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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 at 14 weeks?

70 replies

loopielou · 13/05/2008 21:40

Hi, does anyone have any advice on weaning my son who is showing great interest and has done for a month or so now to what we eat? I have read all the stuff about being 'advised' not to do it before 4 months but I just wanted to hear from other people on what their experience of weaning at this age was like? Other mums including mine have told me to put rusks in his milk. His weight gain is fine, its just he is so interested in watching us eat and at times not always is not interested in his bottle.

OP posts:
controlfreakyagain · 13/05/2008 21:41

really

TheProvincialLady · 13/05/2008 21:43

He is meant to be showing interest in what you eat at this age - and interest in lots of other things you are doing too. He doesn't need food, his weight gain is fine. Why would you put his health at risk by doing it 3 weeks before the absolute not even recommended minimum? Is it because you are bored and ready for him to move on to the next stage (not being horrible but I know it can be wearisome when babies don't do anything exciting for a while)?

moondog · 13/05/2008 21:44

Loopie, babies are interested in everything adults do (trust me,I am a speech and langauge therapist) but it doesn't mean they need food.

There are more calories in milk than the food they could take at this age which just sits like glue in the stomach. Also lots of evidence ot suggest that weaning babies onto food to early damages their digestive tract and may contribute to allergies.

There is a danger of choking with rusks in bottles. Dangerous practice.

It's also damned messy. Enjoy thr peace and leave it until 6 months.

NotABanana · 13/05/2008 21:44

Risks in milk is a badf idea imo.

Weaning at 14 weeks is a dangerous idea if your child then develops food allergies.

Too soon.

TheProvincialLady · 13/05/2008 21:44

BTW rusk in his milk - in his bottle - is a choking risk. Not to mention a damage to his kidneys risk. I just can't see why you would want to do this.

VacantlyPretty · 13/05/2008 21:45

Message withdrawn

NotABanana · 13/05/2008 21:46

Rusks in milk is a bad idea

When babies start in baby rice it is all about getting them used to a differetn texture and spoon. It isn't about calories - their milk intake should stay the same.

Hulababy · 13/05/2008 21:47

The advice is now to wait until 6 months, not 4 months. This is when many babies are more able to sit up and is supposed to help avoid problems with the gut, etc. I believe.

I would recommend leaving it as late as possible. The signs your baby is currently showing are just natural phases in his development, rather than specific signs to say that he is ready for solid food.

If you do go ahead with eary weaning it is important to make sure you go very slowly and be careful as to which foods you give, especially until 6 months.

The Governent websites has a section on weaning with more information about what food to offer and when, etc.

beansprout · 13/05/2008 21:47

Noooo!! Way too early.

Original poster
loopielou · 13/05/2008 21:47

Not bored at all loving being a mum just wanted to know when other mums started to wean their babies.

It used to be advised that babies could be weaned at 12 weeks but this has changed with every medical person in fear of getting sued they are not giving me a straight answer of getting weaned.

Bit harsh theproviniciallady....

OP posts:
NotABanana · 13/05/2008 21:49

What?

Hulababy · 13/05/2008 21:49

Definitely no to adding rusks to a bottle. Dangerous idea due to chocking hazards.

VacantlyPretty · 13/05/2008 21:49

Message withdrawn

VacantlyPretty · 13/05/2008 21:49

Message withdrawn

moondog · 13/05/2008 21:50

Loopie, what do you mean by wantingf a 'straight answer'?
Research has shown that it can actually be damaging to a baby's health to wean early.

moondog · 13/05/2008 21:50

Loopie, what do you mean by wantingf a 'straight answer'?
Research has shown that it can actually be damaging to a baby's health to wean early.

VacantlyPretty · 13/05/2008 21:51

Message withdrawn

NoBiggy · 13/05/2008 21:51

When did I wean my babies?

At 23 weeks and 26 weeks. And I wish I'd resisted the pressure to wean DD1 at 23 weeks (which was waaay after her peers, yes, pressure from their mums).

DD2, I think, was about right for her.

constancereader · 13/05/2008 21:51

The advice has changed with a better understanding of the development of the digestive system, not a fear of getting sued!

Divastrop · 13/05/2008 21:51

well,as you asked,my experience of weaning a baby this age(my ds1 is 10.6 and we were advised to wean at 3 months back then)was constipation and colic.

Original poster
loopielou · 13/05/2008 21:51

ok thanks for all the advice!

OP posts:
VacantlyPretty · 13/05/2008 21:52

Message withdrawn

AitchTwoCiao · 13/05/2008 21:54

there really is no rush at all, loopie. best thing to do is wait until they reach over and steal food off your plate, which will be about 6 mos or so. but no weaning whatsoever until after 17 weeks, you risk damaging your child's kidneys.

lackaDAISYcal · 13/05/2008 21:59

aside from the choking risk of rusk in a bottle, they contain gluten which is a no-no before six months due to the risk of wheat/gluten allergies.

says the 39 year old coeliac who was weaned onto rusks at 12 weeks

I don't think HCPs are saying this for fear of being sued; research has shown that leaving it till six months avoids any potential future health problems.

saying that, I did wean DS at 15 weeks, but guidelines then were 16 weeks and I was advised to by my HV because he was a big baby. If I knew then what I do now, I would've waited.

helenelisabeth · 13/05/2008 22:00

Well my DD was weaned at 13 weeks - the guidelines then were 16 - she was ready, HV also thought she was ready and she loved her food - was BF until she was 9 months and is now a robust active nearly 6 year old.

If Government guidelines had remained the same, everyone would be replying "oh yes, its fine, just give her a spoonful of baby rice". Sometimes MOTHERS do know best. All children are different. You do what you feel is right for you and your LO. Just DON"T put rusk in a bottle!