Pressure to wean at 5 months

[Mrs_Bump]

Hi. My little boy is 5 months (22 weeks). He is a big boy (91st for weight and 98th for height) and he has been sitting well unsupported for a couple of weeks. He likes playing with the spoon and can pick it up and take it in and out of his mouth. He can also drink cooled boiled water from a beaker. I decided not to wean until 26 weeks before he was born. My husband suffers from Chrons disease and I don't want to take any unnecessary risks with his gut. The HV said I should be weaning at 20 weeks as he was clearly ready and every other mum I know bar one has started weaning already (I know about 12 other mums with babies born within a week of Daniel). I really feel pressured to wean but would like to continue to wait. I can't find anything that says there are risks associated with waiting. He doesn't seem to be demanding any more after his bottles. So am I ok to wait, also is there any way to know if a babies tongue thrust reflex has gone without feeding them?
Thanks

 

[laodicean]

There are risks associated with delayed weaning beyond 6 months, but that doesn't seem to be what you're wanting to do. It's absolutely fine to wait till 6 months, and you shouldn't feel pressured by anyone to start any sooner.

As for the tongue thrust, no, the only way you're going to find out if the tongue thrust reflex is gone except by putting something in his mouth that he doesn't then thrust out, as it were. I started half-hearted weaning a couple of weeks ago, and my LO's tongue thrust reflex is gone if that's any help.