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Weaning

Find weaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Weaning forum. Use our child development calendar for more information.

Original poster

Weaning 4 month old

109 replies

04hollie · 17/03/2022 20:50

So I've started to wean my 4 month old.
She is a big baby & a hungry baby, currently on 8 ounce!
Sometimes she's cries for more food as this could only be the reason, she is clean, fed & comfortable. She will suck the bottle but spit out the milk hence why I started weaning.

I am a first time mum, I have started to give her porridge with a bit of purée mixed in in the morning & also evening bottle around tea time as this is when she seems most hungry.
So far she seems pretty satisfied and has taken to the purées very well. She doesn't cry for more and is very happy in herself. She is a machine, no spitting out & no upset stomach or green nappies.

Any other mums weaned early & if so how has it affected your child later on down the line ?

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 17/03/2022 20:54

All babies are hungry. It's part of a normal mammalian range of senses, designed to keep them alive. If a baby is sucking a teat but spitting out the milk, the logical conclusion is that they want to suck, not eat.

There are fewer calories in early weaning foods than milk as well. It doesn't sound like your baby is hungry.

What did your HV say when you asked?

alakhx · 17/03/2022 21:07

@04hollie

So I've started to wean my 4 month old. She is a big baby & a hungry baby, currently on 8 ounce! Sometimes she's cries for more food as this could only be the reason, she is clean, fed & comfortable. She will suck the bottle but spit out the milk hence why I started weaning.

I am a first time mum, I have started to give her porridge with a bit of purée mixed in in the morning & also evening bottle around tea time as this is when she seems most hungry.
So far she seems pretty satisfied and has taken to the purées very well. She doesn't cry for more and is very happy in herself. She is a machine, no spitting out & no upset stomach or green nappies.

Any other mums weaned early & if so how has it affected your child later on down the line ?

I think you're not a responsible mum
AnotherNC22 · 17/03/2022 21:09

This is a really good website for advice www.nhs.uk/start4life/weaning/ready-or-not/ As pp has said, weaning isn't advised before 6 months, so its definitely worth having a chat with your HV or GP first. Plus milk has more calories than solids, so if your LO is hungry, they will be more satisfied by increasing their milk feeds, rather than moving onto solids.

This document explains some of the risks with early weaning (before 6 months), such as allergies and asthma: <a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2019-03/Weaning_made_easy_nov%25202018_0.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjMsZ2dhc72AhXYi1wKHYoZDOMQFnoECAUQBg&usg=AOvVaw0k6iSBJfzwGKheIUXkMq2S" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2019-03/Weaning_made_easy_nov%25202018_0.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjMsZ2dhc72AhXYi1wKHYoZDOMQFnoECAUQBg&usg=AOvVaw0k6iSBJfzwGKheIUXkMq2S

eastereggst · 17/03/2022 21:10

@alakhx that's a really horrible thing to say, she just wants advice and you go and say that. OP, I would suggest speaking to your health visitor instead of people on here as you get comments like that one!

Original poster
04hollie · 17/03/2022 21:10

@ShowOfHands

All babies are hungry. It's part of a normal mammalian range of senses, designed to keep them alive. If a baby is sucking a teat but spitting out the milk, the logical conclusion is that they want to suck, not eat.

There are fewer calories in early weaning foods than milk as well. It doesn't sound like your baby is hungry.

What did your HV say when you asked?

She has a dummy and doesn't want it when she's that way out, she will however take the food and stop crying and be happy again
OP posts:
Original poster
04hollie · 17/03/2022 21:11

@alakhx excuse me ?

OP posts:
Duracellbunnywannabe · 17/03/2022 21:11

My MIL weaned DH at 4 months. He now has crohns disease.

Original poster
04hollie · 17/03/2022 21:12

[quote AnotherNC22]This is a really good website for advice www.nhs.uk/start4life/weaning/ready-or-not/ As pp has said, weaning isn't advised before 6 months, so its definitely worth having a chat with your HV or GP first. Plus milk has more calories than solids, so if your LO is hungry, they will be more satisfied by increasing their milk feeds, rather than moving onto solids.

