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Weaning

Find weaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Weaning forum. Use our child development calendar for more information.

Original poster

5-month old ds not that interested in food

46 replies

naturopath · 10/01/2010 21:10

Started weaning ds about 3 weeks ago. Before I get loads of people telling me it's too early, I have been advised to do so on medical grounds by a general paediatrician, a paediatric gastroenterologist, a sleep specialist, the gp and the hv.

So fine - I start weaning him on baby rice and pear.. thing is, he's just not particularly interested.

His brother was similar - was advised the same - to wean at 4 months, but after a few days he just wasn't interested and only started to eat at 8 months.

Both totally breastfed.

So, what should I do - persevere with the solids? Keep trying once every few days, or every day? Or just stop and try again in a few weeks?

(he wakes up a lot and everyone has told me to "up the solids")

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 10/01/2010 21:54

i think like you say, you can rule out the sleeping as an issue. some babies do just wake frequently.

my first slept beautifully, my second was hideous! waking every 45-90 mins til jhe was about 9 months old (and no, solids made no difference lol)

as for reflux, i dunno... i've heard a lot of poeople say they've been advised to give solids to help, but i've seen very few confirm that it actually does.
i think i'd still be inclined to wait unless they've given you very good reason to belive it will help the reflux;

is he on meds for that?

Original poster
naturopath · 10/01/2010 21:55

oh, and both times was advised to wean at around 18 weeks. Agree with the "not before 17 weeks" advice - I just felt bad for Roxy given that her family all seem to be ok.

(Personally I am a big believer in being cautious generally about stuff like this, as although someone might seem fine now, they may develop problems in later life that are seemingly unconnected yet would be attributable to the thing one should have been cautious about - but people's genetic makeup etc. are dif. - some people smoke till they are 90 and it doesn't affect them)

OP posts:
roxy12 · 10/01/2010 21:55

my son has reflux and he is on strong medication for it and i have to go to a special clinic! they have told me that when he starts on solids his reflux will not be as bad as it is stoggy compared to milk.

this is another reason while my baby was put on solids at 3 months.

he is now off all his medication.

thisisyesterday · 10/01/2010 21:56

Roxy, no-one thinks you're a bad mum (although I do think you may have been given bad advice by health visitors)

The way I look at it is that there may be health risks for my children from weaning early. they could be ok, but they might not.

there is, on the other hand, no harm at all in waiting a few more weeks to wean.

so why not wait? if a baby is hungry all they really need is more milk

paisleyleaf · 10/01/2010 21:57

Don't rusks contain the same amount of sugar as doughnuts?

PureAsTheColdDrivenSnow · 10/01/2010 21:58

oh good, another weaning thread. (

thisisyesterday · 10/01/2010 21:59

something like that paisley, prob why babies like them!

AitchTwoOhOneOh · 10/01/2010 22:01

roxy, seriously, i asked if you were for real on the other thread, and that's what you keep quoting as a rude comment. if your son had medical reasons for weaning (although i'm surprised that any hcp would recommend wheat at that age) then it's quite a different thing.

roxy12 · 10/01/2010 22:02

they wouldnt sell rusks if they were bad for baby's and had loads of sugar in, if it isnt good for baby's then why on earth would they sell them and put baby's at risk!

rusks are from 3 months onwards!

so it cant do that much harm if they are from 3 months onwards.

AitchTwoOhOneOh · 10/01/2010 22:03

i am sufficiently pissed off at the outrageous mis-representation to post a link to the thread

Baileysismyfriend · 10/01/2010 22:05

Rusks do have sugar in them, thats why you can also get low sugar ones.

www.bbc.co.uk/health/healthy_living/nutrition/life_infant4.shtml

Baileysismyfriend · 10/01/2010 22:08

Damn I cant seem to do links.

Oh well, anyway, a rusk contains the same amount of sugar as a digestive biscuit.

Rozy - Look it up, no one is being rude to you just stating facts.

ShowOfHands · 10/01/2010 22:10

Rusks are not from 3 months onwards.

And roffle at the idea of things being on sale equalling an endorsement of their safety. Cigarettes? Daniel O'Donnell albums?

Habbibu · 10/01/2010 22:12

Fraid so, Roxy. And the answer to your question - because it makes money. Sad but true.

paisleyleaf · 10/01/2010 22:28

And we know how ruthless Nestle are when it comes to money or babies' health.

PureAsTheColdDrivenSnow · 10/01/2010 22:29

roxy - nobody was rude to you, but you have been given bad information by your HV's (and you wouldn't be the first, mine said wean at 4mo).

have a look through the weaning threads, and you'll get some more information as to why early weaning isn't a good idea.

rusks are NOT suitable from 3 months.

PureAsTheColdDrivenSnow · 10/01/2010 22:30

and sorry.. OP... I would wait a week or so, try again. Just keep offering, and speak to the multitude of paed specialists (they probably know more than me )

Original poster
naturopath · 10/01/2010 22:38

thanks all - realised I am starting to spout medical knowledge when I am not a dr myself..
ok, think the plan is to speak to the drs again, and in the meantime, maybe hold off and offer maybe once a week to see if there's any interest..

He's not totally averse btw, just a bit like 'why are you giving me this stuff - I was quite happy with milk thank you very much!'..which is why I was a bit confused.. are they supposed to have that reaction? Does that mean they like it and are just not used to it or does it mean they just don't want it? Am rambling so will go to bed now!

OP posts:
mrswarthog · 10/01/2010 22:51

Ds had awful kidney problems (bilateral renal dilatation), diagnosed at 20 week scan. We were told to wean him as late as poss because his kidneys needed a fighting chance. He was BF then FF then weaned at 8months. HV told me to wean him at 4mo 'because big babies should eat earlier'. He is now a marvellous 5yo, no kidney probs, no health probs (a bit of a shouty nightmare but you know...)and eats EVERYTHING Trust your instincts. And let your dc guide you.

Original poster
naturopath · 11/01/2010 09:58

thanks mrswarthog - very interesting. I'll go with my instincts then...

OP posts:
roxy12 · 11/01/2010 11:10

naturopath i agree with mrswarthog.

go with your own motherly instincts!

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