Weaning age recommendation = confused

[matana]

DS is 5 months on Sunday, i don't think he's ready for weaning yet although people keep asking me when i'm going to wean him like i'm unusual not to have started yet. He's not a large baby, but not small either really - average. And his milk seems to be satisying him fine still at the moment, so he's not really hungry.

I remember all the fuss in the media a while back about whether weaning at 4 or 6 months is recommended but can't find any recent guidance online - it's all old stuff. Anyone know what the current government/ WHO stance is?

I don't intend weaning until he's ready, but if i'm risking his health by delaying then i'd like to know so i can make an informed decision.

Can anyone please help?

You will know when he's ready to have a go by how well he sits, whether he's reaching for food and attempting to put it in his mouth, and when he loses the tongue thrust. Until then, don't worry just keep on with the milk.

I would start eating meals with him near you so you can gauge how interested he is.

In a week or two, leave a bit of food accessible from your plate and just see what happens when he realises he can get it. He won't get it in first (or possibly 50th) time. Doesn't matter, its all about learning how it feels in his hands, bringing it to his mouth (or ear, or eye) and just generally playing with it.

He certainly wont be harmed by waiting til 6 months. I think most babies decide for themselves by this time anyway. Somewhere between 5 and 6 months seems average.

Current recommedation is still 6 months, but never before 4 months. I don't think there's any risk in waiting til 6 months (or whenever your child is ready!).

It is all explained clearly and quickly here www.mumsnet.com/babies/weaning#When_to_start

Weaning guidelines are here

They explain the signs to look out for as ethelina states- sitting, reaching and grabbing, loss of tongue thrust reflex etc- and these things happen around 6 months. The guidelines aren't as prescriptive as people would have you believe but encourage you to look for these signs 'around' 26 weeks. Some may be slightly earlier, some later, but about 6 months is right. Definitely never before 17 weeks.

Like the leaflet says, enjoy, encourage, don't force and let it happen at its own pace.