Reasons to wean before six months and reasons to wean after six months?

[RedRobyn24]

My baby is almost 5 months now, she’s my second and with my first it was Covid times and I waited until 6 months just because that’s what I’d been told to do.

I will probably wait until 6 months this time also, but I’ve noticed lots of other mums in various groups seem to wean early

One mum told she brought her baby into hospital (on an unrelated issue to weaning) and saw a paediatrician, whilst there he said she should start weaning, her baby was 5 months old. She was told he was “more than ready” how do they decide that?

Just interested to know really if there’s something I don’t know about and if I should relax a bit

I think there's is new(ish) evidence that introducing common allergens early reduces the likelihood of allergies later on. Things like nuts, wheat and dairy.

I gave my baby little tastes of peanut butter from around 5 months.

6 months is a general target not an absolute one. Some babies will be ready for solids before and others won't. With your second you should have more of what your own kids are like in terms of milestones etc.

With DS1 we were unbelievably precious and gave him tiny spoons of special porridge made with breast milk after 6 months. Ds2 actually grabbed hold of a tuna and sweetcorn sandwich at five months and bit into it.

Needless to say they are both fine now.

I agree that I think there's some evidence that introducing major allergens a bit earlier can help.

It is also a bit individual – the main signs of readiness are sitting steadily with support, able to grasp an object and bring it to their mouth, and having lost the tongue thrust reflex that automatically pushes food back out of their mouth. That happens 'around six months' – some a bit earlier, some a bit later.

DD2 had bad reflux, which weaning sometimes helps. We were advised against very early (4 month) weaning in her case (they didn't think it would help her, and based on later experience, they were correct), but we were advised to give it a try shortly after 5 months when she met the signs of readiness.

That’s very funny 🤣 I’d love it if my daughter did that

Yeah I’ve been trying to follow what I’ve done with my first baby, she’s did end up having an allergy to milk and eggs though so I’m hoping that DD2 doesn’t suffer with the same, it made food a lot more awkward especially when we were out and about