Solids before 6 months

[snailien]

I would also disregard the doubling of birth weight bit. Some babies have doubled their birth weight by 3 months and are in no way ready for solids. My LO didn't double her birth weight until nearly 8 months and would have been biting my hand off by then!

I think they're saying all of those things together are a good indication, not just one on its own.

 

[Dragonfly]

I wish I had of waited with William though he wasnt really interested in food for a long time as I was breastfeeding him. I was listening to HV saying 5 months etc. never gave anything that could cause allergy as I didnt want him to be a coalic like me or anything else. Next one I will wait till they show interest in food and not freak out about them not stupefying faces like hv wanted at 6 months old.

 

[New2Bumps]

Ethan was 6 months when I tried him on baby rice but he wasn't interested. Tried a week later and at about 6.5 months he was really into it He was a month prem though so I think this had somethign to do with it. He only started following food when I ate at about 7 months though, and still won't feed himself, although he takes a bite of things and chews, so I think in that respect the guidelines for when baby is ready are wrong.

 

[Celesse]

We started giving Abigail food to play with at our evening meal from around 4 months, not with any intention of her eating it, just so she could have a messy play session and explore the food. It meant we could eat our meal knowing she was entertained, but also involved. We had also been recommended by the GP to wean early due to reflux, something I wasn't totally thrilled with and wanted to gage her readiness by watching her with food.

Abigail has been sitting unaided since 4.5 months. She passed the banana test at 5 and a bit months at which point I introduced some spoon fed puree meals. She has taken to weaning very well, and managed spoon fed meals and finger foods with ease.

 

[marie-louise]

Trumpetbum, Matthew's paediatric dietician has told me that the guidelines are changing back to say it is ok to wean from 17 weeks unless your child is exclusively breastfed so that is another reliable source. I had to wean Matthew from 17 weeks due to cow's milk protein allergy and reflux and have to say he has taken to it really well, no mess at all! He can also sit up really well and loves his food. Personally I think all babies develop at different rates, some aren't ready til later and it is up to the parent as to when this is (as long as it is not b4 4 months)

 

[Lu28]

I would also disregard the doubling of birth weight bit. Some babies have doubled their birth weight by 3 months and are in no way ready for solids. My LO didn't double her birth weight until nearly 8 months and would have been biting my hand off by then!

I think they're saying all of those things together are a good indication, not just one on its own.

Oh I know, I just don't think the weight thing is reliable at all.

 

[Lu28]

Trumpetbum, Matthew's paediatric dietician has told me that the guidelines are changing back to say it is ok to wean from 17 weeks unless your child is exclusively breastfed so that is another reliable source.

This is something my sister was told in Ireland which I just can't understand. Why is it ok for a bottle fed baby to be weaned from 17 weeks but not a breastfed baby? Their digestive systems develop at the same rate regardless of whether they have formula or breastmilk so I really don't see what the difference is. Unless they aren't going to break WHO guidelines of exclusively breastfeeding until 6 months in which case I'd trust the WHO guidelines and not introduce solids before 6 months unless medically indicated. I just can't understand what the difference is here between a baby who is FF or BF

 

[xolily]

between 4-5 months. started off with rice but she wasn't keen, gave her porridge and she loved it.. introduced purees after a couple of weeks and at 6 months she was eating our food mashed up.. she eats anything i put infront of her now x

 

[trumpetbum]

Trumpetbum, Matthew's paediatric dietician has told me that the guidelines are changing back to say it is ok to wean from 17 weeks unless your child is exclusively breastfed so that is another reliable source.

This is something my sister was told in Ireland which I just can't understand. Why is it ok for a bottle fed baby to be weaned from 17 weeks but not a breastfed baby? Their digestive systems develop at the same rate regardless of whether they have formula or breastmilk so I really don't see what the difference is. Unless they aren't going to break WHO guidelines of exclusively breastfeeding until 6 months in which case I'd trust the WHO guidelines and not introduce solids before 6 months unless medically indicated. I just can't understand what the difference is here between a baby who is FF or BF

I think it is related to the fact that breastmilk has properties which naturally line and protect the open gut, providing immunity via antibodies which thrive in the 'virgin gut' . The virgin gut is sealed by the properties of the breastmilk stopping germs from entering the bloodstream. Topping up with formula in small amounts or introducing solids interferes with this, destroys the virgin gut. This shift removes the coating and kills good bacteria. Just one formula supplement per day will result in an almost immediate shift in which good bacteria are no longer dominant which is why there is then less point in advising against the introduction of solid food which like formula causes huge changes in the flora of the gut.
The speedy rise in the number of bacteria and easy entry to the bloodstream can introduce infection but around 6 months the gut will no longer be open and so the value of 'exclusive' breastfeeding is decreased at the same time as babies are generally ready for food.
In short the value of delaying solids until six months is less in formula fed babies than in breastfed babies.
Hths

