Weaning a slightly Prem baby

[missjennipenni]

Sorry, didnt know wether to post this in here or in the Prem section!

Anyway, my ds is only 3 months old, was born at 35 weeks. I know the guidlines say to wean at 6 months, but for early babies, do you go by the actual age or the corrected age? Ive also read that for some prem babies, its recommended you actually wean slightly earlier?

Ive tried asking my HV, but all she said was "Oh, I dont know"

Im not thinking about weaning DS yet or anything, Im just curious as to when to start!

I would say to see when he seems ready. I know this sounds vague, but my DD1 was born at term, but was advised to wean early, which I did. She was well ready, and took to it like a duck to water.

DD2 was born at 35+4, and I started to wean at 6 months, with the intention of BLW, but she wasn't ready for solids in the slightest. I took a step back and waited another month. So tried again at 7 months. She is now nearly 11 months, and eats a full range of foods with her fingers expertly, and will have food off a spoon if I offer it. She definitely prefers feeding herself though, even with the spoon.

My sister had a DS 7 weeks early, and he has had his first tastes of food this week, at 6 months old.

My DTs were born at 35 weeks and I waited until they were ready, which was around the 26/27 week mark. I too found it difficult to get advice on this but looking for them to lead you is really the best way.

Mine also born at 35 weeks . I read it up on the BLISS website which i foound very helpful . They said basically you shouldnt wean a prem baby before 6 months . ....Or if you do it should be with the advice of a paediatrician .

MY health visitors etc said to use the actual age rather than their corrected age ....because the gut starts maturing as soon as they start oral feeding .
I started at 25 weeks ....In my experience lo wasnt really ready for weaning until 7-8 months ... so I followed Anna Karamels advce .... which is that the first few months are all about intruducing Tastes really rather than anything else ........ Belive me itll make your life a lot easier too . ............

I found this Leaflet REALLY good also .. for just a basic overview ...... just givs you a feel for what to do ....even tho its not specifically for prems .

www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_ 4117080

ds was born at 34 weeks and i weaned at 17 weeks actual age. I too was told that the gut starts maturing as soon as they start oral feeding. He coped fine. i just did baby rice for first 2 weeks.

BLISS guidelines actually say 5-7 months. We were advised to follow their guidelines and there is a good leaflet on their website