Can you wean too late?

[suzi2]

Hi, I'm posting this for a friend on another website... but am very interested to hear the responses as I may find myself in a similar situation with my DS.

Anyway, her DS will hit 6 months at just about the time they are emigrating. They will be in a hotel for a few weeks so would really prefer to not start weaning until they're settled in a house. They don't want to start before they move. Will it be too late to start weaning at 7 months? Will baby be missing out on nutrients? Will baby be fussy? Are there any ways that she could introduce solids while in a hotel with minimal fuss & mess? Thanks!

Babies often not weaned until nine months to a year decades ago. Wouldn't bother buggering about with weaning in a hotel.

I think she will have to just see how her baby is and see first of all if baby is showing signs of being ready for weaning at that time? Some little ones are fine to wait longer; others are ready before the elusive 6 months.

Sorry, not very helpful.

they say you shouldn't start before 26 weeks and I think before 9 months is optimal .. don't think this will matter

she could introduce with minimal mess in a hotel .. baby rice and use organic jars and stuff but just as easy to wait

Thanks guys. I have sent her a link with this thread so she may even have her own questions. We're due to move house a week after DS is 6 months so I think we'll try to delay a wee bit too.

My DS started solids one week of his 7th month so no I don't think theres any harm in waiting. There was a myth (unfortunately still perpetuated by some HVs) that there was a 'window' for solids and if you missed it then babies would never eat solid food - total rubbish - how many adults do you know cannot chew food .

If she does find that her LO is desparate to eat while they are in the hotel then it shouldn't be a problem anyway as babies of this age donlt need to have purees - they are able to feed themselves finger food like wedges of fruit (no preparation required - only cutting!) or steamed veg sticks which any hotel would be able to prepare for them (just don't forget to say no salt!) My Ds ate nothing but steamed carrot sticks every supper time for the first week - then he had pear wedges the next week - no hassle at all.

Nah, I waited until I got back from UK holiday when ds was 6.5 months, and then he had loads of allergic reactions so we gave up again until 8 months. It was a year before he was eating what the guidelines say you should be doing at 9 months, but is now nearly 3. Tall, lean and healthy (apart from the allergies).

dd started taking an interest in food at 10 months

great they are waiting