Early weaning

[kandyfloss]

Who here went AGAINST the age recommendations and weaned before 6 or even 4 months ?

Ive been researching the dangers of weaning before 6 months and it seems people get a lot of stick for it. Is it really that bad, surely the Parents are doing what they think is best.

My parents/grandparents seem to think I could start Samuel on rusks, as they all started at like 6 weeks. I understand research has found out more/better info but is it really that bad ? Theres no allergies/ilness etc in my family so surely it did nothing wrong to them ?

Im not thinking of weaning him just yet, just wanted opinions xx

 

[citygirl1]

Not against early weaning but going to avoid rusks. Will start off with something like sweet potato, banana or pear.

 

[Natasha2605]

Just because the parents are doing what THEY think is best, does not mean they ARE doing what is best.

You may give your child food and watch them smile and enjoy it, you dont think about how it may harm them in years to come.

Early weaning particularly before 4 months is a big no no in my book, unless done for medical reasons. Not worth the risk. Ever.

 

[kmac625]

This thread will go nowhere good, just to warn you. Early weaning debates bring out the ugly in a lot of people on here.

My opinion on weaning before 4 months is that it isn't a good idea. Babies guts aren't mature enough to digest food, and just because your grandma (or everyone you know for that matter) did it and was ok, doesn't mean it's a good thing to do. As far as weaning between 4-6 months, ideally closer to 6 months is better the research shows us, however in many cases weaning earlier is recommended for a variety of reasons. If people want to wean before 6 months for no other reason than that they want to, then that is fine by me as it is their child and not my place to tell them what to do. Btw, I weaned at a little over 4 months on doctor's advice and have had no issues so far.

 

[Kimmy25]

I think mummy always knows best and you will know when your baby is ready x

 

[BoLt_InFeRnO]

weaned at 3 months, no problems. never will be

 

[Natasha2605]

I think mummy always knows best and you will know when your baby is ready x

I disagree. Mummy thinks she knows best. She doesn't. You can use your instinct when it comes to many things but imo weaning shouldn't be one of them (at least before 4 months).
JMO

 

[charli87]

Just because the parents are doing what THEY think is best, does not mean they ARE doing what is best.

You may give your child food and watch them smile and enjoy it, you dont think about how it may harm them in years to come.

Early weaning particularly before 4 months is a big no no in my book, unless done for medical reasons. Not worth the risk. Ever.

WSS^^

also just because theres a chance it might not make them ill does not imo make it a reason to do it, why risk your childs health, when there is a chance it could make them ill in later life.

unless you have been advised by a medical professional to start earlier, 4 months should be the absolute earliest.

 

[kandyfloss]

This thread will go nowhere good, just to warn you. Early weaning debates bring out the ugly in a lot of people on here

Thanks for the warning, Im already at the 'Im a terrible parent stage' without people moaning at me x

 

[whoops]

As tempted as I am to start weaning when my LO turns 4 months next week, I know I'm better off waiting. She'll be on solid food for the rest of her life so I don't need to rush it.

My parents told me the other day that they gave me ice cream at 2 months old - I may have enjoyed it at the time but I don't remember it now so it really would have made no difference to me if I hadn't had it. And I'm mildly lactose intolerant now - probably nothing to do with having ice cream too early but you can never be sure.

 

[fairypop]

I don't really see why you would want too wean very early. We started at 22 weeks when the HV gave us the all clear to do so but to be honest, I preferred just the milk, I find weaning a pain and totally stressful! A lot of the myths about weaning will help them sleep through the night etc are rubbish too! I say delay it as long as you can for health reasons for your LO and because it is a pain!!! xxx

 

[Kimmy25]

I think mummy always knows best and you will know when your baby is ready x

I disagree. Mummy thinks she knows best. She doesn't. You can use your instinct when it comes to many things but imo weaning shouldn't be one of them (at least before 4 months).
JMO

BTW i wasnt suggesting before 4 months, as i dont think a baby will show signs before this time

 

[Natasha2605]

I think mummy always knows best and you will know when your baby is ready x

I disagree. Mummy thinks she knows best. She doesn't. You can use your instinct when it comes to many things but imo weaning shouldn't be one of them (at least before 4 months).
JMO

BTW i wasnt suggesting before 4 months, as i dont think a baby will show signs before this time

I wasn't sure what timeframe you meant hun That's why I replied again sayin mummy doesnt always know best. I agree that between 4 and 6 months it's more acceptable to trust motherly instincts, I started weaning Summer as 5 months because I felt she was ready xx

 

[BoLt_InFeRnO]

im a shit mother oh well

 

[CeriB]

There is a lot of research that supports waiting until 6m, 4m at the very, very earliest and that is what I am going to trust. I recognise that the recommendation used to be 4m, like 10 odd years ago, but medical advances happen and research gets better.

I'm not sure anyone can say their LO is 'ready' before 4m anyway. The signs they tell you to look out for to show they are gearing up for it rarely happen at that age IMO.

 

[Natasha2605]

im a shit mother oh well

Nobody put the words ''shit'' and ''mother'' in the same phrase. Don't make assumptions when this thread is still in neautral, nobody even came close to implying you were xx

 

[sapphire1]

I don't really see why you would want too wean very early. We started at 22 weeks when the HV gave us the all clear to do so but to be honest, I preferred just the milk, I find weaning a pain and totally stressful! A lot of the myths about weaning will help them sleep through the night etc are rubbish too! I say delay it as long as you can for health reasons for your LO and because it is a pain!!! xxx

I totally agree with fairypop. We started at 21 weeks for various reasons, with a doctor's go-ahead, but I wish I hadn't bothered. Giving extra milk is so much easier. Weaning doesn't help LOs sleep through, and milk is nutritionally superior to solids. I thought long and hard over the decision of when to wean, but IMO 17 weeks is the absolute earliest it should be considered, and the closer to 6 months the better. x x

 

[shimmy]

my mum told me she weaned me at 6 weeks!! OMG
i was so shocked (and tbh angry) and replied, its a surprise that i dont have any problems!
I'll be looking out for the signs with my LO but have no problem weaning before 6 months, tbh i dont think he will hold on that long lol hes already looking at my food. but not before 4 months for us

 

[Farie]

Same reply I put on the other thread



I see no point in ignoring well researched medical advice unless there is a really good reason - qand in 99% of cases that's medical to.
Simply to go on 'that's what used to be done' is silly IMHO, they used to believe in giving babies brandy for teething!
Dont get me wrong, I know quite a few babies weaned before 6 months for reflux and the like, but before 4 months no, that's just irresponsible, unless it's under the guidance of a specialist and done for extreme reasons such as failure to thrive.

 

[Broodypants]

Oh lordy lordy, another early weaning thread

I don't think many people will give anyone stick for weaning before six months but weaning very early, (i.e. before four months) for no apparent reason will cause quite a lot of people, me included to become quite vocal!

There are plenty of people who have been weaned early and are fine, and just as many who were and have problems. Ultimately, weaning very early is taking a risk with a baby's future health, and unless there are medical reasons as to why to do it I think you'll be hard pushed to find many mums on here who think that's a risk worth taking.

x