Weaning at 21 weeks

[Rhubarb78]

ds is 21 weeks and has reflux meaning he cant take more than 7oz or he is too sick. Hv thinks he needs more than this so gp advised to start weaning, I have given him baby rice for 2 days and then sweet potato mixed with quite a bit of formula for 2 days. He absolutely loves it and takes it no problem but I feel like I should stop after a couple of spoonfuls as he is just starting out. Also, I feel really guilty weaning him and constantly worry if i am doing the right thing as he was ok on his bottles only the hv thinks he needs more because he drains them. I have considered stopping and trying again in a couple of weeks but that also makes me feel guilty because he loves it so much.
In short, do you stop after a few spoons at first even if they want more? And has anyone else started early, then stopped and if so, did the little one take to it easily again? Anyone think I should stop or am I worrying over nothing?

When you say that he is having 7oz, how often is that and how much does he have over 24 hours? What is his height and weight like?

He has 7oz every 3 hoursish and 5 feeds a day. He is on the 9th centile but always has been

stop worrying. if he is keeping down the 'solids' that's fine. 21 weeks isn't really early at all...the '26 weeks' is a guideline, not something to beat yourself over the head with, and if you look at the underlying studies (for this country) - you will see weaning from 17 weeks does not cause harm. the average being lower than that though! .

adding rice to milk will up the calorie value though, no question.

Personally, i start small and build up, even if it is going really well. you can stop if you think it is upsetting him. ( i have had reverse weaning though at 7 months, because the baby gets sick and then just wants milk for comfort reasons)

I started at 19 weeks to help reflux (and at 5 months had paed telling me to get him onto 3 meals ASAP :-/).

He always wanted more than a couple of spoons and by about 22 weeks would cry if food was taken away!

Thanks everyone, have gone back to baby rice and he is taking it fine, think he is a bit miffed though! Ha ha. I just felt it was moving a bit too fast but dont think he agrees with me. Think I will re introduce veg next week as today he had a full bottle, baby rice and was still wanting more

That sounds fine but don't forget veg has a lower calorie density than milk or carbs such as rice.

Yeah, wasn't going to cut his milk or anything and was going to add the veg on top of the rice, say for lunch or something