dd is 4 months and a bit and need to start weaning! help

[milsna]

I was thinking about baby rice at first but I breast feed and really don't fancy expressing milk, could I use formula milk in the mixture. would it bother her or put her off it?

also what other things should I try straight away?

You could, or you could use water. To be honest it's horrible whatever you use.

Why the hurry, if you don't mind me asking?

Why not wait til she's 6 months? Tah't the recommendation now.

You could use formula. I did when I weaned ds at 4 months, and couldn't express more than half an ounce at a time.

With dd I waited until 6 months and it was loads easier. Honest. No rice or purees.

You may get lots of people saying wait. I'm sort of doing that myself aren't I? Brace yourself.

WHy do you need to start weaning? If we understand why, we might be able to help a bit more

I was told by hv to do it mid jan

to be honest she isn't that big an eater and is quite a little baby! so I just don't know what to do!

my ds baby years were ruined by the hv as she was so nasty to me telling me I was doing everything wrong etc

milsna - the HV doesn't know your baby. do YOU think she's ready?
baby rice won't make her a better eater or make her put on weight.

well ..when she is feeding, she feeds for a bit then kicks about like she isn't get anything! then I put her on the other breast and she is fine for a bit!

How can I tell?! I am not a complete dumbass but rather just get advice!

my ds eyed up all the food we at from about 13 weeks, added an extra feed onto daytime feed and nightime feed (making total of 9 in 24hrs)and drank so much he kept vomiting it back.

also waking up earlier for feeds and more often.

Milsna, you say "when she is feeding, she feeds for a bit then kicks about like she isn't get anything! then I put her on the other breast and she is fine for a bit!"

This is what babies do! She sounds as if she is great at letting you know when she wants the other side.

To be honest, I would be concerned about an HV who recommended baby rice at 4 mths just because of the date on the calendar, and because the baby was on the small side. This is crazy advice - giving baby rice will reduce your baby's net calorie quantity by reducing the amount of breastmilk she has, and thereby reducing the quality of her diet.

It's fine to wait until about 6 mths or so, when your baby will show you if she would like something else

Thank you tiktok - its silly really but little things like what you say makes me feel more confident and aware of what she is saying! I feel stupid not understanding completely!!

even more so as this is my 3rd child! my first I bottle fed and had lots of my mum help! 2nd breast fed but he was just find! now my last is daunting! feel like a new mum all over again!!

I think the hv and mw are so important when you first have a baby! I was just left in the deep end every time! the hv in my gp surgery is now really lovely and the horrible one has gone! too late for me now though!