Three signs of readiness?

[Thistledew]

My DD is 4 ½ months old (21 weeks) and seems to be showing the signs of readiness for weaning: she can sit unaided for several minutes, she can pick up objects the size of her hand and bring them to her mouth and has virtually lost the tongue thrust reflex.

I know it is early for weaning and I'm definitely not intending to start anything before she is 5 months, but would it be absurd to start her with a few things to taste once she gets to that age?

I'm planning on doing BLW, so was just thinking of putting a few bits of soft fruit and veg in front of her and letting her explore them.

Or should I wait until 6 months? She is really interested in food and at meal times will yell until I sit her on my lap and then will try to snatch food from my plate or hand.

I would wait until she can sit up constantly by herself, it’s really important for swallowing. Also, 6 months is recommended because their gut is more able to cope with digesting solids and they will be able to move food round their mouths better. Obviously the age thing is a recommendation but there’s no harm in holding off for a few more weeks until you are 100% sure she’s physically ready.

Thanks for replying. She is really good with her sitting. She might topple over or fold forwards in half if she is reaching for a toy that is slightly out of range, but otherwise she can sit entirely without support for 5 mins or so.

I started DS on solids when he was 5 ½ months as he also showed all the signs of readiness by then and was also falling down the centiles with his weight despite breastfeeding every two hours around the clock. DD isn't quite as active as he was so is following her curve weight wise, but she is so much more interested in food.

It seems that DD is taking matters into her own hands with regards to weaning- quite literally.

At lunchtime today she swiped a handful of her brother's sandwich when he left it within her reach. I don't think a lot went in but she gave it a good gumming. Likewise at dinner time today she managed to get a green bean off my plate and about ¼ of it disappeared through concerted sucking and chomping.

I'm not planning on feeding her, but am thinking I will start to put a few chunks of appropriate food in front of her to let her explore. If she manages to actually eat them then surely she must be ready to do so?