Weaning guidelines changing?

[hellywelly]

I've heard from two different sources this week that the guidelines for when to start weaning are going to go back to 4 months as they were before. I know as mummies most of us are led by our babes as when to start anyway, regardless of guidelines, but has anyone else heard this?

 

[VikkiR]

Recent studies have debunked the idea of weaning babies before 6 months in most cases. The WHO recommends the absolute earliest for weaning is 17 weeks x ps I had a dietician come on Monday and that's what she said

 

[beckyboo1]

I let you know tomorrow chick as the HV is coming to talk to us about weaning (not that I want to do it yet) so will be interesting to see what she says xx

 

[Mrs N]

The Hv and the doctor actually told me to wean H when he was 17 weeks. THink it depends on the baby, I would say that the best guideline is to just say when they are ready after 17 weeks then the pressure is off!!
xxx

 

[beckyboo1]

Well I've had the HV round this morning - basically they said round here they try to visit mus around 15-16 weeks, as they know sow mums lke to wean early - however she said absolutely not before 17 weeks.

She didnt say the guidelines were changing and all the leaflets shes left with me talk about from 6 months.

She said that from 6 months weaning will be quicker, as the babies have developed more and can chew/swallow easier.

I'm not bothered about starting early, and basically she said as long as H is gaining weight, theres no need to start early.

I mentioned about BLW weaning whihch she said from 6 months, and also recomended the Gill Rapley book for info (which i'm going to get)

HOpe that sorta helps xx

 

[BevG]

ive heard it a few times recently but not from anyone official so far

 

[Olive]

Would be very interesting if this is true! Kind of amusing too tbh lol. X


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[ISH]

These things do go back and forth with time, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.

 

[Olive]

Same chicky. X


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[Mrsstuart01]

Who recommends 6 months but the legal advice that needs to be printed on all baby food hasn't changed and says 4 months. It's up to you though. We'll be waiting till 6 months as I don't want to risk his digestive system not being able to cope and we will be blw xx

 

[Humesy]

I personally think they should give an absolute minimum.

So it should state "Weaning should commence from earliest 17 weeks - around 26 weeks"

It's ridiculous to assume all babies are ready to be weaned at 26 weeks on the dot. And it's ridiculous the guilt/pressure put on mums.

At the end of the day all babies are different

Oh and yes, I've heard it's changing to 17 weeks again lol!

It won't surprise me if it's 4 months and then 3 months or 7 months! Guidelines will change as new research and studies are done, so really I think more focus should be on when mummy's instinct thinks a baby is ready (obv with a minimum) x

 

[beckyboo1]

That's why I think my area its right in making sure they see you before 17 weeks do that if you do want/ need to start early you know about what to do/ what to give and avoid.

 

[Belfast girl]

yes it was on the bbc news a few months ago that WHO were going to change the guidelines (for developed countries only) to wean at 4 months for babies that are breastfed due to worries about iron and other nutrients - i never went on the WHO to verify though.

i wonder how many full circles we have come in the last few years!!

 

[jojo_2012]

I'm happy to hear this. I don't think it's fair to have the same guidelines for developed countries as in the developing world, even the research I've read said it.

That's not to say the 6 month age isn't all right and it's common sense that waiting til a baby is older will mean their digestive system is more mature, but there's other factors to consider and at the end of the day you have to follow your instincts. I have a lot of admiration for people who can wait til their baby is 6 months but I don't think it is something I would consider doing.

 

[hellywelly]

Thanks for all the comments ladies. Evie isn't showing any signs she's ready to be weaned yet but I will be taking her lead when she does, even if that does mean it's before 6 months. I have also read that it is less down to babies not being ready for food, and more to do with safe guarding children in developing nations. Like lots of you have said, I think it sometimes comes down to what is fashionable at the time!

 

[mummy2b19]

i was told by hv that we follow france with weaning guidlines and it was nothing to do with the digestive tract thats ok to wean for 4 months the changed it to try and reduce the growing number of food allergys within babys and young children studdies have shown that it diddnt make a diffrence so france reduced it back to 4 months and we will soon do the same x

 

[VikkiR]

I took lo to GP on Monday about something and DH asked her about weaning and she said the guidelines were changed by WHO to 6 months because the 6 months was aimed at 3rd world countries, not ours x

 

[AndreaJayne]

There is so much info out there, I have been very strict and said nothing til 6 months as I thought it could upset baby's tummy or cause allergies now im confused. Also I've found OH's family keep going on about giving him baby rice and juice that it's making me stick to it they just wana stuff him with food! I will prob BLW but at the mo he is fine with milk xxx
Ne1 else want to stick to 6 mths? X

 

[hellywelly]

I would like to start a bit earlier than 6 months as by 7 months if you read the guidelines they are expected to be able to eat quite a lot, and I'm worried that if we don't start before then I will feel like I'm rushing her. I want to be able to give us both time to get used to it so I would prefer about 5 months, so if it takes her a while to get used to it then we don't feel stressed or under pressure to be eating lots of different things very quickly.

 

[Scottie]

G/c at the end of the.day guidelines are guidelines and I think it will always come down to mummy knows her baby best.

Personally with Ds I waited until he was ready (he could sit upright aided and started showing an interest in our food). He was 5 months old, when we started a mix of spoon and finger food.

My son has multiple food ibtolerances from birth, so a delay in weaning wasnt my choice for that reason alone. I would have been completly blw but it was a struggle with having to avoid so many finger foods at the time.

Would I do anything different next time, no I'm going with mummy knows best


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