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Weaning

Find weaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Weaning forum. Use our child development calendar for more information.

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Original poster

Weaning at 20 weeks

52 replies

CJMommy · 16/05/2011 11:13

Just some reassurance needed really. DD is 20 weeks and I have given her some 'baby fruity porridge' type stuff this morning. I had every intention of waiting as close to 26 weeks as possible-DS was BLW at 25 weeks and is a fantastic eater at 3 years old.

However, over the last week she has been practically throwing herself at our dinner plates, opening her mouth and reaching for food- she gets excited when she sees food and strains her neck to get at it. Her tongue thrust has gone, she sits well albeit supported and thoroughly enjoyed chewing a broccoli stalk and carrot at dinner last night.

So with all this in mind, have I done the right thing? There is no history of allergies in the family but just concerned that I could be harming her?
I guess I'm being a little over anxious but this is such a high debated topic!

So, if I am to continue, is there anything I need to be mindful of? I know about gluten/ wheat/ honey etc but last time I weaned DS, I just sort of chucked all the food we were eating at him.

Sorry for rambling!

OP posts:

Original poster

CJMommy · 16/05/2011 13:01

Bump anyone?

OP posts:

Magnumwhite · 16/05/2011 13:29

started solids very gradually with my very hungry DS at 19 weeks. He just had fruit/veg/baby rice and baby porridge until 6 months. then added in protein/wheat etc..
I know this is a controversial subject so i don't want to speak for what any other parent should or shouldn't do.

I really think you have to take each baby as an individual and go with their leads. it sounds like you are doing that! If i had another i would be delighted if he/she were happy to EBF to 6 months. much less food preparation!

IMO in my situation it helped me to continue breastfeeding, i really didn't want to just fill him with extra formula and at 4 months i didn't seem to be producing enough milk to keep him happy. And this worked out really well for us as i have only just stopped bf at 14 months which was way past what i thought i could manage!

Original poster

CJMommy · 16/05/2011 14:09

Thanks Magnum. We're bf too and supply isn't an issue. I figure veggies and fruit very gradually. Although, am still putting stuff in front of her to pick up and play with/ chew on. You are right though, they are all individual and what will work for one may not the other.

Well done for bf for such a long time too!

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RitaMorgan · 16/05/2011 15:08

I wouldn't do porridge as surely it is gluten?

seeker · 16/05/2011 15:22

You know what the guidelines are.

You know why they are there.

It completly baffles me why people decide to ignore them.

nickelbabe · 16/05/2011 15:24

well, imo, technically, you are doing BLW - your baby has told you she wants to try to eat, go for it.

nickelbabe · 16/05/2011 15:24

the guidelines now say it's okay to start at 4months, don't they?

Albrecht · 16/05/2011 15:27

NHS leaflet on weaning here

"Research shows that starting solid food at the right time is important for your baby?s health. This is usually around 6 months. Just because your baby looks interested in food, is feeding more frequently or is waking in the night, doesn?t necessarily mean they are ready for solids."

seeker · 16/05/2011 15:28

Not as far as I know. Still 6 months.

TheVisitor · 16/05/2011 15:30

Your baby. Not every baby is going to be the same. Sounds like your little one is ready to go for it.

nickelbabe · 16/05/2011 15:54

oh.

there was quite a lot of discussion about it the other month - I thought it had been made official guidelines.
Obviously I missed the conclusion (i think it was a new study?)

Ignore me.

nickelbabe · 16/05/2011 15:55

(disclaimer: i would do 6 months myself)

RitaMorgan · 16/05/2011 16:26

I think it was just some sensationalised reporting of a research review, not a new study.

seeker · 16/05/2011 17:03

"Your baby. Not every baby is going to be the same. Sounds like your little one is ready to go for it."

Just so long as you can tell from the outside that the baby's gut is read for solid food that's fine.

Liliesandveuve · 16/05/2011 17:05

do what feels right

TheVisitor · 16/05/2011 17:05

Don't be so bloody precious. Of course every baby isn't the same! The goalposts change all the time. These rules and guidelines are just that - guidelines and these guidelines equate to opinions. I have weaned 4 children successfully with no problems, so please don't bother to try and patronise me.

seeker · 16/05/2011 17:11

Sigh.

Of course every baby is not the same. But you can't tell from the outside whether your baby is one of the vast majority who will be absolutely fine with early weaning, or one of the tiny minority that won't be. And as there is absolutely no advantage to weaning before 6 months, why take the risk?

And the guidelines do not change all the time - they have consistently said 6 months for some years now.

DialMforMummy · 16/05/2011 17:13

Well as long as she gets mainly milk and does not seem to have more wind/tummy ache or whatever, I don't see what the problem is.
I don't think you can live all your life following guidelines but you should certainly follow your instinct.

DialMforMummy · 16/05/2011 17:13

what risk are you on about Seeker?

bigkidsmademe · 16/05/2011 17:18

I've just done the same with my 4.5 month old DS. I had every intention of waiting till six months but he is so ravenous! He has just had a full bf followed by an entire banana, and the look of relief on his face made me quite sad.

I'm following what the study said earlier this year, that later is better but any time between four and six months fine for a bf baby.

Original poster

CJMommy · 16/05/2011 17:56

Thank you for your responses.

RitaMorgan it's a baby porridge and gluten free

Seeker sorry but sarcasm doesn't really help in getting your point across, it only serves to upset people and make them defensive!

DialM yes, she is demand ebf

More later, DD calling....

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fifi25 · 16/05/2011 18:04

My 3 daughters were all weaned at 4months. They are 9, 7 and 2 and have suffered no ill affects, They are good eaters and love fruit and all veg (even sprouts) Mine loved mashed fruit, sweet potatoes, cheesy potatoes and weetabix. An older HV said at one time she seen kids weaned at 8 weeks which was quite normal at the time

RitaMorgan · 16/05/2011 18:10

Yeah, plenty of people will argue that they weaned their babies at 8 weeks with rusks in the bottle and they're fine, doesn't mean it's a good idea!

I weaned ds early (22 weeks) but on the basis that he could sit up, handle food, bite and swallow himself etc. I think if they are ready on the outside they are ready on the inside.

Not sure I'd have been comfortable spoon feeding early though because it's less clear whether they are really ready or not.

All the evidence points to around 6 months being the safest option - and it's been 6 months for about 10 years now. I'm not going to get het up about people weaning after 17 weeks though because it's not that big a deal.

I save my vitriol for the idiots who wean tiny babies who can barely hold their own heads up to make them sleep, or so they can feel smug about how "hungry" their baby is

fifi25 · 16/05/2011 18:22

I am not saying anyone should wean at 8 weeks i am pointing out that the guidelines change. I dont think anyone in this day and age would wean at 8 weeks but at one time it was the norm.

I was actually advised to wean one of my daughters early as she had gastric reflux and bronciitis she found it difficult to feed.

Original poster

CJMommy · 16/05/2011 18:40

RitaMorgan That's one of my rationale for starting as she picked up some broccoli last night and started to chew on it.

She's been 'interested' in food for weeks but I know that is not a reason to start on it's own. She sits well in her chair, can pick food up and coordinate it to her mouth (sometimes!) - i've frequently read that this is 'the' sign that they are ready so if she can do that, does it matter that some stuff is coming off a spoon?

Of course I wanted to wait until 26 weeks but I feel that she is telling me differently. I waxed lyrical about BLW with my DS and the importance of waiting but DD is a completely different child.

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