 

[freckleonear]

This is something my sister was told in Ireland which I just can't understand. Why is it ok for a bottle fed baby to be weaned from 17 weeks but not a breastfed baby? Their digestive systems develop at the same rate regardless of whether they have formula or breastmilk so I really don't see what the difference is. Unless they aren't going to break WHO guidelines of exclusively breastfeeding until 6 months in which case I'd trust the WHO guidelines and not introduce solids before 6 months unless medically indicated. I just can't understand what the difference is here between a baby who is FF or BF

I think the reason for the different guidelines is because exclusively breastfed babies have a virgin gut and protection against any molecules passing through the holes in the intestine. Formula does pass through the holes, so early weaning before the holes have closed up doesn't make as much difference. It makes sense when you bear in mind that the risks of early weaning come from molecules passing through the intestine walls directly into the bloodstream.

Aaron didn't really eat any solid foods until about 10 months old, so with Tabitha we probably won't bother starting weaning until about 7 months.

 

[Lu28]

That's really interesting guys, thanks. I was beginning to think they had intoduced some magical ingredient into formula that made the gut develop quicker!

 

[Vici]

6 months for us I had a very hungry baby so I just upped her milk (sometimes to 15oz+ at a time!!) She showed a huge interest when we were eating, wanting to grab food, following us with her eyes etc but she did this from 2 months!! She also did it when daddy drunk beer, when i was brushing my teeth and when i was doing the washing up - didn't man she was ready for any of those things

While I do understand that some babies are ready earlier than others, I do also believe that no baby is ready for solids at 16 weeks and earlier (as i've seen on here many times). It is a common misconception that the 4 month sleep regression period can be solved by early weaning I hate the argumant - "well my mum weaned us at 3 months and we were all fine". Its like "my mum used to transport me in a moses basket behind the front car seats and i'm fine so why don't we all do that!!" There is a reason that the guidelines are there - from factual research xx

 

[DottyLottie]

I waited until LO was 6 months old., but people forget that until quite recently the guidelines were to wean at 4 months, both of my older girls were weaned at 4 months, both sitting in a high chair, and neither of them has had any problems.
Even so, I chose to be better safe than sorry, and I wanted to BLW so I waited until 6 months with Boo, but really, I don't think it is going to do any massive harm to wean earlier. When the guidelines suggested 4 months, lots of mums started their babies even earlier than this.

 

[leoniebabey]

i dont think LO will hold till 6 months, i'd like to wait but LO is not drinkking all his bottle but is still hunry so it would be pointless to up his milk because he doesnt drink it

 

[Seraphim]

The toddlers I know who started weaning at the 6 month mark, ie didn't need to be spoonfed exclusively - are far more curious and confident with their eating and choice of foods.

In addition to the advice regarding allergies and choking hazards / ability to sit etc, I think this is a really good reason to let LO discover food when they are more able to handle it for themselves, rather than building a reliance on pureeing and their parent to hand feed them everything.

I have friends who started early, rice, puree etc... and they can't believe H happily sits and feeds herself, while they're breaking off small bits of bread and trying to sneak lumps into the baby's food.

 

[Vici]

i dont think LO will hold till 6 months, i'd like to wait but LO is not drinkking all his bottle but is still hunry so it would be pointless to up his milk because he doesnt drink it

How do you know he's hungry hun? As far as he is aware milk is the only thing that will fill him up - he doesn't know what food is. This is why when you start to wean, you ensure they have had their milk first.

 

[Bingles]

At 4 months we were advised by the DN to start on baby rice as she was always hungry. we now have her on ababy rice and bottle and she is loads better

 

[aliss]

JMO but I don't understand the rush to wean. Sounds like more work, LOL! A bottle or boob is a lot easier. Anyways, mine is only 12 weeks so I haven't even explored the idea yet and don't plan to anytime soon... but to each their won

 

[Seity]

We are 6 months now and I'll occasionally let him play with something, but I'm not ready to wean him just yet. Boob juice and formula is fine for now.

 

[lanaross]

the milk and formula are the primary source of nutrition until one year so I figured why add more stress. We are waiting till six months and will try BLW. She's sucking with delight an occasional piece of broccoli or peach and she's obviously quite ready, but we are almost there and in no rush. By the way... she's on 97 percentile of growth and is a hungry baby, but the milk (or formula) provides much more calories than food so we'll wait.