Weaning before 6 months

[Loz2394]

Hi All,

looking for some advice, we started weaning my little girl around 4 1/2 / 5 months not massively just the odd puréed fruit here and there for her.
Ive been hugely judged at a mums group local to me for this. I know that it is NHS recommended not to do before 6 months- but my daughter is 6 months next week, can sit, tried to take the spoon off me now and puts in her mouth and is swallowing the food. Has anyone else weaned before 6 months? Got huge mum guilt and feeling rubbish.

I would assume if you weaned early, given the research & evidence of the potential harm to gut health down the line, then you did so based on GP/health visitor advice because it was the better option than not? If so, no guilt required- you followed their guidance.

I mean 30 odd years people weaned from 4 months so it's probably not the end of the world

I’ve never really understood this argument to be honest. 30 years ago people also continued to smoke and drink alcohol through pregnancy, and put their newborns to sleep in cribs with fluffy blankets and teddy’s. As time goes on and research is done we find out more and more about what is safe, it’s bizarre to say just because we didn’t know better 30 years ago means something is fine now.

“But my daughter is 6 months next week”

Thats not really relevant - you didn’t just start weaning today. You started over a month ago, that’s the relevant age.

I would assume anyone weaning that early was doing so on medical advice, which I wouldn’t be nosy enough to ask about.

Well, it’s too late to do anything about it now. The guidance is there for a reason but lots of us would have been weaned before 6 months without causing any harm.

As above, early weaning can cause future gut problems. I weaned both of mine early on strict instructions from GP, HV, Dietician and hospital consultants due to extensive food allergies. I did get warned that it can cause problems in the future but we didnt have a choice (massive drop in centiles and bottle aversion)

Don’t sweat it. Babies were weaned earlier for years. Every baby is different. It’s not like you fed them burgers and chips!

odd puréed fruit here and there for her

If she was trying to take food out of your hand it would be different but you gave her pureed food.

Incidentally my DD was weaned at 5 months but was sucking slices/pieces of fruit and veg.

My dd is nearly 30. I weaned her at 6 months. Many of us did. We also did not smoke while pregnant. Weaning has been at least 4 months, preferably 6 for a very, very long time.

@Loz2394why did you wean early?

Current advice in some countries is to begin weaning at 4 months. Apparently this helps reduce the incidence of food allergies.

It’s definitely not ideal. Why made you do it?

Everyone also says their child is curious, wants food, etc but that is the case for all babies so following medical guidance is essential rather than doing things because it’s seems exciting.

She will probably be fine but best follow guidance from now on around what she can and can’t have.

Can't understand why the rush. Weaning is major pita imo.

You'll get the same response here as you did in the group, probably far worse.

Why did you decide to wean early?

You made your choice a month ago. The information is there for a reason as the evidence shows that 6m is best. You chose to ignore that.

You know when your own child is ready and there's arguments for and against wrt allergies and gastro issues. Both my babies were Ebf and I was really strict on waiting until 6 months with my first, he is alot fussier now. Younger was ready sooner practically grabbing food out my hand.
All their other milestones are a wide range so I dont see why introducing solids has to be 6 months on the dot and not a second before. If they have good sitting up skills and show signs of readiness then as long as u follow safe food guidelines I dont see a problem with a little earlier. With number 3 il certainly be following my gut and babies readiness signs.

I can’t see the problem OP. In my opinion, admittedly based on nothing other than having been a mum, 6 months is very late.

Agreed! We did wean early but it was under medical advice. I genuinely never understood the rush to wean, just milk is so much easier.

Although not sure why you're even posting to be honest as you've already made the decision. You can't go back so maybe going forward try not to be in such a hurry to get the the next stage.

A bit late asking for advice now. Your child is almost 6 months so doesn't really matter now.

Honestly why are people always in a rush to wean I just never get it
I'm sure your daughter will ge fine op but the evidence does say best to wait these days but I'm sure it'll be fine but really babies don't really eat/need food well past 6 months

Not interested in scientific research then? Cool!

Theres scientific research on both sides though and there's many cultures around the world who introduce solids earlier than 6 months and funnily enough they have lower rates of allergies than Western countries where 6 months is the norm. I note in Western countries picky eating is alot more common with toddlers living off milk and virtually little else, whereas in many other countries they have a far more varied palate. Alot of this is linked to our over reliance on UPF baby foods of course.

I went down a massive hours long rabbit hole late one night once reading varied research papers I haven't got the energy to locate and link right now though im afraid.

I never understand the argument that grabbing food from your hand equals ready for weaning. What has being curious got to do with the readiness of the gut? Baffles me every time people say it.

Tho I do get the allergy point. It makes sense to me that there could be a correlation between early exposures to allergens and being less likely to have a reaction.