Grrr - MIL unwanted advice to wean early

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More of a rant than anything else really!

Currently exclusively bf 5 mth old DS. I am very happy to wait to wean at 6 months and DS does not seem ready to wean at all.

A couple of weeks ago MIL told DH that the new advice (she is a retiring HV) is to wean 'big' babies early and so we should consider doing this. I was really annoyed, one as it's none of her business, two because DS is definitely not big and in fact is on the 25th centile, and three because I've never heard anything like that.

Then yesterday she told DH that DS would sleep better if we weaned him now. I know this is nonsense and tbh really think DS is one of those babies who will wake during the night for a long time to come. Why do people find it so necessary to stick their twopenceworth in.

Tbh she's a bit of a know-all (know nothing) type and I think she's uncomfortable with me exclusively bf for so long because she didn't, and that she will be more comfortable when he is weaned, as that is what she is familiar with. Of course stubborn as I am, I am now twice as determined not to wean before 26 weeks on the dot, at least!

Anyway, rant over!

I really don't understand the obsession with weaning early. I'm currently arguing about it on another board, where I seem to be the only person to be planning to wait until six months (at the earliest). I think it's extraordinary! One person started on baby rice before 12 weeks (though she says she was badly advised), most others seem to wait until 16/17 weeks. I know it's none of my business etc but I think in most cases people aren't making an informed choice.

Congrats on getting to 5 months bfing and enjoy sticking to your guns

Good job she's retiring isn't it?! She's dsangerously underinformed! Current advice is 26 weeks for all babies and never before the end of the fourth month i.e. 17 weeks.

I did have big babies (98th centile) and waited until they were all around 26 weeks to wean them.

sparkle I'm wondering whether she'll say something to me, as she's calling in tomorrow. So far she's only said it to DH - maybe she knows better than to say it to me

I can't see what the hurry is anyway - purely from a laziness perspective, bf is so easy, why would I want to give myself all that hassle before I have to. And apart from anything else, DS is far from being able to sit up without slumping, so I really wouldn't be wanting to feed him

If she is a HV then she should have some official documentation for this 'new advice'. Ask her for it so you can read all the information for yourself....I bet she can't produce it ....then start giving her all the proper, referenced advice. If she's spouting this stuff to you then she'll be telling other mums under her care

I think, she's wrong, and hope you can ignore her. Does DH believe her? Is your own HV supportive of you? I didn't manage to bf and looked forward to weaning but still waited until 26 weeks. My ds had a few teeth by then and I was able to give him finger foods and stuff, but I would think best way is to wait until 26 weeks in line with advice and then do what works best for you. I agree with you that weaning now is unnecessary work for you and it's not in line with current guidance at all! Are you going to continue bf while introducing solids? I hope to with dc2 though I will probably have to introduce some formula as I expect to return to work at 9 months.

some days I wish I could go back to just BFing - it was so easy! (DS is 10 MO) just stick to your guns, I know it's hard when others around you have started early but say that you're the mum and you don't see 'the signs to wean' - i.e. he's not 6 months yet!
My first thought as well was that I'm glad she's retiring so she can't give any more parents wrong advice!

i can truly sympathise with you re mil. dd is 21 weeks and im holding out till 26 weeks but im dreading mil lobbying dh to wean cos that is what she did back in the dark ages, dreading 3 days with mil on the subject. my heart goes out to you.

My mum is the same..

By now my 19 week old should be on 3 course meals.

Mum knows I intend to wait till 6mths but according to her the guidelines don't mean a thing.
I get the usual... well it always used to be 3mths/ It never did you any harm ect etc.

My sister weaned her baby early at about 3.5 months so of course I should be too!
My sister was giving her baby Nice biscuits ( the sugar coated ones) to suck on and dipping her dummy in cola and ice cream. I also remember her having takeaway chips at 3mths.
Just cause she did that doesn't mean I want to\ or should!

Christmas should be fun when shes trying to encourage me to give her some xmas dinner.

She seriously asked me last month if she could give her a milkyway!- mmmm NO!
Then says to DD " oh poor you.. wait till you stay with me overnight-mummy doesnt need to know!"
DD has yet to stay over at Nannys!! and prob wont for quite a while!