When to wean?

[Yellowdaff25]

Sorry if this is something that has been asked to death😬

Bit confused about when to start weaning my 4 month old. I have a 7 year old and have basically forgotten everything.

I do remember though the advice then was no solids before 6 months at all. I was surprised this time round when I had a health visitor appointment at 4 months and she basically said we can start now if we want it’s up to me to decide🤷‍♀️

My daughter sits well in her high chair and shows a little interest in what we’re eating and watches with curiosity. She is mainly formula fed now but does breastfeed as part of the bed time routine and with formula alone is getting around 32oz a day so at the top end of the recommended amount.

Does this sound like she’s ready? Is there anything else she needs to be doing or signs to look for? I’m in absolutely no rush to wean and would happily wait till 6 months but wondering if the high milk intake may mean she’s ready for solids now?

Not sure if relevant but she’s also a horrible sleeper at night! Naps well during the day but now up every 2-3 hours at night and needs to be fed back to sleep.

6 months, as per current NHS advice. There’s no reason to start before 6 months, and a high milk intake is great, it’s all she needs right now.

Weaning also has no correlation to sleep - some babies are just poor sleepers.

The main thing is head control so they don’t choke. I started between 5 and 6 months with mine. They usually express interest themselves and start reaching out for food eventually

My kids started eating foods at four months. Both were around 10lbs at birth. I BF my DD for a year but she still start eating food at four months.
I think once they show real interest you can give them some food. Of course they’ll still get most of their calories and nutrients from milk
The ‘recommendations’ are just that, a recommendation. It’s not the law and they change frequently so you do what you think is best.

I’m surprised that your HV is giving this advice as it’s against NHS guidelines. My eldest is in their early 20s and the advice was 6 months then and it still is now.

If you are thinking of weaning, and there’s no judgement here, I’d have a go at this quiz first

The only reason the NHS give for weaning before 6 months is if they are likely to have allergies (bad eczema or sibling with allergies).

Honestly, save yourself the hassle and wait for 6 months! 😂

Advice has changed a lot over the years. 30 years ago it was 3 months 25 years ago it was 4 months now they recommed 6th months. You even had formula for hungry babies and if that wasn't enough they said to try baby rice. It really just used to be based on how hungry baby was and if the milk was enough to fill them up.