Can a 23 week old have wheat?

[Thankyouandgoodnight]

I'm in a muddle with how many weeks a 6 month old is and what the regs are etc!

Weaning is recommended at 26 weeks

ok, so is it wheat at 26 weeks then?

yes, everything but honey and nuts at 26 weeks if no allergy issues

but whenever you start weaning you probably shouldn't introduce things like wheat and dairy straight away. My hv told me that you should start with fruit and veg (and baby rice if you want) and progress to wheat, dairy, meat, etc after a month or so, once your baby's digestive system has had a chance to get used to everything.

you don't need to wait for a month after weaning to start wheat, dairy, meat, as long as you start after 6 months and don't have a history of allergies in the family.

Oh S**T. My DD had a nibble on some toast for the first time this week-she was 24weeks and 3 days. Please tell me I haven't messed up her insides for life somebody! Having a late night panic now!! She's BF and has only had carrot and sweet potato so far...

Chill, it can wait, she will be fine

Thanks Morning Paper-needed some reassurance then! I really shouldn't read these threads when I'm panicking!

I was in a tizz when I read that too Itcanwait. My dd is 24+6 and today I let her keep the piece of toast she grabbed from me. She gave it a good gumming and probably didn't swallow any, but I've been fretting about it ever since.

I probably worry too much!

(ps must change my christmas name!)

hard to believe the two weeks between 24 and 26 means the difference between wheat being ok or not! common sense needed, i think.

I think the recommendations for wheat are to wait until 9 months because of the increased risk of coeliac disease - this is in any baby - not just where there are allergies in the family. I'm sure sucking on a piece of toast prob hasn't done him any harm but it's maybe best not to introduce it as a main part of his diet for a while yet.
Chandellina - I know a couple of weeks doesn't sound like much to us but a lot can happen in terms of development for babies.

sure, but babies are also developing at different rates, so surely 6 months leaves some room on either side. indeed, my NHS pamphlet says "around 6 months."

bubbley- are you in the uk?

in the uk it is 6 months for wheat, bubbleymummy. Some studies have shown that there is also an increased risk of coeliacs disease if wheat is introduced after 7 months but that may be due to bigger portion sizes than you would give a younger baby.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4554661.stm Gut problem link to baby weaning]]

Gut problem link to baby weaning

Yes I'm in the UK. The WHO recommends waiting until at least six months and I know I've read other sources that say 9 months + is better because it is considered one of the allergy foods so it is best to introduce other grains first such as oats and barley and see how the babies react to them first. Obviously, entirely up to people to decide but I def wouldn't give it to an under 6 mth old.