Can someone please explain????

[MadCrafter]

No laughing now ladies - can someone please explain to me in proper grown up terms - why weaning should be left till 6 months.

I'm looking for facts because me HV is useless.

Something to do with kidneys not being developed enough to cope.

Aitch might know...

Starting before 6m may cause damage to the gut / kidneys / predispose to all sorts of risks. Not all babies are developed enough to cope with non-milk food before 6m.

Waiting till after 6m is not harmful in any way, even if your baby is developmentally ready earlier, and avoids the risks above.

up to 4 months, it's the kidneys, after 4 it's a bit more moot.
between 4 and 6 there are potential hazards (welliemum has the research, i can't remember it, i think more sickness diaorrhea but don't quote me) and the jury is still out on allergies and the open gut thing.
by 6 months pretty much every baby is good to go, their virgin gut is sealed (babies' guts are open to let in everything bm has to offer) so it's principally as mrs b says, that there is no harm being caused by waiting, but there may be by starting.
plus, if you wait you skip all the silly-arse baby rice, puree and food avoiding bit and just offer them food. and it's fun, weaning, but jeez, it's a pain in the arse compared to easy, clean milk.