anyone else started solids with 5 month old baby?(dob 01/09/04)

[elliesmoomoo]

I feel I have prematurely started my DD on solids. She is breastfed and has always put on weight and we both enjoy feeding. Just after xmas i gave her a few tsp of baby rice (because of my mum persuading me it was a good idea ) as she stopped going through the night. She wasnt interested so i stopped. I restarted 2 weeks ago as she was waking 2 be fed 3-4 times a night. she used to wake once from 6 weeks. I have given plain vegs like avocado and broccoli and cauliflower. She has it for lunch and tea.With many bfs throughout the day. She has also started to have half hour naps when before she had hour long ones. Help!!! Very confused mum needs reassurance!!!

I am convinced that food makes no impact on baby sleep. My breastfed DS has been on solids for 1.5 months now (on the day he turned exactly 6 months) and he sleeps as rubbish as ever (wakes between 2 - 5 times per night . I still breastfeed in between his meals.

I started DS on solids 6 months because this is recommended by WHO and UNICEF - the NHS is a bit behind the times as usual - apparently though the Dept. of Health is catching up and is now pushing for baby food manufactures to stop printing "from 4 months" on their labels. This has been a long time coming.

As for what to start with, according to most experts there is no need to start with a particular kind of food - i.e. fruit first, then veg, etc. Indeed LLL recommends that exclusively breastfed babies should be given meat asap after 6 months as their reserves of iron and zinc will be quite low.

I have been giving DS chicken and then minced lamb (both organic) since he was 6.5 months. I give it to him for lunch (never for dinner) with mixed veg. so that he won't have problems digesting it through the night. Thankfully he hasn't refused a single thing I have given him so far. He actually loves meat.

I recommend to breastfeeding mothers to give small amounts of meat (unless you are a veggie of course). Don't be scared (I was at first) that baby won't be able to handle it. Actually the advantage breastfed babies have is that they have already tasted EVERYTHING you have eaten through your breastmilk and are much less likley to refuse solids . ps everything I have said above, is derived from www.kellymom.com.

karaj, did you wait until your DS was sitting up independently?

MY DS has had a few teasponns of rice cereal and EBM, but it's made no difference to his sleep. In fact, it's made him constipated every time I've tried it. I think I'm going to wait until he's 25/26 weeks. Mind you I know what's going to happen - I'll be moaning at having to make food instead of the easy 'whip out booby' option

It's amazing how quickly things change isn't it? I was apparently weaned at 6 weeks (in the mid 1960s). By the time my youngest brother was born in 1975 the advice was 8-10 weeks. My nieces were all weaned at 12 weeks (the youngest is nearly 7). I was taught 16 weeks (3 years ago when I did my HV training) and it's now six months. Have to admit that grandparents do look at me strangely when I advise the parents of their grandchild to wait until six months. I do explain why - just not sure they believe me always.

H2M .. didn't mean to insult you (my mother isn't that bad really )

I was reacting to you saying "I weaned both mine at 4 mths and they were fine, no allergies etc" .. that's the way my mum phrases things "I did this and you were fine"

I've read it used to be 9 months, in the 20s. So it changes in many directions.

My mom thinks it's normal to wean at 10 weeks or something. And to put cereal in a bottle.

Then again, DS2 keeps trying to wean himself onto facial tissues. I think I'll stick to boob for the moment.

Yep! My Mum suggested the "cereal in a bottle" thing too. Apparently at one time you could actually buy something to add to the milk - all banned now of course.

Highlander - no, my DS still can't sit up on his own, though he tries really hard, bless ! But he sits very well with help. I hold him on my lap with his back straight or put him in his baby walker (haven't bought a high chair yet because I am worried he will fall out). He looks really cute, opens his mouth wide open when he sees the spoon coming towards him !

I think as long as they are strong enough to sit, even with help, it is very easy for them to swallow. I have a friend whose baby is a month younger than mine, but as his back isn't as strong, he finds it difficult to swallow.

Message withdrawn

I'm really interested to see there are so many different views on this subject. Typically DD has taken to solids in a big way since Monday and cries if food does not appear at 12:30 and 4:30!! Tried carrot today and she hates it. LOVES BROCCOLI!! for reference she has been gnawing on things and has taken an interest in my food since she was just under 4 months so i think the signs are there. She was 8lbs 3oz at birth and has now doubled weight which I read somewhere is a sure sign of readiness to start solids. She will be 6 months on the 1st of March. My Mum used to give us cereal in bottle too - utter madness!! She also thinks 6 months is insane. Times change but I think first and foremost mothers should be led by their babies after taking note of all the possible pit falls.

ALSO : I HAVE SPOKEN TO SOMEONE WHO WEANED AT 12 WEEKS RECENTLY AND THE FIRST MEAL GIVEN.... BACON AND TOMATO JAR!!!!! HOW WRONG IS THAT??

I have started weaning a couple of weeks ago and ds was born just a few days before your dd. He doesn't seem that bothered so I've not really stuck to it that much, some days he has food and some days he doesn't.

You won't be doing her any harm though I'm sure of it. I weaned my other 2 earlier as the advice was 4 months when I had them.

Being a first time Mum I think it is easy to be swayed when more experienced people are adamant what they did was the "norm"