature and sick babies;

1. their mothers breastmilk
2. donor breastmilk
3. formula

As for evidence - its in every scientific, peer reviewed paper ever written.

Did you even read what I was replying to?

There is a hierarchy of "best" for premature and sick babies;

1. their mothers breastmilk
2. donor breastmilk
3. formula

You can not tell which children have been formula fed or breast fed there is no difference between them.