What age did everyone start weaning?

[Cjo99]

My DD is 16 weeks old & from she was 14 weeks I have been giving her a few little spoonfuls of puréed pouches of fruit etc (picture included) 2 friends of mines have said they started weaning around the same time as me but others have said I'll upset her tummy. She seems fine & enjoys it. Just looking some stories from other people? (by a 'few spoonfuls' I literally mean 5 or 6 very small spoonfuls)

*BLW = Baby led weaning, I never spoon fed my child.

If you wait a bit until she's older it won't need to be completely smooth. It's better to get them used to lumps fairly early on anyway as a lot of babies struggle with them.

We used to boil/steam/stew fruit and veg until it was soft then push through a sieve.

@Cjo99 as a pp said lumps are actually good for them, but she’ll be able to handle it a bit better when she’s older (in a few weeks).

You can mix it with milk/water and blend in a blender or mash with a fork. Push through a sieve if you want it really smooth. Btw I’m not totally against those pouches - I used to stir the prune one into my son’s porridge when he was constipated! Or if you’re travelling they can be handy, but they’re just so expensive for what they are and you can give your baby so much more variety (and get them used to different textures) by making things yourself.

The guidelines are actually 17 weeks to 6 months and there is no evidence of harm from 12 weeks. The EAT study actually started introducing solids from 12 weeks which would not have been ethical if they was evidence it would be dangerous

EAT study

[[http://www.espghan.org/fileadmin/user_upload/guidelines_pdf/con_28.pd On the basis of available data, the Committee considers that exclusive or full breast-feeding for around
6 months is a desirable goal (ESPGHAN Committee on
Nutrition, in preparation). In all infants, in consideration
of their nutritional needs, developmental abilities, and
reported associations between the timing of introduction
of complementary feeding and later health, which are
discussed later, the introduction of complementary foods
should not be before 17 weeks but should not be delayed
beyond 26 weeks.]]

DD1 6 months as per guidelines, we did BLW. DD2 5 months on advice of dietitian and paediatric consultant due to her health issues. Now BLW as she is over 6 months. Guidelines are there for a reason IMO.

Id stop for a while, wait another 6-8 weeks+ and enjoy the easy part where she just wants milk a little longer. No foodis more nutritious for her than breast/formula milk

@HarrietM87 Thanks! I think in a couple of weeks I'll try thatI didn't know that about the lumps. Thanks everyone

You introduced solids at 3 and a half months???

Madness.

Should just give extra milk.

@SpacePug oh I know, she is still taking the same amount of milk as she did before, just having little tastes

And most babies will happily eat anything you spoon-feed them. Even at 8 weeks... But it doesn't mean you should...

@00100001 Yes? As many people do.

Why are you bothering then, if it's just 'little tastes'?

It's not advised for good reason.

16weeks on dieticians advice for DS1 and 18 weeks for DS2, again on dieticians advice.

...err no. Lots of people wait until around 6 months and when the baby is showing signs of being ready, like being able to sit up unsupported, grabbing at food on parents plates etc.

3 and a half months is way too early.

6 months but we have always used Ellas kitchen.

I cannot believe that people are feeding solids to 14 week babies. I wouldn’t know where to begin with why this is not the right thing to do or how this is not a matter of mum-knows-best-do-as-you-please-hunny.

It’s not like someone coming and saying their baby is 5 months/21 ish weeks and they are wondering. This quite literally is a 14 weeks baby being given solids.

I can guarantee that the response to this will be along the lines of “wow judgmental much I know my baby best just jog on why bother commenting lolz”

My son is 5.5 months and we have been giving baby rice for a week. However, we aren't sure he is ready as has no interest and won't open his mouth. Causing me stress, already!

6 months, he was content on milk and I didn't see the rush to be honest. There's loads of studies and recommendations and I read through and decided what I was happy with.

3 or 4 months, whatever the guidance was 20 years ago. It didn't affect his metabolism or anything else, but appreciate guidance has changed due to new research - the chances are it's fine to wean early, but I think if I had another baby (never going to happen!!) I would follow the advice of the time it was born.

Why would anyone give a 3 month old baby food?? Why not wait when it’s actually right for your baby, instead of doing what suits you? How do you even feed a 3 month old? Lying down in a bouncy chair?

If a baby is hungry, feed more milk.

Dd was 2 weeks before 6 months, but she could sit up, hold her head up, had lost her tongue thrust reflex and swiped a sandwich off my plate and shoved it in her mouth.

@Someone1987 ... Then he clearly isn't ready for solids ... Just very again in a few weeks when he's showing signs of being ready.

Eg trying to take food from your plate

Try again*

@Someone1987 Try something other than baby rice! It’s got about as much nutritional benefit as sawdust.

Why on earth would you start giving solids at 14 weeks?! The guidelines are around 6 months not 3.5 months. You are rediculous, your poor baby. Hopefully you won't be causing any long term health problems by weaning that early. I don't know why you have even asked about this on here.

26 weeks for both DC.

DD1 loved food and was happy with BLW.

DD2 didn't really engage with food until 8 months. Too busy gabbling...still the same at 5 years!

I waited because I know the damage early weaning can do. My mum fed me rusks from 8 weeks. I have IBS, allergies, hay fever and asthma. I didn't take the risk with my DC.