This document explains some of the risks with early weaning (before 6 months), such as allergies and asthma: <a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2019-03/Weaning_made_easy_nov%25202018_0.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjMsZ2dhc72AhXYi1wKHYoZDOMQFnoECAUQBg&usg=AOvVaw0k6iSBJfzwGKheIUXkMq2S" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2019-03/Weaning_made_easy_nov%25202018_0.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjMsZ2dhc72AhXYi1wKHYoZDOMQFnoECAUQBg&usg=AOvVaw0k6iSBJfzwGKheIUXkMq2S[/quote]
She's on 8 ounce every 2 hours I think she gets more than enough milk, GP and health visitor both advised for it aswell saying she has too much milk for her age and maybe solids would her to keep her fuller for longer without her acting hungry even after she's had more than enough for her age range

OP posts:
PinkPlantCase · 17/03/2022 21:12

www.nhs.uk/start4life/weaning/ready-or-not/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwuMuRBhCJARIsAHXdnqNu4rjjPU1wy1OqREmY0UoVkVwOhqZGxroX4X6FxQAg8O2AaL74HyEaArnaEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

The NHS advice is quite clear about when to start weaning, this page tells you signs that baby is ready. Being hungry isn’t one of them.

My baby was huge, 98th percentile, always eating and we still waited until he was about a week off 6 months.

There are more calories and things that baby’s need in milk than in weaning food at this age.

Though people used to wean babies earlier the advice has changed because waiting later is better for babies.

Original poster
04hollie · 17/03/2022 21:13

@Duracellbunnywannabe

My MIL weaned DH at 4 months. He now has crohns disease.
My mum weaned me at 8 weeks and I'm perfectly fine
OP posts:
Bluebellsandbroomsticks · 17/03/2022 21:14

You'll get a lot of hate for this on MN op, but not from me.

I weaned at around 5 months due to reflux, and my health visitor actually gave me a leaflet recommending what to give at 4-6 months and what to give over 6 months. We had no issues at all, DS has no food allergies or sensitivities, and moved from purées to finger foods and mashed lumpy food very easily and quickly.

This is completely anecdotal but he is the healthiest of all the babies in my friendship group around the same age, the rest waited til 6 months and did purely BLW and their babies all developed certain allergies and struggle eating a normal meal, they just pick at food.

Again, this is just my experience, others will disagree and that's fine.

SuperSocks · 17/03/2022 21:15

My sister has digestive issues and she was was weaned early, but then the vast majority of babies were back then! These things come and go as the trends change!

I wonder OP, any chance she's thirsty? I've worked with families whose babies have grown overweight because they weren't making up their formula accurately, baby was crying through thirst and so they made up yet another too-concentrated milk feed! Is it possible your little one is satisfied after a meal because she's getting water to drink alongside of it?

Original poster
04hollie · 17/03/2022 21:17

@Bluebellsandbroomsticks

You'll get a lot of hate for this on MN op, but not from me.

I weaned at around 5 months due to reflux, and my health visitor actually gave me a leaflet recommending what to give at 4-6 months and what to give over 6 months. We had no issues at all, DS has no food allergies or sensitivities, and moved from purées to finger foods and mashed lumpy food very easily and quickly.

This is completely anecdotal but he is the healthiest of all the babies in my friendship group around the same age, the rest waited til 6 months and did purely BLW and their babies all developed certain allergies and struggle eating a normal meal, they just pick at food.

Again, this is just my experience, others will disagree and that's fine.

Aw I'm so glad to hear it worked well for you! I have noticed her likes and dislikes for example bananas & the Ella's kitchen potato's pea and broccoli she loves. My daughter has very good hand and mouth co ordinating a lot better then most children her age. I am hopeful she won't be too picky when it comes to finger food! Well done you and thank you xx
OP posts:
sjxoxo · 17/03/2022 21:18

My MIL (midwife) weaned my DH at 4 months & he is a strapping 2m10, 120kgs professional sportsman.. no allergies no issues. He was taking large bottles and the GP said give solids so she did. Do take medical advice, don’t take advice here as you can see it’s a bit of a (useless) mixed bag!! No need to be unkind @alakhx..

