Parenting Forums

Posted: 30 August 2007 at 10:03am | IP Logged

hi, me again. i need advice from my baby guru's!!!

why is it that health visitors say that you cannot wean your baby until 6 months old? i really don't know. i know there is a school of thought that thinks that purees should be bypassed and straight to solids but why has this all changed. when maddie, who is now 6 yrs old, was a bubba it was suggested to wean at 4 months, which was right for her anyhow. to my knowledge babies digestive system has not changed for years so what happened to cause the change. the consultant suggested i wean katie about 5 months. katie has and still is on the top centile, though steadying now and looking beautiful it has to be said. the other confusing thing is that on the weaning products...purees/rusks etc the age starts from 4 months. surely, the product should be in line with the dept of health rcommendations.

please help. can't really ask the health visitor. i think katie should be in the weaning process, but i don't want to be villified for not adhering to guidelines. surely, as a mum you know your baby and do what is right for them and you.

bed wants me, i want bed thanks to katie and her teething but bless hshe has fallen asleep in front of jeremy kyle so i ought to get dressed even though i really really want to sleep. i'll check back in later. i hope! i have so much i need to talk about just don't get the time or privacy. thanks everyone.

Posted: 30 August 2007 at 10:08am | IP Logged

i think you should wean when you feel it is right,i weaned bronia v early coz she was a chubby hungry food monster and the milk just wasnt satisfying her enough,i think she was just less than 4months,dont let your hv make you feel like you are wrong,they have guidelines but they are not the parent,you are and you know what is right,just tell her.

xxx

Posted: 30 August 2007 at 10:23am | IP Logged

Both of my lo's were weaned from around 4-5 months, they told me 6 months but, ds never really drank much milk, 4 oz's at the most and dd is a food monster, who needed more than just milk.

Posted: 30 August 2007 at 10:56am | IP Logged

I weaned ellie at 19 weeks in the hope that it would help her sleep..it didn't!  I thought it was right at the time but it hindsight, I don't think she needed weaning then...

hannah is much bigger than ellie (91st centile!) and is 21 weeks and not yet showing signs of needing to be weaned (she is fully bf and on 4 hourly feeds in the day)..I think there are signs to look for such as guzzling loads of milk and not being satisfied still, showing interest in food when you eat, waking in the night for feeds if previously sleeping thru (if only!)..good luck!

Posted: 30 August 2007 at 11:11am | IP Logged

I think it does really depend on your baby as to when you start weaning.
I dont agree that there must be a set time for everyone to start doing it, as some babies aren't satisfied with just milk by a certain age.
I started my older 3 when they was about 3 months old... and that worked out fine for them, but my 4th i waited until he was just over 4 months as recommened by the hv... but tbh, i would have started him a littler earlier if i hadnt been pressured with the guidelines then.

Do what you feel is right, if lo isnt settling on just milk alone and seems hungry still, then a little baby rice before the milk is a good way to introduce them to weaning.
By the way, i would also put lo on the hungrier baby milk first, to see if that helps.
x-x-x

Posted: 30 August 2007 at 11:31am | IP Logged

i was told this is soemthign toda with the time it takes ffrom a aby to move from mush to more solid food.......As jess and Ella were both breast fed they did not wean til 6 mths.well Ella was 5 and a half mths and jsut was almost 7 mths.

Both skipped mush really and went onto lumpy food.

I think you do it as you feel your baby needs food.both of mine were settled and fine on breastmilk and I knew when they were waking more and feeding more frequently it was time for solids.

Posted: 30 August 2007 at 12:26pm | IP Logged

As the years tick by more money and research is put into different things. Although a child's digestive system might never have changed, better research could be the reason for the new weaning advice. It is believed the sooner you give your child foods, if they are not ready, then they are more likely to develop digestive problems in later life. Health professionals have to give you the up to date advice to cover their own backs.

I was advised by my health visitor to put Joshua onto baby rice at 11 weeks. For him this was the best thing, and he was soon munching through rusks, and baby food. He thrived on food and he was much healthier.

Baby milk/ breast milk contains everything a baby needs and if they are thriving on that then there should be no real rush to introduce solids too early. It is thought the longer it is left the better for baby. You know your baby, and you will know wether she is satisfied on milk alone. If you think she needs a food type to help satisfy her hunger then so be it, dont worry about what anyone will think. Everything is just a guideline, and not every baby falls in that. Some babies want food sooner, and their body is ready to handle that. Go with what Katie wants, not your HV or consultant.