Daft question and early weaning question?

[licoriceGreen]

when they say that you should start weaning at 6 months do they mean 24 weeks? Or 6 calendar months?

Also I'm looking to go back to work just after 6 months and so was wondering if people recommend early weaning so that she's used to it before nursery? dd is 13 weeks, ebf and above the 91st percentile if that makes a difference.

They generally mean 26 weeks as 6 months.

There's no need to wean especially early to 'get her used to it' -if she's developmentally ready to eat then she will eat at home and at nursery.

Certainly don't start anything yet - she's far too young and her weight makes no difference.

I think you should be weaning when your DD is ready for it, not according to your work schedule!!

Around 6 months is how to think of it. Some babies are ready at 24 weeks, done at 26, some at 28. Be guided by your DD, not work or nursery. You don't need to 'get her used to it' before nursery - if she's ready before then, great, if not then wait

Food is for fun until they're one, so don't worry too much about it even when you do start.

Look for the signs of readiness - which aren't weight or interest. When she can sit up, can put things in her mouth, tries to grab what you're having (I can't feed my 3yo when my 6mo is on my lap as she pulls my hand) and doesn't push everything out of her mouth with her tongue.

You don't have to get them used to it per se. If shes ready for it, she will already be able to swallow when you wean. Because she will be keen, you can also move to 3 meals a day immediately. We went from 1-3 within a week, but it's because I need to get organised. DD will eat anything I put in front of her.

If you start too early, all you get is frustration trying to trick a baby to open her mouth. And then she will push everything out back down the chin.

Thanks everyone I've so much to learn! I think being a mum comes with a lot of guilt, I have to go back to work and want to make sure that causes her the least stress possible so it's good to know that when she's ready she will wean wherever.

she's already putting anything she grabs in her mouth and swallowed medicine happily (I was shocked) the other day, but cant sit on her own and is thriving on breast milk so I've no plans to do anything yet I was just getting ready.

:)