DD was 3 weeks early - do I take this into consideration when weaning

[whensmydayoff]

Just wondering as DD has reflux so the sooner the better if she is ready.

She is only 17 weeks just now and holds her head well and watches us eating with interest but I doubt she is quite ready. Was thinking of trying her in around 3 weeks but the above question has just dawned on me.

the signs of readiness are - sitting up unaided with good head control, loss of the tongue thrust reflex, being able to pick up, chew and swallow a piece of food, amongst some other factors

waking more, wanting more milk and watching you eat are not signs

if she has refulx, unless you are guided by a pead. to wean earlier, the general advice is no solids before 17 weeks, and the aim is to commence around 26 weeks. some babies are ready sooner, some later, but you need to know the proper signs

you need to know what outward pyhsical signs of development signify readiness, i/e the readiness of the internal system , the gut, to have and cope with something other than milk

Sitting up unaided? My DS was 9 months, Id Fade away (I wish)!

I know she isn't ready now but Paed was the one who said sooner the better with regards reflux. I will watch her for more progress though as she still seems very young at 17 weeks.

Do you know if I do have to take the 3 weeks early into consideration?

milk will still be the main source of nutrition/calories for the first year though.. the start of weaning is taste/texture introduction rather than immediate milk replacement

AFAIK, 37 weeks is considered full term, but you should check with paed. but if early weaning is being advocated, i am sure they will have taken that into consideration

DS was 36+2 and we went with 26 weeks uncorrected age as he was showing the signs of readiness and if I'm honest apart from the first week of his life has never looked like a prem (jumped from 50th to 91st centile in 2 weeks)
Weaning was fairly hit and miss anyway in the beginning particularly as we did BLW so most of it ended up on the floor for the first few months!
We didn't have reflux issues though.

Sigh, BLW seems to be the new pressure.

When i had DS 3 yrs ago, as long as the little pot in your hand was a lovingly prepared home cooked superfood meal and you could pronounce quinoa properly, you would not be burned at the stake at your local baby group.

Now, if you don't have them BLW your a food and sleep pusher. Not that anyone here has said this it's just what im hearing everywhere I go now.

Im going to burry my head in the sand with this one. DS was weaned at 5 months and is a really healthy eater. I didn't have any problems and he has no allergies even though my DH has loads. I can't imagine feeding a baby full on for a year and them sucking the odd carrott, too frustrating, im too impatient .

Hey,

In medical terms a baby born after 36 weeks is considered term, so your LO does not need a corrected age and her age should be taken from the day she was born.

I think the WHO guidelines state to wean form 26 weeks.

I don't think you need a paediatrician your HV should be able to help.

Weaning sooner rather than later should help with the reflux.

If you are interested the advice for premature babies is to wean at 26 weeks actual age.

The readiness thing in terms of sitting up, interest in food, hand to mouth coordination is controversial to say the least.

HTH

Thank you yellow, that's what I wondered. Great, will see how she is at 22 weeks due to the reflux and if not, 26 weeks max - hoorah!