Would value your opinions..a bit long!

[Shivs1974]

My dd is 23 weeks and at present fed exclusively expressed breastmilk (she never latched on). She has gone from taking 200ml 5 times a day to 160ml 5 times a day. She had a horrible cold & temperature 3 wks ago & has just got over that when her first tooth appeared.

She isn't waking up during the night nor is she drooling when we're eating. She has moved lines from 75th to 50th & our hv has suggested that we start with the babyrice.

Ideally I'd like to hold out until she's 6 mths old before starting weaning as she doesn't seem to be showing the 'usual' signs. However as she was 12 days late, perhaps I could start her next week when she would have been 6 mths old (if that makes sense!) I'm also aware that if she had latched on, then I wouldn't know how much she was taking.

What do you think? Start the babyrice? I don't want her to lose more weight (she's a healthy 16lb 4oz) & she isn't crying for more regular feeds. Help!!!

As far as I can remember, a baby is meant to get a minimum of 1 pint a day, which yours is.

To my mind, if she is still a healthy weight, and doesn't seem to want to wean yet, then I wouldn't force the issue - if you want her to be left til 6 months, then go with your feelings.

My DD is often off food/drink for a few weeks around cold/teeth times - she is a fairly solid child, and it never seems to affect her much though!

I don't think it will hurt her to wean now (I agree with the 12 days late theory), but if you don't want to and feel she isn't ready, then leave it and see how it goes.

babyrice is far less nutritious that bm though - not sure why your hv thinks that's a solution to her weight situation.

I'm not surprised she's off her food if she's been ill and teething.

Personally, if she seems happy and bouncy I would wait till 6m (or near enough), because I don't think there's much to worry about in the meantime.

It takes them quite a while before they get more calories from solids than from milk. An oz of milk is about the same calories as 3 ice cubes of fruit puree. If you're worried about her weight (although I wouldn't if I were you), then give more milk.

Weaning is a faff. I wouldn't start until you have to, and your dd is desperate for food in her mouth (as opposed to hungry).

Agree with everyone else but, to reassure you, I don't think she has a weight problem. My baby is also 23 weeks and weighs 14lb 4oz (exclusively breastfed). Is your baby actually losing weight or simply gaining more slowly? They do after 3 months, I think.

Oh thank you so much for your quick replies! I meant to say that she's not losing weight, rather gaining it more slowly
Think I'll hold out for the moment. As I have to express 5 times a day I've got used to that routine and really didn't want to start any earlier with weaning as well as pumping & bottlefeeding than I had to!

On the other hand though we started to wean dd at around 4.5 months as she also started to reduce the amount of milk she was having. Apparently this is also a sign that they need something more. Milk is boring so i'm sure dd wanted to try something new !!
She is now 5.5 months and is doing well weaning.

BTW during the time she also had a cold (signs of teeth coming through) and has now got x2 teeth. Suppose we never really do know what our babies what!!

I started weaning dd a few days of 26 wks. If you think that physically she hasn't reached her milestones for weaning then don't bother. She may only take a few babyspoonsful for a few weeks - after 2 wks, that is all mine is interested in. Weaning her won't do anything to increase her wt gain. My dd is was always v. active and is currently only putting 2 oz a week, on average, for the last month. She has also slipped down the %ile chart. from above 25 to below it. I took her to a paediatrician for a different reason this week and while giving her a physical he commented that she was a 'very thriving baby'. Wt gain hence has little to do with how baby is doing physically.

baby rice has fewer calories than breastmilk.

breastfed babies routinely level off at around 5-6 months and may drop down the lines compared to their formula fed peers.

So your hv is wrong.

And well done on expressing for 23 weeks!