12 weeks and starting baby rice :-s

[CharlieMumma]

Just wondering of any one has ever been told this by a health professional. My mil has said that dn is starting solids tomo as milk is not enough. Dn has 4/6 oz of regular formula through the day and a few night feeds. They haven't tried hungry baby milk as apparently hats makes baby's fat!! I tried to say that solids before 17 weeks aren't really safe but mil told me that sil is doing things by the book and waitin until tomorrow to start baby rice? Not my place to say anything else was just a bit shocked as my ds was no where near sturdy enough to sit and eat at that age!

Just ranting really!!

No, 12 weeks is way too young. Hungry baby milk is no higher in calories than normal formula, it's just harder to digest.

You are right to be ranting about it but it sounds like they're pretty set on the idea.

Babies should be able to sit unaided and put food in to their own mouths before weaning ideally.

My 2 were weaned with baby rice at about 14 weeks -this was in line with the advice given by the HV 10 and 15 years ago and (to use a well used line) they're both fit and healthy.
I breast fed them both till they were about a year -maybe this cancelled the baby rice

Yup I tried to say about waiting a while but mil is very hard to tell anything so I don't get too involved really. Just think its very silly and could cause unnecessary problems!

Sounds like they just need to up the milk feeds? What's their motivation? It won't make lo sleep any better IME

Yes I was weaned early too and have no health concerns or allergies but with all the modern research it seems strange to say they are going by the book with it! Maybe they have a very old book!

No idea of motivation just 'following the book' I said up milk feeds or try get her to finish the 6oz rather than doze of after 4 then wake an hour later for a top up but it fell on deaf ears so just left it.

Please tell me that's 4-6oz per feed and not 4-6oz as the total of the day's milk?!

Oh yeah 4-6 at a time!'

Well that's something, I read it as the baby was getting just 4-6oz in the day and then night feeds!

Then what DairyNips said

Thought so glad it's not just me being over protective!

I know of 2 people who weaned younger than that (one was 5 weeks) as they were told to by pediatricians (sp?).

My DD2 is 7MO and is unable to sit unsupported completely, but she has one meal a day and bottles.

2ombie early weaning under the guidance of a paediatrician isn't the same as early weaning using an outdated book and MIL's advice though.

These threads always do my head in. Someone will come along in a second and say 'ooh it never did me any harm' (good for them) and someone else will come and say 'the advice changes all the time, do what you want' which isn't true, it's changed in the last 10-15 years - yes - but that's because of research, not because scientists and health professionals like to piss parents off and think 'we'll mix this up a bit!'

Flisspaps that's exactly my thoughts it's worrying because I don't want them to do it as dn is so young and such a good little
Baby she sleeps well and eats well
And is growing and gaining weight I just have no idea why they are doing it soooo early!

I never understand why so many mums pay any attention whatsoever to weaning advice given by DMs and MILs.

Follow NHS guidelines. Ignore HVs, most of them are women of another generation and indeed another culture to you.

My friend did this on HV advice and now gets criticized every time she goes to weigh in (by same HV) that her baby is gaining too much weight. Many babies don't like the taste of rice unless it is with apple etc so then you are weaning properly not just 'a bit of rice'

flisspaps It isn't the same, but at 5 weeks old?

it's way to early and 4- 6 oz is not a lot, they could increase the bottle to 8 or 9 oz . what makes them feel she is too hungry and milk is not enough?

the NHS and DoH says no solids before 17 weeks, so not sure what book your SIL is following, unless it's 50 years out of date