Hoped to BLW but told to wean DS at 20wks - is that BLW out the window?

[SpeccieSeccie]

Ds has been a bit out of sorts, had been sleeping through now waking early, chomping on anything he can get in his mouth, giving the impression of having a tummy ache (arching his back) etc. Took him to GP who said no infection, nothing to worry about but had I thought about weaning him? 'Most mothers crack before the 6 months.' I told HV and she also said that it 'might be worth' starting weaning. MIL is convinced ds is ravenous.

DH and I had really been looking forward to doing BLW but as ds only 20wks does this mean we'll have to do purees? Did anyone start BLW earlier than 6 months? Was it a success? Is it dangerous? TIA

The HV hadn't heard of BLW

I agree with everyone else - teeth, more calories in milk, many HVs totally mad etc.

If he's ffed, do you give him water?

Puffy - about MIL. She's great really, I think she's excited about getting to feed him!

I've just discussed this with DH and we're thinking of holding off until after we get back from a weekend away - ds will be 23.5wks. We'll try to stick to the original plan of just putting finger food in front of him while we eat and not getting too fussed about what happens. If he hasn't gone for it by 7 months then I'll get worried but I'll try to 'unclench' in the meantime! Does anyone know of a baby who hasn't gone for BLW?

Oh, meant to say, it does sounds like teeth and he prob wont even eat anything anyway!

Wandering - I tried water last week but he wasn't very keen. HV had said to try to give water from a cup. I wasn't sure if it was the cup or the water he didn't like though.

Hang on, your HV said to try water, and also food? How many calories does she think water has anyway?!
The woman is obviously barking mad!

Keep offering the water - offer it to him once or twice a day. He can have it from a bottle or a cup. Don't force it, just make it available, IYSWIM.

lol chirpy

If he's ffed, he may be thirsty. Bf babies don't need water, but sometimes ff babies do.

If the HV advises putting juice in the water at this stage, take it with a pinch of salt (that's a metaphor, not an instruction!)

Oh dear, mad health visitor! I resolve to make my own way (with all your help, thank you) and I shall persevere with the water.

lol at WT's metaphor!

He may well be thirsty, I just think it sounds like HV was grasping at straws
....er...might be worth trying solids....or water...erm....have you considered valium?!

(sorry, am giddy through lack of sleep today!)

This is all very helpful as my DS who has just turned 5 months is also doing the same thing - sleeping really badly (waking up every 2.5-3 hours when he used to go 10) and being fussy during feeds and generally grumpy and whiney. I posted a thread in bf.

I read the baby whisperer this morning and she reckons it's because he's not on a four hour routine. True or bollocks?

And can anyone give me any light at the end of the tunnel as to when I can expect him to start sleeping a bit better again? This has been going on for nearly 2 weeks and I'm shattered

sazzybee, you n me both ! DS is back to 4 hourly now, this lasted until about a week after his teeth came throuhg - so about 2-3 weeks in all... keep chin up and rest when you can, sleep when he sleeps and get dh to do 11pm feed so you can get an early night if he'll take ebm !

Don't agree with the baby whisperer re 4 hour routine. There will be enough routine later in your baby's life. Let him enjoy sometime with no routine while he can!

I would have said it sounds like teeth, except 2 of mine were like that around 4 - 5 months then didn't actually get a tooth till they were over 8 months!

It's good to know I'm not alone I'll grin and bear it and hope we get back on track soon. Ladymac - you may be right but I'm going back to work in six weeks and I really need to get him into some kind of sorted routine as I think I'll have a breakdown if he's not. Having said that, I don't care if it's 3 or 4 hours or whatever, as long as he sleeps at night.

You're right about getting sleep when I can puffylovett - I've been in denial and going to bed late but I think I'll hit the sack around 9pm tonight.

wouldn't have dreamt of an early night on a saturday a yr ago - now its all i dream of !!!!! hope he settles soon sazzy. and if u get him going through the night, let me know your secret !!!