24 weeks or 6 calender months

[LuBen]

I recently went to a weaning group and was told not to begin weaning until my baby is 6 months old. He is about to go to nursery as I have to go back to work and I'd really like to get him started on some solids - he's no longer sleeping throught the night and is really interested in our food. He will be 24 weeks in under a week but won't be be 6 'calender' months until 2nd December. I know there isn't much in it but does anyone know whether they mean 24 weeks or 6 calender months before it is recommended to give them dairy etc etc

calendar - sorry!

26 weeks is 6 months as 26 is half of 52 (weeks)

Thanks Seona - that makes perfect sense - baby brain I'm afraid!

The WHO says 'around 26 weeks'.

I'm doing 180 days as actual calendar months is midweek and we want to start at the weekend so me and dh can both be there.

Depends more on the weight of the baby and whether he/she is showing signs of interest in food (trying to grab your fork when you're eating, or reaching for food and trying to put it into his or her mouth.

I would wait on the dairy for the full 6 months (26 weeks) but my DCs all had dairy allergies and even with DD1 I knew there was a possibility as dairy allergy runs in my family. But for other foods, I would follow the baby's own signals.

I don't think its so hard and fast. I started solids with my dd at 24 weeks. She fed herself and experienced no problems.

I think its best to look at the baby rather than the calender. Can your baby sit up? Is your baby able to pick up and mouth objects. Has your baby lost the tongue thrust reflex.

I prefer the La Leche League guidelines to weaning as I think it looks at the baby and not an arbitary date.

www.llli.org/FAQ/solids.html

Thanks so much everyone.
Really good advise - esp' from La Leche League.
JB is not sitting up yet but is really interested in our food and so I'm just giving him occasional baby rice and a bit of mashed banana but mainly just sticking to milk for now until he really starts to seem like he 'needs' solids,

Thanks xx