BLW at 4mo

[daisiesdahlias]

My little girl is 4mo and seems desperate to eat food. I was planning on starting BLW at 6mo. She was 15 days late and has hit milestones earlier than expected so far.

She has been able to hold up her head for extended periods for weeks, we've put her in a highchair many times so she can join us at the table and she has no issues. She puts EVERYTHING in her mouth. All toys, blankets, her clothes, fingers of anyone who goes near her! Loves watching me eat.

I currently EBF and I know that nutritionally there's no reason to introduce solids but she just seems like she'd love it. So I'm thinking of giving her something soft like avocado/sweet potato occasionally as like a play session. Have any of you introduced food this early?

For BLW she absolutely MUST be able to sit up confidently. I did it at 6 months and with hindsight she wasn't strong enough at sitting. She choked and then developed a feeding aversion, and would cry every time I offered her food (she put non food items in her mouth quite happily). Even now at 17 months she hardly eats, it has been an awful journey i think I fucked it up at the start by going too early.

I don't agree with starting at 4 months but if you do it would have to be purées.

Some reading for you:
www.bmj.com/content/bmj/342/7790/Analysis.full.pdf

HVs are dead against it, I’m not that clear about the reasons why but I believe it can cause some short and long term digestive issues.

I remember speaking to a couple of mums who did start weaning at four months on the advice of their own parents. This didn’t seem like a good reason to me given a lot of advice on child rearing (safe sleeping being a prime example) had changed dramatically since their parents had kids.

Obviously it’s up to you how you parent your dd but I don’t think the fact that you are tempted to do it is reason enough. As you say she doesn’t just need to wean yet.

Wait until 6mth

It’s very important that they are six months. Seriously, please don’t risk this.

Putting things into her mouth doesn’t mean she wants to (or is ready to) eat - it’s just a developmental stage.

Frequently asked questions about weaning here

www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/2019-03/Weaning_made_easy_nov%202018_0.pdf

My second was like this. I was absolutely convinced she'd love food- everything went in her mouth, she'd cry when we all sat to eat, watch us like a hawk etc. Finally gave in and tried her with blw finger food at 5 months. She bloody hated it and didn't really start eating until around 9 months. Personally I'd wait. There's nothing to gain by rushing to wean and I'd be worried about gag reflex development etc at 4 months.

Hands/everything going in the mouth is a development leap and not necessarily a sign of food readiness.

I'd wait, with my daughter we tried her at 5.5 months and it took her ages to get into the swing of it. With my boy we waited until he was about 6:5/7 months and he's taken to it so well. He's exclusively breastfed and has several allergies so I was nervous to try. But he's so much better at picking up food and giving it a go. He's way more confident with it too and he's actually eating more than what my daughter did probably at 8 months xx

Weaning at 4 months is absolutely safe unless you live in a third world country with unclean water - 6 months is advised purely to promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life minimum as this is absolutely optimal for baby - but there is no danger in weaning from 4 month but absolutely not before 17 weeks.

even the NHS advise is ‘around’ 6 months, not ‘from’. People get too caught up in the myths and legends of IBS and ‘virgin gut’ or whatever they call it (which scientifically is a thing but the gut is closed in the first 2 weeks of babies born life..) and will only link to biased information online.

HOWEVER, baby-led weaning must wait until baby can sit confidently unaided, this is again.. ‘around’ 6 months, however most babies cannot sit confidently aided for extended periods until 6 months, so 4 months is pretty unlikely.

Baby over 4 months old and want to wean? Go ahead, puree only.

Baby close to 6 months and able to sit unaided for a few minutes at a time? Go ahead with BLW.

Definitely wait till 6 months/26 weeks. Interest in food alone is not a sign of readiness. Signs of readiness are below - you should have them all to start weaning especially if BLW.
• Sit up with little or no support.
• Hold his head steady.
• Reach out and grab things effectively.
• Take objects to their mouth quickly and accurately.
• Make gnawing and chewing movements.
Also, think about your baby's digestive system. It's too immature at 4 months to BLW (definitely) wean in general (personal opinion).

I've got a 10 month old and trust me enjoy the freedom of bf! Remembering water cups, bibs, snacks and picking meals out that I know she can eat (low /no salt and sugar, not too spicy) and share is beyond tedious. As is timing all of this around naps and social activities. I miss the days of just boobing her 🤣🤣

Just to add, if you do decide to wean at 4 months, please give very wet purées or wet baby rice, not a chunk of sweet potato. It’s very stodgy and gaggy.

Good grief no!!! As others have said especially not BLW at that age! Babies do not need anything but milk before 6 months. Not good for their digestive systems.