4 months but ready?

[thatguiltyfeeling]

My baby is showing all of the signs for weaning, she can sit up straight in the high chair, if we put something in front of her she picks it up and puts it in her mouth, and I've given her some yogurt and mashed potato (separately) and she ate it rather than pushing it out of her mouth. But the guidelines are 6 months, so I'm unsure as to if I should make her wait another two months or if i should just give her little bits and pieces here and there?

The WHO adivises 6 months as a world guideline, because it’s hugely beneficial for babies in developing countries (where food prep/water supply/electricity for refrigeration etc may be lacking) to be exclusively breastfed until 6 months. People seem to have become a bit evangelical about the 6 months. The latest research (coming from good quality large studies in European countries) actually shows that far from being harmful, babies weaned earlier (absolutely not before 4 months though) have a lower risk of developing food allergies. I have an allergic dc1and chose to wean dc2 onto a diet high in allergens (dairy/eggs/ peanuts) at 4 months after several doctors and a allergy consultant suggested it. The guideline is ‘around 6 months’ and some other EU countries say from 4. There really isn’t much in it and it does also depend if you think baby is ready, which you do, so go for it.

if we put something in front of her she picks it up and puts it in her mouth,

Mouthing is a normal stage of development. It's how your baby learns. It doesn't mean she is hungry.

Also, you haven't really said anything that would suggest she needs solids.

So long as she is older than 17 weeks you won't do any harm, so it is purely parental preference. Some people are very smug about not "weaning early" (before 6 months) but think nothing of delaying weaning past 6 months despite the risks and it being contrary to guidelines.

There's some evidence that introducing potential allergens between 4 and 6 months reduces the risk of allergies.

Mine were all weaned between 18-23 weeks.

Thank you everyone. Seems pretty conclusive it's okay to start now, possibly even benefiting her to do it.

She doesn't need solids @rainbowconfetti but as she's showing an interest I thought I would find out if there is any reason not to wean before 6 months. Eating before 1ish isn't really a need either as long as they're still having milk. I also know putting things to mouth is a developmental thing but as it's also a sign of being ready to start eating I figured I would mention it to save people asking why I think she's ready.

Eating solids between 6 & 12 months absolutely is a need - milk alone is no longer sufficient at that age.

Eating before 1ish isn't really a need

The NHS suggest bu the time a baby is one they should be eating 3 meals a day

Sorry you need to click the picture to see where it states that

I am weaning my first, he is 9.5 months and so far a good eater.
I know this is subject to change so I am not being smug!

BUT
I think the food for fun line is to placate and reassure the parents whose babies arent interested til month later

I have come to the conclusion that milk is sufficient til 1, but if they eat well natural milk reduction is okay.

Hand to mouth is just an indication they CAN pop food in, not that they WANT to

I dunno. I know a mum whose failure to thrive baby was medically told to offer solids at 4 months but if gaining weight okay til 6 months I wouldnt. And didnt.

6 months is when all babies should have a sufficiently developed gut to deal with solids. There is no way of knowing this by looking at your baby so I would wait for only 8 weeks so reduce the risk of long term health problems as an adult.