AnotherNC22 · 17/03/2022 21:18

It might have been helpful to include that in your OP, if you were genuinely looking for advice on early weaning. Hmm

Hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Original poster
04hollie · 17/03/2022 21:21

@SuperSocks

My sister has digestive issues and she was was weaned early, but then the vast majority of babies were back then! These things come and go as the trends change!

I wonder OP, any chance she's thirsty? I've worked with families whose babies have grown overweight because they weren't making up their formula accurately, baby was crying through thirst and so they made up yet another too-concentrated milk feed! Is it possible your little one is satisfied after a meal because she's getting water to drink alongside of it?

This could be the case however when she was younger I would give her water inbeteeen feeds (NOT EVERY FEED!!!) as she had really bad wind and found this the only solution to helping her bring it up I tried everything!!!

I wish this was the case but I don't always give her water alongside a purée not sure if I should but sometimes I do depending on what it is I'm giving her

OP posts:
MartinMartinMarti · 17/03/2022 21:22

I don’t believe you’ve been advised to do this.

The guidance is six months for good reason. Yes, some people ignore it. But that doesn’t make them right.

Original poster
04hollie · 17/03/2022 21:22

@AnotherNC22

It might have been helpful to include that in your OP, if you were genuinely looking for advice on early weaning. Hmm

Hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Regardless if I spoke to a GP they aren't always right and I would love to hear from mums who have similar experiences. GPS and HV don't get everything right Snd having confirmation from other mums who have been through the same thing is a bonus to me As I feel reassured
OP posts:
Original poster
04hollie · 17/03/2022 21:23

@MartinMartinMarti

I don’t believe you’ve been advised to do this.

The guidance is six months for good reason. Yes, some people ignore it. But that doesn’t make them right.

And what makes you think you're right exactly?

My child is 4 months, she is on 8 ounce every 2 hours sometimes 3 if I can push it.
Who do you think you are to tell me I have not been advised this?

OP posts:
Bluebellsandbroomsticks · 17/03/2022 21:24

@04hollie

Make sure you look up the difference between gagging and choking when you start giving finger foods. Gagging is normal and it's due to them learning to move food around their mouth, don't panic when it happens, my son did it a lot when we moved to finger foods! Choking is silent.

We didn't use many pouches, I mainly mashed and puréed things like sweet potato, carrots and parsnips, peas, stewed pears, mixed mashed banana in with normal porridge. Baby rice etc isn't the best to feed them as it has no nutritional value.

Beachsidesunset · 17/03/2022 21:28

'Regardless if I spoke to a GP' makes it sound like you haven't actually sought medical advice.

Pyri · 17/03/2022 21:29

MN is a very weird, judgemental place where you’ll get told off like a child for having an opinion on absolutely anything. Some very harsh comments on here.

That said OP, to answer your question, we weaned DD at 6 months as that is the general guidance and she’s been fine. In our parents generation, they were all advised to wean at 4 months but that revealed some issues so that’s why the guidance is 6. If your GP has advised it’s ok then go for it, but there doesn’t tend to be any real need unless for a good medical reason.

As a general point, I find people ar keen to advance their children quickly and not for any benefit always

YoBeaches · 17/03/2022 21:32

Some parents are advised to wean early, but it is important to have that conversation so anything else cold be ruled out like thyroid issues etc.

What sort of weight is she Op? Where is she on the growth chart?

Otherwise it sounds like you're both doing well.

Junobug · 17/03/2022 21:33

Babies hit a massive developmental milestone at 4 months that is commonly mistaken for being hungry and needing solids. They don't and it's really counter intuative as what they really need is more of the goodness from the milk they require for brain development. A bit of porridge and puree just doesn't have the calories they need at 4 months old and their digestive system isn't ready for it.
You have obviously decided that you are right and you are going to carry on so asking on here is a little pointless.

tashx · 18/03/2022 10:27

Oh well
The haters are gonna love me
My baby is 12 weeks and just started solids
My fifth baby so I know what I'm doing
@04hollie
Your baby your decision
Take no notice of negative people